Chapter: 26
Cain stood still, looking down at me.
As if he had something to say… ah.
“Sorry for blocking the way. Here, go ahead.”
I got up from the stairs and stepped aside for Cain.
Then I moved to the corner of the corridor and crouched down again.
“……”
Cain’s gaze followed me.
“Is this spot in the way as well?”
“Not really……”
Cain awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
He still looked like he had something to say.
‘If he’s not upset about me blocking the way, then what is it?’
While I was thinking, Cain walked toward me.
Slowly, but directly.
Like a wary cat cautiously approaching.
Soon, he stopped in front of me.
“If you want this spot……”
“No.”
No?
When I tilted my head, Cain avoided my eyes and crouched down a short distance away from me.
“……”
“……”
An awkward silence settled between us.
It was only natural. Normally, I would have been the one chattering away to Cain first. But since I had no energy, I was sitting there without saying a word.
‘Still, we can’t just sit here like this.’
I didn’t like this stiff silence, and I was curious why Cain had sat down here.
I turned my head toward him and opened my mouth.
“Um……”
“Why do you look so down?”
But it was Cain who broke the silence first.
“Did something…… happen?”
“……Are you asking me?”
“……Is there anyone else here?”
I quickly looked around. The corridor was empty. Just Cain and me.
So he really was asking me.
“What’s with that expression?”
“I’m just surprised……. I thought you weren’t interested in me at all.”
He had shown interest once when I mentioned that I could see the future, but that was it.
After that, he never asked anything.
“That’s because your mood feels different from usual—”
“……?”
“Forget it. More importantly, why do you look so drained?”
He must have been quite curious.
This was the first time Cain had asked me something like this. So I should answer him.
I folded my arms over my drawn-up knees and rested my chin on top.
“Actually, the Duke said he won’t be having breakfast with us for the time being. So……”
Wait. Is it okay to tell Cain this?
I suddenly stopped speaking.
‘It seemed like the Duke was trying to hide his illness from Cain. If I blurt this out……’
“I’ve never seen someone with such a loose tongue. I don’t need someone like you. Let’s pretend there was never any reward.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Why did you stop talking?”
“……Ah, that’s all. I just wanted us to get closer, but it’s not working out……!”
I hurriedly finished my sentence.
“That’s the problem? If three people won’t work, then can’t two just eat together?”
“That’s true…… but I like it when the two of you are together.”
It’s far more important for the Duke and Cain to mend their relationship than for me to get closer to either of them.
Only then will Cain overcome his wounds and awaken even faster than in the original story.
But I couldn’t say that.
“You don’t need to concern yourself that much.”
“Uh, well. It might be rude and overstepping, but I remembered how you cared about the rumors, so I hoped you could clear up the misunderstanding……”
We had successfully driven Tristan and the strange servants out of the ducal estate.
But that didn’t mean Cain’s wounds had healed overnight.
At my words, Cain frowned slightly and turned his gaze forward. It was only natural—this was meddling.
“Is that why you kept insisting we eat together?”
“Yes……”
“For my sake?”
“Y-yes……”
My voice kept getting smaller. I buried my face deeper between my knees.
‘This is the worst. Nothing’s going right.’
What if Cain starts distancing himself from me too?
Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Regret crept in.
“I see.”
“……You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be? You said you did it for me.”
“That I was meddling…… that it wasn’t my place?”
That’s what they said at the temple. When I stepped in and offered a few suggestions on a noble’s request, I was scolded endlessly.
Even when I said I just wanted to help finish things faster, it didn’t matter.
“Not after hearing your reason. If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”
I blinked.
He’s… not angry?
‘If anything, thankful……?’
Ah.
For some reason, I felt like wiggling my toes.
‘It’s my first time hearing something like that!’
Just moments ago I’d barely had the strength to walk, but now I felt like I could run all the way to the end of the corridor.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I’m happy! I’m really glad you said that!”
A grin spread across my face without me realizing it.
When our eyes met, Cain quickly turned his head away. The tips of his ears looked red.
“Well, anyway, I’m curious about something. Why do you try so hard to look out for me? Even though I treated you so coldly……”
“You weren’t that cold. You just ignored me and told me to leave the ducal estate quickly.”
It’s not like I was some fragile flower raised in a greenhouse.
As someone who grew up like a roadside weed, Cain wasn’t nearly bad enough to qualify as a terrible person in my book.
“……Sorry.”
Apparently, Cain didn’t see it that way.
He covered his face with his hand.
“Anyway, I’m grateful that you think of me. But if it drains you like this, you don’t have to try so hard.”
“But still……”
“To begin with, the Duke probably doesn’t care much about me. Even if the rumors are misunderstandings, he won’t pay them any mind.”
Saying that itself was born from a misunderstanding……
“And there’s no need for you to force our relationship to improve. I’m fine.”
You don’t look fine at all……
I didn’t know where to start or what to say.
If anything, hearing him talk like that made the halted breakfasts feel even more regrettable.
“But wouldn’t it be nice if you got closer to the Duke?”
“Should we really hold onto someone who doesn’t want it? Forcing people together doesn’t usually change anything. Why are you so fixated on the breakfast table?”
“……”
Oh.
Good question.
I was suddenly at a loss for words.
‘The story’s already moving faster than in the original. There’s no need to force things like this. If I mess up, it might twist things instead.’
Once the suspicions about Zaira continue and the truth comes out, everything should resolve itself anyway. So why……?
“……Because I like it when family gathers together to eat.”
The words slipped out before I could think.
And the moment I said them, I realized.
“I think I just wanted to see family members eating delicious food together and talking…… I can’t do that.”
I gave a small smile.
“My foolish older brother disappeared, leaving me behind. So I probably won’t ever get to. That’s why I wanted to see the two of you eating together instead.”
I see.
I wanted to sit across from my brother and talk while sharing something delicious.
I dreamed of days like that.
Knowing they would never come, I buried that wish deep inside my heart—and projected it onto Cain instead.
“……”
Cain said nothing.
Or maybe he couldn’t. What was there to say to something like that?
I stood up.
“I’m sorry. I said something strange.”
There was nothing more to add, and I had regained my energy. It seemed better to leave.
Cain rose as well.
“Then I’ll be going.”
I bowed slightly and turned away.
“……I’ll ask the Duke.”
“Pardon?”
At his unexpected words, I turned back.
“Ask what?”
“About breakfast.”
“If you’re feeling pressured because of what I said……”
“No.”
Cain cut me off sharply.
“I want to.”
His eyes met mine directly.
There wasn’t even a speck of hesitation in them.
“So I hope you’ll join us as well.”
“……”
“I’m asking you.”
Cain lowered his head to me.
Why such a sudden decision? Was this really something he needed to bow and ask for? It probably wouldn’t work anyway.
Countless thoughts tangled in my mind.
But in the end, I simply smiled.
“Yes! Let’s definitely have a wonderful time this time!”
Though, thinking back, the past week had been pretty enjoyable too.
“Alright.”
If we’re all together and happy, it’ll surely be even better.
