Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Unspoken Tensions
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"......Sage?"
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
Sage stepped into the gazebo where I was sitting.
It seemed I wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep. Sage was also still in his day clothes at this late hour.
I wondered if he was busy with work lately.
I hadn't been in the North for long, but I'd heard the rumors.
I knew that Sage was already undergoing the procedures to succeed as the next family head.
He leaned back and sat on the sofa across from me.
"Is something troubling you?"
"Hm? No, nothing at all. It's no big deal."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
I shook my head emphatically, insisting it was really nothing. In response, Sage hummed, propping his chin on his hand. His gaze was knowing.
"Usually, when someone says that, it means it *is* a big deal."
"......."
"You must be quite worried."
...I flinched. My fingertips twitched. He had hit the nail right on the head.
Having missed the chance to deny it, I pressed my lips together, and a playful look appeared on Sage's face.
The corners of his mouth curved into an arc, looking particularly amused.
But after being found out a few times, one learns a thing or two about hiding things.
I put on a nonchalant act and smiled brightly. Meanwhile, my mind was racing.
*How do I get out of this situation unscathed?*
It would be trouble if I got caught up and ended up spilling everything again.
Sage was a master at drawing people in!
"It's really nothing. I couldn't sleep, so I was just looking around for a bit."
"Ah, is that so?"
He replied as if daring me to say more. His impossibly relaxed attitude, as if waiting to see what I'd come up with next, was utterly detestable.
I stubbornly nodded my head.
"Yes, I was just about to head back inside."
"But it looks like you just came out."
"......."
"Really? You're going in already? You're not going to look around some more?"
...He knew exactly when I came out, didn't he? My rigidly straight shoulders slumped.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Sage replied instantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
It was a complete defeat. I felt a surge of indignation but took a deep breath. Right, no need to get emotional over something like this.
Still, I couldn't hide my sullen expression. My lips naturally formed a pout. I glared back at him, my eyes filled with discontent.
At that moment, Sage, who had been watching me silently, reached out and his hand gently touched my cheek.
Huh...? What is this situation?
My eyes widened in surprise. As I awkwardly pulled back, Sage's hand froze.
Sage looked as surprised as I was. His blue eyes wavered with bewilderment.
"Ah."
My cheeks flushed, and I feigned indifference.
"What is it? If there was something on my face, you could have just told me..."
The end of my voice trembled slightly.
The corners of my mouth quivered with the effort of pretending everything was normal.
As I needlessly brushed back my hair, Sage slowly lowered his hand.
Neither of us spoke first. A strange atmosphere hung in the air.
*What is Sage thinking right now?*
He was looking down at the hand that had just touched me.
At this rate, the awkwardness would never end. I was about to change the subject to break the tension when he spoke first.
"Aileen."
"Y-Yes?"
Hearing him call my name, I nearly bit my tongue. I was terrified he would hear my heart pounding.
*What is he going to say?*
Sage ran a hand through his hair and let out a low sigh.
"Sorry, I made a mistake without realizing it."
"Ah..."
"I'll be more careful next time."
I couldn't find any words to reply.
*He did it without realizing? Does that mean he touched my cheek unconsciously?*
This is something I'm really not used to.
I was confused.
My already complicated thoughts became even more tangled.
It seemed I would have to give up on sleeping tonight.
* * *
Nod. Nod. The sun was up, but I couldn't fight off the waves of drowsiness.
Just before my forehead could hit the table.
Arban clicked his tongue and caught my forehead with his hand. His cool touch helped clear my head a little.
"Thanks, Arban."
"What were you doing up all night?"
"...Um, well. I had a few things to think about. Haha."
"Because of yesterday's news? I told you, just act like you normally do."
Arban flicked my forehead.
Ouch. I puffed out my cheeks and shielded my forehead. It wasn't just because of that.
When I narrowed my eyes and glared, Arban gave me a look that said I was ridiculous.
