Chapter 25
“Just us two?”
Eki let out a scoff, and Cassius leaned his upper body toward Babel. He leaned so far he nearly stepped out the door before furrowing his brows, clicking his tongue, and stepping back. Cassius gently drew Eki into his arms, shielding her behind his back.
“So this is the oh-so-important conversation you had to shout loud enough for me to hear it all the way in my study.”
“Hiic, I-I’m sorry.”
“What was it you said again? That Eki had been rotting away in my tower for seven years?”
Babel’s face drained of color until it turned a sickly blue. His plump lips trembled as he bent at the waist in a deep bow.
“I’m sorry! That was a slip of the tongue!”
“Apologize to Eki, not me.”
“E-Eki. I’m sorry.”
The guy who had wedged his foot in the door and barked orders like he owned the place was gone. Though Eki got an apology thanks to Cassius, she felt no satisfaction and kept her mouth shut. Cassius glanced at her, then spoke in a cold voice.
“Don’t come here again. I’ll tell the Association to assign a different courier.”
“What?! No, that’s too—!”
“You thought I’d let a courier who interrupts my work keep coming here?”
Babel leapt up in protest, but Cassius issued his harsh order to get out.
“Leave. Now.”
“W-Wait! Sir Archmage, please!”
Bang! The solid wooden front door slammed shut.
Cassius irritably swept back his long hair and took hold of the back of Eki’s hand. He then strode forward in long, purposeful steps.
“Master?”
“What.”
“You’re really angry, aren’t you?”
“You think I wouldn’t be?”
“Uh… sorry. It was noisy, huh.”
At that, Cassius stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly turning back to her, his gaze was sharp and cold, brimming with an edge that made Eki almost hiccup. She quickly apologized again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“…Because it’s my fault?”
“What nonsense…”
A heavy sigh filled the landing. Cassius rubbed at the furrow in his brow, then resumed walking. This time, he climbed the stairs more slowly.
“You really need to work on that intelligence of yours.”
“This is as high as my intelligence goes, actually.”
“How someone as dimwitted as you became a mage, I’ll never know…”
“Wow, don’t you think that’s a little harsh?!”
“Then tell me, how is this any of your fault?”
The broad back in front of her moved as he spoke. Cassius didn’t bother to glance at her as he continued.
“Don’t sit there and take those kinds of words next time. Call me instead.”
“…You, Master?”
“Yeah.”
Eki stared at his back. It was the back that had shielded her from the mushroom-headed Babel, the back that had instantly sensed she was in danger and moved to protect her.
After living with Cassius in the Thousand Dog Tower for seven years, she could pick up on things now. She realized he’d been worried about her, and a shy smile spread across her lips.
“If you were worried, you could’ve just said so~ I almost got sulky when you suddenly started talking about my intelligence.”
“Your lack of intelligence is a fact.”
“……”
“And yet, after hearing that garbage, you’re still blaming yourself?”
“Well, that’s… because…”
Eki glared at his solid, wide back. Because of the belt he’d fastened tightly around his waist, the curve of his torso dipped sharply downward, accentuating his figure.
She thought she’d die happy if she could land a single slap on that perfectly shaped back.
‘Maybe… it’s time to try hitting him once.’
She was used to talking back now. Sure, she’d flinch when he got mad, but their relationship had grown to the point where Cassius would let a little cheekiness slide. So maybe it was time to take things a step further.
Eki cautiously raised her hand and swung with careful control.
But at that very moment, Cassius turned around.
“Eki, about that guy earlier…”
Smack!
Her dainty right hand struck Cassius square in the chest.
She froze in shock, and Cassius staggered back with a low grunt. They both stared at each other, eyes wide as if about to tear each other apart.
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