All Men Are Pigs [FE!Henry]

Envy [5]

Maribelle had called me today to help with her shopping, saying that it had been quite a while since our last conversation. Personally, I would rather reply with a straightforward "You're weird!" and run for it, because last I remember we were literally paired up in the last two consecutive battles, but given that I myself am also a bit peculiar, I refrain from doing so and give her a wide grin instead.

Unfortunately for her, I was quite pre-occupied at the moment. "I don't really have the free time—I was gonna check up on Little Miss Mage for a sec." I declare with eagerness. Since she was fully healed from her cuts and scratches the previous day, I had promised her that I'd clear my schedule so I could accompany her around town.

Maribelle looks on surprised, and it was not quite from the fact that she heard her name, but because it was unusual for me to have actual plans. "Oh my, exercising change, aren't we. But haven't you heard?" She asks, tilting her head to the side as she raises her brows. "Our dear little flower had unusually recovered fast from her injuries, and word of it says that she ran away from her little tree."

Hearing this, I couldn't hold in the same shocked expression in Maribelle's face. Could it be?
"Has she escaped?" I mutter to myself, not entirely convinced with her leave. "Who was it?" I ask, referring to the bearer of the news. "For all we know, they could be lying!"

Maribelle laughs at my doubtful face, shaking her head as she twirls a lock of hair. "Why, it's her biggest fan, Inigo of course. Would he ever tell a lie of our little flower?"

So it was Olivia's child, the local flirt, who has spoken of the news. Inigo, who was apparently Little Miss Mage's biggest fan, had visited her before I could—does that slimy eel even have errands? I mean, I know I don't, but that's simply because I keep myself busy watching her.

Nevertheless, a man like him cannot be trusted.
"What if, y'know, he's lying, like for real."

"Oh, Henry. All men are pigs! We would never know for sure." Maribelle says this a matter-of-factly, and I couldn't help but wince at her words. I don't wanna be a pig! Make me a crow instead!

"But it wouldn't hurt to check." I wink at her with a smile, the expectant tone in my voice making her scrunch her face. "But after we check, you will go shopping with me." She leads the way, purposefully hitting me with the side of her umbrella. "I can't imagine anything more important than purchasing provisions for camp, but I suppose, you have priorities other than comrades with empty stomachs."

I hold my tongue, following her with a big smile on my face. I couldn't possibly tell her that I couldn't care less!

——————

We reach her tree, and sure enough, it was as if she was never there. My heart sinks at the sight, and I couldn't bare doing anything other than to lay on the grass. And I do.

Was this it? Finally the end?
I had helped her, and she already ran without a second thought. Has my promise to her finally been fulfilled? It felt incomplete. It didn't feel like I had my fill at redemption.
It was as if the world was telling me that I will never find rest, the emptiness of longing in my stomach an endless void since childhood.

Maribelle looks at me like I was delusional, staring at me with displeasure. She sighs, looking towards the village market. "Henry, she's not here. Let's go."

As if I had spilled too much of my heavy heart, I hurry a giddy 'OK!' and follow Maribelle like a dog.

Maribelle had been quite hasty on her retrieval of ingredients that after she got what she came for, she immediately struts out to the next store. "Keep the change, mister!" I hurriedly take out my wallet, throwing ample amounts of coins to the shopkeeper before running to catch up with her. "What's it like in Plegia?" She hums beside me, as if she didn't just shoplift moments before. Breathless beside her, I answer. "It's great! The constant disorder, the chaos," I list the things that Plegia was known for, and she must've not read it in the books, because she looks at me with surprise and concern. "I never thought of you as someone who would like such barbaric practices, Henry."

I tilt my head to the side, displeased with her reply.
"Hey, I'm not barbaric, you are!" I answer, crossing my arms. Maribelle was quite offensive today, did she sharpen her already sharp tongue? Oh boy, I wonder what the occasion was to make her more irritable than usual. She gasps loudly, bringing a dainty hand to her chest in disbelief. "Excuse me?!"

She stops walking, turning her whole body to me, and jabbing a finger to my chest for every time she emphasised a word.

"You're the one who likes chaos, mister!"

I freeze, bringing my brows together in question.
Her words were confusing, or better yet she was confusing. I never said I liked the chaos? She must've gotten my words mixed up, or maybe she was just stupid, because I really didn't say anything about liking disorder! I bring my hands up at arm level, and defend myself from her assumptions. "Because of the chaos I get to see my crow friends circling around the kingdom!"

She suddenly gasps in understanding, finally realising what I meant when I described my home kingdom. "...Of course, because Plegia is famous for their crows." She says with sarcasm, shaking her head. "Yeah, and you're famous for whacking people with your umbrella, nyahaha!" I laugh heartily, calling her out. It seemed like she didn't like my honesty, because she points her gaze at me again, this time unsheathing the pink umbrella by her hip.

"What did you say?"

"Y'know, like a barbari—!"

And after those words I was never seen without an indentation of an umbrella for the rest of the day.

——————

Cling! Cling!

The storefront's chimes at our entrance, as Maribelle struts with intention once more. She pursues the best seating accommodations within the store, and I sluggishly follow. That is, until I feel my magic tug at me from afar.

Could it be?

I immediately swerve to the direction of this vague rope, fully intending to leave Maribelle behind. I have had just enough of this stupid play date, and would rather put effort for someone else. And of course, my Miss Mage radar is always right, as I do indeed spot my precious sitting on a table far off into the store, hiding away at a corner. The sight made my heart skip a beat.

Oh, what a wonderful surprise.
She was with Inigo, no less.