Chapter 85
Was there no sound of running water because the bathroom was well insulated? Or was Felix still too busy calming himself down to start bathing?
Since no one had ever used his bathroom before, Abel had no way of knowing.
Stopping outside the bathroom door, Abel started to knock, then hesitated.
First, he needed to sort out what he absolutely had to say to Felix.
“The first thing I need to make clear is that this wasn’t my fault.”
If Felix refused to believe him, then he would call Anne… no, it was Priest Anderson if he had to and have him confirm it.
“And I’ll promise to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
But what if Felix was still angry?
“Is this really my fault? I never told anyone to make something like that.”
If Felix ended up ignoring him and turning away from him again, like he had a few days ago, it would feel terribly unfair.
“Just because it looks exactly like mine doesn’t mean I ordered it to be made.”
Really.
“Even if the color and the texture seem almost the sa—”
Without so much as a warning, the door flew open.
“Would you please stop talking!”
Oh.
“Why is the soundproofing in here so terrible?”
So he had heard everything.
Then there was no need to say it all twice.
No, he should still say it once more.
“I’m sorry, Felix.”
Felix’s face was so red it looked ready to burst, which was a little worrying. Even so, the explanation came first.
“I really didn’t order it. I’m innocent… Felix. Look at me.”
Just as Abel reached out to stop Felix’s gaze from dropping lower—
Bang!
The door slammed shut right in front of him.
“Felix?”
This time, it really wasn’t my fault.
* * *
Abel turned his head and stared at Felix, who was lying not far away.
The soft glow of the lamp left burning in the room made Felix’s face easy to see.
At first, he had seemed a little awkward. After tossing and turning several times, however, Felix had settled onto his back and closed his eyes.
It had been a long time since Abel had watched Felix sleep.
In fact, this was the first time he had ever seen him sleeping in a bed.
Back then, they had not been in a position to spend money freely, and simply having a roof over their heads instead of sleeping outdoors had felt like a blessing. Naturally, having a bed at all was something to be grateful for.
And if there was a bed, it always belonged to Abel.
Even when it was large enough for two people.
At first, Felix had lacked the social confidence to suggest sharing it. Later on, whenever Abel offered to share the bed, Felix would recoil in horror and refuse outright.
‘I was right to get him one exactly like mine.’
Everything given to Abel was always of the highest quality, so naturally the bed would be comfortable as well. It would be well maintained, without the musty smell of age or dust. And surely there would be no bugs, either.
Just then, Felix let out a sigh and opened his eyes.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
Abel had known Felix was only pretending to be asleep.
It had simply seemed as though Felix wanted him to play along, so he had.
Meeting Felix’s gaze with quiet satisfaction, Abel asked:
“So you’re not going to ignore me anymore?”
After the priest’s blunder and Felix’s complaint about the poor soundproofing in the bathing room, Felix had spent the rest of the day avoiding Abel’s eyes as much as possible before finally lying down for the night.
Abel had assumed he would continue to be ignored, at least for today.
He had not expected Felix to speak first.
“Can’t we just let it go?”
Let what go?
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Felix squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before opening them again. When he spoke, his voice was carefully restrained.
“…I understand that it wasn’t something you intended, Lord Abel. And I accept your apology.”
“Really? Then we don’t have to ask Anne… no, Priest Anderson?”
“No. But in return, I’d appreciate it if we could please stop talking about this.”
That was a relief. Abel was already starting to forget the priest’s name. By tomorrow, he might have forgotten it entirely.
In the first place, he had only bothered to remember it partly so the priest could be punished, but also so he could prove the truth to Felix.
“Just make sure nothing like this happens again.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Abel nodded at once before adding:
“Though I think I’ll have to bring it up one more time.”
“…Why?”
Felix looked at him with complete seriousness, and Abel explained:
“I have to report what happened today to High Priest Maris.”
It was nothing unusual for the High Priests to assign one of their own people to attend Abel.
Even so, he had no intention of being disliked by Felix because of it.
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