A request?
Cecily was intrigued, but didn’t pursue the matter. She pulled her father up by the hand and got him to sit next to her on the sofa. Sewell took up about three-quarters of the sofa, but there was enough space for her to squeeze in beside him.
“I’ve got so much to tell you about, dad. Will you listen to my story?”
“Of course! What’s happened over the past year?”
Sewell squeezed her hand, and Cecily began to tell him about the past year. About being ousted from the village, about living in a forest near the royal capital, about her life with Rolo... When she mentioned Charlotte and Alphonse, Sewell beamed, saying, “You’ve found some wonderful friends out there.”
However, Cecily made sure not to mention Zeke’s name. She wanted to, but she knew that she couldn’t risk shocking her father. It made the past year seem far more dull than it had been, but Sewell listened, nodding with interest.
A few hours later...
It’s evening already.
Cecily headed out into the garden, where the flowers were dyed in the setting sun. According to Cecily’s original plan, Zeke and Sewell would be clashing mugs of beer together in celebration about now, with their arms over each other’s shoulders. Unfortunately, things didn’t always go to plan.
Sewell was inside preparing dinner. Greta was awful at any and all household chores, so the house was kept up by Sewell. He had suggested that they enjoy a dinner, just the two of them, and Cecily couldn’t refuse. If she had invited Zeke to sit at the dinner table with them, she was certain her father would lose his composure once again.
“I can’t give up just yet. I’ve still got tomorrow and the day after too!”
Cecily clenched both fists in a show of resolve. Thanks to the speedy journey here, they had a lot more time in the village. There was still plenty of time to bring Sewell around.
In the next moment, Cecily heard the crunching of gravel from the road behind the garden. Looking up, she saw Zeke.
“You there, Cecily?”
“Zeke!”
As Cecily appeared, Zeke’s expression lightened in relief.
“I thought I heard your voice, so I came this way. I was with Al and the others learning about the village. They showed us where they grow their herbs and where they concoct their potions. It was really fascinating.”
Cecily listened in silence.
“As for tonight, we’ll be staying at Marjorika’s house. I’ll be sleeping in the room in the corner, on the right.”
“I see. Marjorika’s house, huh...?”
Marjorika was an old woman in the village who was over one hundred years old. She was kind to all, and a hugely central figure in the witch village. Marjorika always got news about the inhabitants of the village before anyone else, and so she had perhaps made this offer to Zeke, knowing that Sewell hadn’t accepted him.
“So don’t worry about me, Cecily.”
Cecily smiled weakly as she looked at her lover.
“I’m sorry, Zeke.”
“Hmm? Why are you apologizing?”
Zeke was truly kind to act as if this were nothing. However, Cecily couldn’t do the same.
“Because I didn’t realize dad would reject you that strongly. You came all this way and into my home... I’m so sorry.”
Cecily bowed her head in apology. Zeke had found time in his busy life to come all this way. If she were in Zeke’s position, she would have felt anger towards this father who wouldn’t accept him.
I heard that some couples break up because they can’t get their parents to accept and understand them.
The more Cecily dwelled on their situation, the more fear welled up within her.
Zeke placed a reassuring hand upon Cecily’s quivering head.
“Cecily, you don’t need to think that.”
“But...”
“The reason why father...Mr. Sewell is so against our marriage is because he loves you and is worried about you. Right?”
Cecily’s voice caught in her throat.
“I’m the one who should apologize. I was the one who couldn’t control myself and chose to hold your hand. I was the one who brought up marriage right from the beginning, without considering how your father would feel. I hope I can apologize to him.”
Cecily looked up at Zeke, who was in thought.
I love this about you too.
Zeke was honest and sincere, almost to a fault. And, at times, clumsy. Even with the effects of the honesty potion no longer active, Zeke often told Cecily his thoughts honestly and plainly. No matter how embarrassing it might be, he faced everything head-on. Cecily loved this about Zeke so much.
“But you and your father are alike, huh?”
“Eh?”
“You have the same kind eyes, the same nose, the same sweet face shape... You really do look alike.”
Cecily could tell Zeke wasn’t joking. Even though her father had been so rude to him, here he was, without a trace of anger.
“Zeke, you really are too kind.”
Cecily glared up at him, but Zeke merely grinned cheekily.
“That expression doesn’t suit you, Cecily.”
“You’re so stupid.”
Cecily leaned into Zeke’s chest and let him hold her and stroke her hair.
“Not only that, he just can’t stand another man taking away his beloved daughter. I can kind of see where he’s coming from.”
“Really?” Cecily looked up at Zeke, who nodded with a smile.
“If we had a little girl one day who looked just like you, and her lover came by asking to get married, then...well, I wouldn’t be able to simply say yes like that. I might want to sock that person, you know!”
“Y-You’re getting ahead of yourself,” Cecily said.
“You’re bright red.”
“That’s your fault, Zeke.”
What was he talking about—bringing up a daughter before they were even married?
But Cecily let herself imagine what it would be like—imagined an older but more refined Zeke lifting up a little girl who looked like both of them. It was wonderful, even in her mind’s eye. Cecily whispered, as if dreaming.
“I’d want a girl, yes, but I’d also want a boy who looks just like you, Zeke.”
“Cecily...” Zeke said, with some discomfort. He leaned down and whispered in Cecily’s ear, “Are you trying to bewitch me?”
“N-No, of course not.” She had merely said what she was thinking.
“Well, it sounded like it to me.”
Cecily felt butterflies in her stomach as she listened to his sweet voice in her ear. He stroked her head and played with her earlobe with his fingers, as if checking what its shape was. It felt nice, but was ticklish. The atmosphere grew more intimate.
“You’re so cute, Cecily.”
“St-Stop that, Zeke.”
“Now, do my ears deceive me? Whose voice is it that I hear?”
The pair came back to their senses in an instant. They turned around and noticed Sewell entering the garden with a kitchen knife in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot as he gazed out across the garden. He looked just like a vengeful ghoul.
“I know! I think it’s the voice of a big bad wolf who’s trying to deceive an innocent little rabbit. Am I wrong?”
“Dad...! Dad, please put down the knife! It’s dangerous!”
“Oh, hello, Cecily. Your daddy’s making a minestrone that’s chock-full of vegetables and sausages. I’ve also made you your favorite meatballs. It’s gonna be delicious.”
“Thanks, dad. I understand, so let’s put down the knife and calm down. Take a deep breath—yes, just like that!”
Cecily flashed a glance at Zeke that said, Run. In the next moment, Zeke had departed without a sound.
Finally having got the knife from her father, Cecily let out a big sigh.
This is not going to be easy...
Sewell’s hearing was unmatched when it came to his daughter’s conversations. It was evident she wouldn’t be able to spend any alone time with Zeke while they were in the village. Cecily could only hold her head in despair.