Chapter 28
Perhaps it was because I had just seen Ezet’s situation. My heart felt heavy. My resolve to survive was still strong, but I didn’t know if it was even possible, and it made me feel like I was sinking endlessly into the ground.
I was staring blankly at the chandelier in the dining room when I turned my gaze toward someone stumbling hurriedly inside.
He must have come straight to the dining room after finishing work, because he was wearing his clerical robes.
“I finished work late, so I’m a little late. Sorry. Have you been waiting long?”
He paused for a moment as he looked at Seniel’s face.
“Smiling again.”
It was only a brief smile of relief, but he was smiling nonetheless. The man who had initially been so guarded, pressing tension into the corners of his mouth, had now become completely like a docile puppy.
Seeing a trace of peace on Seniel’s face made me suddenly anxious. It was the same feeling I’d had when he had given me a gift before. Really, it was unlikely—but seeing Seniel loosen up like this, I worried about the day he might show me feelings beyond simple favor.
“…No, I just got here myself.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
Seniel’s smile deepened. Unlike Kid’s murderous grin, this one was warm enough to make anyone feel at ease.
“He’s probably just comfortable around me.”
I lightly shook my head. Of course, Seniel wouldn’t see me as a friend or ally for surviving Kid beyond the necessary utility.
I must have gotten a little too sensitive. Thinking all sorts of things over such a small change… If I had asked my friends in my past life, they’d have said I was being ridiculous.
“Let’s just eat.”
All this sensitivity was because I was constantly trying to avoid giving Kid any excuse to seize on me.
I sliced a steaming piece of steak and put it in my mouth. Even though I’d apologized in the morning and tried to lighten the mood, the meal felt oddly distant.
More specifically, the wall between us wasn’t coming from me—it was coming from Seniel.
Seniel had always been overly aware of my reactions, but today it felt even more pronounced.
I found it hard to ignore him and continue eating as I had before. It was likely going to be a long-term thing, and there was no need to maintain an awkward relationship unnecessarily.
I sliced my steak and asked him,
“You must have had a lot of work today.”
His eyes widened for a moment, as if he hadn’t expected me to speak. But he quickly returned to his usual calm, answering in a soft voice:
“Yes, it took quite a bit of time to check and repair the barriers at the temple in the capital.”
Ah, that makes sense. He was busy.
Silence fell over the dining room again.
After answering, Seniel glanced at me, seeming as though he had something he wanted to say—like a puppy waiting nervously for permission from its master, he looked at me from the corner of his eyes.
Unable to resist, I finally asked,
“Do you have something to say?”
Even though I wasn’t scolding him, Seniel’s hand twitched slightly. He hesitated to speak. Guess he wouldn’t say anything this time either. I picked up my fork and moved some salad instead.
“…Bibi, what did you do today?”
The fork slipped, and a tomato rolled across the plate.
After all that careful watching, that was all he wanted to ask. What should I do with him?
“You were watching me that closely just to ask that?”
A shadow fell across his round eyes as he waited for an answer.
“I thought you’d dislike it…”
His constant sensitivity reminded me strangely of Mimosa—curling up apologetically if someone’s body accidentally touched hers. Somehow, I felt reassured.
“At least I won’t get killed by Kid for completing my tasks.”
A delicate, gentle person like him couldn’t possibly like someone like me, who was a bit rough and tended to drag people along forcefully.
I chuckled lightly.
“I played the piano and went out to the village across the river.”
Seniel silently mouthed “went out” and then closed his lips. Thinking he was satisfied, I looked at his eyes, which still seemed full of unspoken thoughts.
I put down my fork completely and propped my chin on my hand, looking him squarely in the eye.
“Do you like going outside, Seniel? I’ve never seen you leave the house except for work.”
“I… prefer staying at home.”
I had been planning to go out after dinner, but he clearly didn’t want to.
“You don’t like it, huh…? I was going to suggest a walk after dinner. Hmm, how about the garden then? You don’t like that either?”
His hand paused mid-knife movement. His eyes widened slightly, trembling. I glared at him and silently threatened, “Even if you don’t want to, we’re going.”
Seniel quickly lowered his gaze, as if not wanting to show his expression. He really didn’t want a garden walk, but we had to go.
