Chapter 9
As I was thinking about it, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
‘Wait a second. If As is a high-ranking noble, then there’s a good chance he’ll have frequent encounters with Aches, right?’
Of course, As would have to grow a bit more, but in a few years, they’d surely cross paths at imperial banquets and balls.
‘If that’s the case, maybe I could use As to improve my relationship with Aches!’
The so-called “carrier pigeon strategy”!
If I treated As well while he stayed here and then asked him to put in a good word for me when he returned home, it might actually work.
After all, praise from someone else sounds way more convincing than self-promotion!
Clenching my fists with determination, I bit my lip at the thought of Aches, who kept avoiding me.
‘…I can’t just stay here like this forever.’
For the sake of my plans—and honestly, my own selfish reasons—I had to make sure Aches didn’t hate me.
I resolved to make good use of this unexpected opportunity.
Only then could I carry out my revenge against Harne smoothly once I reached the capital… and also stop seeing Aches avoid me.
“…So you’re really not going to tell me who As is? I’m so curious.”
Harne had said I wouldn’t gain anything by knowing, but curiosity was still curiosity.
I pressed him persistently, but Harne ended the communication without ever telling me who As really was.
Even so, he didn’t forget to repeatedly remind me to be careful around As.
“In the end, all I know about As is that he’s a noble…”
I murmured, turning my gaze toward the window.
Just a few days ago, the acacia tree branches outside had been a solid green. Now, delicate white buds were beginning to bloom.
‘They’ll probably bloom tomorrow.’
A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming fringe trees through the open window.
I took a deep breath and let out a small sigh.
It had been four days since As came to stay with me.
Not quite long enough to get close, but more than enough time to tell whether someone was drawing a line.
And As had drawn that line with absolute clarity.
‘Sure, he answers when spoken to and even comes shopping with me, but…’
Even though he appeared polite and easygoing on the surface, I could tell—I’m sensitive to this kind of thing.
As was definitely keeping his distance.
‘I can’t just let it stay like this.’
I wanted to get closer to him.
Part of it was so he’d say good things about me to Aches… but also, something about the boundary As had drawn reminded me of a day in the past.
How could I naturally become closer to him?
That spark of inspiration came later in the afternoon, when we went out to buy groceries.
When we entered the town square, we saw the townspeople decorating the area with colorful umbrella lanterns.
Around the time the acacias bloomed, the market street held a festival.
It was one of the biggest local events, so even people from neighboring territories often came to visit.
‘So this year’s decorations are umbrella lanterns, huh.’
As I was thinking that, I glanced at As.
For some reason, he was staring at the lanterns with a blank expression.
“As, do you find those umbrella lanterns fascinating?”
“…No.”
Startled by my question, As quickly averted his gaze.
His answer didn’t sound the least bit convincing, so I narrowed my eyes at him.
Even as we continued shopping and on the way home, As kept stealing glances at the umbrella lanterns.
He looked exactly like a kid eagerly looking forward to a festival.
Holding back a smile, I looked at him—and then an idea struck me.
‘Since he seems to want to go to the festival, maybe we could grow closer if I took him with me!’
Now that I thought about it, it seemed like a pretty good plan.
As we neared home, I turned to him with shining eyes.
“As, do you want to go to the festival together?”
“…Festival?”
As blinked and looked up at me in surprise.
I nodded and explained.
“Yeah, the acacias are going to bloom soon, right? When they do, we hold the Acacia Festival here in Jerome Village!”
“…”
“Remember those umbrella lanterns we saw earlier? They light up at night—it’s really pretty. Let’s go see it together.”
“…I don’t want to go.”
After a short silence, As replied while looking away.
Considering how he’d been so focused on the lanterns just moments ago, his refusal felt a bit jarring.
“If you like festivals, you should enjoy it with someone else,” he added calmly.
The moment I heard that, something hot surged up inside me.
‘Go enjoy it with someone else?’
How could he say that to someone who just invited him out, wanting to spend time together?
The strange sadness that had slowly been building up over the past few days from his constant boundaries suddenly exploded.
I strode forward and blocked his path.
“…As, why do you keep avoiding me?”
His wide red eyes looked up at me in surprise.
I bent down to meet his gaze.
Our eyes locked from close range.
As, who had been staring blankly at me, flinched and turned away.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“…”
“Did I act in a way you didn’t like? Or… is it because I’m a commoner? Do you just not want to get close to me?”
“…Einra.”
“If I did something wrong, just tell me. I’ll fix it. I’ll apologize. I’ll try harder. So, if you don’t hate me—”
“You did nothing wrong.”
As spoke in a voice that seemed ready to crumble at any moment.
His red eyes, now filled with shadow, dropped low.
“It’s all my fault. I… I’m just being selfish…”
He looked like he wanted to say more, his lips trembling—but he bit them tightly.
“…I’m sorry.”
That one word—sorry—was so heavy, it was hard to believe it came from a child.
His face was filled with an unexpected sense of guilt.
I froze in place, stunned.
This… this wasn’t what I wanted!
‘Did I push him too hard…?’
A full-grown adult had cornered a child at eye level—no wonder it felt overwhelming.
Feeling guilty, I quickly stepped back.
As’s crimson eyes quietly followed my movement.
“Um, so…”
I didn’t know what to say next.
All I could do was nervously roll my eyes.
As silently watched me struggle, then slowly spoke.
“…You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Uh… huh?”
He dropped his gaze again.
His long lashes cast soft shadows on his pale cheeks.
“I mean it. I’m already grateful just to be able to stay here.”
He drew a line again.
And the repeated distance between us spread across my heart like spilled ink.
I bit my lip, then said in a low voice,
“I picked you up when you were lying there barely alive. I’ve been taking care of you. I worry about you. I want you to feel comfortable here. And, if possible, to enjoy yourself while you’re here.”
“…”
“So how can I not worry about you?”
As stiffened like someone who had heard something completely unexpected.
He looked oddly vulnerable, and I swallowed the rest of my words.
I forced a smile and stepped aside from in front of him.
“As, do you want to go inside first? I’ll take a walk nearby and come back later.”
“…”
“The festival lasts ten days. If you ever feel like going, just let me know.”
With that, I turned away.
I didn’t hear any footsteps—he must have stayed in the same spot.
I headed toward a small hill near my house.
Surrounded by trees, that hill was my secret hideout.
A place I often visited when I needed to clear my head or take a quiet walk.
I plopped down onto the sunlit grass.
Maybe they sensed my gloominess.
Quiel, and the lesser elementals—Sylavi of the wind, Sella of the fire, and Gnome of the earth—gathered around me one by one.
Their small, lovely faces were full of concern as they looked at me.
