“Dating, huh…”
It was something I had never thought about before.
Viola stirred her soup with a spoon, lost in thought, recalling the words that seemed unrelated to her.
“I’m not completely uninterested, but…”
However, aside from the interest, isn’t dating something that can’t just happen easily? With a heavy sigh, Viola took a spoonful of now cold stew and shoved it into her mouth.
“Viola, do you have something on your mind?”
“Nothing at all.”
Unintentionally, Viola deflected Elisa’s question and was startled, stopping her spoon midway. Stew dripped from the tilted spoon. Elisa, seeing that, was convinced that Viola was contemplating something.
“Viola, we’re friends, right…? Sharing with a friend will lighten your heart…”
“It’s just that more people around me seem to be dating…”
“Is that so?”
“I’m single, so it’s a bit concerning.”
“Mm…”
Elisa was taken aback by the unexpected worry, holding Viola’s hands tightly and speaking.
“Do you want to date, Viola?”
“No, not really…”
“Is that a no?”
“That’s not it either…”
Even though summer was passing and autumn was here with its cool weather, Viola felt oddly hot. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t used to such discussions.
Elisa smiled at the shy Viola, her face displaying amusement.
“Viola, you’re cute.”
“What?”
“When you make a girl-like face, it’s so cute…”
At Elisa’s words, Viola jumped in surprise and yelled.
“When did I ever make that kind of face?!”
“Should I show you a mirror?”
Elisa took out a small hand mirror from her bag and reflected Viola’s face. Seeing her own face unexpectedly, Viola froze.
No wonder; a girl with a face as red as a tomato occupied the mirror.
“I didn’t know you had those kinds of worries, Viola.”
“I’m the same age as you! I can have those kinds of worries! It’s hard not to feel a little jealous when you see people always cuddling.”
“Don’t you think anyone could easily date if it were Viola? You’re a beauty when you dress up, even if you don’t usually care for your looks…?”
“If I’m just dating anyone, what’s the point?”
At Viola’s words, Elisa gave a meaningful smile. Because of the everyday atmosphere, the smile even looked somewhat sinister, making Viola flinch and stare at her.
For a moment, their conversation halted, and silence prevailed.
It was Elisa who broke the silence.
“Then who do you want to date?”
‘…Who do I want to?’
“…I don’t know.”
Is it really what I want? Viola’s mind became muddled with countless thoughts. Doubts crept into every thought that surfaced.
Thus, Viola couldn’t figure out what answer to give Elisa, who was looking at her.
“Does Viola not have a crush on anyone? Someone who makes your heart warm just by seeing them, who makes your heart race when you lock eyes, and whom you think of while lying in bed staring at the ceiling…?”
“Wow, that’s very detailed. Is that from experience?”
“Absolutely.”
Elisa’s face as she answered was so beautiful that Viola could only gaze at her dumbfoundedly. Is this what the face of a girl in love looks like?
“Take your time to think it over.”
Elisa gently rubbed Viola’s hand with a soothing voice to calm her.
“…Got it. I’ll think about it.”
————-
“Do you have that kind of preference~?”
“…What do you think I can do stuck here alone? Pay for your meals.”
“Hehe, should I call you ‘Master~’?”
As this girl loosened up a bit, she tried to climb on me. I smacked the top of the demon girl’s head and gave her a stern warning.
“That hurts!”
“Stop saying weird things and work well. If you mess up…”
I drew my thumb across my throat. Just that simple gesture made Cidri gulp and look at me nervously.
“You better work hard!”
“If you don’t want to be hanging around Agares and Harpas, you need to behave.”
Honestly, it would be easier to just kill her, but since I brought her thinking there might be some use, I should utilize her well.
Whether it was her unwillingness to work or just dislike of wearing a maid outfit, Cidri puffed her lips and got back up.
“So, what should I start with?”
“Ashley will teach you that, so follow her.”
“Johann. Is it really okay?”
“If you mess up, you’ll tell me immediately. I’ll make you obedient right away.”
“Can’t you just brainwash me?”
“Eek…”
“Rue. Isn’t that troublesome?”
“Hmm, I think having an extra body wouldn’t be too bad.”
Is one not enough? Judging by her physical specs, it wouldn’t be easy to find one better than her.
“I’ll work hard, so please allow that!”
“Ashley. She says she’ll work hard.”
“It’s nice to have a solid subordinate.”
“Then I’ll head back to my work.”
“Please come back before dinner.”
“Understood.”
I watched Cidri leave with Ashley, then headed to the workshop with Rue. The kids hadn’t arrived yet, and there was still a lot of work to do, so I needed to finish before they got here.
I had to wrap up the tasks for hunting the dragon as quickly as possible.
“Contractor, can I go ride a scooter?”
“Do as you wish. Just don’t go outside Yeomyeong-gwan. If a high elf suddenly appears at the academy, it’ll be chaos.”
“Just trust me!”
I waved goodbye to Rue, who was disappearing with her overly cheerful movements.
“I think I can head out soon…”
Should I grab some snacks before going?
No, dinner isn’t too far off, so let’s just go.
As I stepped out of Yeomyeong-gwan and walked on the grass in the garden…
“…Viola?”
“Ah, hello…”
Viola twirled her hair with her fingers, avoiding my gaze. Is there something she’s guilty about? I approached her to ask.
“Is there something going on?”
“Uh… nothing at all!”
That doesn’t seem like nothing. I was slightly curious, but I guess I should respect her privacy. I walked past her and opened the door to the workshop.
With a screeching sound of the hinges, the door opened.
“Are you going to work?”
“Yeah. I plan to work until dinner. Were you on your way to study?”
“Uh? Uh…”
What’s wrong with her? She seems distracted.
Should I ask her?
Should I refrain?
What if it turns into a troublesome question? Just as my worries multiplied, Viola opened her mouth.
“Uh, yeah! Let’s go, Uncle! We need to work!”
Her voice was trying hard to sound cheerful, and I nodded along.
—————–
‘This is seriously nerve-wracking!’
Maybe it was because of the conversation with Elisa, but Viola couldn’t concentrate on her research and kept sneaking glances at Johann.
In her eyes, Johann’s broad back came into view. So distracted by handling hot materials, he wore thin clothing, making the details of his muscles clearly visible. Viola stared vacantly at that back before abruptly turning her head away.
‘Why am I looking at Uncle’s back?’
Her feelings towards him were just reverence towards a benefactor and respect for a life mentor. Viola shook her head vigorously, trying to cast those thoughts away and redirected her full focus to her research.
But from the moment she became aware of the man behind her, she couldn’t proceed with her research properly. She nearly dropped flasks multiple times and failed her mixtures.
She started making mistakes she wouldn’t usually make one after another.
The more her errors piled up, the more her glances over her shoulder increased.
So, one hour passed.
Eventually, Johann had to ask Viola.
“Viola. Do you have something to tell me?”
“Uh? No, no, no, no, no!”
“Why are you flustered?”
Johann set aside the things he was making and turned to Viola, feeling uneasy about the way she gazed at him—her gaze felt somewhat familiar.
“Uncle, don’t come closer for now!”
“Understood.”
Johann obeyed Viola’s request and stopped in place, pulling over a chair behind him. Viola watched this with a flushed face, stunned.
An awkward silence settled between them.
‘Oh no, why did I give it away!’
Viola scolded herself, wishing this moment would pass quickly. But Johann didn’t take his eyes off her. He seemed determined to stay until she spoke, so Viola tightly shut her eyes and declared.
“It’s dinner time! Let’s hurry and eat!”
“…Okay.”
Johann fell for her obvious redirection with no resistance.
He knew it wasn’t the right time yet.
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