TWMP 58

Chapter 58

“A Change in the Relationship”

R-right? Now that you mention it, I guess that’s true.

Laperre recalled the startled look on Revelia’s face when she had avoided his gaze.

“You really are a softhearted one, my lady.”

The smile that had curved his lips as he remembered their conversation slowly faded into a flat line.

The words they had exchanged replayed in his head.

Well, just think about it for now. I still have to make the potion, so I wasn’t telling you to leave today.

….

Just don’t take too long to decide, all right? You know—if a lie drags on too long, it gets caught.

Revelia had stayed silent for a moment, then looked at him and asked,

Can I ask you just one thing?

What?

Why are you going this far for me?

What?

Ah, no! I don’t mean anything strange by it. I’ve just wondered for a while. I have nothing I can give you, yet you’re always helping me.

“Helping her, huh…”

In truth, it was only after hearing her words today that Laperre realized he had indeed been helping her all along.

He tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingers.

Yeah, that’s true.

Thinking about it carefully, it was clear—he’d helped her far more than he had thought.

But why?

The sudden question came to him, but he didn’t know the answer. After all, he’d only just realized he’d been helping her at all.

“I can’t possibly know the answer yet.”

Maybe it was the innate curiosity of a magician, but he suddenly found himself wondering—why was he helping her as though it were his own problem?

He thought back to the very first time they met.

You’ve taken an interest in me.

What?

Right now—you’re curious about me, aren’t you?

Yes, at first it had been interest. Curiosity.

He’d been intrigued to see what kind of crack might appear when a woman—who wanted so badly to live she would walk into danger—stood next to a friend who lived solely for revenge.

Or perhaps it had been a kind of hope.

A foolish hope that, by keeping someone so full of life close by, Calier might one day find something worth staying alive for.

Of course, that was an expectation Revelia had never asked for, nor wanted.

I’ve put quite a heavy burden on those small shoulders.

And after that—

To that woman, you and I are both guilty, you know?

There was guilt.

Calier’s guilt was for kidnapping an innocent Heidi.

Laperre’s guilt was for throwing her into this dangerous place, knowing full well she wasn’t Heidi.

Even if she had chosen it herself.

He tapped the armrest again.

It had started with curiosity and expectation, then turned into guilt. But what was it now?

He thought of himself as a calculating man.

And all his earlier reasons for helping her had already been paid for—overpaid, even.

So there should have been no reason to care anymore, no debt left to repay.

Why are you going this far for me?

I have nothing to give you, yet you’re always helping me.

Why he was still doing this, even though the debt was long settled, was something he himself couldn’t explain.

The only thing he knew for certain was that, when he saw her face—her furrowed brow full of worry, her eyes trembling with unease—his mouth spoke before his mind could think.

“Hmph… hmm…!”

With his brow tightly furrowed, Laperre finally swept the thoughts away, deciding it wasn’t worth the trouble.

For now, he would just do as his heart told him.

He had more than enough ability to follow that impulse.

His lips curved into an easy smile again.

Nothing had been answered, yet somehow he didn’t feel bad.

I still have to make the potion, so I wasn’t telling you to leave today.

Just don’t take too long to decide, all right? You know—if a lie drags on too long, it gets caught.

Three days ago, Laperre had said that to me. Remembering it now, I slumped over my desk.

“I know… I know…”

I understood perfectly well in my head.

That Laperre’s plan was the safest, most certain way for me.

That I should accept without hesitation the best chance I could possibly get.

“So why am I hesitating?”

With a sigh, I rested my cheek on the desk.

In my line of sight sat a packet of cookies that Laifan had made himself.

“…You didn’t have to give me something like this.”

With my feelings in a jumble, I reached out and poked at the neatly wrapped cookies.

When Laifan had brought me my lunch in May’s place today, he had handed me the packet, clumsily but carefully wrapped in his large hands.

When I asked what it was for, he’d scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and muttered—

It’s a gift.

A gift? For me? Why?

Do you need a reason to give someone a gift? I gave it because I wanted to.

With his ears bright red, Laifan had practically run away, and I’d just stared blankly after him.

I hadn’t even thought to open them, and May had tried to hold back her laughter as she said—

The head chef really is awkward, isn’t he?

But you’re awkward too, my lady. I think that’s why he worries about you more.

I’d pressed my lips shut, afraid a watery sound might slip out.

The people in this castle, who had once watched me so warily, now greeted me without hesitation.

Whether I was walking in the garden, heading to the library, or enjoying tea time.

It was a small change, but it felt both unfamiliar and awkward—and so warm it made my chest tighten.

I sat up with a deep sigh.

“…I should admit it now.”

That I liked them too. Maybe even more than they liked me.

Enough that I was putting off seizing this golden opportunity right in front of me.

“Ugh, enough! Stop thinking about it.”

Shaking off the thoughts chasing each other in circles, I got to my feet.

I turned to head back to my room, but then I noticed a red light spilling into the library.

Through the window, I could see the sun sinking low, and a thought I’d forgotten came rushing back—

Ah, the full moon’s coming soon. Don’t forget to be careful.

“…Wait, full moon—that’s today, isn’t it?”

I’d been so preoccupied with escaping Esperos that I’d completely forgotten today was the day my hair color would return to normal.

I started toward the door to hurry back to my room—only for the tightly closed library door to suddenly burst open.

“…M-May?”

It was May, running in with a pale face.

“May, what’s wrong? What happened—”

“His Grace has returned!”

His Grace? Calier?

I’d been waiting for that news all this time, and I instinctively started to move—

But then I froze at the sight of May’s tear-filled eyes, as if she might burst out crying any second.

A chill of unease ran down my spine.

The dread settled in my gut before she even said it, her voice thick with fear.

“H-he’s back, but badly injured. They say… it looks like a Fenrir attack…”

“W-what are you talking about? Calier’s injured?”

His name tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop it. Neither May nor I even realized it had happened.

She bit her lip hard, nodding quickly, and tears began to fall from her wide eyes.

“Wh-what do we do, my lady? What if His Grace… doesn’t make it…?”

“What are you saying? Calier’s not going to die!”

“My lady—”

“He’s not going to die! Calier is—!”

…Calier is?

Could I be sure he wouldn’t die?

He’d already died once in the book’s story—could I be certain he wouldn’t again?

The thought hit me like a shock, and I pushed past May, running out.

…Calier!

The unease in my chest was unbearable.