IITYVA 04

Chapter 4

“Ah…”

Yes, it had finally come.

The people in the village I’d settled in were deeply interested in the marriage prospects of young bachelors and maidens. But their interest in me was truly through the roof.

‘They probably think that since I’m an outsider, marrying a local would mean I’ll stay here for good…’

As proof, every man the villagers had ever recommended to me in a matchmaking attempt had been a born-and-raised local.

It was sweet that they cared for me, but I had to politely decline this kind of excessive attention.

‘Not that I can just say that out loud.’

How could I turn down this auntie’s suggestion in a way that wouldn’t make me seem rude?

While I was silently agonizing over it, the woman continued with a confident voice.

“You remember what I told you before, right? Millen just graduated from the Atlanta Academy! He’s smart, and don’t even get me started on his looks! All the young ladies around here consider him the top bachelor!”

“Ah, I see…”

I forced a smile, trying to suppress my unenthusiastic expression.

Among my acquaintances, not a single one hadn’t graduated from the Atlanta Academy.

In other words, that credential didn’t mean much to me.

I sighed inwardly.

Well, I supposed the villagers didn’t know I was a spiritist, so they were probably trying to appeal to me with the kind of things that would impress a normal commoner.

“And here’s something I’m only telling you,” she leaned in, excited. “Millen’s father’s business just hit it big, so you wouldn’t need to worry about money at all—”

Aunt Cecil grew more enthusiastic as she spoke.

If Harne or Elia hears about another matchmaking attempt, they’re going to flip.

I was just trying to think of a gentle way to steer the conversation when—

“…Don’t force her.”

The voice that interrupted was far too chilling for a child.

Both Aunt Cecil and I turned to look at As, who had been standing beside me.

As was glaring at her, speaking with deliberate, clipped words like he was spitting them out.

“Please. Don’t. Force. Her.”

His crimson eyes blazed more fiercely than even when someone had mistaken him for my relative.

Though he was still a child, the sharp aura radiating from his gaze felt more intense than that of most adults.

Aunt Cecil instinctively took two steps back—and then began hiccupping.

“H-haha… hhic! Oh my. W-what’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Hhic! W-well then, Aynla, y-you take care now and go on home!”

Without even collecting her payment, she disappeared hastily into the back of the shop.

I, who had been about to pull out money, quickly called after her, flustered.

“Auntie! Just send the bill to my house when it’s convenient!”

She waved a hand to signal she’d heard and vanished.

Rubbing my temple in dazed confusion, I looked down at As.

“As, shall we head home too?”

His crimson eyes, still sharp until a moment ago, slowly softened.

“…Yes.”

He answered obediently.

On the way home, the sky was painted with the hues of sunset.

Like before, I kept chattering about trivial things.

We were walking the same path we had earlier that day, but two things were different: we were heading in the opposite direction, and As now occasionally gave short replies.

He even responded to things that didn’t necessarily require answers. That meant—thankfully—his wariness toward me was starting to ease.

When we got back from the market, I immediately began preparing dinner.

“Tonight we’re having waffles. You can eat them with butter or fresh cream.”

“…”

“Oh! If you don’t like those, there’s also chocolate cream and strawberry cream! Even blueberry cream! So just go ahead and choose whatever you want.”

As was quietly listening with a polite “Yes,” but then, unexpectedly, he spoke.

“You…”

“Hm? Do you want to say something, As?”

It was the first time As had initiated a conversation.

I lit up like a child seeing a proud cat approach them for the first time, forgetting everything and beaming with joy.

He moved his lips as if to speak, then turned his head away.

“…It’s nothing.”

And just like that, he clammed up again.

Good grief, how unfair.

I pouted and looked at him with narrowed eyes before speaking.

“As.”

“…Yes?”

He responded a beat late and looked up at me.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s nothing.”

Let’s see how you like hearing “it’s nothing” after initiating conversation yourself.

I smirked at him victoriously.

Then, just for a second, I caught a faint smile cross As’s lips before it vanished.

“So petty,” he murmured.

His face looked more relaxed now.

As if he knew exactly what I’d been trying to do.

The unexpected outcome left me sulking, lips slightly puckered.

This kid is not an easy one.

Deciding I should at least eat what I made, I looked at As again.

“Here are all the creams. Pick whichever one you want!”

I took out all the cream jars Harne had stocked in the fridge and laid them out before him.

As inspected each one slowly before stopping at one.

“…”

He stared at it for a while, motionless.

Humming as I spread fresh cream on my waffle, I looked over at him.

“As?”

“…”

“Do you want that one?”

Tilting my head, I smiled and walked over to him.

Even as I came right up to him, he kept his lips sealed until finally—

“…It’s mint cream.”

“Yeah. Do you like mint?”

He didn’t answer, just gave a small nod.

“I see,” I murmured, picking up a butter knife to spread the cream.

“I can’t stand mint. Feels like eating toothpaste. Ugh.”

The moment I mentioned “toothpaste,” I flinched and glanced at As nervously.

Thankfully, he didn’t seem bothered by the word.

“…You don’t like mint, so why do you have this at home?”

He asked quietly, lips tightly pressed together.

I paused mid-spread on his waffle.

The reason I had mint cream—which I didn’t even like—was simple.

Because Akes liked it. I kept it in case he ever dropped by, so I could serve it right away. But of course, I couldn’t say that.

Instead, I smiled and continued spreading the cream.

“Someone like you, who likes mint, might visit one day, right?”

“…”

“All done. Here’s your waffle!”

As took the plate slowly, like a wind-up toy that had run out of spring.

Once I confirmed he’d taken a bite, I returned to my own fresh cream waffle.

Dinner ended peacefully.

After a quick wash, I began thinking about which room to give As.

He’s a child, so somewhere close to my room would be best… but not too close, or that might feel uncomfortable.

After some thought, I decided on a room just one door down from mine.

Like all the rooms in my house, the one for As was kept neat and tidy, ready for any unexpected guest.

I’d gotten into the habit since spirit kings or Harne often stayed over for extended periods.

Though I’d never expected a child with no ties to show up… so the furnishings are sized for adults…

Still, for someone his age, it should be manageable.

I explained the room to As, who had just finished washing up.

“As, the top drawer of that desk has some simple stationery and notebooks. The bookshelf has a few basic books… though I’m not sure if they’ll be any fun.”

Probably too dry for a child.

Scratching my cheek, I turned and pointed to the opposite wall.

“The clothes we bought today are all in the dressing room. If you get thirsty at night, there’s a water jug on the nightstand. And in the drawer underneath are a sleep mask and earplugs if you need them!”

Once I finished, As gave a small nod.

I smiled warmly and gently patted his curly black hair.

“Good night, As.”

Just as I turned to leave, I heard a quiet voice behind me.

“…You too.”

I looked back, surprised. As was already in bed, pulling the blanket up.

I chuckled softly. “Mm. Good night,” I replied, then headed to my own room.

But in the middle of the night, I was suddenly awakened by the sound of groaning.

“…What’s that sound?”

Yawning and blinking in a daze, I sat up.

The groans became clearer now that I was fully awake.

“…As?”