IITYVA 21

Chapter 21

“So? Now that I think about it, didn’t you say you know who As is, Harnen? What kind of young master is he that you won’t even tell me?”

I puffed out my cheeks and glared at Harnen.

Seeing my sulky face, Harnen smiled and spoke gently, trying to soothe me.

“You’re not missing out on anything, really.”

“But still…”

I drooped my head in disappointment.

Trying to comfort me, Harnen added kindly,

“Anyway, when I return to the capital, I’ll take that little young master with me, so you don’t have to worry too much. I’ll make sure he gets home safely.”

At those words, my chest suddenly felt heavy.

It was definitely a good thing that As would be returning home, and yet… my heart felt strangely hollow, like something had gone missing.

“…Okay.”

I answered briefly, fiddling with the warm teacup in my hands.

It seemed I’d grown attached to him in just a short time.

‘Still, we’ve gotten really close now, so it should be okay to at least ask for his contact info before he leaves, right?’

To carry out “Operation Bridge to Akes through As,” getting his contact details was essential.

If I could stay in touch with As…

Just thinking that helped fill the emptiness in my chest a little.

How should I ask him, though? I was deep in thought when—

“Um, Einra.”

A soft, delicate voice called out.

When I turned around, As was awkwardly shuffling toward me, having come out of the study at some point.

“Can you read me a book…?”

As looked at me with a shy flush on his cheeks.

Seeing the faint blush on his face stirred something within me.

‘When we first met, he kept drawing lines between us…’

When had we gotten so close that he’d blush like this?

“Einra?”

He must’ve thought it odd that I was staring blankly—As tilted his head in confusion and called my name.

Snapping out of it, I smiled and set down my teacup.

Of course, because I had turned my head, I didn’t notice Harnen glaring daggers at As from the side.

“As, you want me to read to you?”

“Yes.”

As blinked adorably and added, “I want you to read it, Einra.”

Seeing him act so age-appropriately brought a warm smile to my face. I pondered which book would be good, but then my face clouded.

Most of the books in the study were either research papers or academic texts—not exactly suitable for a child.

There were a few storybooks, but they were all age-restricted horror collections—definitely not an option.

“Hmm, As, we don’t really have any books here you’d enjoy. I think we might need to go to a bookstore…”

“It’s okay, Einra. I have this.”

As beamed and pulled out a book he’d been hiding behind his back.

When I saw the title of the book he brought, my expression twisted.

“…‘A Study of International Political Trends Under the Current System: Focusing on the Elberk Empire’?”

The little one nodded.

I asked, skeptical,

“Do you really want to read this?”

“Yes. It looks interesting.”

His eyes sparkled as he said it.

Beside me, Harnen tried hard to suppress his laughter, his shoulders trembling.

I stared at the kid who said a research paper looked “interesting,” then forced a smile.

“R-right… I see. Still, As, I think there might be books at the bookstore that are even more fun than this one. Let’s go take a look, shall we?”

Children should be raised like children.

What kind of child reads academic dissertations full of technical terms during their precious, tiny childhood?

“If you think that’s better, then I’m fine with that.”

As nodded without hesitation.

Relieved, I quickly got up before he could change his mind.

“Great! Let’s head out, then!”

The bookstore wasn’t far from the clothing store we visited last time.

Ding-a-ling.

As we entered, the owner, Mr. Charles, welcomed us.

“Einra! Long time no see!”

“Yes, hello, Mr. Charles.”

“That young lad beside you… is he the one you’re living with? And this tall gentleman—first time seeing him. Is he your older brother?”

Mr. Charles asked with a cheerful smile.

Before I could answer, Harnen stepped in with a grin.

“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m not Einra’s brother—just a friend.”

“Oh… a friend?”

Mr. Charles, who firmly believed men and women couldn’t be “just friends,” looked at Harnen disapprovingly.

Most of the town elders hoped I’d end up with Milrun, so it was no surprise Mr. Charles seemed less than thrilled about Harnen.

I let out an awkward chuckle and quickly interrupted before he could start promoting Milrun again.

“Mr. Charles! We’re here to find a book As might like to read. Which way should we go?”

“Oh, I see—you’re here for a children’s book?”

Mr. Charles, still eyeing Harnen, blinked back to focus.

“Let’s see… head to that right-hand corner.”

“Thank you!”

With As and Harnen, I made my way quickly to the children’s book section.

“All right, As! Take a look and pick whatever you want!”

If he couldn’t decide, I’d just use the ultimate move I’d tried at the clothing store—‘From here to there.’

I sat down on a nearby bench and watched As.

He was scanning the picture books with a vague expression.

Just then, Harnen—who had been browsing with him—suddenly smiled brightly and handed As a book.

“Hey little As, how about this one? I think it’s perfect for your age.”

As took the book absentmindedly—and then his face froze cold.

I glanced at the book and had to bite down on my lip to keep from laughing.

The cover read, in big, bold letters: [Whose Poop Is This?]

“Kids your age are fascinated by poop, right?”

“…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be embarrassed. You’re not the only one who likes poop. Every kid your age does.”

Harnen said it with the gentlest voice imaginable.

I was truly sorry for As—but I couldn’t hold in the laughter.

I quickly turned my back.

“…Unnecessary.”

As growled through gritted teeth.

His voice sounded like he was ready to murder someone.

Shrugging, Harnen quietly returned the book to the shelf.

“I recommended it because I care about you. It hurts when my kindness isn’t appreciated.”

“If the recipient is offended, it’s no longer kindness.”

“Oh dear, my sincerity didn’t reach you, little one?”

Harnen’s sky-blue eyes clashed with As’s crimson ones in a silent war.

Sensing the tension, I hastily grabbed a book off the shelf.

“Here, As! How about this one?”

I quickly showed him a book titled [My Little Angel]. It was a full-length children’s story.

As stared at it for a moment, then reached out and took it.

After flipping through a few pages, he gave a faint smile and nodded.

“…I like it. I’ll take this one.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Relieved, I led As and Harnen over to Mr. Charles for checkout.

The whole time, Mr. Charles continued to cast suspicious glances at Harnen as he rang up the book.

Before he could say anything about Milrun, I hurriedly left the store with the others.

As I finally caught my breath outside, Harnen casually asked,

“Einra, about Mr. Charles… he seemed to dislike me. Did I do something wrong?”

So he noticed after all.

Well, he was an emperor in his past life. No wonder he could pick up on people’s vibes like that.

Swallowing a sigh, I shook my head.

“No, you didn’t do anything. He’s just being weird…”

“Einra, fancy meeting you here.”

Before I could finish speaking, an unwelcome voice called out.

That familiar, unpleasant feeling crept up from the pit of my stomach.

Still, I couldn’t just blatantly ignore someone who greeted me.

I turned politely toward the voice, forcing a smile.

“Hello, Mr. Milrun.”

“Yes, it’s really been a while.”

Milrun approached with a beaming smile, as if he were meeting someone he was genuinely happy to see.