Reconciliation
He'd gone through all that hardship, and yet somehow this lingering unease refused to leave him.
Orion headed for the dining hall to have dinner. He was hungry enough, but after what had just happened, he had no appetite. Still, skipping a meal that had already been prepared felt like the sort of thing that might invite something truly unpleasant. Besides, there was one more person with whom he needed to share the joy of reunion.
"You've returned."
Heily was waiting at the entrance to the dining hall. Her expression was the same as always, yet a gentle warmth shone in her eyes. Finding that gaze a little overwhelming, Orion took a step back—and Heily advanced exactly one step to match him.
"Have you spoken with Her Grace?"
"Yes, well…"
"I see. I, too, am glad that you have returned safely, Lord Orion."
Heily took another step closer. Her figure filled Orion's eyes. Under that quietly lingering gaze, he almost felt as though he ought to make some kind of confession.
"Allow me to correct myself. Outwardly you appear uninjured, but I failed to consider the possibility of internal wounds. Might you be hurt anywhere?"
She was right—there were no external injuries. Just some muscle soreness from sleeping in the cold and the aftereffects of using Aura. A day or two of rest would fix it, and under ordinary circumstances he would have brushed it off.
"…I do have a bit of muscle pain. Everything feels slightly stiff."
But this was Heily.
At his honest answer, her blue eyes lit up.
"I see. Once you've finished your meal, please soak in a warm bath so your muscles can relax. I shall instruct the maids to prepare one."
"Uh, you really don't need to go that far…"
"You should also receive a hot compress. Improved circulation will ease the pain. And I shall have a muscle relaxant prepared as well."
Her enthusiasm was overwhelming. Orion had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
"…I'll do that. Thank you for looking after me. And I'm sorry for worrying you last night."
"It's quite all right. There is no need to apologize."
She offered a smile only those closest to her ever saw, and gestured toward the dining hall.
"Shall we go in and eat? At times like these, it is important to fill one's stomach first."
"…Yes."
Orion followed her inside.
Clink. Clink.
In the quiet atmosphere, only the sound of utensils filled the dining hall. Orion sat tense, awkward at the thought of facing Karen—yet somehow, she never appeared. It was clearly because of what had happened earlier, and all he could do was fidget restlessly in his seat.
Then Heily spoke, looking puzzled.
"This dinner was arranged at Her Grace's request, but it seems she is occupied at the moment."
Orion's shoulders gave a sharp jolt. Heily, however, was looking toward the door and didn't notice.
"I shall go inquire briefly. Food is best eaten while it is still warm."
Heily rose from her seat—and a useless little sound slipped from Orion's mouth.
"Ah."
His hand, stretched out for reasons even he couldn't name, was a bonus.
"As I thought. Something did happen, didn't it?"
Now certain, Heily sat back down and fixed him with a steady gaze.
What he felt then was guilt. Even accounting for it being dinner, the spread on the table was considerable. It had clearly been prepared specially, in recognition of everything he'd been through. Food like this took time. She must have planned it well before he ever arrived.
"…I think I made a mistake."
He spoke from the heart. Honestly, he hadn't given it much thought. He'd known she was different from usual, and that she'd been waiting for him to arrive. But sharing a genuine moment of reunion with her had felt a little embarrassing, given how things used to be between them. So in a moment of foolishness, he'd tossed out that stupid joke.
He knew he'd been wrong now—but the past couldn't be undone. What mattered was how he handled things from here.
Reading the intent behind Orion's thoughtful expression, Heily spoke.
"Her Grace has been worried ever since you failed to return last night. She barely slept at all."
"…Is that so?"
The thought of her worrying through the night made his chest ache.
"Yes. Deploying the knight order this afternoon was for your safety as well."
"Ugh…"
Heily continued.
"I tell you this because I hope you will understand Her Grace's feelings—and because I believe you are fully capable of resolving this yourself."
"Do you really think I can?"
"Yes. More than enough. Her Grace presents a strong front in order to fulfill the duties placed upon her, but her heart is far more tender than one might expect."
Heily offered a clearly visible smile.
"If you show her your sincere feelings, I am certain she will recognize them and respond in kind."
Orion nodded. They were going to see each other often enough—dragging this out would only hurt them both.
"Okay. I'm going right now."
Strike while the iron is hot. Orion headed straight for the office.
Orion stood before the office door. Heart tight with nerves, he knocked—and her voice came from within.
"Enter."
