Chapter 4 –
“I don’t really have any errands in the village right now, but if you want, I can go down with you today. Consider it a big favor from me. Be grateful.”
At Hestia’s unexpected offer, the boy’s eyes widened in surprise. But instead of being happy, the boy lowered his head, furrowed his brows, and bit down hard on his lower lip.
Hestia had expected him to be thrilled—but the boy’s expression only darkened, leaving her taken aback. Maybe that’s why she said what she did next.
“Of course, if you want to stay here a little longer, that’s fine too. As long as you follow a few rules.”
It was a suggestion she would never normally make.
Even though she knew she’d probably regret this moment one day, she just couldn’t bring herself to ignore the boy’s expression.
His pupils quivered slightly at the options she gave him.
“To be honest…”
He carefully chose his words, lips tightly pressed together.
“I… I’m still not sure.”
Though short, his words were undoubtedly the truth behind his current internal struggle.
“That’s only natural. Honestly, if you’d said you were staying without hesitation, I might’ve kicked you out.”
Living as long as she had, she’d seen all sorts of things.
Hestia shuddered slightly, as if brushing away an unpleasant thought.
Perhaps encouraged by her casual tone, the boy began to move his lips again, searching for words. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally raised his head to meet Hestia’s gaze.
“…Is it really okay if I stay just a little longer?”
Now, instead of suspicion, his eyes were filled with cautious curiosity.
“Yeah. I’m letting you because you’re cute.”
Hestia tilted her head and gave him a sweet smile.
The boy looked bewildered, as if no one had ever said something like that to him before.
“But not for long. I’m planning to move soon anyway.”
The boy’s curiosity only deepened at her calm reply.
She hadn’t even asked who he was, and yet she was letting him stay. It didn’t make sense. Whether the stay was long or short didn’t matter. He hadn’t planned to stay long in the first place.
The boy bit his lip hard again.
“You haven’t asked me anything yet… But because of me… you might be in danger.”
His concern was clear. He was afraid someone else might get hurt because of him—someone innocent, someone kind enough to reach out a hand.
He was a sinner—someone who couldn’t even protect his own. If someone who had helped him ended up hurt…
The boy gripped his teacup so tightly it trembled. His face contorted painfully, as if he were about to cry. It was a heavy emotion, far beyond what someone his age should carry.
“It’s fine. I’ve got a pretty sturdy life. And I have no intention of telling you anything about myself either. Let’s call it even.”
Hestia waved a hand dismissively, as if her own life meant nothing, and smiled calmly.
“Even?” the boy asked, confused.
“It means we’re square. Adults say it a lot. You don’t have to get it. Just let it go.”
She waved her hand nonchalantly.
The boy frowned slightly. He didn’t like how she kept treating him like a child.
No one had ever treated him like this before—it was a strange feeling.
But that wasn’t the point. He returned to the main issue.
“You really might get hurt because of me. This isn’t something you should decide so easily. If you stay around me…”
You’ll be cursed.
So you shouldn’t take me in so lightly. His lips were pale from being pressed so tightly. He waited quietly for her answer.
“…I don’t care.”
Her soft voice shocked the boy—his eyes widened in disbelief.
“If anything, it would be lucky if my misfortune doesn’t rub off on you. You might need to be more careful than I do. So think carefully. And for the record, I still have no intention of telling you anything about myself.”
Despite the heavy content, her tone was remarkably casual. That disconnect only confused the boy further.
After a short pause…
“Then just one thing.”
His golden eyes gleamed with new resolve.
Though there was still suspicion and uncertainty in his eyes, his determination to ask was stronger.
“Please just tell me how I ended up here.”
“I found you collapsed while I was out gathering herbs at night. So I brought you back.”
Clink.
Hestia set down her teacup in the same light tone.
“…There wasn’t anyone around me?”
“No. No one.”
Unlike the boy’s cautious tone, Hestia’s reply was firm. She could tell what he really wanted to ask.
But she didn’t want to give him any false hope or lingering regrets.
That’s what death was. Lingering hope only led to deeper despair.
