Episode 35

Has it already been this long?

Reflexively, I got up, and the sunlight streaming through the tent crack was quite dazzling. Carefully waking up Flynn, who was sleeping next to me, I said,

“Flynn, wake up.”

It seemed difficult for Flynn to open his eyes, and he opened them very slowly. Together, we cautiously went out of the tent, and by now, the desolate Alas Forest was bustling with people.

“Oh, are you awake?”

Emma, who came to wake us up, smiled slightly, saying she had less work. I washed my face with the water Emma handed me and tidied up my hair.

While Emma combed the back of my head, she casually made a sound like thunder.

“We need to prepare the food now.”

“…Sigh.”

I let out a small sigh and stood up. Lifting the tent revealed the noisy voices of people and the sounds of drums.

“To whom should I give the handkerchief?”

“Of course, it’s for Prince Sazare, right?”

“I’m for the Duke.”

“Aren’t you a guest of Lady Amy? She seems important. How about giving the handkerchief to someone else…”

After today’s schedule, I plan to take a bath in warm water. With that thought alone, I energetically washed the dishes.

The weight of the luxurious foods on the plates was heavier than expected.

But carrying the plates wasn’t that difficult. In fact, there was something else that bothered me more.

‘…Why does he keep staring at me?’

In other words, it was that Theodore kept silently staring at me without taking his eyes off, even for a moment, as I moved plates back and forth to the table.

Every fleeting moment, even the moment when I was bringing the plates, he watched me as if he wouldn’t miss a thing.

‘That gaze is so piercing; I can’t help but feel like he’s going to devour me.’

Whenever I unintentionally looked at him, he just continued to gaze at me even more intensely.

In those moments, I could only pretend to be indifferent, greet him, and force a smile.

‘What’s wrong with him, really!’

Is he trying to provoke me, or is he just scrutinizing everything I do?

Lost in thought, I approached Theodore. His gaze was still fixed on me.

“…Beef and tomato stew pairs well together. The soft texture in the middle will be shrimp. As you need to ride a horse later, I prepared a light meal.”

His gaze was uncomfortable, so I couldn’t look him in the eyes properly. Instead, I recited memorized lines without making eye contact with him.

Looking only at the half-empty water cup on the table, I continued.

And then, without waiting for a response from him, I gave him a brief greeting. Theodore responded quietly.

“Hey, the cup is dirty.”

He lightly gestured toward the cup in front of him.

However, from my perspective, the cup was clean. The water inside was so transparent that it clearly revealed the bottom.

But if he says it’s dirty, then it’s dirty.

“I’ll quickly bring a new cup.”

I hurriedly picked up the water cup and took a step. But in that moment, a trap suddenly popped out from under the table.

Theodore had kicked the trap under the table.

Caught in the trap, I stumbled and fell heavily with a thud. The water in the cup I was holding splashed everywhere, drenching me completely.

There were snickers coming from all around.

“Get up right now.”

Theodore, with his hand on his chin, spoke in an indifferent tone. His arrogant gaze made me feel infinitely small.

“…I’m sorry.”

Water dripped from my chin.

“Go and get another one.”

Luckily, I was wearing thick clothes. I wiped my face with the end of my sleeve.

I didn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. I just felt annoyed by Theodore, who could only harass me to this extent.

It was on my way back after replacing the cup that I faced Theodore again.

‘Wow, you two really make a great pair.’

The surroundings began to get noisy in an instant.

It was because the most talked-about couple in the social scene had entered.

Amy, wearing a dazzling afternoon dress as bright as the sunshine, and Raiden, gracefully escorting her, looked like a perfect match to anyone who saw them.

Raiden was wearing a brown velvet jacket, and the jacket’s belt accentuated his waist.

Black gloves were fitted on his sturdy hands.

Unlike other days, he wasn’t wearing a wristwatch today.

And he seemed more sensitive today.

…Did he not sleep well?

His sharp eyes didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

For a moment, I was captivated by the sight of the two, but then quickly bowed my head to them.

“Chase.”

I hoped they would just pass by without recognizing me, but unfortunately, Amy seemed more interested in me than I expected.

“…Nice to meet you, Lord and Lady.”

“Hello.”

As soon as I raised my head, I locked eyes with Raiden. His eyebrows subtly furrowed for a moment as he glanced at me, drenched in water.

“You’re soaked again today.”

Amy took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to me. It felt awkward to refuse the favor of a noble lady bestowed upon a mere servant.

I expressed my gratitude to her and accepted the handkerchief. As if urging me to quickly wipe my face, Amy lightly tapped my chin with the handkerchief.

The lavender scent emanated strongly from the handkerchief she offered. It was a soft handkerchief that must have been expensive.

I didn’t properly wipe my face with such a handkerchief. After hastily wiping my face, I extended the handkerchief back to her. Amy, with an indulgent smile, spoke.

“You can keep it. Your face might get wet again, right?”

“Thank you.”

