Chapter 28
Chapter 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Let's Get Along Well
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I've heard that before.
Humans are animals with strong adaptability,
able to change themselves to survive in any environment.
It certainly seems true.
Half a year had already passed since reuniting with Ruena.
The seasons had changed twice, and even the year had turned.
During that half year, I'd been visiting the Eliad mansion almost every day.
I could count the number of days I hadn't on one hand.
Unless there was some major event in either family
or some urgent circumstance, I frequented it more often than my own bedroom.
And maybe because of that.
Whether it was the side effect of all my emotions vanishing,
or fear that the Grand Duke would chase me away over a misunderstanding.
Ruena's bizarre behavior, which had changed right after our reunion, was no longer as pronounced as before.
It was truly a relief.
Ah, of course—
"Ruena."
"Yes."
"I need to get something from my bag. Can you give me some space for a bit?"
She hadn't changed; I'd just adapted.
Before, I'd spend the whole day questioning her actions,
racking my brain for reasons and chasing answers that didn't exist...
But now, half a year later, I just treated it like a natural phenomenon.
'Oh, it's raining.'
'Oh, it's snowing.'
'Oh, she's clinging again.'
Thinking of it that way made everything easier to brush off.
"Ruena?"
"Yes."
"Just a little space, please."
"Yes."
Of course, her stubbornness played the biggest role in this.
'She's responding well today, at least...'
Her mouth was obedient, but her body wouldn't budge.
As expected—
Today, too, she fiddled only with my strict fingers,
her cheek pressed against my shoulder, not moving an inch.
"...You won't move, huh?"
"......"
"Fine, whatever. Do what you want."
When I waved it off dismissively, giving permission,
Ruena narrowed her eyes in satisfaction and nodded.
Then she clung even closer, quietly watching as I rummaged through my bag.
Definitely... humans really are creatures of adaptation.
This situation had felt so strange at first,
but after half a year of repetition, it had become just another routine.
Resigned, I opened the bag with one hand and pulled out the dessert.
Still, if I thought positively, it was something to be grateful for.
At least she gave me freedom when setting up or clearing the table.
And besides—
She always stuck to my right side, which made things convenient enough.
She knew I was left-handed.
"I baked peanut cookies today. Sis bought a ton of peanuts."
"Peanut cookies..."
"Like them?"
"Yes."
I already knew her tastes inside out, but I asked every time.
No ulterior motive—just my personality wanting everything confirmed.
Definitely not because her eyes sparkling as she answered was cute.
Absolutely not.
"I brought some plain peanuts too. For Buddy."
"I like! I like!"
"That excited? You're pumped."
I handed a peanut cookie to Ruena,
then reached into the birdcage and gave peanuts to Buddy.
Seeing them both happily eat what I'd given strangely satisfied me.
'Is this what a mother bird feels like?'
Yeah. Looking back, it hadn't been a bad half year.
Aside from worrying my right arm might atrophy.
I chuckled and wiped the crumbs from Ruena's mouth.
"You two eat well."
"Yes. Buddy likes it... and I like it."
"The peanuts?"
"...No. What Celen gives me."
My left hand unconsciously tightened on the handkerchief for a moment.
But—
Humans are adaptable creatures.
A line that would've made my face burn before
now just bounced off me, half a year having toughened my heart and thick skin.
I smiled brightly and let the response slide lightly.
"Good. Eat up."
"Yes."
"Buddy, don't overdo it."
"Cheater. Cheater."
"It's not cheating; it's common sense."
While bickering with Buddy—
Ruena pressed even closer to my side and popped another cookie in her mouth.
'...This is why adaptation is scary.'
Situations I'd have gently pushed away before,
now I just accepted as normal.
We finished our usual tea time and cleared the table.
"Celen."
"Yes?"
"Next time... tell me what you like."
Even in this unchanging routine, there were variations, it seemed.
Her out-of-the-blue comment left me momentarily stunned.
