FMLDM 16

Chapter 16

Last time, what was I even trying so hard for? Checking the ledger every day, overseeing Coral and Kai’s education, applying ointment to Kai every dawn… Memories here flickered through my mind like a panorama. It wasn’t about wanting recognition. But I never imagined that all my efforts would collapse at once like this. I was so stunned I couldn’t speak, and if I stayed any longer, I felt embarrassed tears might fall. Just as I was about to hastily walk past Macaron, a large hand grabbed my wrist.

“Didn’t I ask who hired you?”

A fierce glare enveloped me completely and wouldn’t let go. Instead of tears, a cold voice escaped my lips.

“…That’s really too much.”

Macaron looked at me with an expression colder than the winter wind.

“We’ll see about that later.”

I shook off his hand and fled the scene.

I’m not the one who should be running away…

Angry and feeling wronged, I escaped and finally collapsed at the end of the corridor where Macaron disappeared from view. Suddenly, all my emotions tangled up and welled out in tears.

I thought we had gotten somewhat closer…

That was all just my delusion. *

Macaron’s steps toward the laboratory were heavy. It was a moment when he despised himself for thinking this wouldn’t happen this time. Macaron’s fence was high but its inside was deep. At some point, Calyps had been slowly breaking down that fence. And at some point, he ‘mistakenly’ thought she had come inside. Macaron could not forgive himself for that.

If anything had happened to Kai…

Just thinking about it made his head spin.

If Calyps really was a spy sent by Rainer Crade…

To put on an act with tears until the very end. Hah, unbelievable. Recalling Calyps’ final face stained red, Macaron suddenly noticed something strange.

If she was a spy, she should have targeted me. Why Kai…?

Time passed before he abandoned the unanswered question. Shaking his head, Macaron placed the sticky medicine in his hand onto the lab table. His tense, stiff hands carefully handled the tools, and a hazy smoke enveloped the medicine. A while later, Macaron’s trembling fingertips lifted a paper. He stared at the same spot in disbelief. Repeated experiments yielded only the same result.

It’s not poison…?

In Macaron’s mind flashed Calyps’ violet, tear-filled eyes. He felt his head go blank. Everything Calyps had done since coming to the mansion was etched in Macaron’s memory. He had misunderstood her efforts and even accused her of being a spy…

How am I supposed to face Lady Calyps now?

A long sigh lightly scattered through the room. He spent the night sleepless like that. *

The next morning, it was Momont who brought tea to Macaron instead of Calyps.

“Lady Calyps…?”

“She said she would skip her morning tea time now.”

“……”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing.”

Despite his words, Macaron’s expression was gloomy. Unlike the sweet but peaceful tea time with Calyps, Momont began a stiff briefing. After a while of silence, Macaron’s eyes opened at the mention of ‘Calyps’.

“Lady Calyps sent Duke Shufen a magical scar-cover tool. He accepted the offer to be his swordsmanship instructor on those terms.”

The fingers that had been tapping the table stopped moving. In the quiet room, Momont noticed Macaron’s uneasy expression.

“I want to be alone. If there’s nothing else to report, you may leave.”

“Ah… about Duke Shufen…”

“…?”

“There’s something strange.”

Macaron looked up as Momont continued.

“It seems the Holy Kingdom people often have contact with Duke Shufen.”

The Holy Kingdom was where Macaron first met Kai long ago. Naturally, he recalled that day and frowned at the bloody final war. When Kai, thought dead, woke from unconsciousness bitten by a monster on the battlefield, the only thing he saw was a shabby ceiling with the Holy emblem. But no one knew who had taken Macaron there. Even after returning to the empire, Macaron tried several times to find the one who saved him but failed.

Could it be that it was Shufen who evacuated me to the Holy Kingdom back then?

But that couldn’t be. When Macaron was headed toward death on the battlefield, Shufen was at the rear, leaving the canyon with Rainer Crade. Macaron frowned, recalling the day he wanted to erase from memory.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just find out more about Shufen.”

His head was in chaos, but Macaron had no energy to worry about Shufen now. Just dealing with Calyps’ issues was enough to make his head explode. *

Now I clearly understood how Macaron thought of me.

To Macaron, I am just… a one-year contract partner.

