You! Don’t Press that Button! - Chap 111

I headed to Karhan’s office with tears trickling down my face. Asmil followed behind me with cheerful steps, seemingly without any guilt.

After suddenly adding that strange condition, Asmil had mercilessly scribbled all over my face without an ounce of mercy. Though I tried turning my head this way and that, his strong grip pinned my cheek down, making further resistance impossible.

He drew third and fourth eyes on my eyelids and added spiral patterns on my cheeks. Because of his condition not to erase it, I had to stay like this all day.

I couldn’t hide my distress at suffering such humiliation without having done anything particularly wrong. With a waterfall of tears flowing in my heart, I was now on my way to tattle to Karhan.

When the office door opened, Karhan, who had been looking this way, made an odd expression upon seeing me. He slowly rose from his seat and approached me. His large hand gently caressed my cheeks and eyelids.

“This is…”

Even Karhan seemed at a loss for words seeing my state, his voice trailing off. I must look ridiculous. With two extra eyes on my eyelids and spirals on my cheeks, how could it not be funny? My lips trembled involuntarily from the deep-seated indignation in my chest.

“Why are you in this state?”

Karhan’s voice quivered slightly. When he took out a handkerchief and brought it to my face, I hurriedly raised my hands to stop him.

“No! Asmil said not to erase it.”

At my desperate cry, Karhan’s silver-gray eyes turned toward Asmil standing behind me. His eyebrow twitched as he fixed his gaze for a while, then he moved his hand to rub my cheek anyway.

“Mmm.”

I made a sound, frowning at his somewhat rough touch. After rubbing several times, he threw the handkerchief onto the table, having removed most of it. Karhan wrapped his sturdy arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to his side.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d leave now that your business is done.”

“I’ll be staying for a few more days.”

Karhan’s eyebrows expressed displeasure at Asmil’s response. Though his silver-gray eyes pressured him to leave immediately, perhaps due to his years of experience, Asmil countered nonchalantly.

“Show some sincerity if you want something. Both of you.”

Due to Asmil’s not-so-subtle coercion, Karhan couldn’t continue speaking. The one at a disadvantage had no choice but to back down.

After that, Asmil was frequently seen conversing with various people. However, unfortunately, these conversations never lasted long. Partly because the servants were busy, and partly because it seemed like some order had been given, everyone slipped away from him.

Asmil, couldn’t make any friends…

Though he was a bad guy, seeing his lonely figure sitting alone in the garden was somewhat pitiful. Especially since he hadn’t been sleeping well since Asdion left.

Watching him reminded me of when I went to the Elven Forest. I felt very dejected when the elves avoided me like that too. Though he’s never done anything nice for me, having experienced something similar makes me feel uneasy.

Letting out a light sigh, I carefully approached Asmil’s side and sat down, saying:

“Don’t you have any idea where Asdion might have gone?”

“He’s never done this before, so I don’t know.”

“Did you two fight?”

He seemed willing to give his life for Asmil both at the social gathering and in the cave.

At my question, Asmil propped his chin and looked up at the sky. His rapidly blinking eyelids hid red eyes filled with complex emotions. Moving his fingers idly, Asmil spoke slowly, as if lost in memories.

“We didn’t fight. I just did what I usually do.”

“Oh geez. That would make anyone— I’m sorry.”

Honestly, I don’t think Asmil’s usual personality is particularly good. Someone who doesn’t know how to consider others and just keeps bothering people all day can’t have a good personality. Maybe Asdion got tired and left. But for that, he liked Asmil way too much…

The thought lingered that he probably hadn’t left with the intention of never returning. Maybe he was even watching Asmil from nearby right now?

Both Asmil and I sat quietly, just feeling the breeze without exchanging any words. It’s quite amazing that I could have such a peaceful moment with Asmil.

Just as the air was starting to get chilly, Asmil suddenly stood up and said:

“This should be enough. I’ll be going now. Contact me if you meet Asdion.”

“So suddenly?”

“I said I’d stay for a few days.”

Asmil shook off the grass stuck to his bottom and stretched his stiff legs. I slowly stood up watching him. Now that he said he was leaving, I felt somewhat reluctant. As I stood there awkwardly, Asmil let out a laugh, his eyes curving beautifully.

“See you later.”

Unlike me, he smiled without a trace of attachment.

