Chapter 40
Living together only made the children’s jealousy grow day by day.
And lately, Estelle and I have been going out together quite often. By chance, the kids happened to witness it many times too…
Maybe that was why—
The children had begun to subtly avoid Estelle.
Not openly, but in a quiet, undeniable way like now.
“I’m not joining. Do it on your own.”
Of course, the problem was that Estelle felt the same way.
Perhaps because she instinctively sensed that the kids didn’t like her, Estelle too kept her distance from them.
She would deliberately head to the library when the kids were around, or stay in the study.
She tried not to run into them.
“Reina, can’t you just inherit the inn? Isn’t this work hard for you?”
Sometimes, over meals or chores, the kids would make roundabout remarks that Estelle made them uncomfortable.
But Estelle knew how long I’d been doing this work, and how much pride and joy I felt in it.
So she would quickly apologize, saying her words had been rude, and never pressed the matter again.
When I first heard that, for a moment I thought maybe Estelle, like the kids, didn’t want to ‘lose’ me.
It was probably a misunderstanding, but just for that instant—it felt good.
Like Estelle actually liked me.
Am I… a bit of a pervert for thinking that?
But think about it—
If a cat that had always been wary of you suddenly lowered its guard and even acted a little affectionate once in a while—
Who wouldn’t like that?
Of course, it’s a shame that Estelle and the kids are stuck in this awkward relationship…
How could I make them get along better?
I looked at Estelle and the kids, standing on opposite sides of a door, quietly at odds with each other.
At that moment, Den stood up and approached Estelle.
Folding his arms, he shot at her with a sharp tone.
“You’re not joining the festival?”
“I mean I’m not joining your plan for the festival.”
Estelle shrugged as she answered.
She had a book in her hand as she lifted her shoulders.
Exams were over, and instead of going to the library, she’d said she would rest at home. It seemed she had picked a book from the study and was on her way back to her room when she overheard the earlier conversation.
“But you know the teacher too!”
“Yes. But that doesn’t make me the same as you. I’m not Reina’s student like you all are. I’m just… someone who happens to live here.”
“But still, but still…”
Den mumbled, his face flushed.
He clearly didn’t want to lose, wanted to argue back somehow—but no words came.
So instead, he stomped his feet and pouted irritably.
That little act of frustration spread negativity to the other kids too.
They began glaring at Estelle.
“Hey now, kids. Quiet, quiet!”
Unable to watch any longer, I stood to mediate.
Just then—
“Mail delivery!”
Knock, knock—someone at the door announced the arrival of the mail.
“I’ll get it.”
Marco, the oldest of the children, immediately stepped forward.
He walked at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow, passed Estelle, and went outside to receive the mail.
“Here, teacher.”
“Thank you, Marco.”
I took the letter from him with a smile.
Not only was I grateful he fetched the mail, but in doing so, he had also dissolved the tension in the air.
The kids stopped glaring, and Estelle stopped looking at them coldly.
Relief washed over me as I examined the letter.
…But it wasn’t just any letter.
On the envelope was the seal of Pantora Academy.
My heart pounded.
With hurried hands, I tore open the envelope.
I pulled out the letter with trembling fingers and read.
“…”
Bang!
Without a word, I shot up to my feet.
My chair clattered to the ground behind me, but I didn’t care.
I rushed straight to Estelle—
And threw my arms around her.
Face overflowing with joy and relief.
“Wh-what are you doing, Reina?!”
“You passed, Estelle! You passed!”
Still hugging her tightly, I jumped up and down, shouting.
Confused, jostled in my arms, Estelle widened her eyes at my words.
Then she quickly grabbed my shoulders and pushed away, freeing herself from my embrace.
With an expression of disbelief, she asked:
“I passed? The academy?”
“Yes!”
I nodded enthusiastically.
Her eyes widened so much it seemed they couldn’t get any bigger. Then a radiant, ecstatic smile spread across her face.
“Congratulations!”
“W-wow—!”
The children, stunned by the sudden news, gave awkward cheers after hearing me shout congratulations.
They didn’t really know what was going on, but instinctively felt they should be happy too.
Soon, as they understood from our conversation what had happened, they began whispering and explaining to each other.
“C-congratulations.”
“I-I heard the exams are really hard. Amazing.”
“Thank you.”
Some of the kids even stood, clapping as they walked up to Estelle to offer their congratulations.
The icy atmosphere from earlier seemed completely forgotten.
Estelle’s expression also softened as she received their sincere congratulations.
Her tension melted away, her heart warmed by their kindness.
“So then… does that mean we can play with teacher even longer than with Estelle now?”
“…”
At that moment, a small but clear voice spoke.
All eyes turned toward the source.
It was Mina, the youngest child.
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity, as she asked.
There was not a hint of malice in her question—just pure innocence.
But contrary to her intent, the atmosphere twisted strangely.
The cheerful warmth cooled instantly, and tension returned.
Ah, geez…
I thought things would naturally improve with everyone celebrating together.
But repairing relationships… it really wasn’t so simple.
* *
As soon as Estelle’s acceptance to the academy was certain, I made a decision.
I would talk to Basago.
“At last, we meet. I’ve been looking for you.”
“You were? Reina, you looking for me—that’s unexpected.”
“There’s something I need to say.”
So, I went to find the person I had been avoiding all this time.
Well… saying I ‘found him’ is a bit embarrassing.
Technically, yes, I left the house to look for him.
But almost immediately after I began searching, I ran right into him.
Most likely… he already knew and came to me first.
Just look at that face.
His words sound surprised, but his sly, snake-like smile says otherwise.
He had expected me to come.
“What is it you wanted to say? Though, I think I can already guess.”
He whispered, his tone like a song, stepping closer to me.
I instinctively backed away.
Those crimson eyes beneath his hood felt like they were suffocating me.
I swallowed hard, then finally forced the words out.
“Basago, I want you to stop meeting Estelle.”
“…Including you?”
“Yes.”
Basago was dangerous.
Not only because he was a demon—
But even more because of his personality. He hated boredom.
Past, present, and future.
Perhaps even your most secret truths.
There’s nothing he doesn’t know.
And maybe that’s why—
He endlessly chases after new thrills.
Using every means at his disposal.
Unlock soon!~