The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 141

“Yes! I think I know what you’re talking about. Did you really make all those many things? That’s amazing.”

Daius had expected to be nagged by others asking why he didn’t make things faster, and since he rarely became an object of admiration for the castle residents, he was thoroughly pleased.

“Hehehe! It’s only natural since I’m famous among the small folk for having good hands. Hmm, what else was there? Ah!”

Daius, as if he had the intention to fill Evelyn’s entire field of vision by himself, stuck close and tilted his head.

“Sniff… sniff sniff, probably what the nymph lady is wearing inside her clothes, I also made that… Ah!”

Cassis suddenly reached out to grab Daius by the scruff of his neck, gently set him down on the ground, and warned him.

“Daius, I clearly told you that excessive chatter gets you clubbed, did you forget?”

“Hii, hiiek. I’m sorry. I’m not strong like Nike, so please don’t kick me and send me flying. Please!”

“……”

Cassis just looked silently at the flustered small folk person without giving any response. Then Daius quickly gave up his protests and lowered his tail.

“I admit that I was wrong. Then, I’ll withdraw now. I’ll work on this diorama bit by bit even after the festival and definitely complete it someday. Please come see it again then!”

After politely apologizing, Daius stepped back while winking at Evelyn. Not understanding what it meant, she also bowed her head and spoke to him.

“Ah… Yes. Thank you. For all the things you made for me.”

“Hehe, use them well. If anything breaks, don’t worry and bring it to my house, I’ll fix it right away. Except for the dishes. See you next time, goodbye!”

Daius went somewhere through the passage under the table supporting the diorama. Perhaps because of his bouncy, cheerful way of speaking, even though they had only met briefly, she felt a sense of emptiness when he disappeared. In the completely quiet space, he opened his mouth.

“Well, shall we go out now or rest?”

“It’s fine to look around more or rest.”

“Let’s do that.”

Having spent the remaining time of the day satisfyingly, she remained immersed in happy feelings for a while even after returning to her bedroom. Though embarrassing, she had ridden the flower carriage she had only heard about in words, met her tree again, and her body didn’t hurt. Most of all, she was pleased to have shared time with Cassis.

“…It’s really nice.”

Evelyn, who had unknowingly repeated those words, was startled and looked around. Since it was a space where his spirits floated about, she probably shouldn’t speak carelessly to herself either. Cassis had said it was fine since they were only attending to her, but she felt self-conscious.

How were Mel… and Phivi doing? She had at least seen Mel on the day the border guards returned, but her memories of meeting Phivi were gradually fading.

She flipped through the thin book that had gotten a bit worn from handling. Having read it a lot, while she couldn’t recite the chronicles of the elf kings fluently, the parts of history she knew had increased bit by bit.

‘My mouth is itching.’

The desire to ask someone about something and hear an answer kept bubbling up. She was very grateful for the spirits’ careful protection and attendance, but they didn’t answer no matter what Evelyn said. More precisely, even if they spoke, she couldn’t hear them, which was sometimes disappointing.

Even just the diorama she had seen today – there was so much to talk about with each other. Her desire these days was to ask about things she didn’t know and share newly learned things with others.

That small folk person she had met when going around with Cassis, what was his name – Daius? She wanted to become friends with him if the opportunity arose. He seemed to speak well and looked like a charming small child, but she tried not to judge carelessly. His appearance and age might be different, and if she made rough assumptions he might be offended, so she looked forward to their next meeting.

And also…

Her feet dangled and fidgeted as she sat on the edge of the bed. It wasn’t greed to make close residents, she just wanted to try strolling outside.

Should I go out? Ruba had taken a walk around the inner castle walls with her this morning, so he would probably be taking a nap by now, and Nike had left the castle a few days ago saying she had to go somewhere. Where was it again…?

“Mac… riss! That’s right.”

Macris was a wide area with old sanctuaries, gardens full of lavender, and even tea fields, Nike had told her. Was the tea provided to her also from there? She really thought that the more she knew about Jupiter, the more it seemed like a country full of mysterious aspects.

‘I want to go to Macris someday too.’

What if the spirits told this muttering to the busy Cassis and bothered him? Evelyn covered her lips with her hand and whispered to herself soundlessly. Since Nike, who had wings, said it took a long time to get there, she probably wouldn’t be able to go in her lifetime. Having such gloomy thoughts, she moved her covering hand to lift the corners of her mouth.

‘I shouldn’t be like this. I should stay strong for the sake of those who are struggling for me.’

Cassis’s words came to mind – don’t bow your head if you haven’t done anything wrong.

‘…Right. Someday when I’m all better and get my tree back, and after the situation improves, let me see if I can go to Macris.’