Chapter 38
Once again, I held it out as if insisting.
Eva tilted her head, her expression hardly changing.
“Why this…?”
“Well, it suddenly got cold, and we’ve been stoking the stove a lot. If you get hurt, use it. I gave some to the other maids too.”
“Thank you for the young lady’s thoughtfulness.”
Bowing her head, Eva accepted the ointment with both hands.
Her hands couldn’t exactly be called delicate, but they bore no particular scars either.
As I left Eva behind and started walking away, Levi remarked,
“You didn’t give it.”
The ointment, to the other maids.
At his questioning gaze, I shrugged.
“Mm, it was just bait.”
“…Do you want to fish?”
He looked like if I nodded, he’d take me to the nearest lake right away. I laughed.
“Not fish.”
“Then what?”
“There’s an animal that loses out sometimes because of its overactive imagination.”
I walked on beside the uncomprehending Levi, our steps light though slow.
This old in-laws’ house probably needed a bit of cleaning up.
And so, several more peaceful days passed.
The biggest event was me squawking daily while my wounds were dressed.
“Since you’re young, the healing speed and condition are very good. At this rate, there’ll barely be any scar.”
“That’s a relief, my lady!”
Not only Betty, but also several maids who now often visited my room rejoiced.
Levi still stayed glued to my side, but befriending servants through Su and Nina was no difficult feat.
Though oddly, I never managed to get along with the kids managing the second floor.
Even when I approached, they subtly avoided me. Maybe it was because they mostly served Franz.
Still, this much was smooth sailing. Thanks to everyone keeping an eye out, nothing troublesome happened anymore.
And then, good news came from the Wall.
“Once we pass the final hurdle, His Excellency should be able to return.”
“Wow…”
That was certainly a relief, though Benjamin, you look like you’ll cross that river first. Working double for Wolfgang has left you looking gaunt.
Feeling sorry, I asked gently,
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Just something simple.”
“Then you’ll need a dog.”
“What…?”
“A toothpick.”
“Ha ha ha!”
I really should cut ties.
With the 1,827th vow, I hurried out of the office with Levi.
“Let’s go have lunch too.”
The dining hall was as splendid as ever, Sanche’s cooking was delicious, and the atmosphere cheerful.
And as usual, Franz didn’t show up.
As I occasionally slipped greens into Levi’s mouth, my eyes lingered on the empty seat.
Was he eating alone in his room? Maybe Eva was with him.
Still, to refuse even the one occasion he could leave his room—formal meals—three times a day, his pride was something else.
Hmm.
Resting my chin on my hand, I muttered,
“The bite’s not taking.”
“…Fishing?”
“Mm. Should I scatter more bait?”
Though I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to catch, Levi, faithfully rooting for my prize catch, answered diligently.
“Shake the rod.”
“Or?”
“Throw a net.”
“Oh, nice. That’s bold.”
Alright, I’ll save the bold move for later and start by shaking the rod. Lift and drop, with a tasty morsel on the hook…
“Come to think of it, didn’t you say there was an annex here?”
“Yeah.”
“I heard it’s full of rare treasures.”
The noisy dining room made it easy to overhear household gossip.
From ancestors’ portraits to books to treasures worth boasting of—everything was stored there.
Like a Bastion Museum. Must be fun to look around.
And apparently, the mistress of the house keeps all the keys.
Maybe the “catch” would be worth it.
Grinning, I suddenly rose from the table.
“Alright, decision made! Let’s go!”
Striking while the iron’s hot, Levi and I went straight to find Eva.
I thought she might’ve gone to Franz since it was mealtime, but she was resting in her own room.
Second floor…
And close to Franz’s room, no less.
When she opened the door at my knock, I glanced inside.
Spacious. Nice.
Her quarters were closer to ours than the other maids’ dormitories.
Hmm. My eyes narrowed.
That outfit…?
I spotted something, and Eva quickly slammed the door shut behind her.
I was startled for a moment, then smiled as if nothing had happened.
“Eva, don’t you have the annex key?”
“…Yes, but.”
“We want to play there!”
Eva calmly looked down at my cheerful plea.
One word from Levi here and she’d agree, but I signaled him to keep quiet.
As expected, Eva’s automatic response came out:
“I’m sorry, but that is where the Bastion treasures are kept. It is not a place fit for the young lady to play.”
Again, that vague wording.
Was she saying I was in danger, or the treasures?
I tugged at her skirt like a pouting child.
“Aah, but I’m curious. Then can’t you come with me? I’ll behave, please…?”
No budging. Bowing low wouldn’t work here.
“You’re mean! Once I marry Levi, the key will be mine anyway!”
Twitch.
Finally, a crack appeared on her face.
Got you.
I pressed on, triumphant.
“Keys are supposed to be kept by the mistress. Since there’s no mistress now, you’re only keeping them temporarily, right?”
