Chapter 60
“Wh-who are you?”
The person who blocked Peter’s way was Claude.
He had been standing quietly beside me just moments ago, but now he was standing in front of me, as if pointing at me.
From the look of him, he was well-built, with a strangely heavy aura.
And on top of that, his cold blue eyes were looking down at me.
Peter instinctively took a step back with his right foot.
Seeing Peter’s frightened expression, I quickly moved to stand beside Claude.
Then, taking hold of Peter’s arm with Claude’s hands, I pulled him back and answered in his place.
“He’s someone I know!”
“Someone you know? I’m seeing him for the first time…”
Maybe it was because Peter and I had been friends for a long time.
We knew everything about each other’s acquaintances.
And this person was also an acquaintance of one of us.
But Claude was a new connection I had made through Estelle.
It was natural that Peter didn’t know him.
“You probably don’t know him well. I met him through Estelle too, which is why we came to watch the competition together.”
“You came together?”
It was time to give Peter a little more explanation.
As I explained, Estelle frowned and asked me.
I turned to her and nodded.
“Yes. We enjoyed the festival together before coming here.”
“You enjoyed the festival together?”
Estelle asked in a high-pitched voice, her eyes wide in shock.
‘Strange?’
Just a moment ago, I had been filled with warm, emotional excitement.
Why, then, was Claude standing in front of me, and why did Peter look so anxious?
And why did Estelle look like she’d just been betrayed?
I felt as if I were suddenly standing in the middle of a storm, completely confused.
Blinking at the strange atmosphere, I nodded.
“Uh… right? Since you said you’d never enjoyed a festival before, I guided you around.”
“Really?”
Estelle, who had been staring at me, turned her head toward Claude.
She stared at him intently, then asked me,
“So, now that the competition’s over, we’re parting ways, right?”
“Ah… probably, yes?”
Claude also stared quietly at Estelle.
Seeing that, I took a step to the side, widening the space between the two of them.
It felt like some kind of spark was flying between them, and being caught in the middle was uncomfortable.
“So there’s nothing more after this?”
“Huh?”
Peter stepped toward me.
Since I moved aside, the barrier that had shielded me was gone.
“Not much time left now, but how about enjoying the festival with me for the last bit?”
Peter, stepping closer, bit his lip slightly.
Then, looking into my eyes, he asked cautiously,
“You…”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Peter.
The awkwardly lifted corners of his lips, slightly flushed cheeks, eyes full of anticipation…
Even his fidgeting fingers.
Seeing all of this, I realized.
“You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
Peter was silently asking for my help.
Of course. He had been too busy helping Estelle with the competition to enjoy the festival himself.
He probably had a lot to do right up until he went on stage.
‘And Fiona also seemed busy.’
If he wanted a date, he would’ve wanted it with Fiona, not me.
The reason he asked me was probably because he knew Fiona was busy.
After all, the last day of the festival, and at this time when it’s getting dark, the tavern would be at its busiest.
But what could I do about it?
Normally, I would’ve said yes…
“I already have a prior engagement, Peter.”
“A prior engagement?”
“Yes. There’s a place I need to go afterward.”
Right.
Just as Estelle said, she and I had a place we needed to visit.
“Could we stop by the temple during the festival?”
That place was the temple.
We had to meet Welpion there.
“Uh… do we have to go right now?”
“Yes. I originally thought we might go a bit earlier, but Estelle was too busy with the competition preparation, so we couldn’t. So we need to go right now.”
“Ah… I see. Then I guess it can’t be helped.”
Peter shrugged his shoulders and gave a bitter smile.
He tried to act nonchalant, but it was clear he was disappointed that he couldn’t enjoy the festival.
“Then I should be going.”
“Alright. Thanks for helping with the competition preparations. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”
“No need. Whatever. See you next time.”
“Really! Next time, I’ll definitely treat you. Take care!”
Peter waved lightly toward Estelle and me and then walked back the way he had come.
‘Oh dear. Sorry about that.’
He had helped us so much, yet we couldn’t even enjoy the festival together, let alone his date with Fiona.
I looked at Peter’s somewhat sullen back and felt a pang of guilt.
“A prior engagement?”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
Once Peter had moved a bit farther away, Claude asked me.
Lost in thought, I snapped back to reality at his questioning tone.
Suddenly—
A small pink figure ran up and wrapped its arms around my waist.
It was Estelle.
Looking down, I saw Estelle staring up at me with her bright, pleading eyes, as if saying, look only at me.
I smiled softly and patted her head.
“We need to stop by the temple for a bit.”
“The temple?”
“Yes.”
How can Estelle’s hair be so soft?
Even at first glance, it looked glossy and silky, but touching it was another level.
It slid gently through my fingers, as if it were pure silk.
‘Ugh… I’m going to get addicted to petting her hair.’
I continued stroking Estelle’s hair, unable to stop.
“On Estelle’s birthday, we happened to meet Welpion, and he said he wanted to give her a gift.”
“…I see.”
Ah, maybe I petted her too much.
Her hair had become glossy and shiny.
Normally, her hair was already silky, so most people wouldn’t notice a difference, but to me, the slight change in its glow was noticeable.
And Estelle, annoyed by all the stroking like a displeased cat, took a step back.
I knew it was time to stop, as much as it pained me.
With a reluctant gaze, I looked at Estelle’s hair and forcibly pulled my hand away.
It was then.
“You must be quite close, huh? Knowing her name and even giving a gift.”
Claude’s tone carried a subtle bluntness.
I quickly turned to read his expression.
‘Hmm. Am I imagining things?’
Expressionless, cold-faced.
Claude’s face was just as usual.
‘Maybe I misread it?’
That could be. His tone wasn’t particularly warm or kind to begin with.
Brushing off my doubts, I waved both hands side to side and denied his assumption.
“Close? We’ve only met a couple of times. Perhaps it left an impression on him. Estelle’s first prayer was given by Welpion, so maybe that’s why he remembers.”
I tilted my head and laughed lightly.
Claude watched me quietly and nodded slightly, saying, “I see.”
“Then I’ll accompany you to the temple.”
“Huh? Claude, why?”
Estelle, standing close to me, widened her eyes in surprise at his offer.
Since the competition was over and greetings were exchanged, she thought naturally we’d be parting ways.
“It’s a secluded area. And soon the sky will get dark.”
Claude shrugged once and pointed at the sky.
“When did the sky get like this…?”
As we followed his finger and looked up, we understood his words.
Indeed, the sun had started to set.
It wasn’t completely dark yet; the sky glowed orange.
But on the opposite side of the setting sun, a purple hue was spreading.
If we delayed even a little, the sky would soon be completely dark.
“It’s just accompanying you. Would you dislike it? Think of it as a reward for spending the day together.”
Claude asked me, not Estelle.
“Not at all! Actually, I’m grateful you offered first.”
I bowed slightly and expressed my thanks to Claude.
Seeing the sky, I thought the same thing.
Oh, if it gets this dark, it could really be dangerous.
