The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 4.3

***

“It was truly amazing. Teacher, you should have seen it.”

“That’s unfortunate, I was drowning in the sea.”

Several days had passed, but Ariel couldn’t stop praising Evan during every break. She even tried during class time, but Rosette barely managed to forbid it.

“He ran across the beach so lightly, almost like he was flying toward you, like a golden wolf. No, even more than a wolf. Like some divine beast from mythology.”

“…Haha, Ariel, you have quite an imagination.”

Feeling uncomfortable, Rosette dismissed it as imagination, but Ariel narrowed her eyes and said.

“It’s true! You don’t know how magnificent he was even after entering the water.”

“Yes, I’m sure he was magnificent. Can we start the dictation now?”

“No, teacher. Just a moment. This is the real part! And our break isn’t over yet.”

“Hmm…”

There was a reason Rosette was being so indifferent. She was hearing the same story for the twentieth time. Once or twice might be interesting, but after twenty times, even Levit, who had initially responded enthusiastically, had stopped talking and was doing something else.

The circumstances of that day were as follows: Ariel and Levit had gone to a merchant to eat Popoco fruit when they met Evan who had finished work. The three naturally joined together and headed to the beach with a Popoco fruit each. Evan went ahead, saying something felt strange.

The two who hurriedly followed Evan saw it. Rosette drowning in the water and Evan fearlessly diving into the sea to save her. Evan swam quickly and rescued them both. Ariel later described that Evan’s entire body was glowing so brightly that she couldn’t see anything else. Of course, Levit could see just fine.

Ariel, who had been wavering between Evan and Laub, completely switched to Evan’s side that day and was now praising him almost like a deity. The cute part was that despite this, she was too shy to speak a single word to Evan, unlike before. The not-so-cute part was that she was constantly telling Rosette and Levit about her feelings that arose whenever she saw Evan.

Listening to Ariel’s story, Rosette became curious about a couple of things. First, what swimming style did Evan use to reach Rosette? When he was a dog, Evan was excellent at dog paddling. He was even faster than most adult men. But if Evan had been dog paddling, would Ariel be this excited for days? Well, who knows? Maybe she didn’t notice what kind of swimming he was doing because of the light.

Second, Evan had given Rosette artificial respiration to save her. Did he do the same for Yvonne? It would be the right thing to do to save someone, but it somehow bothered her. However, her pride as a teacher wouldn’t allow her to ask. So she was just listening to Ariel’s story.

“And then Lord Evanium crossed the sea on a leaf…”

“Ariel, break time is over now. Let’s start the dictation.”

“T-teacher. Just three more minutes. I haven’t studied enough yet.”

“No. You should have studied in advance. If you score below 70, you’ll have to retake the test.”

When Rosette threatened her, Ariel made a sad face and hurriedly opened her notebook. Levit was already prepared and waiting.

“Let’s begin. Dog.”

Ariel began writing with a pained expression. Curious about how they were writing, Rosette glanced at both their notebooks. She saw Ariel had written only the first syllable in crooked handwriting, while Levit had written “dog” neatly.

Rosette wore a worried expression. Levit had become less talkative recently. It might be self-consciousness, but it seemed to be because of Rosette. He appeared to feel guilty that his teacher could have died because he was absent. It was a type of guilt that Ariel didn’t have. There was no need to think that way. Perhaps because of this, his dictation skills, which usually earned perfect scores, had noticeably deteriorated. Rosette thought she should take him to the tea house after today’s lesson to talk, and then said the next word. Cat.

***

“It’s delicious!”

Ariel took a big bite of the Earl Grey cake and said with a broad smile.

“Ariel, you shouldn’t talk with food in your mouth.”

“Ah, right. Sorry.”

As soon as Ariel heard the warning, she spoke again and then covered her mouth in surprise. Finding such Ariel cute, Rosette chuckled. Levit was barely touching his cake. Seeing the cake barely touched and just broken into small pieces made her heart ache a little. Even though Evan was earning good money these days, three drinks and two cakes was a bit excessive.

