Chapter 36
Chapter 36
A Request
The afterimage of the noble lady from just moments ago—panting with a collar around her neck—overlapped with the current, dignified Frisia in front of me, creating an absolute visual disaster in my mind.
…
“…Are you not listening to me?”
“A-ah! Yes! I’m listening!”
“Why are you standing there looking so dazed? In any case, until the guests leave the day after tomorrow, you belong to me. If you quietly do as I say, I will reward you generously, so keep that in mind.”
She tapped her chin with the tip of her fan, speaking as if the matter was already decided.
‘…I think I might’ve gotten myself into something pretty bad.’
For a moment, I wondered if I should just run away right now… but the money was too good.
In the end, Frisia allowed me to go home briefly.
However, to make sure I didn’t run or speak carelessly outside, she assigned a large-built servant to watch me.
Late at night, I left the guard standing outside and pushed open the familiar, worn door.
Creak—
As the old door groaned open, a faint candle flickering in the dim room came into view.
“…Nasus?”
As I stepped inside, Camellia, who had been sitting quietly at the table, rose upon noticing me.
Her face looked pale with fatigue, but the moment she saw me standing in the doorway, life visibly returned to her eyes.
“You’re back… You were so late, I was worried something might have happened to you.”
Seeing her soft smile spreading with relief, the exhaustion I had built up throughout the day at the mansion seemed to melt away.
“Mm… what, you’re back, Nasus…?”
At that moment, Erika, who had been dozing off in the corner, lifted her head groggily.
With faint drool at the corner of her mouth and messy black hair, she looked exactly like a child just woken from sleep.
“You’re late… Do you know how long I waited for you?”
Even as she glared at me with half-lidded eyes, her voice carried unmistakable warmth.
She staggered over and naturally pressed her forehead against my waist, rubbing against me.
“Sorry, sorry. Work ran a bit long today.”
Just as I reached out to pat her head with a smile—
“…But Nasus. Who is that person outside?”
Camellia, who had quietly approached, suddenly stiffened.
Because the door was slightly open, she had noticed the silhouette of the large guard standing in the dark hallway.
Perhaps due to her past trauma, her shoulders trembled slightly. She clutched my clothes tightly, unease written all over her face.
“Did… did something happen? Are those debt collectors after us again…?”
“No, no! Calm down, Camellia. It’s nothing like that.”
I quickly took out a heavy leather pouch and placed it on the table.
Clink—!
The crisp, weighty sound of coins echoed through the room.
“See this? I did such an amazing job cleaning today that the employer was completely impressed. So they asked me to stay two more days to help. This is the advance payment and today’s wages.”
I gently held her hands and spoke in the warmest, most reassuring voice I could manage.
“It’s really nothing serious. They’re short on hands because guests are coming, so they asked me to stay and help… I just stopped by to tell you so you wouldn’t worry.”
But the worry in Camellia’s eyes didn’t fade so easily.
She carefully traced the calluses on my hand with her thumb and whispered in a trembling voice.
“…You’re not even fully recovered yet. How can you push yourself this hard from your very first day? We’d be fine eating a little less, wearing a little less…”
“It’s fine. This is nothing.”
At that moment, Erika, who had been leaning against me, suddenly lifted her head sharply.
“…Are you really okay? You’re not being threatened or anything? Tell me right now! I’ll deal with them myself!”
Was it a dragon’s instinct, or just a woman’s intuition?
Erika stared at me with suspicion and concern.
‘Threatened…? Well, kind of?’
Frisia’s words and actions flashed through my mind.
Technically, it was closer to forced labor and confinement.
I broke into a cold sweat and avoided her gaze.
“Come on, I said it’s just work… Oh, hey, remember that problem I gave you that day when it was raining?”
Erika tilted her head.
“The one where the carriage runs people over?”
“…Uh, yeah. When you put it like that, it sounds really brutal, but anyway! I said if you answered it right, I’d treat you to whatever food you wanted, right?”
At the word “treat,” Erika’s half-closed eyes snapped wide open.
“Of course I remember!”
