Chapter 70
“Re…ward…?”
At the sudden remark, I tilted my head in confusion—only for the memory of kissing As on the cheek to calm him down to suddenly resurface in my mind.
My face flushed scarlet in an instant.
As I froze stiff, As continued speaking.
“You said you’d do it somewhere else next time.”
“Th-That was…”
“You promised, didn’t you? That you’d do it in a place I’d like. Right?”
As urged me with his eyes narrowing, his expression playful.
My face burned so hot I thought I might explode.
“N-Not now.”
“…Why not?”
“When you’re back in your original form, I’ll do it then.”
As puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction.
“But I want it now.”
That face was unbearably adorable, but I forced myself to summon a level of rationality I hadn’t had earlier.
“As, right now you’re just a cute child.”
“….”
“I don’t want to end up in jail.”
As’s expression instantly chilled.
After keeping his lips tightly pressed together, he finally spoke in a low murmur.
“…Who would dare send you to jail?”
“Me.”
“….”
“That would be a terrible thing to do. Of course it deserves punishment. And I’m no exception.”
I spoke firmly.
As’s face darkened, as though it might erupt at the slightest touch.
“…Should I just kill them.”
The mutter ground out between his teeth was so quiet it chilled me.
I was about to ask what he meant, when suddenly his face curved into a bright, fabricated smile as he looked up at me.
“So my child-like appearance is the real problem?”
“Huh? W-Well… yes?”
“Then I’ll just undo this pathetic spell right now.”
He pulled a small glass vial from his robes.
Seeing him about to smash it on the floor, I panicked and grabbed his arm.
“A-As, no! The side effects haven’t even fully worn off yet!”
“It’s fine, Einra. I don’t care about that.”
“I care! I care!”
I shouted, but As wasn’t budging.
Flustered and desperate, I finally leaned down and kissed his cheek.
“This is an advance payment. The rest I’ll give you when you’re back to your real self.”
“…Ha.”
A soft sigh slipped from his lips, but I held firm.
Slowly brushing his hair back with one hand, As gave me a painted-on smile.
“Fine. Since you don’t like worrying, I’ll stop.”
“Thank you, As!”
I grinned and threw my arms around him.
He stiffened at the sudden hug, then hesitantly rested his head against my shoulder.
“…I’m not very patient, you know.”
He muttered it like a sigh.
“The only person who can make me wait… is you, Einra.”
The moment we arrived home on Hisha’s back, I headed straight for the parlor where Harnen was staying.
I’d heard that ever since the news spread about me being abducted to the Grand Duke of Baharman’s estate, he had been staying there.
Guided by As, I entered the parlor, and immediately locked eyes with Harnen, who had been pacing anxiously.
“Einra!”
He rushed to me, his sky-blue eyes scanning me up and down with worry.
“Einra, are you all right?”
The moment I saw his face, emotions I had forced down suddenly surged up, choking me.
…Just how long do you have to keep suffering?
Without thinking, I reached out and pulled him into a tight embrace.
His large frame stiffened in my arms.
“…Einra?”
I only hugged him tighter in silence.
Startled, he flinched and tried to pull away.
“E-Einra, wait a—”
“Harnen.”
He froze.
In a low voice, I continued.
“I will make sure your revenge succeeds.”
“….”
“I will—without fail—restore your honor.”
“…Einra.”
“I swear I’ll make it happen.”
“…What happened to you?”
He asked quietly.
After a moment of silence, I slowly released him.
When I lifted my head, his sky-blue eyes had darkened, gazing at me intently.
“…No, it’s nothing.”
I shook my head.
No—I can’t say it.
That those bastards planned to curse him using his own corpse.
…I can’t tell him that.
“Um… why don’t we sit down first?”
I suggested, trying to change the subject.
It was an awkward thing to say after suddenly throwing myself into his arms, but I forced a straight face as I waited for his reply.
Harnen gazed at me as if he wanted to press further, but eventually gave a slow nod.
The table was set with refreshments.
The sight of the lavish spread of cookies made me realize, belatedly, how hungry I was.
‘Eclairs!’
I quickly snatched up a large one and bit into the heavenly mix of whipped cream and strawberries.
“Einra.”
“Mmm?”
I swallowed my mouthful and looked at him.
Meeting my eyes, Harnen spoke.
“The person who engraved the defensive wards on the Serenia estate—it was me.”
“Mm, I know.”
“But how do you think I’d feel, if you ignored that and still responded to Dante’s summoning spell?”
“….”
Words caught in my throat.
I quietly set down the fork I had been holding, sneaking glances at him.
‘…Yeah, he wouldn’t like that.’
If it were me, I’d have scolded him mercilessly if he’d broken my wards and run headlong into enemy territory.
‘But I had a perfectly good reason!’
I wanted him to know I hadn’t just run in recklessly, so I tried explaining.
“But Iliae reinforced my affinity, so it really was fine—”
“Then, Einra.”
Suddenly, Harnen smiled brilliantly.
“If I said my magic was strong enough, I could just charge into enemy territory alone too, right?”
“What? Absolutely not!”
I slammed my hands on the table.
I wouldn’t allow even the slightest danger to befall my favorite person!
“Why not? Do you think my skills are lacking? I was top of my class at the Atlanta Academy, you know.”
“That’s not it! I just… I just don’t want you risking yourself, no matter what!”
“And you think I don’t feel the same way?”
“….”
His gentle words left me deflated. I slumped back into my seat with drooping shoulders.
I had no excuse.
“I don’t want you taking risks.”
“Yes, sir…”
“I don’t care whether you’re capable of overcoming them or not. I just hate the risk itself.”
“I’m sorry…”
Like a sinner, I could only repeat my apologies until his mood eased.
Only after swearing multiple times, “I will never again recklessly endanger myself without telling you first,” did his face finally soften.
“So then, Einra.”
Sliding a tray of cookies toward me, Harnen spoke again.
“I heard you wrecked the Grand Duke of Baharman’s estate.”
My hand, halfway to my mouth with a macaron, faltered.
“A-ha-ha… word’s already spread that far?”
“Not just to me. Every noble in the capital probably knows by now.”
“….”
I shoved the macaron into my mouth in silence.
Great. Another city-wide black mark on my record.
“My dear superior told me you went there seeking information about Belzesti.”
“…Yeah.”
“Then why’d you destroy the place?”
His quiet question made his sky-blue eyes pierce through me, searching.
“The Einra I know wouldn’t do something like that unless she was truly furious.”
“….”
“What exactly happened there?”
That calm gaze carried a faint but deadly edge.
The tension in my favorite person’s demeanor was alarming enough that I discreetly pulled back the hand I’d stretched toward another macaron.
‘If I don’t answer, something bad is going to happen…’
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
After swallowing the last of the macaron in my mouth, I gave an awkward smile and tried to laugh it off.
“N-Nothing much happened. I guess… the Korean in me just couldn’t stomach seeing someone invite in foreign powers.”
“…What?”
“Basically, I saw a traitor right before my eyes and just couldn’t let it slide.”
His eyes narrowed.
They practically screamed ‘What on earth do you mean by that?’—but I averted my gaze as if I hadn’t noticed.
Ask Lee Heesoo if you want details. Einra knows nothing…
“Uh, well, anyway—I’ve been up all night, so I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go sleep now.”
I mumbled mechanically, edging to my feet.
“You should rest too, Harnen.”
“….”
His eyes followed me persistently, but thankfully, he said nothing until I left the parlor.
It seemed he was holding back for my sake, thinking I was tired.
Grateful beyond words for that consideration, I beat a hasty retreat to my bedroom.
