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Chapter 9
As I was lost in thought, a sudden idea struck me.
Wait. If As is a high-ranking noble, then he’ll probably have a lot of chances to meet Akes, right?
Of course, As would have to grow up a little more, but in a few years, he would definitely attend imperial banquets or balls, where they’d surely cross paths.
If that’s the case, then maybe I can improve my relationship with Akes through As!
It was the so-called “carrier pigeon strategy”!
If I treated As well while he was here and then, when he went home, asked him to put in a good word about me to Akes, maybe it would work.
After all, praise from someone else’s lips is far more convincing than self-promotion!
Clenching my fists in determination, I bit my lip as Akes—who always avoided me—came to mind.
…I can’t just keep things as they are now.
For the sake of my future plans, and also for my personal feelings, I had to make sure Akes wouldn’t dislike me.
I resolved to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.
That way, once I went to the capital, I could carry out Harnen’s revenge more smoothly—and I wouldn’t have to see Akes avoiding me anymore.
“…So you really won’t tell me who As is? I’m curious, you know.”
Harnen had said there was no benefit for me to know, but curiosity was curiosity.
I persistently pressed him, but in the end, Harnen cut off communication without ever telling me who As was.
Even so, he repeatedly reminded me to be cautious with As.
“In the end, the only thing I know about As is that he’s a noble…”
Muttering, I turned my gaze out the window.
The acacia branches, which had been only green just a few days ago, now bore plump white buds.
They’ll bloom by tomorrow.
Through the open window, the scent of blooming fringe trees drifted in.
I took a deep breath, then let out a small sigh.
It had been four days since I began living with As.
Not long enough to become close, but long enough to judge whether or not he was drawing a line between us.
And As had definitely drawn a line.
Of course, if I speak to him, he replies, and he even comes along when I go shopping…
On the surface, he seemed polite and easygoing, but I could sense it clearly—because I was sensitive to such things.
As was deliberately keeping his distance from me.
I can’t just leave things like this.
I wanted to get closer to As.
Yes, partly because I wanted him to speak well of me to Akes, but also because the line he drew overlapped with a certain day in my past…
How could I naturally grow closer to As?
The inspiration came in the afternoon, when we went shopping.
As we entered the bustling street, I saw villagers decorating the area with colorful umbrella-shaped lanterns.
Whenever the acacias bloomed, the marketplace—lined with shops—held a festival.
It was one of the most famous festivals, drawing visitors even from other territories.
So this year, they’re decorating with umbrella lanterns.
I thought absentmindedly and glanced at As.
For some reason, the boy was staring blankly at the lanterns.
“As, do you find those umbrella lanterns fascinating?”
“…No.”
Startled by my question, As quickly looked away.
I narrowed my eyes at the unconvincing reply.
Even as we shopped and later on the way home, As kept sneaking glances at the lanterns.
He looked just like a child eagerly anticipating the festival.
Suppressing a smile, I suddenly had an idea.
Since As seems to want to go to the festival, if I take him with me, maybe we could grow closer.
It felt like a very good idea.
As we neared home, I turned to him with bright eyes.
“As, how about we go to the festival together?”
“…Festival?”
After a beat, As looked up at me, puzzled.
I nodded and explained.
“Yeah, the acacias are about to bloom, right? When they do, Jerome Village holds the Acacia Festival!”
“…”
“Remember the umbrella lanterns we saw in town? At night they light up, and they’re really beautiful. Let’s go see them together.”
“…I’d rather not go.”
After a moment’s silence, As looked away and replied.
It was a refusal that contradicted all his earlier glances at the lanterns.
“If you enjoy festivals, please go with someone else, not me.”
He added calmly.
At those words, a hot surge welled up inside me.
Go with someone else, not me?
How could he say that to the very person who asked because they wanted to go with him?
The strange sadness that had been building up over the past few days—because of the line As kept drawing—suddenly burst.
I strode forward and blocked his path.
“…As, why do you keep avoiding me?”
His crimson eyes widened in surprise.
I bent down so my eyes met his at his level.
Our gazes locked at close range.
For a moment, As stared at me blankly, then flinched and quickly looked away.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“…”
“Did I do something you don’t like? Or… do you dislike me because I’m a commoner? As, do you just not want to be friends with me?”
“…Einra.”
“If I did something wrong, tell me. I’ll fix it. I’ll apologize. I’ll be more considerate. So if you don’t hate me…”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
As spoke in a voice that seemed ready to fade away.
His crimson eyes, heavy with emotion, lowered.
“It’s all my fault. Because… I’m selfish…”
As if about to say more, his lips trembled, then he bit down on them.
“…I’m sorry.”
That single apology was spoken with a weight far too heavy for a child.
An unexpected shadow of self-blame crossed his face.
I froze in shock.
Th-this wasn’t what I wanted at all!
Did I push him too hard…?
After all, I was an adult leaning in close, demanding answers—it must have felt intimidating from a child’s perspective.
Feeling guilty, I quickly stepped back.
As’s crimson eyes quietly followed me as I moved away.
“Um, well…”
I had no idea what to say.
I fidgeted, eyes darting around.
After watching me for a moment, As slowly spoke.
“…You don’t have to care about me.”
“W-what?”
His eyes lowered again.
His lashes cast faint shadows on his pale cheeks.
“I mean it. Just being allowed to stay here is already more than enough for me.”
Once again, he drew a line.
The repeated distance stung, spreading through my chest like spilled ink.
I bit my lip and spoke in a low voice.
“I found you collapsed, half-dead, and brought you back to care for you. I worry about you. I want you to feel comfortable here. And if possible, I want you to enjoy your time, too.”
“…”
“So how could I possibly not care about you?”
As stiffened, as though he’d just heard something utterly unexpected.
He looked so fragile in that moment that I swallowed down the rest of my words.
Forcing a smile, I stepped aside.
“As, would you like to head inside first? I’ll take a short walk nearby and come back later.”
“…”
“The festival lasts for ten days, so… if you ever feel like going, just tell me anytime.”
With that, I turned away.
I didn’t hear his footsteps—he must have stayed standing there.
I walked up the small hill near the house.
Surrounded by trees, it was my secret place.
A spot I often visited when I wanted to clear my head or walk quietly.
I dropped down onto the sunlit grass.
Perhaps sensing my gloom, Quiel, the lower wind spirit Silaby, the lower fire spirit Sela, and the lower earth spirit Gnome gathered around me one by one.
Their small, adorable faces looked up at me, each filled with worry.
