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Chapter 4
“Ah…”
Yes, the moment has come.
The people in this village, where I’ve settled, are endlessly curious about bachelors and maidens of marriageable age. Among them, their interest in me is overwhelming.
‘I suppose they think that since I’m an outsider, if I marry someone here, I’ll settle down in this village for good…’
As proof, every man the villagers have recommended to me—as if arranging blind dates—was a born-and-raised local.
I appreciate their concern, but this kind of excessive interest is something I must politely decline.
‘Of course, I can’t just say that outright.’
How could I cut off this lady’s words without seeming rude, in a way that people would say I handled it well?
While I was pondering, the aunt spoke again with great confidence.
“Didn’t I tell you before? Millen graduated from the Atlanta Academy this time. He’s smart, and his looks? Don’t even get me started! Among the young women in town, he’s secretly considered the top bachelor!”
“Oh, I see…”
I awkwardly smiled, trying to mask my disinterest.
None of my acquaintances hadn’t graduated from the Atlanta Academy.
In other words, the phrase ‘graduated from Atlanta Academy’ had no special merit for me.
I sighed inwardly.
Well, since the villagers don’t know that I’m a spiritist, they’re promoting him with traits that would tempt an ordinary commoner.
“And this is just between us—but Millen’s father’s business has just hit it big, so there’ll be no worries about money either…”
Cecile Auntie was getting more and more excited as she went on.
If Harnen or Eliya hear again that I’ve been offered a matchmaking attempt, they’ll be upset.
As I was struggling to figure out how to cut her off politely, it happened.
“…to Einra,”
A chillingly sharp child’s voice suddenly rang out beside me.
Both Auntie and I widened our eyes and turned to look at As, who was standing next to me.
As glared at Auntie, spitting out each word like venom.
“Do not force her.”
His crimson eyes, even more threatening than when he was mistaken for my relative, bore into her.
Though still a child, the murderous aura in those eyes was sharpened enough to seem adult-like.
Unconsciously, Auntie stumbled back two steps, and then even began to hiccup.
“Ha, haha… hic! My, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Hic! W-well then, Einra, I’ll be off now!”
Without even taking payment, Cecile Auntie hurriedly disappeared into the back of the shop.
I, still holding money in my hand, called out in confusion after her.
“Auntie, just send the bill to my house whenever it’s convenient!”
She waved back in acknowledgment before vanishing.
Still bewildered, I rubbed at my temples before looking down at As.
“As, should we head home too?”
The sharp coldness in his crimson eyes gradually softened.
“…Yes.”
He answered meekly.
On the way back, the sunset dyed everything around us in shades of red.
As before, I chattered on about trivial things.
Though we walked the same road as earlier in the day, two things were different: this time we walked in the opposite direction, and As gave small replies now and then.
Even when the conversation wasn’t necessary, he still responded. It seemed his wariness toward me had eased a little.
When we returned from the market, I immediately began preparing dinner.
“Tonight’s dinner is waffles. You can eat them with butter or whipped cream.”
“…”
“Oh! If you don’t like those, I also have chocolate cream or strawberry cream! Even blueberry cream. Anyway, there are plenty of options, so just pick what you want.”
As, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke.
“You…”
“Hm? As, do you have something to say?”
For the first time, As spoke to me on his own initiative.
I was so delighted—as if a proud, aloof cat had finally approached me—that I looked at him with shining eyes, forgetting even to hum my usual tune.
As opened and closed his mouth a few times, then turned his head away.
“…Nothing.”
And just like that, he fell silent.
Good grief. How unfair!
I stared at him with puffed cheeks before calling his name.
“As.”
“…Yes?”
He hesitated for a beat before meeting my gaze.
I shrugged casually.
“It’s nothing.”
Now he would learn just how maddening those words can be.
I smiled smugly, watching him slantwise.
At that, a faint smile flickered across As’s lips before vanishing.
“How childish.”
His face was relaxed, as if he understood my intent all too well.
The unexpected reaction deflated me, and I pouted.
This kid… he’s no simple pushover.
Deciding it was best to move on to our meal, I asked him,
“Alright, time to pick your cream. Which one do you want?”
I placed all the jars of cream from Harnen’s refrigerator in front of As.
He looked at them one by one, then stopped at a particular jar.
“….”
He stared at it in silence for a long moment.
Still smiling as I spread whipped cream on my waffle, I noticed his stillness and looked over.
“As?”
“….”
“Hmm, do you want that one?”
I tilted my head, then approached with a gentle smile.
Even as I came right up to him, he kept his lips sealed before finally speaking.
“…It’s mint cream.”
“Yeah. Do you like mint?”
He nodded silently.
“I see,” I murmured, picking up the spreading knife.
“I really hate it myself—it feels like eating toothpaste, ugh.”
I grimaced, then flinched when I realized I’d carelessly mentioned toothpaste. I glanced nervously at As.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem particularly curious about the word.
“…If you hate mint, why do you even have this at home?”
He asked quietly.
I froze mid-motion as I spread mint cream on his waffle.
The reason was simple: because Akes likes it. Just in case he came over, I always kept it ready to serve. But of course, I couldn’t say that.
So I just smiled lightly and resumed spreading.
“Because someone like you who likes mint might visit someday.”
“….”
“All done. Here’s your waffle.”
Moving sluggishly like a wind-up doll winding down, As accepted the waffle.
Once I saw him take a bite, I turned back to my own whipped cream waffle.
Dinner ended peacefully.
After a quick wash, I considered which room to give him.
‘Since he’s a child, it’s better if it’s near mine. But too close might make him uncomfortable…’
After some thought, I settled on the room one away from mine.
Like all the rooms in my house, it was neatly prepared for unexpected guests—thanks to visits from the Spirit Kings or Harnen, who sometimes stayed over.
‘The only flaw is that it’s furnished for adults, not children… but a child As’s age should manage fine.’
I explained the room to him after he came out from washing.
“As, in the top drawer of the desk are some stationery and notebooks. The bookshelf has a few general-knowledge books… though they might not be fun to read.”
They were too stiff and formal for a child.
Scratching my cheek, I turned to gesture at the opposite wall.
“The clothes we bought earlier are all in that wardrobe. If you get thirsty at night, there’s water in the pitcher on the bedside table. In the drawer beneath, you’ll find an eye mask and earplugs.”
When I finished, As gave a small nod.
Smiling, I reached out and ruffled his curly black hair.
“Goodnight, As.”
As I turned to leave, I suddenly heard a quiet voice behind me.
“…You too.”
When I looked back, he was already on the bed, pulling up the covers.
I chuckled softly and replied, “Mm. Goodnight,” before returning to my own room.
I fell asleep quickly, but was later awakened by faint groaning sounds.
“What’s that noise…?”
Yawning, I blinked groggily awake.
Now fully conscious, the intermittent groans came through clearer.
“…As?”