“…Who dares whisper such things to the lady’s ears?”
“Everyone.”
Of course no one said that.
The servants I befriended were too meek, and those I didn’t barely spoke.
But after confirming she lived on the second floor, shameless lies rolled easily off my tongue.
“The whole household says it every day. Levi too, right?”
Say yes, now. If you’re bringing your wife into your family home, at least learn some tact.
At my fiery gaze, Levi obediently nodded.
Good.
I smiled like an innocent child and drove the nail in.
“You’re not the mistress, Eva.”
So don’t get the wrong idea.
Eva stared at me for a while, then bowed her head.
“I will follow the lady’s will.”
Polite, expression and voice alike.
Only the faintly trembling shoulders betrayed her.
And so, we left the main house with Eva leading the way.
The castle, the garden, the clear sky, the half-melted snow—all blended together. Cold as hell, but picturesque.
As for me, I had to wrap Levi’s coat around me like a ragged blanket. It ruined the scene, but the owner looked very satisfied.
“It’s dragging on the ground.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s heavy.”
“I’ll carry you.”
I laughed at his stubborn effort to keep me in his coat.
“You’re just like January.”
“…The alpha wolf?”
“Yeah. He always rubs his scent all over April and loves it.”
The newlyweds were inseparable, January constantly clinging to April.
Maybe it was an alpha’s dominance and possessiveness.
Sometimes I thought of stopping him, but April seemed to enjoy it, so I left them be.
Levi stayed silent.
Hm? Was he offended by the animal comparison?
But no—it looked more like he was lost in thought. The kind of thought you shouldn’t interrupt.
Even tin cans need upgrades and reboots, so I stayed quiet too.
Following Eva’s straight back, we passed the lopsided snowman Levi made for me, the stable I first mistook for the annex, the wolf pens, and on and on.
Where on earth are we going? There’s only forest now…
“Oh.”
So this is where it was hidden.
Tall, dense trees formed a natural partition, giving the annex separation from the main house.
It wasn’t as big or imposing as the main building, but still, befitting the Bastion estate, it was impressive.
“I’ll open it for you.”
Eva jingled out a ring of keys, found the right one, and turned it in the lock.
She never let the keys touch my hands.
As she opened the door respectfully, I strode inside. No rush—I could take my time exploring first.
“Wow.”
It really was like a museum.
It could slap those famous centuries-old foreign museums back and forth.
The exhibits were spotless.
Even someone with no eye for antiques could tell they were priceless and historically significant.
And it proved just how powerful Bastion blood was.
I admired the stairway lined with portraits of past lords.
Clones of Wolfgang…
Strictly speaking, Wolfgang was the clone of his ancestors.
Male or female, young or old, sharp or softer features—apart from hair or eye color, they all shared the same foundation.
Such cool, beautiful people. Thank you, world.
It’d be perfect to visit when I needed something nice to look at.
I was still in that pleased mood when I climbed to the very last step.
[Roxanne Bastion].
At the very top, impossibly far to reach, her name and face were enshrined.
The first master of Bastion. The one loved passionately by the demon god Noir.
Her flowing light-brown hair, her noble beauty—all was striking. But most of all, her blazing red eyes seized attention.
I stared up until my neck hurt, then glanced at Levi’s dark crimson eyes.
How strange. After dozens of generations…
Those eyes live on in his.
Then what of Noir’s eyes?
The second master, their half-divine son, had Wolfgang’s black hair and eyes.
Appearance-wise, he clearly favored Noir. Roxanne resembled none of her descendants.
Which meant every Bastion, from the second down, resembled Noir.
Thinking that, the Bastion’s specialness hit me anew.
Children of God, who look like God.
I gave Roxanne Bastion’s portrait one last look before moving on.
Roxanne.
My flame.
You said words were frightening.
That they’re more dangerous than swords, bows, or any weapon.
That words can create what never existed, erase what once did, and make even the most absurd real.
So, Roxanne.
Roxanne.
Roxanne.
“I miss you.”
Hand in hand, Levi and I explored every corner of the annex.
Was that… an attic?
At best, probably just a storage space, so I let it go.
Every room’s locked separately.
The heirlooms inside must be far more valuable than the ones in the halls.
My hunch was right. The rooms Eva unlocked one by one with her keys were dazzling inside.
I gasped and marveled nonstop—until, in the final room, I pointed at Levi’s coat.
“Hey, Levi. One of the ties is missing.”
“It’s fine.”
“But I’m not fine… I’d hate to lose part of your coat…”
“I’ll find it.”
My sulky expression made his attitude change instantly.
That’s better.
Before Eva could step in, I quickly pushed him toward the door.
“Thanks! Levi, you’re the best!”
Go look. It should be stuck in some nearby corner.
As Levi stepped out, I turned to Eva, now alone with me, and spoke warmly.
“There’s so many fascinating things. Say, what’s this one…”
Smack!
