Chapter 11
While the employee prepared the items, I took my time looking around the store.
Besides the self-defense magic tools I had checked earlier, many other products caught my eye.
“They’ve been investing a lot in development recently. The results really show.”
I picked a few more items I liked and asked the employee to wrap them.
After some time, the employee returned to me.
“Here are the items you ordered!”
She handed me a paper bag containing two neatly wrapped boxes.
“The one with the gold ribbon can be size-adjusted. Since it’s a gift, we took extra care with the packaging.”
I glanced at the gold-ribboned box. The packaging was flawless, showing her care.
“Please call again if you need any help!”
After the employee left, I turned to leave.
“Maybe it’s time to head home,” I thought.
Just then, a familiar voice rang behind me.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Cici.”
“…Eren?”
I froze at the voice and turned. As usual, Eren was smiling.
“…What are you doing here?”
He shrugged lightly.
“Well, aren’t you here to shop too?”
He shook a box in his hand.
“One of my magic tools for making medicine broke. I came to buy a new one.”
“Oh, I see.”
We fell into an awkward silence.
“…This is uncomfortable,” I thought.
I fiddled with a ribbon while sneaking glances at his face. Eren looked slightly thinner than the last time I saw him.
“Is he skipping meals?” I wondered.
I shook my head immediately.
“…Why should it matter to me whether he eats or not?”
“Hey, Cici,” Eren finally spoke, breaking the silence.
“The medicine I prescribed last time—aren’t you out of it yet?”
“…Medicine?”
I remembered that I had almost used it all.
“I have, but why?”
“My clinic happens to be nearby. If you have time, you could take it yourself.”
He smiled, hands in his pockets.
“Do we have to? It could just be sent to the mansion.”
“It’s fine either way, but since we met, it’s better to take it directly.”
I squinted at him, suspicious.
“It’s too coincidental that we meet just when I’m out of medicine. How did he know I’d be here?”
Eren noticed my suspicious look and tilted his head playfully.
“Your gaze is unusually intense today, Cici.”
I sighed and looked away.
“I’m only taking the medicine, so don’t try anything,” I warned.
“Sure.”
Eren smiled brightly at that. I gave him a sideways glare and turned.
“Let’s go, then.”
As I passed him, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
“Cici. Did you meet anyone else today besides me?”
“What?”
I blinked in confusion.
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Um…”
He hesitated. Seeing him flustered made me even more curious.
At that moment, Karl appeared.
“Take your hands off the Princess,” he said coldly, blocking Eren.
“It’s okay, Karl. I know him,” I said, lightly tapping Karl’s shoulder.
“The clinic’s nearby, right? Show me quickly; I need to return home before sunset.”
“…Ah, yes.”
Eren led me toward the entrance, and Karl followed behind.
“Where are you going without telling me?”
“To get medicine for our puppy,” I said calmly.
“I’ll be quick, so wait outside.”
Karl frowned but said nothing, watching Eren closely.
“If you’re not out in ten minutes, I’ll break the door down,” he warned.
Eren just shrugged and walked ahead. I followed, keeping pace.
Eren’s clinic was in a quiet alley away from the main street.
The building had two floors; the first was the clinic, and he mostly lived on the second.
“Sit for a moment. I’ll bring the medicine,” he said.
“Okay.”
I looked around the house while he went to fetch the medicine. It was neither too fancy nor too shabby. Everything looked new.
“So he hasn’t been starving himself. I don’t need to worry.”
I recalled about three years ago, when I had been poisoned and bedridden for a week while playing with Eren.
“After that, he disappeared completely from my sight,” I thought.
Eventually, I learned he had run away after a big fight with his brother.
“I worried he ran off without anything, but it seems unnecessary,” I reflected, sinking into the sofa.
Just then, Eren returned, carrying something in his arms.
“…What’s all that?” I asked.
He shrugged.
“I didn’t see the medicine ready, so I remade it to give you.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his shameless answer.
“…You’ve really become bold while I wasn’t looking.”
“Maybe? I’m not sure.”
“You were cute when you listened to me as a child. How did you become like this?”
“I’m glad you thought I was cute as a child.”
“…That’s not a compliment,” I muttered.
“Still, it makes me happy.”
I froze at his bright, genuine smile.
“…Think whatever you want,” I muttered, avoiding his eyes.
“I’ll make the medicine soon, so wait a little,” he said, beginning to grind the herbs quietly.
After a while of listening to the grinding, I finally spoke.
“…Eren.”
“Yes, Cici.”
“What are you really thinking?”
Eren stopped and looked at me silently.
“…What do you want me to do?”
“Do I really have to tell you to know?”
His expression turned serious, a rare sight.
“…Three years ago, and even now, there’s only one thing I want from you.”
I took a deep breath and spoke clearly.
“Tell me what happened to you three years ago.”
