Chapter 15
Jelly had once asked,
“Master. Why risk going to the island?”
It was Jelly who had insisted we should just buy what we needed from the mainland. But I had dismissed the idea, saying we couldn’t go there while being pursued.
“Surely it’s because you can’t give up delicious food, right?”
“Anyone who hears you would think I live only to eat.”
“Are you dissatisfied that a jellyfish lives to eat?”
No, that wasn’t it.
Eating was important, of course. So was clothing, and a place to sleep. All the basic things necessary to live as a human.
Humans are such fickle creatures. There was a time when I believed freedom meant nothing more than having the sky as my roof.
And yet, the things I wanted kept piling up.
“Not bending doesn’t always mean it’s the right thing to do.”
“What does that mean? Please explain it from a jellyfish’s perspective.”
Hmm, how should I put it? While sorting my thoughts, his words suddenly came back to me.
“If we stay like this, we’ll only dry out slowly.”
This wasn’t true freedom. We were merely stiff-necked, keeping our heads raised against the sun, refusing to bend.
I had known for a long time that I couldn’t go on like this. That was why I had taken Ian aboard.
Eating what I wanted, sleeping where I wanted, doing what I wanted. Even just escaping that dark and narrow prison had been enough—I hadn’t asked for more.
But maybe I was greedy. I didn’t just want to exist; I wanted to live in the world.
“That’s why we need to stop at the island. We have to get a real ship.”
“Aha, so now that you’ve got a reliable comrade, you plan to work him to the bone?”
“…Not exactly wrong.”
Without Ian, I wouldn’t have even dared. At best, I might have tried robbing some passing pirate ship.
But now, a true opportunity had come to change things. On Muiya Island, there were only two things we had to do:
Ian would get information from his friend and secure us a ship.
And I…
“Sorry for the late introduction, Ms. Kanoe Bluebell. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I’m Lloyd Moravetz.”
The man in the floral shirt, who had guided us to the inn, took off his sunglasses as he spoke. His tone was far calmer than when he’d pretended to be a tourist guide.
“Hello, Mr. Lloyd. Thank you for showing us the way.”
“Thanks, is it? Good. Then, as a token of that gratitude, may I ask you something?”
Perched on the chair, Lloyd suddenly leaned closer with a smile. His gray eyes narrowed to slits.
“Why do you get to decide the meaning of gratitude?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t I at least deserve that much?”
When Ian brusquely shoved him away, Lloyd clung to his arm and whined.
I could see why Ian had called him a nuisance.
“Do you know how hard it was for me to get here because of the mess you made? I even gave up my vacation from the knights!”
“You had nothing to do on vacation anyway.”
“You could at least try to say something nice for once!”
They must have known each other a long time. You don’t banter like that with just anyone.
I quietly glanced between the two. Just as Lloyd was beating his chest in frustration, he suddenly turned his fire on me.
“Ms. Kanoe, what on earth do you see in this guy? He’s curt, self-centered, doesn’t even value friendship!”
“….”
“You didn’t fall for him just because of his looks, right? Don’t be fooled by appearances.”
Shake shake. His hand gripped my shoulder and rattled me.
Wait. Was this the question he’d wanted to ask? Why I liked Ian?
“You’re making her uncomfortable. Stop it.”
The more people know a secret, the less it remains a secret.
There was no benefit in telling Lloyd that we were only pretending to be lovers.
“…I do have a reason.”
I spoke solemnly.
Both Ian, who had been trying to peel off Lloyd’s arm, and Lloyd himself turned to look at me.
“Ian… cooks well.”
At least better than me…
“…”
They both went silent. Damn it. Even I knew that sounded weak.
“And surprisingly, he smiles often. He’s dependable, too.”
It was true Ian was capable. I hadn’t realized he was this meticulous of a man.
“And also, Ian—”
I was about to list more good traits, thinking my reasons weren’t enough, when—
“Stop! This isn’t what I wanted to hear!”
Lloyd clutched his ears in agony. At least my performance seemed convincing.
I looked at Ian as if to ask, Wasn’t that good? But he averted his gaze.
‘No way…’
Come on. Surely Ian wasn’t embarrassed? He was just playing along, that’s all.
“…Alright. I get it, Ms. Kanoe. I crossed the line. Sorry for doubting you.”
“Doubting?”
The air in the room, relaxed a moment ago, suddenly sharpened. As if the earlier exchange had been nothing but theater, Lloyd now wore a serious expression.
“Yes. Honestly, when I saw that article about you two being lovers, I didn’t believe it. I thought maybe it was some kind of accident…”
So he had been testing me? Folding his arms, Lloyd gestured toward Ian with his chin.
“Ian, you in love? You, who used to see women as octopuses?”
“…Don’t bring that up.”
“That’s how shocking it was.”
Octopuses? I didn’t know what had happened, but judging by Ian’s reaction, it wasn’t a pleasant memory.
“If it was just an accident, I would’ve taken him away from here. Like if Ms. Kanoe was only using him…”
Lloyd’s gray eyes sharpened like blades as he turned back to me.
“In that case, I would’ve arrested you on the spot. You see, I’m with the Imperial Knights.”
A chill ran down my spine. If our act had slipped even a little, Lloyd would have seen through it and thrown us straight into prison.
“But seeing that expression on him told me otherwise. I’ve never seen Ian Frederic wear a face like that.”
“…What kind of face?”
I hadn’t known him for years, but still, lately we’d been together constantly.
Or more accurately, we’d had no choice but to stick together in such close quarters.
I looked at Ian again. He just let out a low sigh and shook his head. Frustration—that was all I could read on his face.
“It’s there. Ugh, just recalling it makes me queasy…”
“Quit saying weird things already.”
Ian frowned and shoved Lloyd away. But Lloyd only grinned stubbornly and leaned toward me.
“Take care of him. He’s a friend with a lot of scars.”
Ah. Another thing I hadn’t wanted to hear.
I forced a smile. I didn’t want to know about Ian’s past. Whatever life he had lived, it had nothing to do with me.
This relationship had always been a deal to use each other. The more I learned about his past, the harder it would be to treat it that way.
I shouldn’t know. I didn’t want to know.
And yet… I found myself sneaking a glance at Ian, curious about his reaction.
“Stop saying pointless things to Kanoe.”
“Yes, yes, I misspoke.”
“You’re dead if you don’t cut it out. Just say what you came for and get out.”
Ian’s sharp words made Lloyd clutch his chest in an exaggerated pose.
“Oh dear, I’ve interrupted the honeymooners!”
Thud.
Ian kicked at him with an efficient, no-nonsense motion. But as if used to it, Lloyd twisted lightly and dodged. Ian followed with another strike, Lloyd blocked.
It was clear this wasn’t their first time trading blows. They must have shared a long friendship, one that showed in the familiarity of their movements.
Fine. I could see they were glad to see each other again.
But had they forgotten we were fugitives?
Could they not cause a scene?
“Take your fight outside.”
I pushed at their backs. Lloyd raised his hands with a cheeky grin, while Ian suddenly slumped like a puppy caught in the rain, staring at me. It startled me.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“I won’t fight.”
His lowered eyes made him look so pitiful. I remembered seeing that look once before…
Ah, when he’d begged me to take him onto my raft!
That was when—
A sudden knock froze the room.
“Sir Lloyd Moravetz, are you inside?”
A woman’s voice came from beyond the door. Ian and I instinctively turned to Lloyd.
He shot up from his seat, face grim.
“…This is bad.”