She's not even going to ask who it is?
What that meant, he wasn't sure. With slightly trembling hands, Orion turned the handle and stepped inside. The door shut behind him with a solid thud, and silence settled over the room. The only sound was the soft scratch-scratch of her pen moving across paper.
"Well? What business brings you here?"
Judging by her tone, she knew exactly who had come in. But her eyes never left the documents. She didn't so much as glance at Orion. Feeling awkward, he scratched the back of his head.
"So, uh. I'm sorry about earlier. Not that it's much of an excuse, but a joke just slipped out like it always does. I know it must have bothered you. I apologize."
He even dipped his head slightly—but her gaze remained fixed on the papers.
"I am aware. I am already well accustomed to those frivolous jokes of yours. There is no need to come all this way simply to apologize. Pay it no mind."
She was clearly paying it a great deal of mind. What was he supposed to do? Knowing she'd stayed up all night worrying over him made it impossible to just let this go.
"As I said, it is fine. If you have no other business, you may leave. You spent the entire night outdoors, did you not? Once you have finished your dinner, soak in a warm bath, warm yourself, and rest comfortably in your room. I shall not summon you for the time being."
Ugh. He'd been told that a sincere apology would be enough—but if she wouldn't even engage in conversation, it was meaningless. Still, he had to try.
"Haa. I wanted to thank you for worrying about me. I've never had anyone worry over me before. I think that's why I didn't know how to react. I'm sorry."
It was selfish, but he wanted to offer the apology even if it was one-sided. Even if it was only for his own peace of mind. Of course, he wasn't finished yet.
"So."
Orion spread both arms wide.
"How about another reunion hug?"
Silence fell. Even the scratching of her pen stopped. Her shoulders twitched ever so slightly. After a long moment, her head finally lifted. She looked utterly speechless, as though she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.
"…Have you eaten something strange?"
Her demeanor had shifted. He couldn't believe that had actually worked. Orion could tell she was back to her usual self.
"No? The dinner you prepared was delicious, actually."
"Hmm. Yes. There would have been nothing wrong with the chef's cooking."
Karen furrowed one brow in rational suspicion.
"You must have hit your head outside."
"If I'd hit my head, I wouldn't be standing here."
"Perhaps you were eroded by a magical beast—"
"I've never even heard of that, but if that were the case, I'd probably have eaten the boss by now."
"You are drunk—"
"I don't particularly like alcohol. And I haven't had any. Want to check?"
Orion spread his arms wide once more.
"More importantly, my arms are getting tired. Hurry up."
"You have truly lost your mind."
Her expression was thoroughly appalled. But then she stole a sidelong glance at him.
"…Do you wish to?"
Orion gave his arms a little bounce of affirmation. There was playfulness in the gesture—but sincerity as well. He really had come to apologize.
Karen made a nonsensical little sound and rose from her seat. She walked toward him—and buried herself against his chest with a soft thump.
In that moment, the most flustered person in the room was none other than Orion.
"Uh… um… I honestly didn't think you'd actually come."
"You were the one who suggested it. Are you backing out now?"
Karen pressed her ear to his chest. The steadily quickening beat of his heart was rather amusing.
"…Why are you listening to someone else's heartbeat? That's rude."
"This is simply where it is. What would you have me do about it?"
One of Orion's hands settled at her waist to keep her from falling; the other covered his face. A dizzying fragrance drifted to the tip of his nose.
"Right. You're probably used to this sort of thing. I didn't think it through."
"Hmph. Do not treat me as someone who embraces just anyone. You are the first. You ought to consider it an honor."
"Uh… w-well, that is an honor."
It was awkward. The two of them held the pose for a while.
Why did I do that?
Just as regret began to creep in—
"You lecher."
"What?!"
"Your hands are lecherous."
"I wasn't even moving them!"
"Hmm. Is that so? It must have been my imagination."
Karen pushed against his chest. There was no real force behind it, but he let himself be pushed back all the same.
"That should suffice. Now let go. It is warm."
Karen said it with a faint smile.
"You did well. Go and rest. You still have to report for work tomorrow, do you not?"
"Excuse me?"
Just a moment ago she'd said she wouldn't summon him for a while. Even faced with Orion's blank stare, Karen was unbothered.
"Of course, if you fail to appear, I shall deduct it from your wages. Keep that in mind."
"What?!"
No, seriously—what was with this person?
Did I make up with her for nothing?
Ah, life.