"Oh? What are you gonna do, glaring at me like that? You little thing."
"Hmph. I'll grow taller, you know."
"No matter how much you grow, you'll still be bite-sized."
"...Says the one who only grew in size."
"What? You little..."
As Arban and I started to bicker in earnest, Set, who was sitting on the other side, shook his head.
He put down the water he was drinking and spoke softly.
"Both of you, stop it."
"...I didn't start it, she did. You saw it, Set."
"Arban flicked my forehead first."
It's not fair!
As soon as I finished speaking, Arban snorted and pushed my forehead back. A smirk played on his lips, showing no signs of disappearing.
He was definitely doing this on purpose. He was enjoying teasing me.
I looked at Set as if to say, *'See?'* and I could see the corners of his mouth twitching as he watched us.
"Are you two having fun?"
"...No, I think Arban was in the wrong."
"You can't say that, Set. I saw you smiling just now."
Set shrugged and got up from his seat. I quickly followed after him.
Left behind, a dazed Arban belatedly shouted, "Wait for me!"
As we were walking down the hallway, Set spoke.
"You'll be alright here when Arban and I leave, won't you, Aileen?"
"Huh? Ah..."
"Arban seems worried about that. It looks like he didn't sleep well either."
Arban didn't sleep well either?
*No way,* I thought, turning to look back. I couldn't read anything in the red eyes that met mine.
*Could it be... he didn't see me with Sage last night, did he?*
As we passed through the hall and were about to head upstairs, we ran into Sage, who was on his way down.
I tightened my grip on Set's arm. Sage's gaze lingered there for a moment before moving up.
His eyes fixed on my tired face and didn't leave.
"It seems you didn't sleep well, Aileen."
"...Ah, I think it's because I went to bed too late yesterday."
"You look tired."
But why did Sage look so pleased?
In contrast, Arban stepped forward, facing him with a guarded expression.
I was about to stop Arban because of his sudden hostility, but Sage, looking unconcerned, smiled brightly and spoke.
"I believe today is your last day at the castle. I hope you enjoy a comfortable stay until your departure."
"...You."
"Yes."
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Arban scoffed.
"You seem to think Aileen will be here forever. Her return to the South is not far off."
"......."
"Don't you dare make a move on a girl who's already troubled enough."
I gasped in horror.
"Arban!"
I tried to stop him, but it was already too late.
Set sighed and rubbed the corners of his eyes.
"I knew he was going to cause trouble."
*So Set knew Arban would do this and just watched?*
I looked at him, dumbfounded.
The two of them seemed to be complete opposites, but they were perfectly in sync at times like these.
Sage, who had listened to Arban's words in silence, showed no reaction. It was as if he had expected this.
A strange war of nerves unfolded between Arban and Sage. In the tense, hair-trigger situation, Set spoke softly.
"Arban. That's enough rudeness. You're speaking to the heir of Kiraas."
"...My apologies for the disrespect."
"Don't mention it."
As Arban reluctantly apologized, Sage accepted it lightly, his blue eyes slowly turning to me.
"A troubling matter."
Sage said with a bright smile.
"I'm curious what that might be."
* * *
Morning. Eve was brewing coffee, feeling drained.
*The young master is a little late today.*
He glanced at the clock on the wall and was about to sit down when his eyes went wide at the sound of the door flying open.
A frigid, fierce chill radiated from Sage, who looked to be in a foul mood.
It was clear at a glance that he was not in a good state.
His piercing blue eyes turned menacingly toward Eve.
*Ah, what is it this time?* Eve's head was already starting to ache.
Who had provoked Sage Kiraas's temper now? This was not a good sign.
He could forget about leaving work early today.
"Eve."
"Yes, Young Master."
Eve replied with a sense of resignation.
"Investigate what happened to Aileen before she came to the North. And don't miss a single detail."
Eve bowed his head and replied.
"Yes, I understand."