Chapter 30
With a booming voice, my unsteady body was suddenly pulled toward someone.
Startled by the sudden change of view, I stammered as I looked at the person holding my arm.
“K-Kate? How are you… here?”
“The kid who was supposed to come pick up side dishes didn’t show, so I decided to bring them myself. But I guess it’s a good thing I did.”
When I asked in a bewildered voice, Kate answered calmly.
But her expression didn’t match her composed tone.
With me hidden behind her back, her face was full of tension.
Just as she said, she had come to bring side dishes—her other hand, the one not holding me, was carrying a basket that looked heavy with all sorts of things inside.
Yet she lifted that basket effortlessly and pointed it toward Basago.
“Who are you? What were you trying to do to Reina? Wait… you, with that hood, looking suspicious…”
Kate shot sharply at Basago.
Then, narrowing her eyes, she muttered to herself with a doubtful look.
“You… are you the one the capital’s knights have been searching for lately?”
Kate demanded, glaring at Basago.
Her wide eyes, her ragged breathing—half certain, half furious.
Basago let out a dry laugh, as though baffled.
Then, tilting his head, he pointed to himself.
“Are you speaking to me?”
“Yes. You. You look suspicious as anything.”
Kate jerked her chin at him, scanning him up and down with a sneer.
It was the confidence of someone who wouldn’t back down no matter what excuse he made.
“Reina, don’t leave my side.”
But I knew, despite her confident face, that Kate was nervous.
The way she pulled me closer, the slight trembling in her whisper, betrayed it.
She reached behind to place me directly behind her, completely shielding me from Basago’s sight—and keeping me from seeing him.
But before my view was blocked, I saw it.
The crimson lips curled in an amused smile beneath the hood.
The red eyes glittering with curiosity.
I couldn’t breathe.
‘No.’
Basago must not take interest in Kate.
Whether that interest was good or bad.
For an ordinary human, catching the eye of a demon could never lead to anything good.
Of course, I knew he wasn’t the kind of demon who would take offense at being treated with suspicion by a mere human.
But even knowing that, fear gnawed at me.
What if Kate somehow got on his bad side?
‘And besides, Basago isn’t acting like the game’s story I remember.’
In the game, Basago showed no interest in any human besides Estelle.
No matter how you tried to talk to him or hover nearby, he ignored everyone.
But this Basago was different.
He had reached out not only to Estelle, but to me and the children I cared for.
That meant unpredictable variables were at play.
“Kate, wait a second!”
I pulled my arm free from her grip.
Then I stepped in front of her, spreading my arms wide.
“What are you doing, Reina? This is dangerous. Get back here.”
Kate’s face twisted in shock. Her eyes went wide, her jaw tensed.
No wonder—she thought all she had to focus on was Basago, but I suddenly made an unexpected move.
“Please don’t, Kate. He’s… someone I know.”
I had no choice.
I had to keep Basago from paying any attention to Kate.
It was already bad enough that he was tied to me and Estelle. I couldn’t let that circle widen further.
“You know him? That man?”
“Yes. Remember I mentioned someone helping Estelle with her studies? That’s him.”
“What? That traveler?”
“Yes. And he also gets along with the schoolchildren.”
Kate’s tension eased a little, but her eyes were still wary.
After all, he hadn’t taken off his hood, and he looked as suspicious as ever.
“It’s true.”
I smiled to reassure her.
That was when it happened.
“Oh dear, how upsetting.”
A chill ran down my shoulders and neck.
Cold hands slid over my shoulders like a snake.
Startled, I hunched and turned my head.
There was Basago, pale hands gripping me, a faint smile still on his lips.
“Kate suspects me? When we exchanged such friendly greetings just days ago.”
“What? Wait… what?”
Kate faltered, confused by his wounded tone.
Could she really know him? She searched her memory, eyes darting side to side.
After a moment of silence, she ventured carefully:
“Could it be… Basago?”
“That’s right. I stayed at the Morris Inn until recently.”
“Oh my, oh my!”
Kate’s eyes went wide as she covered her mouth in shock.
She even pushed me aside to face him properly.
‘H-huh?’
Suddenly shoved out of their way, I was bewildered.
‘What is going on?’
All I wanted was to keep Basago from taking interest in her.
But it seemed the two already knew each other. Quite well, at that.
Pushed aside, I couldn’t wedge myself back in, nor say anything.
I could only clamp my mouth shut and watch.
“I’m sorry. How could I not realize…”
“Not at all. Given the mood these days, it’s understandable. Still, I didn’t expect you not to recognize me.”
Basago lowered his head with a sigh, feigning hurt.
Kate flustered, looking guilty.
“I-it must’ve been… oh! The hood!”
“The hood? Ah, now that you mention it, I wore a different one back at the inn.”
“Yes, that’s it. The hood! If it had been the one I saw every day, I’d have recognized you immediately. Isn’t that right?”
Kate’s suspicion evaporated completely, and Basago no longer looked threatening.
I sighed in relief—the situation seemed resolved.
And yet, I couldn’t shake a strange feeling.
“Exactly. I should’ve known Kate wouldn’t suspect me without reason.”
“Of course not. You’re such a reliable young man.”
Was this shocking? Embarrassing? Both?
One thing was certain:
Basago’s shamelessness left me speechless.
‘He’s the very same wanted man the guards are searching for!’
And yet he acted so nonchalant, as if it were nothing.
‘As expected of a demon.’
Unable to watch, I just turned my head away.
“Sorry to have startled you both, Reina, Kate.”
“No, no. I should be the one apologizing.”
“Haha, not at all. Reina, you seem to have business with Kate. I’ll take my leave for now. Let’s talk again soon.”
Basago bowed lightly to me, then turned away.
His figure grew smaller and smaller until he disappeared around a corner.
Only then did Kate remember me, the one she had pushed aside.
Brows furrowed in guilt, she hurried over.
“Oh dear, what a mess I’ve made. I caused such a misunderstanding. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine, Kate.”
I shook my head.
If anything, I was grateful.
I’d been scared to be alone with Basago. Thanks to Kate, I got away.
Though I had been worried she might end up in danger…
‘But just when did they get so close?’
Unlock soon!~