ITYVA 54🔐

Chapter 54

“Uh… uh?”

“I’m… hungry, Nuna…”

The voice was soft, yet clear enough for anyone nearby to hear.

The moment I heard that, it was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over me—my mind instantly cleared.

As said he was hungry.

“I have to feed him something delicious, quickly!”

My previously dizzy and scattered thoughts were now consumed by a single idea.

“Alright, just wait a bit! Let’s go get something yummy!”

I quickly scooped up As and sprang to my feet.

His little arms wrapped tightly around my neck.

Holding him firmly, I pushed through the crowd that had gathered in waves.

“Excuse me, let me through! It’s urgent!”

The people, though surprised, didn’t block my path once they heard As say he was hungry.

I made my way through the crowd without delay.

Without wasting a second, I dashed straight to Le Moire Café, right in the center of Enib Street.

“Delina, Nuna!”

Ignoring the long line outside, I flung the café door open.

Inside, Delina, busy giving instructions to the staff, turned to look at me and smiled brightly.

“Oh, Einra!”

The usually stern owner of Le Moire exclaimed with delight.

The people in line looked on in disbelief, as if they couldn’t believe their ears.

Ignoring them, Delina abandoned her work and ran over to me.

“My goodness, how many years has it been? Do you know how much I’ve missed you? You…”

“Private, VIP room, phew… my reserved seat, it’s empty, right?”

Without even a moment to catch my breath, I cut off Delina’s chatter. She blinked in surprise and nodded.

“Yes, it’s always kept empty for you…”

“Then bring over the ten most popular dishes from there. And one mint chocolate latte. As fast as possible!”

“Got it!”

Sensing the urgency in me, a determined aura flickered in Delina’s green eyes.

Once Delina ran into the kitchen, I finally exhaled.

With unsteady steps, I walked to my reserved seat at Le Moire Café.

“As, phew… just wait a little. Soon, there’ll be lots of delicious food…”

Catching my breath, I opened the door to Private VIP Room No. 1.

With trembling hands, I placed As on the sofa, and suddenly his shoulders trembled.

“As…?”

Was he so hungry it was making him weak?

Worried, I leaned in to check his face, only to hear a quiet, restrained laugh.

‘He’s… smiling…?’

Startled, I froze, and As lifted his head to look at me.

His red eyes, tinged with a playful smile, curved upward.

“You ran all this way because you were worried I’d be hungry?”

“Huh? Uh… yes…”

“I’m glad.”

The earlier sorrowful look he had when he said he was hungry was completely gone.

Blinking in surprise, I asked,

“Ah… As, you weren’t actually hungry?”

“There were too many people around. I thought it’d be better to step aside first since you seemed troubled.”

“…”

“I figured that if the child version of me claimed to be hungry, it would be the best excuse to leave.”

“…I see.”

Ah, so I’d completely fallen for As’s little act.

Feeling embarrassed, I scratched my cheek and avoided his gaze.

Well, anyway, things worked out, so that’s good. Yes, it’s all good…

I awkwardly sat down opposite As, when there was a knock and the door opened.

“The food and drinks you ordered are ready~”

Delina called cheerfully, followed by two staff members who began setting the dishes.

After the staff finished professionally and left, Delina closed the door and sat beside me, looking at me intently.

“Now, Einra. With the food here, you can answer me honestly—what on earth happened?”

“Ha ha, well… it just turned out this way.”

“I’m really disappointed. If you came, you should’ve greeted me! Not even a peek until now!”

“W-well…”

I quickly looked away. On the first day I arrived in the capital, the dessert at Le Moire Café was the first thing I had eaten, and afterward, I got completely distracted by the banquet…

Delina shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

“Well, it’s fine. Just seeing this adorable Einra again makes me very happy. You should come visit more often, okay?”

“Yes.”

I answered politely, and Delina smiled warmly, ruffling my hair before turning to look at As, who sat across from me.

“And who’s this little gentleman here? Surely not your son…?”

Delina covered her mouth with one hand and looked at me.

I panicked and shook my head and hands vigorously.

“N-no, not my son! Absolutely not!”

I shouted, and Delina laughed as if it were just a joke.

“Alright, alright, got it. Einra is just too fun to tease.”

“….”

I was annoyed, but well… I got special treatment and delicious food, so I let it slide.

I took a deep breath, fists trembling slightly, when I noticed As’s eyes meeting mine.

His red eyes curved softly with a playful smile.

Seeing that smile, the tension in my fists melted away.

Sighing deeply, I hesitated for a moment and then asked carefully,

“Um… don’t you think this kid looks a bit like someone?”

“Hm?”

Delina tilted her head, her eyes glinting playfully for a moment.

“Because he looks a lot like his dad? Let’s see… he doesn’t resemble Harnen at all…”

“…Nuna.”

I bit my lip and spoke softly, and Delina raised both hands in surrender.

“Okay, Einra. I won’t tease you anymore. Hmm, I really don’t know. Not my business to know, right?”

“Mm, yes.”

Seeing Delina’s playful mood gone, I slowly unclenched my fists and nodded.

It’s actually better not to know.

“Then I won’t. I’m not that interested in people. Ha ha.”

Laughing, Delina scratched her head and stood up.

“Then I’ll go now. Enjoy your meal! And don’t forget to send Quiel since it’s been a while, okay?”

With a wink, Delina disappeared, her red hair swaying behind her.

I stared dumbly at the now-empty space, then let out a deep sigh and slumped onto the sofa.

Her ability to exhaust people hadn’t changed at all in five years.

“Still, it’s a relief that Delina Nuna isn’t interested in people…”

I sent the Quiel I had summoned to Delina, muttering to myself.

Not that I don’t trust her loyalty, but keeping her in the dark eased the burden.

“Now… what should we do…”

I crossed my arms and studied As’s face carefully.

His pale, delicate cheeks, large ruby-like red eyes, and soft wavy black hair—he looked unmistakably connected to Akes.

Clenching my fists with a determined expression, I said,

“Alright, can’t be helped.”

“Einra?”

As, sipping his mint chocolate latte, tilted his head curiously.

“I know it’s rude to ask a busy person for this… but…”

I couldn’t just end our outing like this!

I summoned one more Quiel, asked it to do something, and sent it out the window.

“Einra, what did you just do?”

As set down his cup and asked.

I looked proudly at him.

“Don’t worry, As. Now we can go out safely.”

“What on earth do you mean…?”

Still confused, As pursed his lips but fell silent for a moment.

I smiled brightly and continued,

“I called someone to help us!”

No sooner had I finished speaking than there was a knock at the door.

“Einra, may I come in?”

“Yes, come in!”

I jumped up and shouted, and a man entered through the open door.

“You said you needed my help, so I came right away.”

His gentle voice resonated through the VIP room.

Harnen, brushing back his slightly disheveled blond hair, directed his gaze at As.

Meeting the red eyes staring cautiously at him, he gracefully met them with his sky-blue eyes.

“Our little As is still young, so I’ll help him in every way I can.”