Episode 4

“Oh…”

Here it comes.

The people in this village had an enormous interest in pairing up eligible bachelors and maidens, and their interest in me was particularly intense.

‘Maybe because I’m an outsider, they think if I marry a local, I’ll settle down here…’

As evidence, all the men they tried to match me with were locals.

While I appreciated their affection for me, this level of interest was a bit too much.

‘But I can’t exactly say that outright.’

How could I politely end this conversation without coming across poorly?

As I was mulling over how to handle the situation, Mrs. Cecil spoke again with a confident voice.

“Didn’t I mention before? Milon just graduated from Atlanta Academy! He’s smart, and as for his looks, what can I say? He’s considered the top catch among the village girls!”

“Oh, I see…”

I struggled to maintain a neutral expression and gave her an awkward smile.

Everyone I knew had graduated from Atlanta Academy, so this wasn’t exactly a selling point for me.

I sighed inwardly.

Of course, since no one here knew I was a spiritist, they were trying to recommend men based on what would impress a regular person.

“And here’s something special, just for you: Milon’s father’s business recently struck it big, so there won’t be any money worries either…”

Mrs. Cecil grew even more excited as she continued.

If Harnen or Eliae found out about another matchmaking attempt, they’d be upset.

I was still wondering how to politely stop Mrs. Cecil’s monologue when a cold, unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupted.

“Do not force this upon Ainra.”

Both Mrs. Cecil and I turned, wide-eyed, to see As standing beside me.

He was glaring at Mrs. Cecil with eyes that seemed to slice through each word he spoke.

“Do not impose.”

His red eyes, even more intense than when he’d corrected her about us being related, were sharp and dangerous.

Despite being just a child, the deadly aura in his gaze was enough to rival that of an adult.

Without thinking, Mrs. Cecil took two steps back, startled, and then began hiccuping nervously.

“H-haha… Hic! Oh my, why so suddenly? Hic! Well, Ainra, why don’t you take your things and head home for now?”

Without even asking for the payment, she hurriedly disappeared into the back of the shop.

I stood there, frozen in surprise, and shouted after her as I reached for my wallet.

“Mrs. Cecil! Please send the bill to my house whenever it’s convenient!”

She waved her hand as if to acknowledge she heard me before vanishing completely.

Feeling slightly dazed, I scratched my temple and looked down at As.

“As, should we head home now?”

The sharpness in his red eyes slowly softened.

“…Yes.”

He replied quietly.

As we walked back, the sky had turned a warm, reddish hue with the setting sun, bathing everything in a rosy glow.

Once again, I kept up small talk, much like I had on our way to the market, but there were two differences this time: we were heading in the opposite direction, and now, As was actually responding, albeit with brief answers.

Even though the conversations were trivial, the fact that he was responding at all was a good sign that his initial wariness towards me had somewhat faded.

* * *

Back at the house, I immediately began preparing dinner.

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

“…”

“Ah, if you don’t like either of those, I also have chocolate cream, strawberry cream, and even blueberry cream! There are plenty of options, so feel free to choose what you like.”

As, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up.

“You…”

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

It was the first time As had initiated a conversation. Excited, as if a haughty cat had finally decided to approach me, I lit up, forgetting even the tune I had been humming.

As hesitated, his lips moving slightly before he turned his head away.

“…It’s nothing.”

With that, As closed his mouth again.

Seriously? That’s so frustrating!

I looked at him with a pout before speaking again.

“As.”

“…Yes?”

As responded, a beat late, finally meeting my gaze.

I shrugged lightly and said, “It’s nothing.”

Now, let him experience how maddening *nothing* can be. I smirked, feeling victorious, as I glanced at him.

Surprisingly, a faint smile flickered across As’s lips before vanishing.

“Childish.”

His face relaxed, as though he had figured out exactly what I was trying to do.

Defeated by this unexpected reaction, I sulked, my lips jutting out in a small pout.

This kid, As, is no ordinary little boy.

Deciding it was time to focus on the dinner I’d been preparing, I asked, “Alright, pick your cream! Choose whatever you want to put on your waffle.”

I pulled out all the cream jars from the fridge, which Harnen had gifted me, and set them in front of As.

He looked over them slowly, one by one, before his gaze finally settled on one jar.

“…”

As stared at it for a long time. Curious, I stopped spreading my whipped cream and looked over at him.

“As?”

“…”

“You want that one?”

I tilted my head, smiling as I approached him.

Even when I stood next to him, As didn’t say anything for a moment. Finally, he opened his mouth.

“…It’s mint cream.”

“Yeah. Do you like mint?”

He didn’t say a word, only nodding his head.

I muttered an acknowledgment, picking up a butter knife to spread the mint cream on his waffle.

“I absolutely hate it. Tastes like toothpaste, ugh.”

I scrunched my face, realizing too late that I had just compared his favorite flavor to toothpaste. I glanced at him nervously.

Thankfully, As didn’t seem to be bothered by the comment.

“…If you hate mint so much, why do you have it?”

As asked softly, his lips pressed together.

I paused mid-spread. The reason why I had mint cream in the house was simple.

Because Aches liked it. I kept it stocked in case he visited so I could serve it right away. But I couldn’t say that out loud.

With a light smile, I continued spreading the cream.

“Well, someone like you who enjoys mint might come by.”

“…”

“All done! Here’s your waffle!”

As took the waffle slowly, like a wind-up doll running out of energy.

Once I saw him take a bite, I turned back to my own whipped cream-covered waffle.

Dinner ended peacefully, in quiet contentment.

Afterward, as I cleaned up and freshened up, I started thinking about which room I should give As for the night.

‘He’s a child, so it’s best if he’s close to my room… but not so close that it would make him uncomfortable.’

After pondering it for a while, I finally decided on a room.

It was a guest room, one room away from mine. All the rooms in my house were kept tidy and ready for any unexpected visitors, like the spirit kings or Harnen, who sometimes stayed for long periods.

‘The only problem is that it’s set up for adults, not for a child with no connections… but it should still be fine for As’s age.’

After explaining the room to As, who had just finished cleaning up for bed, I said, “As, there are notebooks and some basic writing materials in the top drawer of the desk. There are also a few simple books in the bookshelf over there… though I’m not sure if they’ll be fun for you to read.”

I scratched my cheek, knowing the books might be a bit too serious for a child.

I then gestured toward the opposite wall. “The clothes we bought today are all organized in the wardrobe over there. If you get thirsty during the night, there’s water in the pitcher on the nightstand. And if you need them, there are earplugs and an eye mask in the drawer below.”

As listened quietly and nodded after I finished.

Satisfied, I smiled and gently ruffled his curly black hair.

“Goodnight, As.”

As I turned to leave, I suddenly heard a soft voice behind me.

“…Goodnight to you, too.”

Surprised, I glanced back. As was already in bed, pulling the covers up.

I chuckled, answering with a soft “Goodnight,” and went to my room.

* * *

I fell asleep quickly, but I was awakened by a faint, groaning sound.

“What is that sound…?”

Yawning, I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess.

Once I was more awake, I realized the sound was becoming clearer.

“…As?”