Chapter 24
And that wasn’t all. The clocks didn’t even keep the same time.
Of course, that often happened with old clocks, which was why they needed a human touch.
She had set all the clocks to the same time, but the small wall clock in the dining room was running fast, the grandfather clock in the first-floor hall was slow, and the table clock in Hunter’s room had stopped altogether… She couldn’t make any sense of it.
Comparing the clocks in the same place at the same time, it was clear that the speed at which the clock hands moved was completely different for each. They were definitely broken.
Breakfast was served at eight in the morning.
Lunch at one in the afternoon.
Dinner at six in the evening.
All were based on the small table clock in Prina’s room.
Since she couldn’t fix the other clocks precisely, the only thing she could do was clean them and leave them be.
What was most strange, though, was the kitchen. From the day she arrived, a variety of dishes had been served.
Since she’d always just eaten what was provided, Prina wanted to prepare a meal herself and treat Hunter. However, no matter how thoroughly she looked through the kitchen, opening every cupboard and drawer, there wasn’t a single pot or frying pan to be found.
‘Then how are the meals being made?’
Her mind was full of unresolved questions.
That day, as always, Prina sat across from Hunter in the dining room eating dinner.
Following his request, they ate three meals a day together, but there was never much conversation. She still knew almost nothing about him.
Sometimes he would go out and return empty-handed, but sometimes he’d bring back food. Since the mansion was deep in the forest, far from anywhere, he probably had to go into town from time to time for supplies.
‘If he’s a hunter, does he sell pelts and things like that?’
It seemed he bought groceries and necessities with the money he earned that way.
“……”
“……”
He was generally taciturn and didn’t speak unless it was necessary, and Prina, aware of that, was just as reluctant to start a conversation.
As she put a small bite of fish in her mouth, she glanced at him and cautiously asked,
“Mr. Hunter, aren’t you going to eat…?”
“I am eating.”
…That’s not true.
Hunter, as always, was drinking wine and only watching Prina eat. It was as if feeding her was his main concern, not eating himself.
‘How does he survive if he doesn’t eat?’
When Prina paused to look at him with worried eyes, he finally put down his wine glass and put a piece of potato in his mouth, chewing slowly.
‘Maybe he just has a small appetite.’
Everyone’s appetite is different, she thought, but…
He’s so tall. Can he really get by on just that?
Such pointless worries crossed her mind.
Despite not seeming to eat, he wasn’t skinny—on the contrary, he was tall and well-built. The more she thought about it, the more curious she became.
She had to look up quite a bit to meet his eyes, and the veins stood out on the hands and forearms that held his glass…
Maybe that was just because he was a man. His arms were so different from her own, which were pale and thin.
“What is it?”
“N-No, it’s nothing…”
Had she stared too openly? Her face flushed hot.
When he asked quietly, Prina, startled, mumbled and avoided his gaze.
* * *
Breakfast at eight in the morning.
Lunch at one in the afternoon.
Dinner at six in the evening.
Prina and Hunter shared all three meals together every day in the dining room. Other than that, there was nothing else between them.
She tried to help with the cleanup after meals.
“Don’t get your hands wet, just go upstairs.”
“I can do it. I’m good at dishes and cleaning up. I can handle this by myself.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it, just go up.”
For some reason, his response was cold.
She felt awkward, but he said it was bothersome, so he probably just wanted her to go upstairs.
‘Did I annoy him for no reason?’
…Maybe he really doesn’t need me.
Prina tried not to show it, but she had to return to her room, feeling downhearted.
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