Chapter 83 – Pondering Ted
Chapter 83 – Pondering Ted
Marie has changed somehow since that day.
I think so.
Since she told me to protect her, I’ve been by her side constantly, so I can tell.
Even though no one’s called her a murderer or thrown stones at her since then.
I definitely think that incident left a scar on her heart.
I regret it too, more than I can bear.
I want to tell her not to worry about the selfish outbursts of some brat, but no matter what I say, those words won’t just vanish.
For the first time, I want to do something for someone else.
I have no idea how, and it leaves me all restless.
Knock knock knock.
“Heart-san. Can I have a moment of your time?”
I called out in front of Heart-san’s room.
“Come in.”
Heart-san sees me and stands up, closing his book and setting it on the desk.
There isn’t a single unnecessary thing in the room.
“What’s up?”
Heart-san gestures for me to take a seat on the sofa.
He pours water from the pitcher into a glass and sets it in front of me.
“It’s about Marie. She’s been off ever since that day. I’m worried.”
I consulted him as seriously as I could.
But Heart-san just thinks for a brief moment before saying, “Leave her be,” with a mocking snort.
No, that’s exactly why I’m asking you—I can’t just leave her be.
“Aren’t you worried? After something like that?”
After all, you’ve been her dedicated guard this whole time, and you were even leading the protection detail back then.
If you hadn’t held me back… I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Don’t worry. Marie isn’t that fragile.”
Talking to Heart-san was pointless.
He doesn’t understand Marie at all.
I have to protect her.
If I’d just killed that kid right then, she never would’ve said those words.
Then maybe no one would’ve thrown stones at her either.
No matter how many times I replay that moment in my head, I always come to the same conclusion.
How else could I have stopped it?
Of course, if something like that happens again, I won’t disobey orders.
It’s just… since I was the one in charge of protection, I can’t find any other answer.
Sid-san told me, “If you don’t get it, just ask,” but who else am I supposed to turn to?
Knock knock knock.
“Gain-san. Could I trouble you for a bit of your time?”
This time, I knocked on Gain-san’s door.
The door cracked open from inside, and Gain peeked out with half his face, grinning before swinging it wide and stepping aside.
He gave my back a push to sit me down on the sofa, then patted both my shoulders from behind.
The walls were crammed full of rare magical beast materials.
Same as always.
“What’s up? Got something on your mind?”
“Haha. You see right through me, huh.”
He figures it out just from seeing my face—makes it tricky.
But hey, gets us straight to the point.
“Marie’s not herself. What can I do?”
Gain-san rests a hand on his head, groans “Hmm,” and tilts his gaze upward.
“Until time sorts it out, all you can do is stick by her side, yeah?”
“Until time heals it…?”
Is it wrong to want to fix it right now?
Time, huh… I’d never forget a grudge like that.
“If it’s really bugging you, just hear her out.”
“Can I ask her straight up?”
If I’m the one who let her get hurt, I’d hate anyone prodding at that wound.
Anyone who saw it would probably want to erase the wound—and me with it.
“No need to force it outta her. But you could figure out a way to get her to open up about how she really feels.”
“Get her to open up about her real feelings…?”
I see. As expected of Gain-san.
Looks rough around the edges, but he’s surprisingly sensitive.
I thanked him and left the room.
But hold on—”figure out a way,” how exactly?
Should I go back and ask? Nah, I can figure this much out myself.
Since then, I’ve been watching Marie every day.
No matter how overprotective I get, no matter how much I spoil her, her heart stays frozen solid.
That lonely look she shows sometimes.
The forced smile she flashes at me.
She seems a little happier on joint trips with the other adventurers.
I even stopped killing the things she hates.
Wasn’t like I wanted to kill them anyway—it was just about efficiency.
I even tried opening up about myself, which isn’t my strong suit, but I still couldn’t get her to share her true feelings.
On the carriage ride back to the capital, I sneak a sidelong glance at Marie.
She’s gotten a bit thinner…
I can tell even under the blanket draped over her.
“Not cold?”
“I’m fine.”
I drape another blanket over her, and she smiles with a soft “Thank you.”
I can’t stand watching this anymore.
“How do I melt Marie’s frozen heart?”
“Have I been coming across as… frozen?”
Marie buries her face in the blanket.
People’s hearts are so complicated. What if I just make the wound worse?
“Sorry. That was a weird thing to say.”
Marie peeks out from the blanket, starts to say something, then looks down.
I wait quietly for her to speak, and she gives me an apologetic look.
“Um… Sorry for making you worry. It’s just some self-loathing on my part.”
Thank you for reading.
To everyone who bookmarked, rated, or liked—I’m truly grateful!
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thanks for the chapter