SWRD 10

Chapter 10

I heard a familiar—though not welcome—voice.

I pressed strength into my legs and stood up. Hoo, what rotten timing.

“It’s really spring now.”

“……”

“Seeing the flowers blooming in the garden, it’s definitely spring.”

“Is there a fake spring too?”

“There is. A pseudo-spring.”

I tossed out a joke that was barely a sentence and looked over at Killid.

‘Why do I keep running into him?’

Even if we live in the same mansion…

I feel like I run into him way more often than Ethan or the duke. Is it just in my head?

Or is Killid just that free these days?

Though I’m technically the most idle of all…

Unemployed Bella, who can’t deny it, and Killid, who probably has work but still seems free—running into each other by coincidence?

Well… I guess it’s not that strange in the same mansion.

Anyway, it’s still not a welcome encounter. Especially because he happened to show up just when I was muttering dangerous nonsense to myself.

He didn’t hear all of that, did he?

Even if he did, it’s not like anything I said could serve as evidence for him to act on it…

Killid stood with his arms crossed at the garden entrance, giving me a once-over. Hm. Muscular people usually find crossing their arms uncomfortable, but maybe it’s fine for him because his arms are long.

“You’re fine.”

“…What?”

“I thought you’d pick something else instead, since the one you chose could be used as poison.”

What’s he talking about? …Ah! That’s right. The wine I picked yesterday in the wine cellar must’ve been really strong.

So that’s why the duke…

The problem wasn’t the duke’s tolerance, but the wine itself?

I’ve just learned something new: the duke’s alcohol tolerance is not one sip of wine but one sip of poison. That checks out!

…Just what kind of liquor did I pick? I should remember it, so I never put it anywhere near my mouth.

I shrugged at Killid. It seemed like he was just trying to be sarcastic, but ironically, his comment was helpful to me.

Thanks for the info!

I kind of want to repay him somehow…

I slowly walked toward Killid. He didn’t move out of my way.

Before I knew it, we were close enough that I could punch him if I wanted to.

Killid kept his arms crossed and only furrowed his brows slightly. At that moment, I clenched my fist and punched him hard in his right side.

His ribs. Right—exactly where he stabbed me in the dream last night.

…But why isn’t he flinching? I hit him pretty hard.

I lowered my fist and looked up. Killid looked down at me with the same expression as before.

No, maybe with a hint of disbelief mixed in.

“…What was that?”

“…There was a bug on you. I was trying to swat it away.”

“Ah, I see.”

And that was the end of Killid’s reaction. Hmm… I wasn’t expecting him to freak out from a single punch, but this feels a bit anticlimactic.

Anyway, mission accomplished. Revenge for dream-me. I know it’s just petty spite. But still, when I look at real Killid, I can’t help but think of dream Killid.

Sometimes I wonder if he really might try to kill me like that someday… But that’s just my imagination, right? It better be.

Come to think of it, the duke and Ethan might lock me up at worst… but Killid? Killid could actually kill me. …Yeah, I should avoid him.

Not that punching him in the side matches that logic. But still—future intentions count.

I looked away from Killid’s face and walked past him. Just then, his voice stopped me.

“You used to hate bugs.”

“…?”

What’s that supposed to mean? I glanced back at him and replied.

“I still do.”

Truthfully, I don’t hate bugs. My rule is: if it’s small, I treat it kindly—no matter what it is.

But I don’t need to explain that to him. I left Killid behind and walked out of the garden.

*

Just as I finished my walk to clear my head and was about to get breakfast, my plans were foiled.

“The Duke is asking for you.”

The Duke of Croft had sent someone for me. As I followed the servant, I wondered:

Why is the duke looking for me?

To keep me quiet…? Too late for that. After all, everyone in the mansion already knows he passed out from wine in the study and had to be carried to his bedroom.

“The Duke is inside. Please, go in.”

The servant brought me to the office and left. The office? The butler had said he went to the study—so he must’ve moved.

Is he getting serious about work? Then what does he need me for?

I kept thinking but couldn’t come up with an answer. Eventually, I just stepped inside.

“Lady Elisha has arrived.”

The duke, seated at the desk in front of the wide window, lifted his head only after the attendant spoke.

I instinctively looked at his face.

Because of the backlight, I couldn’t make out his complexion, but he didn’t seem different from usual…

Then, the duke suddenly furrowed his brow and pressed his temple with a straight fingertip.

…Hangover?

I wonder if this world has oriental raisin tree extract. While I mused, the duke quickly composed himself and spoke.

“Leave us, Albert.”

“Yes, sir.”

The duke’s administrative aide was named Albert. He was in his 40s and looked exactly like someone named Albert.

Once Albert left, only the duke and I remained in the spacious office. I approached the desk and stood there, waiting.

The duke let the silence stretch for a moment before speaking.

“Yesterday…”

Strange. Isn’t it too late to shut me up? Maybe he doesn’t know the rumors are already out?

“What was it you wanted to say?”

“Sorry?”

“You said you had something important to tell me.”

Ah, right. That thing I said.

“I really need to talk to you. It’s something important… Will you listen?”

…Yeah, I did say that.

But what I wanted to say was my confession. Now? I couldn’t confess even if my mouth split four ways.

“You should’ve told me yesterday… but I embarrassed myself instead. I’m sorry for taking your time again today.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

“Then, can you tell me now?”

Yikes.

Saying it’s no longer important after a single day isn’t very convincing, is it?

Oh well.

“Actually, it was about Killid.”

“Killid?”

“I want to get closer to him.”

“…”

“But he doesn’t really like me, does he?”

“Ahem.”

The duke gave a meaningless cough, probably unsure if he should agree or deny that. Understandable.

“So I was going to ask how I could win him over and get along with him—but now I don’t need to.”

“You don’t?”

“Because I thought of a way.”

“And…?”

“It’s a secret.”

The duke closed his mouth quietly after hearing that, but he still looked curious about how I planned to get close to Killid.

Honestly, I’m curious too. Is there really such a method?

The only thing Killid might like is ‘dead Bella’. Or maybe ‘Bella who disappears forever from his sight’.

Me…? Hmm. How much do I actually dislike Killid? I’m not sure.

“If there’s nothing more, I’ll get going.”

“…Alright, Elly. Try to get along with Killid. If you ever need my help, just ask.”

“Okay.”

I gave a polite nod and turned to leave. But something felt… off.

Ah. I didn’t refer to Killid as “brother” even once just now, did I?

Should I just roll with this new concept—Bella who wants to be friends with Killid? That ‘dear brother’ stuff never sat right anyway…

Hmm. For an on-the-spot solution, it’s not bad.

Satisfied with that thought, I smiled and left the duke’s office.

…And the moment I stepped outside, I ran into someone.

The smile disappeared from my face instantly.