Chapter 189

“You reached into the haze to pull me out. I got out of Nerzanpi’s spell thanks to you. You’re really amazing, Komari. You’re just like my mentor.” “What are you talking about? She’s way taller.” “Nice derailment. What I meant to say is you have nothing to worry about. And if you’re still preoccupied, then talk things out with Vill and Colette.” “…Yeah, you’re right.” I felt like talking with Nelia had cleared the fog over my mind. She always helped me out. “Thanks. You got me back to my senses. It pains me to admit this, but…you really are more like the older sister.” “R-really?” The president’s cheeks went rosy. “Then I’ll hire you as my maid. You shall call me Sis.” “Huh? No way.” “Please don’t look at me with such disgust.” She sighed in disappointment. Nelia took out another bag of snacks from her backpack. She kicked her feet (the bench was pretty tall) and popped a red candy into her mouth. The sight of that gave me a pang of conscience. “All right… Thanks, Sis.” “?!” Nelia’s candy fell from her mouth. Don’t waste food! I quickly tried to pick it up, but then her creepily contented grin caught my attention. “Heh… Hee-hee…! That sounds so good. Yes. You’re my little sister.” “What’s gotten into you? You’re creeping me out with that smile…” “You’re so small and cute. Here, let your big sister feed you lots of candy.” “Huh? Hey… No, that’s too many! And get your hand off me!” Nope. Being the little sister was no good. Clearly I was born to be the big sister. “What will be our plan moving forward?” Esther asked while flipping cards on the bed. We were playing a game of memory. Any foe was like a newborn baby before the power of my scholarly memory—and yet, she’d been getting three-pair combos every turn. Ahhh, I already had that one in my sights! “Are we still going to the Imperial Capital? Will we be leaving tomorrow?” “Not tomorrow. You’re not healed up yet.” “I-I’m sorry! I’m just a burden delaying our trip…!” “Delays don’t matter. You focus on recovering.” “I’m sorry,” Esther said again and again while flipping the cards. She landed a five-pair combo. Try holding back a little if you’re really sorry… “Ummm… I’ll obviously follow you anywhere, but what will happen to Colette? Is she staying here?” “I’d imagine. This is her home, after all.” “But…if that’s the case, I can see her trying to make Vill stay.” “Mmm…” Their relationship was complicated. Despite what Vill had said last evening, wouldn’t it be better if she tried seeing more eye to eye with Colette? At the very least, shouldn’t she stay in the village until it became clear whether she was Villhaze Lumiere or not? “I don’t…I don’t understand…” “What don’t you understand?” “Vill. She said she’d come with me, but I feel like she should think about this more carefully.” “I’ve already thought very carefully about it, and this is my conclusion, because I love you so much, Lady Komari.” “But when I think about how Colette— WHAAA?!” I shrieked as someone hugged me from behind out of the blue. The sicko maid had materialized behind me out of nowhere. How long have you been there?! I never heard you come in! Are you a ninja or something?! “Hello, Ms. Vill. Is your conversation with Colette over?” “Yes. We’ve talked things out.” I turned around in surprise. “Huh? And she yielded?” “No. I ran away.” I don’t think that counts as talking things out… “I also looked around the village in an attempt to find something from my origins, but I couldn’t remember anything. And there’s no need to remember anything, for I know who I am: Lady Komari’s maid.” “R-really…?” “Even if I really were Villhaze Lumiere, it doesn’t matter. Chicks are always meant to leave the nest.” Vill had a point. And that gave me relief. But Colette was still a problem. How would she feel if Vill left the village with me? The maid seemed to see through my worries. “You’re such a difficult woman.” She sighed. “Ascertaining my identity is impossible at present. That’s nothing you need to worry about.” “I know that, but when I think about Colette… I mean, in her eyes, I’m a pervert who snatched you away from her. She’s gonna sumo wrestle me again.” “So you don’t want to take responsibility for stealing me away?” “No, that’s not what I mean.” “So you’re troubled because of me… Very well, I shall overcome your indecisiveness myself by snatching you away instead.” Vill grabbed my hand and slowly lifted it up. What? Is she gonna read my palm or something? My silly expectations were shattered in an instant. All of a sudden, she bit my wrist. Chomp. “AIIIEEEE!!” “AIIIEEEE?!” Esther screamed along with me. I couldn’t keep up with Vill’s bizarre behavior. My body heated up with her every sip of my blood. “Stop it!! Your sicko behavior is going to rub off on Esther and Sakuna!” “Ms. Vill, the blood is spilling from your mouth! Allow me to wipe it!” “Thank you for the meal.” Vill finally let go of my hand. Esther wiped her grinning lips. Sucking blood signified trust between vampires. Basically, she was telling me to leave everything to her. She was plotting to smash all the vexations in my heart. …But that wasn’t fair. “I’m the one who hurt Lady Colette. Don’t worry about it, and let’s continue our journey. I shall return to the inn for the time be—” “Wait!” I grabbed Vill’s wrist as she tried to leave. Surprise overtook her jade eyes. “It should be me taking you away from Colette! I can’t let you bear all the responsibility!” “Huh? Um…” “Stay still! I’ll make us even.” I bit her fingertip before she could respond. “Aiiie?!” Esther screamed again in embarrassment. Blood came out of Vill’s tension-paralyzed finger. “Why’re you sucking my finger?! Age regression?!” she spouted. I licked the crimson liquid. The Blood Curse activated, and a storm of mana brewed. It didn’t matter. I could control it somewhat already… …but this opened Pandora’s box. “No, really, hold on, Lady Komari. Pandora’s Poison…” Then I remembered. It had already been six days since Vill had used Core Implosion. Which meant she could see the future again. Vill’s eyes turned red. Her gaze went out of focus. She wasn’t looking at me, but the future. Her shoulders quivered. “The future…hasn’t changed…” “Huh…?” “We defeated the Arukan soldiers and Tremolo Parcostella…but nothing changed. Tomorrow, you’ll fall into an eternal slumber on my lap, Lady Komari.” “………………………………………………………………You’ve got to be shitting me.” “I am not.” Just when I’d made up my resolve… One day until my death. Apparently, I really couldn’t be with Vill.