Ray and Krisha came with us, while the other 7 children went home.
"Here you go," Len handed me a stick with three pancake balls covered in syrup, ugh, it looks sweet, "it's called 'firabimp', a specialty of the Tual region." He then gave Ray and Krisha the food.
???
"Are you not eating?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Len didn't say anything, it's annoying when I can't read people's face. I tried peeking through his hood but it was no use. Is the inside of his hood a hole? All I can see is darkness!
Oh, well, if he doesn't want to eat, then he doesn't want to eat.
I stared at the washed-out dango, I don't know when my avoidance of sweet foods began or why it began in the first place. I just one day felt nauseous when I had a whiff of sugar.
It should be fine, it doesn't smell sweet, at best I'd show an unsavory face–OH! It tastes good!
It wasn't sweet at all but rather savory, the bread was chewy and it seemed to be mixed with chunks of fish, crab–
...
Whoever made the name 'firabimp' should die.
"Have you actually tried it before, Len?! It's amazing!" I extended my hands and offered the food.
Ack! "So... Sorry." I was about to retract my hands when Len lightly held my wrist and leaned closer.
"If you don't mind." Len's body was close to mine. Strands of silver popped out of the hood, stubborn, I stared, trying to make up his face.
Huk! Alarm bells rang and I shuddered, immediately I looked away. Fucking hell what was that? It was suffocating.
He took a small bite, let go of my hand and quietly chewed. As if a switch had been turned on, Len's body seemed to have brightened. Lightbulb...?
"One more." He handed the man a tiny bronze coin, "thanks." Len took the stick in my hands and replaced it with the new one he bought. He proceeded to gobble it up and bought a few more.
He buys, I eat, I find it yummy, he eats.
Am I a taste tester or something???
Before I knew it, the sun has dipped below the horizon, orange and pinks dominating the sky. With a large paper bag of food in my arms, I said goodbye to Ray, Krisha, and Len.
"Len."
"Yes?"
"How much was everything...?"
Len like usual stayed quiet, his head turned sideways. Ah! Is he avoiding eye contact?! "Sister Sienna, will you come back?" Ray asked, his newton ball 'tack tack tack'-ing in the background.
Krisha held my hand, her eyes opening and shut as if it caught dust, "sister."
I ruffled the two's head, receiving a 'tsk' from Ray, "I'll definitely come back, although, I'm unsure when."
"Great!"
"Here," I opened the piece of paper Len handed me, it was a map that rather resembled a finished maze puzzle with the various lines on it. He pointed at the conspicuous red circle, "this is where they live. You can visit anytime."
"Thank you."
As soon as I got home, Kia greeted me warmly, quickly removing my cloak. Mr. Butler was also there to greet me, he had a complicated expression.
With pursed lips and knitted brows, he said, "Lady Raina has arrived safely. Would you like to have something to eat?"
Guilt. That's what it was. How fast, that useless shit already came to report. "No need. I'm spending the evening in the library. If Ar... His grace has arrived notify me, if not, bring me dinner."
"As per milady's request."
I hummed, "Ah, by the way, please arrange a new escort knight for me. Preferably someone who won't just stand seeing their master get harassed."
Mr. Butler's face was pale, his forehead sweaty, "I shall do so."
***
'A guide to Rosenlite's army'
'Through the formal speech'
'A millennia: 107 emperors, 68 saints'
'Rosenlite's noble family'
"The duke has arrived?" That was fast, I was expecting him to return tomorrow. "Kia, bring the books I haven't read yet to my room, then head over to the duke's study."
Just in case we'll get into another fight.
"Yes, milady."
"Pick some about accounting too."
Kia's eyes brightened and she nodded. I looked at the male servant, "let's go."
As soon as I entered Archen's study, the young duke's peaceful expression turned turbulent and the air lowered a few degrees.
A living aircon!
"Greetings your grace, the right hand–"
"Sit down." I followed and sat down. Looking closely at him, he looked exhausted. Archen had fair skin but currently, his complexion was similar to Raina's, ghostly-white. In addition, his eyes were droopy with deep black eyebags.
"What a disgrace," Archen said. His tone was flat yet I could clearly feel his anger.
What happened to hi, hello, good morning?
"You are a nominal Aillard lady, who gave you the right to make a mess and even dismiss a knight?! My knight more so."
"Fortunately, my judgement of having you assume Lady Eve's identity was just. If not, surely, Raina's reputation would be stained."
Getting scolded... The last time was 8 years ago.
When...
'ZzzzzZ–Pak!–—–Zzz'
'Hiss'
'—Brat!–—ZzzZ–Gen...s my ass! You're use---ss'
I gritted my teeth, "well, did you expect me to just stand still when I'm being humiliated?! In the first place, do you think I would've caused this mess if your oh so great knight did his job?!"
"Forgive me for being overly paranoid, letting someone who clearly hates me close would be fucking stupid! What if he harms me, or worse kills me?!"
"What nonsense are you spouting..."
"Do you think it's nonsense?! He died because he was too sympathetic and let someone of the anti-royalist party continue to be his guard!"
I coughed, patting my chest to stop the violent fit yet it wouldn't stop. Only when my vision was shaky, misty and throat itchy did it stop. Staring straight ahead, I smiled. "Can you handle it, Duke Aillard? You've already lost Raina's soul. Can you handle losing her body too?"
"Leave..."
Archen's face wasn't visible to me, nothing was. It was all glitchy, though, I imagine his face to be contorted in fury.
I stood up and curtsied, "may the spirit of the Farshien tree be with you."
"Sienna Argerich!" He paused and took a deep breath, after restraining himself, he spoke, "leave this instant."
***
Having changed to a nightgown and laying motionless on the soft bed for two hours, staring at the cream ceiling, I've come to a realization...
Sienna you're fucking insane!
How could you say such mean...no, horrible things to Archen!
Sienna's bad habit number 1, acquired from dealing with abusers: poking on people's sore spots until they're anger has exceeded the boiling point.
"Ha... Why am I so sensitive and easily irritated these days... I better apologize."
From his voice alone, he's really really really mad. As Azriel's closest aide, Archen should be used to taunts and responds to them calmly. There was countless scenes in the novel where he did so, yet I actually made him lose his temper.
Hmmmmmm.....
I'm going to get burned if I approach him now. Anger kills rationality as they say. Yeah, let's wait till he cools down first.
I laid on my side, my eyes finally happy that it can see colors. The round table was crowded with books and stationery, a jar of candies as well, Kia probably put it there to help with my medicine.
"Hwaaaaah..."
I like the taste of medicine though.
But those kids will surely want to eat candies. I'll bring them some next time.
...
...
...
I... said some weird things earlier. Someone dying? Anti-royalist...? But the country I lived in, Arivina, didn't have a monarchy.
I closed my eyes, desperately trying to remember.
"Sienna."
Who...?
"Iyann."
"...my love."
To be continued.