Welcome to the Demon’s Cabin - Chapter 69

Irene rummaged through the water in search of crayfish, trying hard to suppress her presence and energy. Where on earth are they? It was becoming difficult to suppress her anxious heart.

Of course, it was clearly a situation overflowing with leeway. Idris had already caught three, and since she had caught one, it would take no time if they only caught a few more. But that was the problem. The fact that while he caught three, she had barely caught one tiny creature.

My side, which is much better at hiding presence, should be more advantageous, so why is the outcome the exact opposite…….

‘Naturally, I thought I’d catch them much, much better.’

After going through the trouble of dragging him half by force away from tedious farming, it seemed she was just pushing all the work onto him here as well. Feeling somewhat like an unscrupulous employer, she only blinked her eyes while keeping her smile.

A small sigh slipped out. Straightening her waist and rolling her neck a couple of times to loosen her body, Irene suddenly felt a gaze and turned back. Idris was staring intently at her with his body held upright. Beaming brightly at that gaze, she asked.

“Do you have something you wish to say?”

“No. It is just, you seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

It was an out-of-the-blue impression.

“Seeing as you were especially joyful at the lake as well. Do you like water?”

“Of course. I like it. And out of all of it, I love the sea the most.”

“I see.”

As if his curiosity was resolved, Idris gave a light nod.

‘Right. It really was like that. I used to love the sea so much.’

Part of it was due to memories with Marina, but she loved the sea itself. Because the unique touch and weight of water, so different from land or air, was quite charming. Aimlessly, she tried moving one foot toward a spot where the current was a bit stronger. The sensation of the shallow brook water sweeping past her bare foot resting atop the slippery stone was refreshing. Irene blinked her eyes quietly and soon laughed.

“This is something I’ve only just realized myself, but perhaps it’s because of the sea that I’ve come to like all water, whether it’s a lake or a stream.”

“Is that so…….”

Idris answered in his characteristically emotionless tone of voice. Finding his gaze staring intently at her beaming face peculiarly, Irene tilted her head once more.

The thought crossed her mind that he seemed to have grown quiet somehow.

“What is the matter? Is there something on my face?”

At those words, Idris flinched with a tremble throughout his body and turned his head away. The tips of his ears, faintly visible through his bright blond hair, were red. As if in an awkward spot, he closed and opened his eyes for a moment and spoke in a low voice.

“……No. Excuse me.”

“……?”

With a habitual smile on her face, Irene tilted her head with an abrupt, jerky motion. Irene, who had been quietly observing his subtle reaction, pursed her lips as if to let out a small exclamation of wonder.

It was a familiar look. Because at one point, it was a gaze she routinely received.

However, that did not mean it made sense. After all, it was not an appropriate reaction.

‘Anyone looking would think he actually likes me.’

Well, how to put it. The thought that he was truly good at acting came first. It was so well done that it was almost fascinating. There was no need to go this far. His reaction was…… no, should it be called his concept? In any case, it was too excessive. Her feelings were uncanny. Only a single thought crossed her mind.

Wouldn’t it be better to keep it moderate?

Before she knew it, he was bending his waist again, looking only into the water. Watching Idris, Irene brought a finger to her lips upon seeing him already diligently catching and pulling up another crayfish.

‘Hmm, is that not it? To say he’s spellbound or having heart-fluttering feelings, it feels too plain.’

Lost in thought, Irene blinked her eyes rapidly.

‘Aha, could he be acting like that simply because it’s embarrassing and awkward?’

Come to think of it. He did say he had never dated anyone. Then it could be that he was acting like that simply because he remembered seeing her naked body. He could still be bashful. He did seem completely close-minded.

Irene accepted it on her own and nodded her head.

‘I almost jumped to conclusions and got angry all by myself for nothing.’