"...Why?"
"So I can prepare it too."
Ruena's cheeks flushed slightly as her eyes sparkled up at me.
Not adapted to curveballs yet, I pretended to think while turning my head away.
'What I like, huh...'
I didn't know about likes,
but I did have a few wishes regarding Ruena.
I still had no clue what the final boss was,
but I hoped she'd consider our bond and not send me to my doom...
Of course, that was something I could never say aloud, so I swallowed it.
'Besides that, there's one real thing I want...'
I slipped out of Ruena's room.
Today, too, she clung to my side all the way down the stairs.
Half a year ago, she'd only see me to the entrance,
but now it was routine for her to follow me outside to the carriage.
I glanced down at Ruena beside me.
"Ruena."
"Yes."
"No need to see me out today. It's snowing."
"......No."
With that short reply, she gripped my hand tighter.
'She says no to this one, huh.'
I looked out the window.
Heavy snow flurried with the cold wind outside.
Yet she stubbornly refused to yield an inch.
"The wind's strong, and it's snowing hard. You'll catch a cold—"
"I'm tough. It's fine."
True...
Being from the martial Eliad family, she was far from frail.
"Alright. Then just watch me get in and head straight back inside. Don't wait till the carriage is out of sight."
"Yes."
As I wrapped up today's routine—
'...Here we go again.'
Another situation I couldn't adapt to was approaching.
I stopped and looked at Ruena.
As expected, her head was slightly turned, eyes cast down.
'No doubt over there...'
Approaching with her usual blank expression.
But looking closely, the Grand Duke was quite agitated.
He stared piercingly at our joined hands,
glanced at my face and furrowed his brow ever so slightly,
then showed a flicker of hurt toward Ruena, who avoided his eyes.
'I really hate this...'
Humans are adaptable, sure...
But this awkward spot between the Eliad father and daughter? No adaptation possible.
If anything, the fatigue just piled up more.
I was just her childhood friend.
Why was I stuck sweating between the Grand Duke and Ruena like this?
The Grand Duke came right up to us.
A brief, uncomfortable standoff.
Once again, the Grand Duke Eliad passed by our side without a change in expression.
One difference after half a year:
I'd stopped reading his mind, wondering why's he like that?
Stuff like Eliad this,
that worthless father that,
best to avoid him—
Hearing the same crap endlessly was just a waste of energy.
I stepped outside with Ruena.
The snow was so fierce, I wondered if carriages could move tomorrow.
"I'm off. Head inside quick."
"Yes. Bye, Celen."
"Might be late tomorrow. Or can't come if more snow falls."
"...Yes."
I boarded the carriage and looked out the window.
Sure enough, Ruena kept waving, watching me.
'She never listens, does she.'
I gestured for her to go inside.
Only then did she hesitantly turn toward the mansion.
'...I'm tired.'
I leaned back against the seat, watching the ever-changing scenery.
Ruena, the Grand Duke, and me.
This bizarre state sandwiched between the Eliads
didn't get any more comfortable no matter how I tried to adapt.
How long was this going to go on?
Would even a speck change with time?
The past half year—
No, it'd been like this the whole time we'd known each other, so it'd probably stay the same.
Father hiding his feelings,
daughter avoiding even eye contact.
And—
Neither the Grand Duke nor Ruena seemed inclined to change.
If anything, they'd drift further apart; reconciliation felt impossible.
'...This can't go on.'
I'd ignored it for over half a year,
but I couldn't endure this icy sandwich state anymore.
I'd held back since it wasn't my place to meddle,
but at this rate, I'd go mad first.
From frustration,
discomfort,
or irritation.
Honestly, after over half a year squeezed between them, it wasn't entirely someone else's problem.
'Starting tomorrow, I have to step in. Even if I have to force it.'
I racked my brain gazing at the windy, snowy landscape.
Endlessly pondering how to unravel this exhausting father-daughter bond.