“Dad, I really am sorry, but I need to head out.”
Sewell’s eyes widened in surprise. Outside, the sky was dyed in a deep orange hue.
“Now? But it’s already evening.”
“I’m just popping over to Marjorika’s house. There’s something I need to talk to Lady Lottie about.”
Cecily told this slight white lie, due to the premonition that she ought not to mention Zeke’s name.
“Is that right? Well, you hurry back home as soon as you’re done, okay?”
“You got it. After all, I’m looking forward to another one of your delicious homemade dishes!” Cecily said with a smile, before heading out.
Marjorika’s house was always unlocked, as there were no thieves in the witch village. The doors of the house always remained open to anyone who needed Marjorika, whether it be a child who had run away from home after arguing with their parents or, conversely, parents who had run away from home after their children had yelled at them.
Her domicile was large and could house many people at once. Cecily had even sought refuge there once, when she was very young.
“Granny Marjorika, it’s me. I’m coming in.”
There was no reply, but Cecily entered anyway.
Was everyone out? Cecily had the feeling she’d heard a noise from one of the rooms on the first floor, but her destination was the second floor.
The rule is that guests sleep on the second floor.
Cecily turned towards the staircase, and had just grabbed the banister when she remembered something important.
I don’t know what room Sir Zeke is staying in!
At this rate, her only option was to knock at each door and hope she found him.
As her head drooped in disappointment, she heard a whispering in the corner of her mind. It was a voice she knew well.
“He’s in...the room in the corner, on the right...”
How did she know this? There was no way that she should have this information. Yet, riding this fresh wave of certainty, Cecily headed to the right after reaching the top of the stairs. She clenched her first, mustered up her courage, and knocked on the door.
“Hello, Sir Zeke? You’re there...aren’t you?”
There was no response. But she could hear movement from within the room.
Cecily waited, but there was no reply from Zeke. Yet she was certain he was inside.
“You are there, right? Excuse me, I’m coming in.”
The only rooms that had locks were the bathroom and the facilities. Fortunately for Cecily, this meant that she could enter the room without being stopped.
And just as she thought, Zeke was there.
He was facing away from the door. What looked like his travel case had been flipped upside down, and he was rifling through its contents.
Nervousness stiffened Cecily’s throat, but she swallowed it down.
He and I...know one another, don’t we?
Yes, she had memories of him. Even though her memories of Zeke seemed as if they lay behind clouded glass, unlike her memories of meeting Charlotte, she was certain she knew him.
They had traveled here together, so they mustn’t be on bad terms. All the same, Cecily could feel an invisible wall between her and Zeke.
Zeke was single-mindedly moving his belongings into a leather travel bag.
“Um, why are you packing your things?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he replied. His curt reply caused Cecily to feel a rush of anxiety. A chill seized her heart at his cold response.
“If you need something, can you get it over with quickly? I need to prepare for my departure.” Perhaps Zeke had noticed the fear that had swept over Cecily, for he let out a tired sigh. “I’m sorry, I understand I am being difficult. It would help if you could leave me alone.”
“Yes, but I...”
Cecily had so, so much she wanted to ask Zeke. However, now that she was in front of the man himself, the words wouldn’t come out of her throat. Zeke glanced over at Cecily, who was unable to speak.
“We love one another, you know that?” he said, his words barely audible. However, Cecily heard him. She froze up, and Zeke smiled wryly at her. It was a pained smile that she could hardly bear to look at. “Although I doubt you believe me.”
“You’re right,” Cecily said, with a nod. Her lover was Cain—that was a fact.
But he just said we love each other.
He hadn’t said “we used to love each other.” He had said it as if to imply that they loved each other, even now.
“You’re kind, Cecily. That’s the reason why you’re still worrying about me, even under the effects of that potion.”
Zeke whispered something as he stood. His bag was on his back. It seemed like he wasn’t lying about leaving. A troubled expression came over his face as he noticed that Cecily wasn’t budging from the doorway.
“Please leave me. It would be painful for you to be hugged by a man you barely know, wouldn’t it?”
“I...”
Cecily ventured a word, but Zeke looked away. Even his profile was full of pain. As soon as she saw his expression, a stab of pain shot through Cecily’s gut.
“If you won’t move, then I’ll take my leave. Please let me pass.”
“Sir Zeke...”
There it is again.
Zeke looked as if the act of her calling his name had hurt him even more. Cecily’s own heart couldn’t bear it any longer, so she finally took a step backwards.
Zeke passed her, then stopped and spoke in a quiet voice. “No matter what I tell you right now, I know you’ll only view me with suspicion. However, allow me to say one thing.”
It was but for a moment, but his hazel eyes looked at Cecily.
A single glance into them told Cecily that Zeke was simply putting up a cold front. Doing so was the only way he could keep a lid on his emotions.
“I won’t give you up to anyone. I promise this.”
Zeke stepped out of the room, leaving behind Cecily, who had no reply.