Chapter 32
‘Me too. I don’t want to meet him either.’
I’m scared. I’m terrified.
What if I accidentally provoke a demon’s temper and get wiped out in an instant!
But how could I ever say that to Estelle?
Besides, Basago has been steadily raising Estelle’s intelligence stat for her.
And Estelle seems to be satisfied with his teaching and the books he brings as well.
“……”
I parted my lips but ended up shutting them tightly.
‘But why would she suddenly say something like that?’
This was the first time Estelle had ever expressed a desire about someone—especially asking that I not meet someone, and that someone being a capture target, no less.
‘Don’t tell me… she’s developed an interest in Basago?’
No way.
It wasn’t Kate—it was Estelle all along? Estelle was the more dangerous one?!
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
I hurriedly checked Estelle’s trust level with Basago.
Character – Basago / Trust Level: -10
Phew. Thank goodness. So it wasn’t what I feared.
‘But… -10?’
She definitely seemed glad for Basago’s help.
Yet her trust level was that low?
I was relieved that Estelle had no interest in him, but at the same time, the numbers left me feeling strangely conflicted.
“You packed sandwiches for me? Then I won’t need to make a separate lunchbox.”
Instead of answering Estelle’s earlier remark, I deliberately changed the subject.
I couldn’t very well say I wouldn’t meet him.
“Estelle, are you ready? If you are, shall we get going right away?”
I smiled as if I knew nothing and asked her lightly.
Estelle pressed her lips together, saying nothing for a moment.
Then she let out a deep sigh and finally answered.
“Alright. Let’s go right away.”
The lake to the north of the village was breathtakingly beautiful.
The clear blue sky with its fluffy white clouds, the towering mountains, the lush trees fluttering their fresh green leaves—and spread beneath them, the vast lake.
It was like a painting come to life.
“Wow!”
Estelle dashed forward, stopping on the grassy field right before the water.
She looked around the lake and gasped in wonder.
“It’s so beautiful…”
The water was crystal clear.
Looking closely, the indented bottom was visible through it.
But that wasn’t all.
Maybe it was the emerald sparkle of the water.
The reflection of the clouds on its surface made it seem as if another sky had opened up beneath.
“Reina! Come closer! It’s really beautiful!”
Sensitivity: 8 (+8)
Stress: 83 (-12)
Just then, a breeze blew past.
As Estelle turned back to call me, her pink hair streamed in the wind against the lush, verdant background.
It was like cherry blossoms scattering—something you’d never see in summer.
She brushed her hair behind her ear, lifted her green eyes toward me, and smiled brightly.
“Wow…”
How could anyone be so pretty?
The lighting, the temperature, the humidity—
It was as if the entire world existed just to highlight Estelle at that moment.
‘Why doesn’t this era have cell phones—or even cameras?’
I needed to preserve this sight forever.
Well, there was a way. Magic recording orbs did exist.
But those weren’t things an ordinary person could easily acquire, nor were they cheap.
Either way, the fact that I couldn’t keep this scene with me forever was heartbreaking.
Holding back tears, I walked toward Estelle, who had called me.
“Reina, I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
Estelle watched me closely as I approached.
When I finally stood beside her, she tilted her head and asked,
“I saw clothes in the room that looked like the one I’m wearing. Why didn’t you change into them?”
Ah, she must’ve seen the outfit I had laid out—clothes I bought to match hers.
‘Hmm…’
I rolled my eyes, thinking.
‘Should I tell her I was too tired, and that what matters is she looks pretty, not me? No… that sounds bad. Like I didn’t put effort into it.’
After a pause, I forced a smile and answered,
“You were already done getting ready. I didn’t want to make you wait just for me. And the later we leave home, the less time we get to enjoy the picnic. It’s our first picnic together, right?”
I bent down to Estelle’s eye level, tilting my head as I looked at her.
Her face turned a little red, and the corners of her lips trembled.
“S-still, if you wore those clothes, it would’ve been even better. Since they matched mine… We’d have looked closer too.”
Estelle quickly turned her head away and crossed her arms.
But from the side, I could see her lips curling into a smile.
She wanted to show her disappointment, but clearly, she liked my answer and didn’t want to admit it.
‘Ahh. She’s so cute.’
I really didn’t change out of laziness, but maybe that was the right choice.
If I had, I wouldn’t have gotten to see this adorable side of Estelle.
‘Sorry for not meeting your expectations, though.’
I couldn’t hold back anymore—I pulled Estelle into a hug.
Startled, she grabbed my arms for balance and looked up at me.
I held out my pinky finger.
“Next time, I’ll definitely wear it. Promise.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Alright. Then it’s a promise!”
‘Of course, my sweet candy girl, Estelle.’
As her little finger hooked around mine, I vowed—
Next time, no matter how exhausted I was, I’d wear the matching outfit.
When I let go, Estelle threw herself back into my arms.
Just from that promise, she giggled happily, rubbing her cheek against me.
For her to show how much she liked me so openly—
She was irresistibly cute and lovable.
‘My heart hurts from how much I love her.’
It wasn’t just Estelle’s stress decreasing.
It felt like my own stress and fatigue were melting away too.
On the grassy bank of the lake, we spread out a picnic mat and sat down to chat.
We enjoyed the sandwiches and fruit Kate and Thomson had packed, along with tea I’d brought from home.
“Maybe it’s because the lake is so wide, but I feel so relaxed.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ve felt so stifled lately. But now… it feels like a weight’s been lifted.”
Estelle stretched with a small groan, raising her arms high.
She smiled in relief as she gazed at the lake.
Sensitivity: 17 (+9)
Stress: 48 (-35)
At that moment, her status window popped up before me.
‘Thank goodness. The first digit dropped a lot.’
When I first saw it, her stress was in the 90s. Now, it was in the 40s.
And it wasn’t just the numbers.
Her complexion had brightened, her eyes sparkling with new energy.
Secretly, I patted my chest in relief and exhaled.
“The water’s so clear. You can see the bottom, and it doesn’t even look that deep.”
Leaning forward, Estelle placed her left hand on the grass outside the mat.
“I wonder what it would feel like to go in?”
She dipped her right hand into the water, swirling it around, then looked at me with eager eyes.
As if she was ready to jump in at any moment.
That’s when—
“It’d be best not to go in the lake.”
A gruff voice came from behind, stopping her.
“Wh-who’s there?”
Maybe it was because we had just run into Basago earlier, but I startled more than necessary as I turned around.
Standing there, with an apologetic expression, was a man with brown hair tied back and small scars across his face.
“Ah, I startled you. My apologies. The name’s Gilbert. I’m a hunter.”
Unlock soon!~