“Alright, the garden.”
“Even if you don’t want to, let’s go outside and get some air, okay?”
“Let’s walk together.”
He seemed to dislike it, yet agreed. Maybe he was just going along with whatever I wanted.
“Good choice.”
The weather was perfect. Yesterday, it had rained like a hole had opened in the sky.
We walked gently through the garden bathed in the evening glow. Seniel followed me closely. Turning around, I could see him lost in thought.
I stopped and gestured to him.
“Don’t walk behind me—come beside me.”
Snapped out of his thoughts, he said “Ah” and immediately moved next to me.
Then I noticed the flower beds and felt a pang of regret.
“Maybe I should have gone somewhere else.”
Some stems had been broken off from well-kept flowers, leaving gaps like missing teeth. These were my handiwork, broken to give to Seniel without hesitation.
“I really went at it hard, didn’t I.”
Guilt struck, and I angled my body to block his view.
Just as I was about to shield his view, our eyes met. Embarrassed, I straightened up again.
Blocking his view wouldn’t solve anything. Flowers were missing as if eaten by rabbits.
“Oh… these are…”
I decided to confess and find a solution.
“I kept thinking of you when I saw the flowers, so I picked them… I won’t do it next time.”
I awkwardly scratched my cheek. Seniel’s eyes widened at my confession, then he hurriedly shook his head.
“I haven’t really used the garden, so I didn’t notice. I’m not interested in it, so it’s fine for Bibi to do as she likes.”
“Really?”
Then no hesitation.
I spotted a fully bloomed anemone that caught my eye. I almost picked it to give to him but paused mid-step.
I glanced at Seniel cautiously. He had said to do as I liked, but somehow it didn’t feel right to take it entirely freely.
“Ah, whatever.”
Since I had no other flowers to give him today, I had to take this one. I would have bought something if plans hadn’t gone awry.
“Wait a moment.”
I approached the anemone and plucked it, brushing off the dirt before holding it out to him.
“If it were me, I probably would have lost all respect for her.”
“Put this in a vase today.”
Seniel’s eyes widened at my boldness. Even if he wanted to refuse, he couldn’t. But he gave it to me carefully, smiling faintly.
“I’ll put it in a vase carefully.”
Holding the anemone gently, Seniel gazed at it. Bathed in the sunset, he looked like a character in a well-painted masterpiece.
Even in moments when my life was threatened, seeing him peacefully holding a flower felt surreal. My hands curled slightly.
“…Do you like flowers?”
To break the peaceful moment, I asked and simultaneously gestured to go home.
Looking at the flower, Seniel slowly followed me.
“It seems so.”
Saying “seems so” to a question about likes and dislikes was odd.
“Don’t you really know what you like?”
All I could hear was the sound of footsteps on soil and grass.
Even when we arrived at the mansion, I didn’t get a better answer. Stopping at the main stairs, I waved at Seniel.
“Let’s go inside.”
Seniel’s hands twitched slightly as he held the anemone.
“Come in safely, Bibi.”
He followed with a delayed greeting. I returned a nod and went up the stairs.
After bathing, I donned my protective gear and sat reverently on the bed.
I stayed awake waiting for Kid, but he didn’t come even past midnight. Perhaps today simply wasn’t my day. I licked my dry lips with that faint hope.
Tap, tap.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the quiet mansion.
“He’s here.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes briefly and got off the bed.
As the door opened, I plopped onto the floor with a thud. My knees hit the carpet with a thunk.
“Ah, I-I was wrong yesterday!”
Even just standing there, his large frame was intimidating, but kneeling made it twice as frightening.
“I-I did have, with Seniel, today… a lot of progress…!”
I was too scared to appeal with my eyes open, so I squeezed them shut.
“Is that so?”
A clear voice came from above my bowed head. I could roughly sense where he was standing.
“Yes, yes! Seniel even showed me a butterfly with his abilities, he said it was the first time! And we went for a walk together too, yes, a walk! If you forgive my mistake yesterday, I’ll work harder, more, I’ll do it!”
No response came.
Peeking through my eyes, I saw his face.
“I’m doomed.”
He looked down at me arrogantly, his expression sharper than ever before.
