"—And did you fulfill your duties as envoy?"
"Well, of course. I would never fail to do anything my Lady Crusch requests of
me. Oh, Grandpa Wil, you're such a worrywart!"
Servant and envoy conversed as the land dragon left Roswaal Manor far
behind.
Wilhelm sat on the box seat, guiding the land dragon effortlessly. Behind him,
the pale-haired girl poked her head out the window of the dragon-drawn
carriage.
In one sense, there were few places more suited to a private conversation.
"But I have to say, Grandpa Wil, I didn't expect you to speak to that boy while
you waited. You don't like talking to people, do you?"
"That is a most grave misunderstanding."
"Oh, is it now? Sowwy.—It's just that you like slicing people more than talking
to them, right?"
"…That is an even worse misunderstanding."
She had only been teasing, but Wilhelm offered no elaboration. The girl
pressed her lips together in a pout, displeased with the stony reaction to her
provocations.
"You're no fun. What, it was more fun listening to that boy than your dear
Ferris? He didn't seem that special, but you like him that much, meow? You
think he's actually so strong he's hiding his abilities?"
"Not so. He is an amateur—a cub without a mane. Nor does he have any
talent worthy of mentioning. I am certain he is very ordinary."
"So why then, Grandpa Wil? You said you hated riffraff meowst of all."
Everything the girl said painted him in the worst possible light. In response,
Wilhelm calmly raised a hand and pointed at his face.
"It's his eyes."
"—Eyes?"
The girl lowered her head as she inquired. Wilhelm simply raised his gaze,
thinking back.
"The lad's eyes interested me ever so slightly. They said he has crossed the
boundary of death. Many come close to the line, stop, and draw back, but…"
Wilhelm lowered his lids in thought as his words trailed off. "Those are the eyes
of one who has crossed once, no…several times, and returned. I know of no
such being. You might say I was compelled by curiosity."
But the girl blithely dismissed Wilhelm's expression of wonder. "Meow, that
doesn't make much sense…"
This time, Wilhelm answered with a strained smile. The girl continued, adding,
"But if that's true, Grandpa Wil, that boy's won't find an easy path to follow."
The girl narrowed her eyes as she tossed her glossy gaze toward the broad
back sitting against the box seat.
"Having the Sword Devil, Wilhelm van Astrea, interested in you is as
unfortunate as the Witch having a thing for you."