Chapter 149
‘Damn it. How did it come to this?’
The rules weren’t that complicated. Form teams of two, roll the dice to move across spaces, then draw or use a card. It was a kind of territory grabbing game where you expanded your land by making good use of cards and offerings.
‘Over something this trivial…’
Cassius glared at Eki. She smiled bashfully, scooped up a spoonful of shaved ice, and held it out to him.
“It’s not hard, right?”
“I told you I’m not scared.”
“Okay. Try the shaved ice.”
When Cassius was working, Eki feeding him something now and then was not all that rare. Cassius opened his mouth without thinking and accepted the shaved ice, then froze.
As he creaked his head to the side, Hera and Randy were staring straight at them. Without even tasting it, Cassius swallowed the ice and fruit pieces and flushed.
“How is it? It’s good, right? Want more?”
“Eki, wait a second.”
“Why?”
“I’ll eat on my own, so you eat yours too.”
“I am eating.”
She was right. Using the same spoon she had fed Cassius with, Eki scooped up a generous serving of shaved ice and popped it into her own mouth. Soon after, she let out a pleased hum and scooped another bite.
Trying to block out the others’ gazes, Cassius lifted the rulebook high and hid his face behind it. Still, there was no one who failed to notice his cheeks turning rose colored.
Milla and Giyote whispered to each other.
“Don’t they look like they’re dating pretty normally?”
“Yeah. It’s really different from the rumors.”
“I wonder who spread the rumor that Lord Cassius was a cold blooded man with no heart.”
“…Looking at the way he’s glaring at us now, it might be partly true.”
The two of them slowly leaned back and checked their hands of cards.
Cassius subtly shifted his gaze, then gauged the moods of Baron and Baroness Provanet this time. Hera nudged Randy’s side, then opened her mouth as if asking to be fed as well. Randy looked flustered, then, just like Eki, scooped some shaved ice and fed it to Hera. Now Cassius’s ears burned bright red, as if on fire.
‘Eki Provanet…’
He shot his partner a glare filled with genuine feeling. Only then did Eki flinch her shoulders and laugh awkwardly.
“Master, don’t be so nervous.”
From earlier in the day until now, it had been nothing but uncomfortable conversations. Cassius had not shown it outwardly, but inside, he was probably churning. Eki wanted him, even just a little, to feel comfortable with her home and her people.
Even after leaving the Thousand Tower, Cassius’s surroundings were still desolate. He was not someone who easily allowed others close to his side. That was why Eki believed it was her role to richly fill her master’s world.
“Shall we start then?”
The shaved ice was sweet. She was also looking forward to the board game she had enjoyed before. She could tell Cassius felt awkward about the situation, but at the same time, she knew he was showing curiosity toward the game board filled with magic.
Eki let out a small giggle and rolled the dice.
❖ ❖ ❖
And they were utterly defeated.
“Wow. We won again?”
“This is really fun.”
“Congratulations!”
“You two are really good!”
Everyone gathered at the Provanet estate participated in the board game. Eki and Cassius, Milla and Giyote, Hera and Randy formed pairs.
The winners this round were Hera and Randy. They had also won the previous round. And the round before that. And the one before that as well.
Milla and Giyote seemed to be holding back appropriately for the sake of the beginners. Even so, if Eki and Cassius put in some effort, they could have won, but unfortunately, that did not happen.
Because Cassius was absolutely terrible at the game.
“……”
“……”
“Master, are you okay?”
“I’ll go get some fresh air for a moment.”
The time was already nine in the evening. At this point, it would have been reasonable to start wrapping things up, but the board game’s excitement had not faded. Cassius headed to the balcony to cool his burning face.
Eki started to follow, then shook her head and sat back down.
“Eki, is this really okay?”
“Did we win too much?”
“It’s fine. Master doesn’t get angry over something like this.”
Probably.
“Ah. Should we start taking it easy now? I think we’ve got the hang of it.”
“Right. I think we can pretend to lose a bit now.”
Hera and Randy spoke in turn. If Cassius had heard this conversation, he would have left the estate immediately.
“Is it not fun for him because he keeps losing? When he comes back later, maybe we should suggest just taking a walk in the garden instead.”
Since it was late at night, Eki was planning to offer the guests rooms. The same went for Cassius. Of course, if he felt uncomfortable, she intended to send them off, but…
‘I want him to sleep in my bedroom.’
With a slightly mischievous thought, Eki fiddled with the dice. At that moment, Milla leaned close to Eki and asked quietly.
“But Eki, you remember Braden, right? The guy you used to date.”
“Ah, yeah. Why?”
“A new recruit joined our branch this time. He’s that guy’s current girlfriend.”
“Whaaat?!”
What were the odds of a coincidence like this. Feeling flustered, Eki recalled her ex-boyfriend whose flared nostrils had been so memorable she could never forget him.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.