Chapter 68: Trust (1)

Thud, thud.

Aisha, who had retreated to a secluded spot, sank to the ground.

'I was nothing more than a goblin in a cave.'

Though she had never shown it outwardly, she had believed herself to be smarter and more level-headed than others.

And she had proven it.

Even in the Hero Department, where only the continent's top students gathered, she ranked among the best.

She excelled in theory as well.

But she had been mistaken.

She was a fool, a foolishly smart person.

She had failed to understand Theo's goals until now.

She couldn't understand the larger picture he was drawing.

‘Did he even see me as a threat?’

Today, Theo had shone once more, not with physical power but with his intellect.

He had effortlessly won over Ralph, who had been hostile towards him.

And...

[I discovered it from old documents at home.]

A clear warning.

Don't overstep the line.

But it was strange.

Normally, hearing such words would have infuriated her, but she felt no anger.

Had she unknowingly acknowledged him?

'Even when I knelt before...'

Theo had only spoken about the time she foolishly accused him; he never mentioned the countless behind-the-scenes manipulations she had orchestrated to take control of the Waldeurk family.

He must have known... but why?

She couldn't find an answer.

Her mind spun.

Taking deep breaths, she tried to soothe her feverish mind.

'I'll gauge his reaction and decide from there.'

Aisha hung her head.

She still didn't understand.

But one thing seemed certain.

Theo didn't hate her.

She remembered a time from their childhood when Theo had raged at his tutors and maids, refusing to study, and had even torn at their hair.

Considering those memories, while he might not like her, he certainly didn't seem to hate her.

After all, he had forgiven her, at least on the surface.

Even when she had pretended to be scared in the underground magic dungeon and had clung to him, he hadn't pushed her away.

That would have been impossible if he truly disliked her.

[Instead, try to be helpful to me. I believe that with hard work, even negative emotions can be transformed into positive ones. I prefer action over a hundred words.]

Those were the words he had said not long ago.

'Right.'

He couldn't have said such things without meaning.

She couldn't change the past, but as for the future... she would try her best.

To be of help to him.

"···I will immediately form an investigation team. That should wrap up our discussion."

"You've worked hard, Professor."

With that, I was about to exit the cabin when,

"Before you leave... would you tell me, just between us, what trait you received? I won't tell a soul."

Rok looked at me and gave a faint smile.

"As I said earlier, it's a secret."

I gave a faint smile back.

Just like before, whenever Rok cracks a joke, he smiles like that.

That bald old man really likes his jokes. At least they're not dad jokes.

"Alright then, I understand. It seems I've kept you here too long. Go rest."

"Thank you. Please take care as well, Professor."

I gave a slight bow.

There's no reason for me to disclose my abilities.

Rok won't try any more than this.

He's the type who carefully weighs gains and losses.

I've never seen Siena cry in the original game.

‘Did I give the wrong answer?’

I suddenly feel apprehensive.

When it comes to getting on someone's bad side, there's no one as scary as Siena.

···I have to make amends.

As I was bending my head to look at Siena's face.

"Hehe, you're cute."

Suddenly, Siena wrapped her arms around my neck.

I felt a soft and overwhelming pressure against my face.

I'm suffocating.

"Let... Let go."

I managed to keep my composure and spoke up.

"What! What are you doing!"

Aisha rushed over and forcefully separated Siena and me.

Then she glared at Siena.

"You, you shameless person! How can you do this so brazenly······."

Aisha couldn't continue her words.

Blushing as red as a beet, she turned her gaze towards me this time.

"And, and Theo, you too! Why were you just standing there? You, as the future head of the esteemed Waldeurk family, should have pushed her away immediately!"

"······."

If I had done that, I might have really been in trouble.

She doesn't understand the fear that comes from experience.

One cannot easily shake off such deep-rooted fear.

"Anyway, let's quickly have dinner and go to the club meeting together. We're running late, so hurry up."

Aisha grabbed my wrist.

She's fearless, not even slightly scared of Sienna.

Is she living life on the edge?

"······."

Anyway, it hurts.

"Ease up on your strength, seriously."

Being pulled along by Aisha, I turned to look at Siena.

"See you tomorrow, Theo~"

Siena waved at me with a satisfied smile.

After some time passed.

"Release me now."

"Oh, oh······! I'm sorry."

Aisha hastily apologized.

Is this the same person who was so confident in front of Siena?

Well, her demeanor does change rather quickly.

"Why, why. Why are you looking at me like that."

"What nonsense are you talking about, Aisha? I was simply admiring you."

"Ad... admire? I'm sorry······ Could you repeat that? I think I misheard. You couldn't possibly have said that.”

"I was admiring you. Your composure in front of the Elven princess of the Great Forest. It was impressive."

"······."

Aisha turned her head away in silence.

After a moment, she spoke up.

"······Next time, when the Elven Princess acts like that, don't just stand there. What's with that lack of dignity? You're going to be the next head of the Waldeurk family······. Anyway, let's hurry. Why are you walking so slowly? Isn't it exciting to have a club meeting after such a long time?”

"Not really."

"······Even if you say no, can't you at least pretend to be a little happy?"

Aisha's energetic voice echoed.

······Hmm, I can try.

In any case, I managed to acquire a [Magic Cartridge] and eight gold coins from the shop in just one day.

Aisha put in her fair share of effort as well.

"Wow. I'm thrilled."

“······That's enough.”

***

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