TSWKM 14

Chapter 14

“Sir, is this place uncomfortable for you?”

“It’s not that… it just feels a little dizzying since it’s been so long.”

Being the center of attention had always been as natural to me as breathing.
But maybe because of what I went through before dying, being surrounded by people like this no longer felt pleasant.

Why are they all staring at me like that?

I turned my gaze away from the merchants’ eyes, letting it drift toward the walls and ground instead.
Seeing the fruits scattered around and the little spirits gathering near the plants calmed me down.

“These flowers will bloom soon.”

“Those weeds, you mean…?”

“Hmph.”

His remark was a bit rude, but I let it pass. Hayden had never cared much about plants.
Whenever he went on long missions and I asked him to bring back rare herbs, he would either grab some roadside weeds or bring back the wrong thing, which often led to arguments.

“Those aren’t weeds. They’re called freesia. They smell nice, the wind spirits love them, and they’re also used in your bath salts.”

I raised my hand and pointed to the wall.
“And those climbing vines there are trumpet creepers. Earth spirits like them.”

When I stopped explaining and looked up at him, Hayden, who had been staring at the freesia, noticed my gaze a bit too late.

“……”

Awkwardly, he pointed at the flowers.
“Should I buy them?”

“No need.”

My cold reply made him shove both hands into his pockets.

“Just remember them. I use those plants often, so don’t forget. Next time I send you, don’t come back empty-handed.”

Since he never forgot anything once told, if I drilled it into him now, maybe I wouldn’t have to worry later.

Hayden leaned forward a little, memorizing the shapes of the trumpet creepers and freesias.

“Do you like flowers?”

At my casual question, Hayden shook his head seriously.
“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”

“This morning, I planted a small tree in the magic tool storage room.”

“……”

“I put an illusion spell on it, so you might not even see it… but the storage doesn’t get any fresh air, right? Until the security barrier is finished, I’m worried my golden osmanthus will survive there.”

Hayden’s uncertain face twisted into a grimace.
“Sir, damn it—are you rushing me?”

“How could I? Take your time.”

I reminded him that I had already given him a month. He clicked his tongue and turned away.

By the time our conversation faded out, a young girl at a fruit stall caught my eye.

“Miss, please buy some apples! I picked them just yesterday…”

Her voice was so timid that it grew even smaller.

“How much?”

“One basket for a silver coin.”

When I pulled out my purse, the girl’s face lit up and she grabbed the biggest basket. With clumsy hands she even added a few extra apples, whispering shyly:
“This is a little extra.”

I laughed softly and held out a gold coin.
“Extras aren’t for nobles, child.”

The girl’s eyes widened, and she quickly held out both hands.

“Share those extras with people who don’t have anything.”

I picked up the basket and walked away. Hayden followed me, unhurried.

“Are you sure you can eat that much?”

“I can. But what about you, Sir? You don’t have a knife right now.”

“?”

Puzzled, I looked at him. His eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Sir, you can’t eat fruit with skins, remember?”

“Oh.”

Right.

About a year after we first met, I had lied about that and made him peel fruit for me. I thought nobles weren’t supposed to peel their own fruit.
Of course, Hayden himself was also a noble, though not from a long, pure noble line…

Forget it. Thinking like this just makes it weirder.

“It’s fine now. After Amon died… well, anyway, my appetite has changed. I can eat them as long as they’re washed. Back then I just said I had allergies…”

“Sir.”

His low voice cut in.
“Don’t tell me—that was just you being fussy back then?”

“……”

“Damn it. Was it really?”

“You sure talk a lot. Here, just eat this.”

I pulled out an apple and shoved it at him. He grabbed it with an annoyed face.

“I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Hah.”

He bit into the apple while grumbling. My lips curled faintly.

Let it slide?

He had only peeled fruit once, but because of Hayden I ended up dying once.
If anyone’s letting things slide, it’s me.

“You’re not eating, Sir?”

“No. It’s too big, and I’m already full.”

I shook my head stubbornly. Hayden looked between me and his apple.
Then, after some thought, he wiped the apple against his shirt and suddenly split it in half.

“Then let’s share it.”

He handed me one half.

“I told you, I’m not pretending.”

“It just bothers me, that’s all.”

“And so you want me to eat this…? You already bit it.”

I hesitated, but he shook the apple half at me like, Hurry up and take it.

He was so calm and straightforward that pointing out the bite mark seemed more embarrassing.

“……”

I frowned but took it anyway.

As we ate silently, the wind blew and clouds drifted quickly across the sky.

So bright.

I felt like I’d seen weather like this before… was it the day I first met Hayden?
I couldn’t even recall his face back then, but strangely, I remembered how wonderful the weather had been.

At that time, I never imagined I’d die like I did.

“Haa…”

I let out a sigh, a faint puff of breath in the cool air.

The sunlight was too strong, so I lowered my head, using my hand as a shade. Hayden glanced at me and chuckled.

“The sun’s too bright for you?”

“A little.”

He nudged me toward the shade.

“And you?”

“I’m fine.”

With his pale skin and silver hair, Hayden almost looked like he was glowing in the sunlight.

I tilted my head, looking up at his face.
“Now you look better.”

“…What does that mean?”

“Your face. A moment ago, it was shining so much I couldn’t even see it properly.”

When I smiled up at him, he twisted his lips slightly.
“So you kept staring because you couldn’t see my face clearly?”

“Yes.”

“…And now you can?”

“Yes.”

This time, instead of suspicion, he gave a small, almost inaudible laugh.

“Enough. No woman looks at me with less interest than you do, Sir.”

“?”

“You can trick people so easily when we go out, but when it comes to giving me a compliment, you’re hopeless.”

I ignored his nonsense with a light chuckle. He finished the apple right down to the core.

How strange. In my memory, Hayden was cold as steel—like someone who wouldn’t bleed even if cut.
But the man in front of me felt different, almost… fragile.

“Sniff.”

He rubbed his nose, and our eyes met.

I lifted an eyebrow, refusing to look away. He quickly averted his eyes.

“…Are you cold?”

“No.”

But then, scratching his flushed cheek, he muttered:
“…Actually, it is a bit chilly.”

So unlike him.

I stopped walking and quietly laughed. Hayden rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

Maybe because of the sunlight, but his pale eyes seemed to sparkle even more.

This is why I can’t stop noticing him.

I was used to seeing him pale from exhaustion or asleep at his desk, yet…

“Why don’t you rest at home sometimes? You look tired too.”

“I’m not that tired.”

His voice turned stiff again, clearly annoyed at showing weakness.

There he goes, drawing lines.

But I knew better. Hayden always pushed himself until his body gave out.

“You’re such a stubborn workaholic. I mean, I stay up late for my research too, but still…”

At my muttering, he frowned.
“Carl Suilen, don’t forget—the work I do at the Kaien Knights is also your responsibility.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I bit into my half of the apple and answered casually. He only sighed deeply in return.