“Yesterday, Theodor told you to leave early, right? I should have thanked you for fetching my hat…”

“No, it was my duty as a servant.”

Amy smiled faintly at my words.

“Is there anywhere that hurts?”

“No.”

Raiden, who had been silently watching me, spoke quietly.

“If you’re hurt, go rest. Don’t roam around bothering other people.”

… Anyway, he’s only good at giving orders.

“I’m fine.”

Raiden didn’t seem to acknowledge my words. He simply seemed eager to get out of this situation as soon as possible.

But Amy, holding onto Raiden’s arm, was unyielding.

“Chase, who do you think will win in today’s competition?”

At that moment, Raiden’s gaze turned towards me. His eyes looking at me were intimidating.

… If I were to answer who I think would win, it would undoubtedly be Prince Théodore or Lord Sassaray.

But I didn’t want to say Théodore. I quietly replied.

“…Prince Sazare.”

“Ha…!”

Before I could finish speaking, Raiden burst into forced laughter and swept his hand through his hair.

Raiden, glaring at me fiercely, avoided meeting his eyes, feeling unable to face his intimidating gaze.

He started making sarcastic remarks.

“Is there snow on your eyes?”

“Prince Sazare is also a strong candidate for victory.”

I added quickly. Listening quietly to our conversation, Amy smiled faintly.

And the moment I saw her smile, I instinctively realized that I had done something wrong.

“Um, that could be true. But I believe His Excellency will win confidently.”

Amy withdrew her arm from Raiden’s and rummaged through her bag. From a black wallet filled with numerous expensive jewels, Amy took out a few banknotes.

“I’ll bet on His Excellency today.”

And she put the banknotes she was holding into my breast pocket.

“Even if you’re in dire need of money, don’t steal. Since His Excellency is a witness.”

Strangely, each of Amy’s words pricked at my heart. Did she think I would steal money?

“It’s only natural.”

But I smiled broadly, nodded, and said, “Then, I’ll gratefully take the money.”

At that moment, Raiden, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, took the banknote from my breast pocket. After estimating the amount on the banknote, he licked his lips and opened his mouth.

“You’re not as extravagant as I thought, Young Lady.”

“Lord.”

Amy quietly called Raiden. However, Raiden tilted his head slightly and said, “Consider it as receiving it instead of a handkerchief.”

For a moment, Amy’s delicate eyebrows wrinkled slightly. “Instead of a handkerchief?”

“I gave him the only handkerchief.”

Raiden let out a sharp laugh and then turned to me, nodding slightly. “You can leave now.”

“Then… I’ll take my leave.”

I hurriedly moved my steps while watching Amy’s reaction. When I quickly went to fetch a water cup for Theodore, he had already disappeared.

* * *

“Eek!”

Blowing my nose didn’t seem to make me feel any cooler. I sighed quietly and took a sip of warm water.

“…Would you like to return first? I’ll explain to Mr. Henry.”

Emma asked cautiously with a worried look in her eyes.

“No, everyone is working hard, and I shouldn’t be the only one to skip.”

It’s not even a fever.

Moreover, Mr. Henry gave instructions last time. Everyone had to participate in the hunting competition without exception.

“Let’s eat first.”

“…Okay.”

Sniffling, I looked at Emma who handed me the chicken. While watching Emma who was kindly removing the bones for me, I cautiously spoke.

“…About my brother.”

“Huh?!”

When Abel’s name came up, Emma’s face flushed slightly. As expected… Emma undoubtedly likes Abel.

I wondered if I should tell Emma in advance that Abel has a partner. Dorothy didn’t seem to have told Emma separately.

Maybe Emma and Dorothy being nice to me was all because of Abel.

I pursed my lips, swallowed the bite of chicken, and carefully opened my mouth.

“…My brother… he’s doing well.”

“Uh, really?”

As Emma listened quietly to our conversation, her eyes brightened. Apparently… Emma likes Abel.

Should I tell her directly that Abel has someone he likes? Dorothy didn’t seem to have said anything to Emma.

Perhaps Emma and Dorothy being nice to me was all because of Abel.

I moistened my lips, closed my mouth, and then retracted my words.

“No. I just wondered how my brother is doing.”

“What’s with the blandness.”

The clattering sound of tableware echoed. Then, Emma suddenly stood up with a worried expression.

“Just a moment, Chase.”

“Where are you going?”

“Chase, wait here for a moment!”

Although I was puzzled by her actions, I nodded. However, Emma didn’t return until I finished my meal.

It was pitiful to see Emma’s soup getting cold without the owner.

Before entering the tent, I took out the heated stone I received from Peter. Fortunately, the stone was still warm. I unwrapped the cloth around the stone and placed Emma’s bowl on top.

… I should have returned before it got colder.

And why did she leave so urgently?

At that moment, I heard the sound of the tent being lifted. Thinking it might be Emma, I turned towards the direction of the sound, but the person entering the tent wasn’t Emma.