Chapter 22 - Kind and Cruel

Chapter 22: Kind and Cruel 

“Haha … of course, he was worried about Miss Fiona.”

As I promised earlier, I was building a snowman with Sigren as I have some time left. Abel went back to the castle first, and Jeron was helping us building a snowman to catch his breath. And when I asked Jeron the reason Abel came here, that was the answer he gave me.

“Worry? I would rather trust the word that the world would be destroyed tomorrow than believing that.”

I responded honestly while rolling a ball of snow to make it as the head of the snowman.

“Well…. It’s understandable, His Excellency certainly is a twisted person.” With a cloudy face, Jeron unexpectedly spoke lightly about Abel. Which of course, I joined the boss’ gossip.

“I know. Honestly, his personality… is not that good.”

“It’s not just ‘not that good’.. it‘s very bad. In addition, the way he expressed his mind is even more twisted. So, it’s hard to understand him in many ways, but this time, he came because he was really worried. I don’t think he had any intention of getting Lady Fiona to execute it from the beginning.”

“Really? He’s not here to monitor me?”

“His Excellency does not entrust work to those who need surveillance from the beginning.”

Suspicious subordinates were people who could cut of their superior’s neck. Then Jeron added in friendly tone.

“But that doesn’t mean he did well. How could he entrust such a job to an underage girl? To be honest, he must have iron running through his body instead of blood.”

For me, honestly, I didn’t mind it, it was actually pretty good.

“I.. I see.”

“Anyway, it’s okay for you to be more confident, Lady Fiona. Well, although it’s hard to understand what His Excellency is thinking,” Jeron squinted his eyes as if he was thinking of something, then he added, “You’ll know soon.”

Jeron then bringing the body of the snowman he was rolling in front of me, then said, “The weather is cold. I’ll get something hot to drink. And this, I’ll hand it over to you my Lady.”

Saying that, Jeron walked towards the stall.

I looked at his back for a moment, then turned my head to Sigren, who had been quiet all along.

“Sigren. I want to lift the head and joint it with the body. Can you help me?”

“….okay”

Sigren then lifted the snowman’s head by himself and merged it with the body. Looking at the snowman that was almost done, I smiled inwardly. I didn’t have to build this by my own hands with Jeron and Sigren beside me. I could just watch them make it. But where was the fun? So, I stepped in and then asked Sigren for this kind of thing I couldn’t do it myself.

“Thank you.”

It has been a long time since I showed my artistic spirit, so I even out the surface of the snowman face with my hands and made it smooth.

Sigren, who was staring at me from the side, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Fiona”

“Hmm?”

“What are you going to do from now on?”

“Well, I’ll live as I do now for awhile?”

Sigren shook his head slightly awkwardly.

“That’s….not”

It was then I realized that his behavior was different from usual. So I looked at Sigren.

“If not?”

Perhaps because of the cold, Sigren’’s face was a little red.

“Will you go?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you going to come?”

Unlike usual, Sigren’s voice was so low that I couldn’t hear it.

“Sigren, what did you say?”

When I asked back, SIgren spoke louder.

“Will you come to visit me?”

At the sudden remark, I asked again, stunned.

“Uh what?”

“ME!”

Belatedly, I slowly grasped the situation. So, did Sigren ask if I was going to visit him? But before I could answer, Sigren faltered back as he bowed his head as if trying to hid his expression.

“Forget it…. I didn’t mean to ask you to put you in trouble. It’s fine. I know you must have been simply sympathetic to me. I shouldn’t have said that.”

I hurriedly grabbed Sigren’s hand when he was trying to walk away. Why did he always like to jump to a conclusion however he wanted?!

“No, I’m not like that! And also, I’m definitely going to meet you!”

As I hold his hand tightly, Sigren’s face flushed red.

“Hand.. my hand….”

“I’ll come everyday!”

Sigren muttered, avoiding my gaze.

“You don’t have to do it everyday….”

“It’s okay. I’m the one who asks you to be friend.” I smiled brightly, “So, I ‘ll definitely come to see you.”

Sigren’s face stiffened with his eyes opened as if he had heard unexpected words. I just asked him let’s be friend, why did he have such a face?

“….”

“….”

For a moment, the two of us were silent. The sound of snow falling on the branches was heard in the distance. As I counting sheep in my heart because I couldn;t bear the awkward atmosphere, Sigren opened his mouth. Finally.

“Fiona”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, with a serious expression on his face, Sigren grabbed my hands.

“For the time being… you should come see me.”

“Of course.” Definitely I would do that. He couldn’t go to the Heilon Manor.

Sigren’s hand wrapped around mine completely. The transmitted his body temperature was warm.

“But, I would do something so that one day I would visit you,” Sigren then hurriedly added, “Well, we’re friends, so it’s unfair that you’re always the only one who comes to see me. I would try my best although it would be difficult.”

“….”

This time, it was my turn to surprise.

The place where I was staying was Heilon Manor, and it was a place where no one was allowed to enter as they want. To come there meant to have a certain position in the Heilon Duchy. And he said he would go there and come to see me?

And also, this was the first time Sigren brought up the word friend. Of course this was shocking.

“Of course, I’m an orphan with nothing, so even if I said something like this, you wouldn’t believe it—”

“No, I believe you Sigren. I’m sure you can do it.”

I smiled mischievously as I looked at the blue-grey eyes that wavered helplessly.

“Beside, it’s not just that. You someday…. You will definitely have anything.”

This was the truth. He would have a dazzling future. Wealth, fame, power, and…. A happy life with a lovely lover who would heal his wound.

“I promise.”

After a moment of silence, I muttered as if I vowed.

“No, i’ll help you make that happen.”

Because the moment I saw his wounds, I made that promise.

“….”

Looking at Sigren’s hardened eyes, I smiled a little sadly.

This winter was the day when I truly became Sigren’s friend.