“Levit, you don’t seem to have an appetite. Does it not taste good?”

When Rosette asked worriedly, Levit startled and shook his head.

“No, that’s not it. It’s delicious. Thank you.”

“Levit, you know.”

Just as Rosette gathered her courage to speak, a man with a mustache in formal attire stood before her.

“Excuse me, Lady. I am Hen, the butler of the Eint family. Could you spare a moment of your time?”

“Hello, but what is this regarding…”

“Lady Eint wishes to see you.”

“Lady Eint…?”

While Rosette blinked in confusion, Ariel quickly whispered in her ear.

“You know, that ancient baronial family we met at the shore before. That rude one. They’re the Eint family.”

The butler cleared his throat softly, perhaps having heard the “rude” part. However, Rosette was in no state to point this out. Why would a baronial family want to see me? Rosette looked at Hen with embarrassment and said.

“I’m sorry, but I’m currently talking with the children.”

“Yes, then I will wait. Please take your time and call me when you’re ready.”

No, you don’t need to wait…

The butler bowed politely and turned away. Her heart pounded and cold sweat ran down her back. Why did they call for me? Did they notice my identity? What should I do then?

“Teacher, are you okay?”

“Mmm… I’m fine.”

While answering Ariel’s question, Rosette kept glancing in the direction the butler had gone. Being so distracted, Rosette ultimately couldn’t bring up the conversation with Levit until they finished their cake.

“See you the day after tomorrow, children.”

“Yes~”

“Yes.”

As they parted ways, Hen, who had been waiting for Rosette, began walking toward her again. Rosette tried to hide her nervousness and put on a relaxed smile. Hen guided Rosette to the table where Lady Eint and her daughter were sitting.

Lady Eint was someone who somehow reminded one of a cat. Eyes that curved upward like a cat’s and small, plump lips. She was like a greenhouse cat that seems disagreeable all day but melts your heart with just one show of affection. The child looked as though she were a younger version of the lady, but her eyes were different. Her eye corners drooped downward, giving her a somewhat sorrowful impression. That must have been inherited from her father. A beautiful lady and a doll-like girl. Why would these people want to see me? Rosette swallowed dryly as she looked at them.

“Would you like some tea?”

“I just had some, so I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Oh my, then how about some cake?”

Rosette smiled slightly at the numerous cakes piled in front of them. It reminded her of Evan.

“May I share what’s here?”

“Yes, yes. Of course. Certainly.”

The woman pushed a cake toward Rosette. In doing so, she knocked over a preserved fruit cake.

“Oh my!”

The woman panicked and fumbled. Hen, who was nearby, naturally cleaned up the cake as if used to it. Despite her seemingly prim appearance, she had some cute aspects. Thanks to this, Rosette’s tension eased, and she could look at the two with a more comfortable mind.

“This is how I am. I’ve been quite rude since our first meeting.”

The woman drooped her shoulders and made a dejected expression.

“It’s fine. The table just got a bit sweeter.”

At Rosette’s joke, the woman burst into clear laughter. Then, looking around cautiously, she spoke almost in a whisper.

“You’re not laughing at me, are you? I didn’t laugh inappropriately?”

“No, why would I laugh at something like that?”

“That’s a relief…”

The woman sighed, stroking her chest.

“I haven’t introduced myself. I am Jepi Eint. This child is my daughter, Silvia Eint.”

“I’m Rose.”

At Rosette’s words, Jepi opened her eyes wide.

“You’re a commoner? I was certain you were a high-ranking noble.”

I wonder how I behave that makes people see me as a noble. My clothes are cheap, and my hair is roughly cut. Rosette was genuinely curious.

“Haha…”

Unable to reveal the whole truth, Rosette responded with a mysterious smile. Fortunately, Jepi seemed to misunderstand on her own and didn’t ask further.

“The reason I arranged this meeting is… I was wondering if you could take charge of my daughter’s education.”

“…Me?”