Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Don't Go. Stay With Me
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Tail headed straight back to the monastery.
He opened the door to his room.
"Uh...?"
Tail was more than a little flustered.
And for good reason.
"You weren't asleep?"
Yujin, who should have been sleeping, was glaring at him with sharp eyes.
"How could I sleep when you snuck out in the middle of the night?"
Tail gave an awkward smile at Yujin's sharp tone.
But it didn't work on Yujin.
"Where'd you go?"
"The moon was pretty, so I went for a walk."
Yujin's eyes narrowed at Tail's brazen reply.
"It's cloudy tonight—no moon in sight. And you went for a walk because the moon was pretty?"
'Damn.'
Even the heavens weren't on his side for excuses.
As Tail fell silent, Yujin furrowed her brow slightly.
"Hey. Tail. If you get caught, it's a scolding at best. Worst case, they kick you out of the monastery. Got it?"
There was a hint of genuine worry behind Yujin's threat.
Knowing that, Tail let out a soft chuckle.
Yujin was the one flustered by his relaxed laugh.
"Y-You're laughing? You think this is funny?"
Tail stashed the report he'd brought back in the drawer as he answered.
"I won't get caught."
"How do you know?"
Tail took a step closer to Yujin.
She tensed up as he suddenly loomed in.
Tail sat on the bed, meeting her gaze, and slowly opened his mouth.
"Because you won't tell."
He said it in a low voice, flashing a sly grin.
The moment she saw his smile, Yujin's tension melted away, and she smacked his back.
"Ack! Why'd you hit me!"
"You need it."
Smack smack smack.
"Hold on! Hey! Your hands are brutal!"
Yujin chased after Tail as he dodged this way and that, landing blows all the while.
To drown out the pounding of her own heart.
The next morning, Tail went to see Cecilia first.
'She might not like it since it's not evening.'
But he couldn't just let Marquis Duvier's death slide.
"Yeah. I can do this."
The process might not be easy, but he had to see it through.
The war would end soon after Marquis Duvier's secret mission wrapped up.
That's how they could swiftly punish the comrade who betrayed and killed him.
'Once this is done, they'll all return to their rightful places.'
Chloe, warm like a spring day.
Cecilia, prickly at first but now cuter than anyone.
Even Allen, who always looked at him with regret.
And Duchess Duvier, who had warmed up after he offered help.
So many fond memories—they'd be hard to leave behind.
'I can just write letters sometimes.'
For now, focus.
Tail calmed his noisy thoughts and knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock.
"Miss. It's Tail. Coming in."
The door creaked open.
Rustling sounds came from inside.
Something popped out, leaped toward him, and threw itself into his arms.
"Tail!"
It was Cecilia.
"Tail, you're here early today?"
Her wavy purple hair was a mess, but her red eyes sparkled with a beaming smile.
She was so adorable that Tail stroked her head.
Whenever he did, Cecilia nuzzled into his hand like a cat.
"I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
Cecilia tilted her head.
"What is it? I'll do anything if it's you asking!"
Excited to help, her eyes glittered.
Tail leaned down to meet her gaze.
"Miss."
"Yes, Tail."
"How much do you trust me?"
His odd question made Cecilia blink.
"Not trust you? That's impossible."
Her lips curved softly.
"You're my star, my sun, my moon. You're the only one who helped me understand myself. How could I not trust you?"
Ah, had this girl learned to flirt?
With her incredibly cute face saying that, Tail couldn't help but chuckle.
"Then, Miss... do you have any stationery and a pen?"
"Huh? Yeah, I do."
"Could you write something for me, just as I say?"
"Sure!"
Cecilia dashed off, returning with pen and paper.
She spread the paper neatly and looked at Tail.
"But who are we writing to?"
No way... a woman?
The thought narrowed her eyes.
"Ah, someone closer to you than anyone."
"...Closer than me?"
Cecilia rolled her big eyes, puzzled.
"Yes."
She froze at Tail's words.
"Your father."
The recipient was none other than Marquis Duvier.
Cecilia blinked.
Then she picked up the pen.
No "why?" or "what for?"—nothing like that.
She just asked,
"What should I write?"
Trusting Tail completely.
Seeing that, Tail felt his heart sink in the best way.
It finally felt real.
Ah, this girl trusts me utterly.
Believes I'll never harm her or anything she holds dear.
The feeling was warm and fuzzy.
"Tail?"
She called him again, snapping him out of it.
"Ah, sorry. It's simple."
This was what Tail wanted her to write.
Be careful, Dad. Someone might be targeting you from anywhere nearby.
And I've suspected Count Lien for a while now. Don't overlook it—please check it out.
"Like this?"
Cecilia looked up after writing what Tail dictated.
"Yes. That's it. Please send this letter to your father right away."
She nodded.
Marquis Duvier was a notorious doting father, so he'd heed his daughter's words, war or no war.
'Yeah. A meticulous perfectionist like him will double-check.'
If he still died after this, it was just fate.
Tail glanced at the clock.
It was already 12:30 p.m.
'Lunchtime soon.'
Lunch was at 1:00.
And Cecilia's maid would bring her meal around then.
Of course, she hadn't touched anything but what Tail brought, and sticking around wouldn't help.
Tail prepared to leave for his own lunch.
"Tail. Leaving?"
Cecilia watched him anxiously.
"I need to eat too."
Then she grabbed him desperately.
"Don't go."
"...Pardon?"
Tail looked visibly confused.
But Cecilia pressed on.
"Tail. Don't go. Stay with me."
As she threw her tantrum, Tail looked troubled, floundering.
She smirked inwardly.
He always gave in when she acted up like this.
This time would be no different.
Just as she thought that without a doubt, Tail smiled gently.
"I can't, Miss. I'll come back this evening."
"...Why?"
Her first refusal ever sharpened her eyes.
But Tail met her gaze steadily, kindly.
"I promised Chloe we'd eat lunch together during serving."
Kraka boom!
Thunder crashed in Cecilia's mind.
"You two... together... lunch?"
Her voice trembled.
Why hadn't she considered it?
That Tail might look appealing in Chloe's eyes too.
That outside this room, he could see Chloe anytime.
Suddenly, she pictured that annoying blonde girl smirking.
'No way.'
She had to interfere.
Somehow!
She couldn't let them dine alone.
'Gotta find a way.'
As Tail kept packing, Cecilia stomped and grabbed his collar.
"...Me too!"
Tail gave her a puzzled look.
She swallowed hard, as if steeling herself.
"I want to eat too."
Tail's eyes widened.
"I'll go eat with you, Tail!"
Oh. God. Eureka!
Tail, no believer, nearly shouted for the heavens and hugged her.
Her lifelong shut-in client was finally mustering the courage to step outside.
He didn't know why the sudden resolve, but it was a good thing.
As Tail paused, Cecilia fidgeted, gauging his reaction.
"Is that no good?"
Tail beamed.
What reason to say no?
"Of course it's fine."
He stroked her head.
"Let's head out right now."