“Right. If I earn a lot of money over these two days… I’ll get that for you. Your favorite.”
“O-oh! Waaah!!”
Erika jumped up like a child, cheering.
She even licked her lips as if already tasting it. But then, suddenly landing back on the floor, her expression hardened.
“Wait. Earning a lot of money… are you going somewhere dangerous?”
I hesitated.
‘Dangerous… more like extreme emotional labor. Dealing with nobles and all. Though if things go wrong, it could turn a bit ugly…’
Still, compared to falling from a construction site or getting crushed by bricks, this was probably safer.
‘High risk, high return… I knew what I signed up for.’
After finishing my mental justification, I flashed my usual sly grin.
“Nah, it’s not dangerous. It’s a warm, safe place. So I’ll earn a lot. And when I come back… I’ll bring a ton of that melt-in-your-mouth meat.”
At my reassurance, Erika crossed her arms and thought for a moment before nodding with a smile.
“…Alright! Then make sure you bring a big piece with the bone still attached! A lot of it! That’s a promise!”
“Yeah, a promise. So until I get back… keep taking care of Camellia like you have been. Got it?”
At my request, Erika puffed out her chest proudly.
“Hmph! Leave it to me! Anyone who dares touch Camellia or our home will be devoured without a trace!”
With that reliable declaration, I turned my gaze back to Camellia.
“Camellia. While I’m gone, take care of the house and that glutton. Don’t skip meals, and use that money to buy something nice to eat. If you need anything, just tell—”
“I’m fine.”
She cut me off firmly.
Clasping her hands to her chest, she looked up at me like she was offering a prayer.
“Please… just don’t get hurt, and come back safely. That alone is enough for me.”
Honestly, someone this pure and full of potential…
She felt like a blessing in my otherwise rough life in this world.
As I smiled faintly and nodded, I heard the guard outside clear his throat.
If I stayed any longer, I’d definitely annoy that picky noble lady.
I forced my reluctant feet to move.
“Then, I’ll be off. Lock the door properly before you sleep.”
Just as I reached for the door handle—
Tap.
A faint resistance tugged at me from behind.
Two slender fingers had grasped the edge of my sleeve, gently… yet firmly, as if refusing to let go.
“…Camellia?”
Startled, I turned around.
She stood there with her head lowered.
It felt like she didn’t want to let me go… or like there were words she couldn’t bring herself to say, caught in her throat.
Her small hand trembled as it held onto me.
“Hey… Camellia? What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“…Do you have to go?”
I knew she was saying it out of concern.
But I had already agreed to the job.
And with that kind of money on the line…
I couldn’t back out now.
Even so…
My feet wouldn’t move.
She was clearly different from usual.
A simple “don’t worry” wouldn’t be enough to reassure her.
I quietly swallowed a sigh and turned fully toward her.
Then I gently took her trembling hand.
Letting my warmth seep into her stiff fingers.
“Camellia. Look at me.”
“…Yes…”
Her shaking gaze slowly met mine.
Without hesitation, I took off my worn outer coat and draped it over her narrow shoulders.
“Keep this.”
“T-this is…”
“It might look shabby… but it’s the only one I’ve got. It’s important to me. Think of it as collateral I’m leaving with you. That way, I have to come back no matter what to get it, right?”
“But… it’s cold at night. What will you do without it…?”
“Haha, I worked hard today, so I’m still warm. But yeah… I better come back quickly so I don’t catch a cold.”
I exaggerated my tone and gestures to ease her worry.
“…I understand. But still…”
I gently adjusted the coat around her shoulders and whispered.
“Take care while I’m gone.”
Just as I turned to leave—
Clutching the coat tightly, Camellia spoke in a trembling voice.
“…Then there’s something I want.”
I stopped.
She was always the type to say “I’m fine” or “don’t worry about me.”
And now she was asking for something herself?
It felt strange… but also made my heart lift slightly, like she was finally opening up to me.
“Yeah, I’ll bring it back. Just tell me. Food? Clothes?”
“…When you come back in two days… I’ll tell you then.”