WFMW 50

Chapter 50

No, It’s Nothing

Snip. Snip.

The first two cuts must’ve been made carefully, because after that, the sound of the scissors became much quicker.

Even the hair falling onto the floor no longer startled me like before.

I narrowed my eyes and yawned widely.

‘Ah, I’m getting a little sleepy.’

Someone was continuously combing and touching my hair, and for some reason, it made me feel calm. My eyelids grew heavy.

No wonder animals fall asleep when you stroke their heads.

‘Well, I did do a lot today. Waited for Jacques’s treatment, made the charm potion…’

No surprise I was tired.

‘Huh? But it doesn’t feel like I’m out of mana. Maybe I’m just in good condition today?’

The heart that usually ached when it was empty of power was strangely quiet tonight.

I glanced down at my chest and tilted my head.

Maybe because I’d been in constant contact with Cedar…

“Uuugh!”

Suddenly, that elf’s teasing comment about “skinship being the cure for everything” popped into my head, and I quickly shook it off.

Cedar’s stern voice came from above me.

“If you keep shaking your head like that, you’ll really end up with a bald spot.”

“Ah, sorry!”

Right—he was still cutting my hair. I straightened my neck and held my head steady again.

I had no idea how long I’d been sitting there like that, but my thoughts naturally drifted back to the events of the day.

‘Grisha was acting so strange today.’

It felt like realizing that the cute little bunny you’d been petting was actually a giant beast.

‘I didn’t know those blue eyes could look so terrifying.’

I couldn’t help but feel it. Grisha was no longer the pretty boy I once knew.

There were years of separation between us now.

“……”

Maybe my silence felt unnatural, because Cedar spoke while his scissors kept snipping away.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing much.”

“Liar.”

He could be so sharp sometimes. Startled, I answered in a slightly higher pitch than usual.

“I’m not lying! What do you even know about me?”

“I probably know more than you think.”

He must have cut off most of my hair, because no more long strands were falling.

Snip. Snip. The quiet sound brushed against my ears as Cedar spoke again, his tone gentle—but his words weren’t.

“You’re a picky eater, terrible with your hands, fall asleep quickly but wake up often.”

“H-how do you know all that?”

I twisted around, surprised. Cedar only shrugged, smirking.

“You’re the best in the world at getting under my skin. You even manage to make my blood boil while smiling.”

“I was trying to be considerate! You complain no matter how nicely I say things.”

It’s not like I intentionally said things to annoy him.

I puffed my cheeks and grumbled, but Cedar caught my chin and turned my face forward again.

Snip. Snip. A few more small cuts, then he set the scissors down.

“All done.”

Finally! Sitting still that long had been torture. I jumped up right away and untied the cloth around my neck. A cascade of hair tumbled to the floor.

I touched the back of my neck.

The long hair that had draped like a cape was gone, replaced by the bare feeling of skin.

“Wow, it feels so light! I’ve never had my hair this short before.”

As he neatly folded the cloth, Cedar muttered dryly,

“Maybe it’s the first time you’ve ever cut it.”

“I must’ve had a few trims as a kid… right?”

“So, before you entered the Academy. The mirror’s over there.”

“Whoa.”

In the small mirror, a complete stranger stared back at me.

The slightly wavy ends stopped right at my chin, making me look much younger than before.

“I don’t even look like myself.”

“It suits you.”

His voice behind me was too soft—it tickled my ears. For a second, I thought it wasn’t even Cedar.

When I turned, startled, he just shrugged nonchalantly.

“See? I do know my wife pretty well, don’t I?”

“Pfft.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but he wasn’t wrong. The new hairstyle actually looked good on me.

Still, I refused to give him the satisfaction. I puffed my lips and put my hands on my hips.

“Well, I know plenty about you, too!”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“You flirt without realizing it!”

“What? Flirt?”

Cedar’s face twisted in disbelief.

Before he could say another word, I quickly dashed off.

“I’ll get the broom!”

After cleaning up the fallen hair, we went our separate ways again—Cedar staying downstairs while I returned to the second floor.