That was true. That was why I came, and we made a contract to that effect. But after confirming that, a deep sense of misery and sorrow swirled in my heart. At the same time, memories of everything that happened flashed before me in order. Convincing Kai to take sword lessons, visiting the Luna Guild, applying ointment on his small palm… I never asked to be recognized, but I didn’t want to be ignored so miserably. Tossing and turning in a sleepless night, the bleak dawn was covered in cold air. The dawn I met with wide-open eyes was cruelly long and lonely. I don’t know how long I stayed that way when a bird tapped the window with its beak and left a note:

“When will you give me my changer? The light is on. Training ground. Waiting.”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten to give the changer to Duke Shufen. I was about to stop all matters related to Macaron… but I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t now ask innocent Duke Shufen to leave.

Going to the training ground, I saw Duke Shufen’s back shining under the moonlight in the blue night sky. Seeing the dazzling sword he held gave me a different feeling than before. The slightly unbuttoned shirt showed muscles moving vividly with each motion.

He gently wiped his sword and seemed to notice me reflected in it, turning his head. Luckily, it wasn’t daylight yet. I didn’t want Duke Shufen to see my tear-stained, flushed face.

When I handed over the changer, Duke Shufen looked at it for a moment, then looked up.

“How many days is this one for?”

“One month.”

A sly smile appeared on Duke Shufen’s face. Though hidden in darkness, it seemed he was looking at me.

“So, you’re starting to trust me a bit now.”

“……”

A small smile escaped, but I wasn’t able to genuinely laugh heartily. My heart was too troubled to have the energy. Still, I thought I had somewhat hidden my expression… but Duke Shufen was quicker to notice.

“If my joke didn’t land, something must be wrong.”

“Nothing serious…”

The silence was awkward, so I looked up, and Duke Shufen fixed me with his characteristic blue eyes.

“You say that with a face that looks anything but fine. Is it because of His Highness Macaron?”

“……”

A ghost? Or is he well-informed? I was embarrassed at how he knew all this at once. But before I could ask, he said something more surprising.

“His Highness was wrong.”

What did he know to say that?

“I didn’t say anything. How could he…”

Duke Shufen smiled again, a bit mischievously. That smile was quite tempting, and I was briefly mesmerized, looking at his smile in the moonlight.

“Lady Calyps wouldn’t have done anything wrong.”

My heart was so heavy that even those few words felt like great comfort. But at the same time, they were bittersweet. Macaron had worked so hard for me, but until now thought of me as a ‘spy’, or at best ‘a stranger’… Meanwhile, Duke Shufen, truly a stranger, insisted it wasn’t my fault and sided with me. Usually, I might have doubted Duke Shufen’s intentions and interpreted them suspiciously, but not now. A quiet chuckle escaped me, drained.

Then Duke Shufen said something I couldn’t quite understand.

“You look best when you smile.”

“…Pardon?”

Duke Shufen seemed a little embarrassed, as if he hadn’t intended for me to hear that. It was like he was surprised at himself for saying it. Then he turned his head and muttered softly.

“Just… that’s how I feel.”

Though vague, his smile, expression, and eyes were playful, so it didn’t feel like anything else.

“I’ve been having a tough time, but that really helped. Thank you.”

After thanking him, I returned to my room while Duke Shufen’s gaze followed me. His look was unusual, but the moonlight made it hard to see clearly. *

My sorrow was ignored, and morning came to the mansion as usual. Opening the window, fresh air replaced the stale room air and surrounded my head. It felt like all the complicated thoughts filling my head disappeared in an instant. Checking my schedule, I stepped into the hallway. A long shadow leaning against the wall cast toward me.

Macaron?

I stood still without realizing it. How long I was there, he slowly raised his head. The moment our eyes met, I slammed the door loudly.

What? Why is he standing there?

I hid behind the door’s shadow and took a moment to catch my breath.

Did he come to apologize?

No, with that arrogant personality, an apology is impossible.

Even if he apologized, should I accept it? When I remembered the burning red eyes that had squeezed me like he wanted to kill me, I still felt breathless. I thought about going back out, but instead pretended not to notice and sat down.

If he has something to say, he’ll knock.

But even after 10 minutes, no sound came. At this point, I started to feel a bit uneasy. I peeked through the door cautiously.

What…? Still there?

Macaron was leaning sideways, looking as if he had taken on all the world’s troubles. He looked haggard like someone who hadn’t slept all night. His eyes were gentle compared to the day before, and his tail was drooping.

How long has he been waiting there?

Macaron didn’t move an inch like he was being punished. I flung the door open, and he looked back at me.

“Do you have something to say?”

He looked like a puppy that had something to say but couldn’t.

“Well, um…”

Despite Macaron’s expression, eyes, and attitude, my words came out harshly.

“Are you here now to tell me to leave?”

Macaron silently lowered his head.

“I won’t interfere in other people’s affairs ever again, so don’t worry.”