So Hestia didn’t offer comforting lies or pointless hope.
“Ah…”
The boy let out a painful moan and buried his face in his hands.
Then, frustrated, he ran his hands down his face and asked again.
“Where… is this place?”
He watched her closely, wondering if she was lying.
“The terrain’s a bit vague, but it’s near the village of Silio.”
But once again, Hestia’s swift reply rang with honesty.
“If… if you’re planning to sell me out or kill me—”
The boy glanced at her warily.
“If you’re going to say that, then just leave now. The exit’s that way. I even fed you.”
Hestia scowled and pointed firmly at the door.
“S-sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
The boy quickly waved his hands, panicked.
“Quick apology. Good.”
Hestia suddenly smiled playfully, as if the whole thing had been a joke.
The boy looked a bit sulky, then asked cautiously,
“Is Hestia your real name?”
“It’s hard to say it’s my real name… but yeah, Hestia works.”
The boy tilted his head at her vague answer.
“Then… may I ask how old you are?”
“That’s the hardest question for me, so no. Didn’t we agree not to ask anything about each other?”
Even to a light question, Hestia shook her head firmly. The boy looked disappointed.
Noticing his reaction, Hestia changed the topic.
“Before the sun sets, decide. Are you staying, or leaving today?”
The boy made a startled face.
“Wait, please give me a moment to think.”
He shouted hastily—but really, he just needed certainty to solidify his already leaning decision.
Hestia nodded and quietly resumed sipping her tea, indifferent to what choice he made.
As she pondered whether to boil more water, the boy finally spoke.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll stay for just a few days. I’ll repay you fully later, so please don’t worry.”
His voice was firm, and his eyes sharp with clarity. Hestia laughed brightly, finding it adorable how seriously he spoke like an adult.
“Haha. Kiddo, where’d you learn to talk like that?”
She ruffled his soft navy-blue hair with her hand.
“You seem smart, and that’s cute, but just speak comfortably. No need to repay me. I might live in this shabby house, but I actually have quite a bit of money.”
Startled by her touch, the boy flinched but then glanced quietly at her hand as it returned to its place.
“…Please call me Theo.”
“Huh?”
Hestia blinked at his sudden declaration.
“I’m not as young as you seem to think, so please call me Theo instead of ‘kid.’”
He frowned deeply, clearly bothered by being treated like a child.
Whether ‘Theo’ was his real name didn’t matter—there was no need to press.
“Alright, alright, no more frowning.”
Hestia reached out and gently rubbed the space between his brows. Her voice was still full of playful warmth.
Theo pursed his lips in displeasure and pulled away to escape her hand.
Hestia shrugged and withdrew her hand.
“Now then, I’ll tell you the rules. First—”
She raised her index finger, but this time, it was Theo who looked flustered.
“Wait! Are you really not going to ask anything about me?”
Theo blinked rapidly, almost pleading.
Hestia blinked back, then gently rubbed her chin.
“Hm…”
Things to ask…
Her eyes rolled upward in thought for a second.
“None.”
Her answer was firm. Her clear brown eyes told him she meant it.
“If I had to ask, maybe why you chose to stay after I offered.”
Before Theo could even answer—
“But it feels wrong to ask why you accepted my offer in the first place. Honestly, I don’t want to get caught up in shallow sympathy or ties from learning each other’s backstories.”
Hestia smiled serenely, as if detached. Or maybe it was a kind of resignation.
Theo understood the meaning behind that smile. A harsh life had sharpened his emotional senses.
So he couldn’t say anything more.
Clap!
Hestia suddenly clapped her hands to shift the mood.
“Alright! Let’s get to the rules again. I won’t say them twice, so listen carefully.”
She took a deep breath and began.
“One: You must get my permission to leave the house. We’re halfway up a deep forest—plenty of dangerous wild animals. I’m not cleaning up your corpse if you sneak out.”
“Two: Stay clean. I can’t stand messes.”
“And three: Once you leave here, you must keep everything—including anything about me—a secret. That’s it!”
Phew. With a satisfied sigh, Hestia looked proudly at Theo.
nice