Chapter 138 - I hate it. Extremely so.
Translator: Yonnee
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That evening, Dad and David came back with something.
Looking at the food that shattered my intention to eat normally today, I couldn't figure out what Ciel wanted.
Why was he spreading Korean food like this?
The box with kimbap, sliced fruits, and small sandwiches looked exactly like a picnic lunch.
"This rice dish is a delicacy, Rin."
Dad handed me the kimbap and said this. It tasted familiar, and my appetite turned. After eating gracefully, I mumbled softly.
"It's even more delicious with tteokbokki..."
"Huh? Really? Hans!"
Even though I spoke softly, Dad somehow caught my words like a ghost.
"Do we have ingredients for tteokbokki?"
"Honey, who gave you this?"
"Who else could it be? Someone who really suits my taste."
"Oh my, who could that be?"
Mom seemed to know but pretended not to. Come to think of it, the attitudes of family members seemed subtly changed lately.
Before, even mentioning the first syllable of 'Ci' in Ciel's name seemed to annoy them, but these days, they asked about his well-being as if they were waiting for it.
"He hasn't returned yet? How has he been?"
"Oh, um... well, you know, just managing. It's obvious what kind of life a man living alone would have."
Even though he's a duke, there shouldn't be much to worry about living alone, yet Dad went on to say this. Mom also seemed concerned, and I didn't know what to say.
"Since we received things, maybe we should treat him to something."
"Should we? Oh, my wife is so wise, after all."
Dad raised his chin and playfully kissed Mom's cheek and acted cute to her. David turned his head as if he couldn't bear to watch. But I still loved seeing the two of them being so lovey dovey.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. I heard that there's a trend among nobles these days called 'rose tteokbokki', and it's very similar to tteokbokki... Quite intriguing. The Saintess's hometown dish and the Duke's original recipe are very alike."
Dad's words reminded me of the fact I had forgotten.
Yeah, Seo-yoon might find it suspicious...
Does Ciel already know about it?
If he didn't, what should we do now?
I was a bit worried about it. But the origin of that worry was somewhat subtle, so even with kimbap and tteokbokki in front of me, the thought didn't linger for much longer.
"Rin, try it quickly. Didn't you say that it's best to have these two together... Oh? But how did you know about such a thing, my daughter? Did the Duke happen to visit?"
Dad asked affectionately, and I picked up my fork with a clatter.
"Umm... I just said that since the tteokbokki sauce is delicious."
"Oh, I see. Well, then, I should try eating it like you do," Dad said.
"I've already tried it. It's a delicacy," David chimed in.
"Hmm, then I'll just eat it like this," Mom said cheerfully.
"Mmm..."
Mechanically, I nodded my head while poking at the kimbap. Meanwhile, I thought.
What I was truly worried about wasn't the possibility of a misunderstanding due to Ciel's actions, but that Seoyoon might come to know about Ciel.
Of course, the events of the future had yet to happen, so she wouldn't remember Ciel.
But even the thought itself made me feel uncomfortable.
So, at the core of it all, it's just...
I didn't like the idea of Ciel meeting Seoyoon.
I hate it. Extremely so.
* * *
Ciel opened a letter that had arrived from the crown prince.
"One is personal, and the other is an official letter."
He first read the personal one. The general content was a request to inform him about what he had reported to the Emperor.
Before returning to the Closch Domain, he conveyed to the alert emperor that a monster wave seemed to have emerged when the saintess had shifted through dimensions.
Although there was no precise evidence, he detailed the moment when the saintess returned.
Upon hearing this, the emperor, who had been skeptical at first, froze up. Why did the saintess emerge precisely from the starting point of the monster wave? This curiosity led to various speculations.
However, there was one reason he didn't share this story with the crown prince.
Because he was an Esper.
More precisely, it was clear that as an Esper, Jace would feel compelled to protect Seoyoon, 'his' Guide.
Even when Ciel was back in Korea, he occasionally saw Espers abusing their Guides, but that was a very rare occurrence. Espers might be indifferent to their Guides, but they rarely ever resorted to violence.
It was like an instinct etched into their bodies-never use violence against the Guides who were keeping them alive.
So, despite any dislike Ciel himself might have had for Seoyoon in the past, he never raised his hand against her even once.
"...I should take away her phone."
It was fortunate that Seo-yoon's guiding wasn't working on him, but he was still irritated that he couldn't force her to do things.
"Damn it!"
Angry at himself for still being so foolish, Ciel kicked the long sofa in front of him.
The sofa, large enough for three people, flew lightly and crashed into the wall.
"Huu..."
Past grievances occasionally made him irritable. He forcibly calmed himself and took out the letter Jace had sent.
"Haa... He's planning a banquet."
He read through the invitation, and towards the end, his eyebrows twitched.
It wasn't just the name of Duke Leopardt mentioned on the invitation.
"All members of the Closch Barony are requested to attend..."