I organized the completed charm potion and began planning the next batch of magic brews.

‘If I’m going to use word of mouth for marketing, I’ll need to diversify the lineup…’

As I scribbled notes, my stomach suddenly growled.

I rubbed it curiously and stood up.

‘When I was at the Academy, I never even felt hungry no matter what I did. I guess eating regular meals trains the body.’

Either way, it seemed like dinner time.

I was about to head downstairs when I noticed the dresses piled on the bed.

One by one, I hung them up, but then my eyes caught on one.

It was a light sky-blue dress with a frilly white apron-like overskirt. Cute—almost too cute.

‘I’ve never worn anything like this before. It looks like something for a little girl.’

I hadn’t gone out much, but I at least knew pastel colors like this were popular among younger girls.

The frilly lace at the chest reminded me of the dresses I wore as a child.

I mentally listed all the reasons it didn’t suit me as I changed into it—but when I finally looked in the mirror, my words failed.

‘Ugh… can’t deny it. He knows me too well.’

The dress fit perfectly. Like it had been made for me.

‘Does he think about things like this all the time?’

You’d never guess, looking at that stoic face, that he had such unexpected taste.

I couldn’t help wondering what expression he’d worn when he picked it out.

‘Everyone around him probably stared in shock.’

Just then, as if he’d been waiting for me to finish changing, Cedar called from downstairs.

“Nellie, dinner’s ready!”

“Coming!”

I ran down to find a delicious meal set out on the table.

‘Oh? Not many vegetables today.’

Only a small serving of boiled carrots and peas sat at the edge of the plate—thankfully the ones I could actually eat.

As I picked up my fork and knife, Cedar sat across from me and asked,

“What were you doing up there? You didn’t move from your desk for ages.”

“I was organizing a list of potions to make next.”

The meat was already cut into small, bite-sized pieces.

Happily chewing one, I suddenly realized something odd about his question.

“Wait! How did you know I was sitting at my desk?”

Cedar winked casually and replied while slicing his own meat,

“It’s easy to sense movement in this mansion.”

“You can tell through mana flow?”

“No. My senses are sharper than most people’s. Since you move without thinking about me, it’s even easier to notice.”

As the knife split through a large chunk of meat, revealing the tender red inside, I chewed thoughtfully.

Once I swallowed, I couldn’t help asking,

“That’s fascinating. I know swordmasters use mana differently from mages, but I don’t understand how it sharpens the senses like that.”

“Why bother thinking about it? You’ll never be an aura user.”

“Because I’m curious! Aren’t you?”

“It’s my body, but I’ve never thought about it in that much detail.”

I shook my head in amazement—and went back to eating.

‘This is really good.’

The first time I’d eaten meat, my stomach protested, but now I could actually savor the taste.

‘Though the sauce is a bit strong.’

My mouth felt heavy, so for once, without needing Cedar to nag, I reached for the boiled peas.

As I bent down to spear one with my fork, my short bangs fell forward, brushing the food.

“Ah.”

I quickly lifted my head and grabbed the strands. The new feeling was strange.

‘So short hair has this kind of inconvenience.’

Still, washing and drying it would be much faster now.

‘I’ll just tuck it behind my ears while eating.’

Just as I thought that—

“Hold still a second.”

I blinked. Cedar, who I thought was still eating, had somehow moved behind me.

His large hands gathered my hair gently, like when he’d been cutting it.

Then came a soft rustling sound.

He was tying it up. I could feel his calloused fingertips brushing my ears, sending ticklish shivers down my spine.

‘Ugh! This feels… weird.’

I tensed up, holding my breath without realizing it.

Cedar seemed completely unfazed, calmly tying my hair into a loose half-up style before stepping back.

“There. Now your bangs won’t get in the way while you eat.”

“T-thanks.”

Even without a mirror, I knew my face must’ve been red all the way to my ears.

Then, his fingers lightly tapped the back of my neck.

I blinked and looked up.

“Cedar?”

Before our eyes could meet, he turned his head away and muttered quietly—almost to himself,

“…No, it’s nothing.”