🐤

After leaving the Barthes duchy, Asmil walked with light steps toward his hideout. When he twisted his wrist, there was a cracking sound of bones colliding.

The cold air of the dark, empty cave caressed his skin. Humming a small tune, Asmil snapped his fingers, and as light filled the surroundings, a figure that had been hiding in the darkness appeared.

Asmil curved his eyes gently and smiled, having expected him to be waiting.

“You came?”

“…Master.”

Their eyes met in the air and became complexly entangled. Asmil carefully examined Asdion’s face. He seemed somewhat haggard, yet also clean. Either way, it was fine since he had returned.

Letting out an amused breath, he pulled up a chair and sat down. Twisting his body, he hung his arm over the backrest and looked at Asdion.

“When are you going to bring me tea?”

Even at Asmil’s voice filled with disappointment, Asdion didn’t say anything particular. He stubbornly kept his mouth shut and just stared at Asmil with eyes gleaming like gold.

As Asdion’s silence lengthened, Asmil’s mood became increasingly unsettled. He stuck out his tongue and slowly licked his chapped lips. An awkward air flowed through the space occupied by just the two of them.

The moment Asmil’s finger twitched on the backrest, Asdion’s eyes narrowed.

“You told me to bring that bird back again.”

What’s this sudden talk about? Asmil frowned, creating a slight crease between his brows. He had always led conversations with Asdion, so this situation didn’t please him. Still, since Asdion had returned on his own, he decided to be magnanimous and raised the corners of his lips.

Standing far from Asmil, Asdion quietly opened his mouth.

“I am preparing something that will interest you, Master.”

“I’ll listen since I’m curious.”

When Asmil spoke in a tone suggesting disinterest, Asdion’s golden eyes gleamed.

“You will surely like it.”

Enough to make you interested in me. Asdion muttered the last words, grinding them out as if making a promise to himself. Watching this behavior, Asmil tilted his head slightly. He wiggled his crossed leg and carefully chose his words.

Had Asdion ever declared he would do something on his own before? No. Since being picked up as a child, not once. Asdion had acted as if he knew nothing but being loyal to him. He had continued to bow his head obediently like that for hundreds of years.

Something stirred deep in Asmil’s heart. He couldn’t distinguish whether it was interest or discomfort. He only knew he wanted to find out what it was. His downturned lips slowly curved upward into a languid smile.

“Alright.”

With great magnanimity, I’ll place my expectations on you.

🐤

Time passed so busily that I almost forgot Asmil had visited the mansion.

With Karhan’s permission, I flew around town in bird form searching for Asdion. Though I scrutinized everything from high in the sky looking for that intense red hair, I couldn’t find even a single feather.

I had already repeated this futile search for several days. Today too, like usual, I rolled through Karhan’s window with my tired wings drooping. As I tumbled across the floor in bird form, Karhan reached out and picked me up.

“Why don’t you rest now that I’ve sent out informants?”

One of Karhan’s fingers tickled my belly. Ah, that tickles! The pleasant sensation spread from where his finger touched throughout my body, making me kick my feet frantically.

“Peep―”

Though I knew Karhan was worried, I couldn’t just accept help since it was my task. Karhan seemed to understand my feelings but was busy trying to stop me since it looked like I was making things needlessly difficult for myself.

While squirming under Karhan’s gentle scratching of my chest and belly, I rolled onto the floor and transformed back into human form. As I quickly stood up, Karhan wrapped a blanket around my body.

“That tickles.”

“But you like it, don’t you?”

I definitely love Karhan’s touch. It’s just a bit ticklish. Nodding my head, I wobbled over to Karhan’s bed and jumped onto it. The soft blanket wrapped around my body.

As my body relaxed, my heavy eyelids closed automatically like a theater curtain falling. As I curled up into a ball to sleep like a shrimp, a cool shadow fell over my head. A large hand brushed aside the hair stuck to my forehead.

Just as thick drowsiness was about to overwhelm my body, Claude entered through the door. I was too tired to even think about getting up. I just kept my eyes closed and perked up my ears to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Your Grace. A letter has arrived from Lord Lairas.”

“From Lord Lairas?”

What could it be about? Though I wanted to open my eyes and look, the drowsiness floating in my head wouldn’t allow it. Having flown around continuously for days, my body wasn’t functioning properly. I could clearly hear Karhan and Claude conversing, but the content scattered before registering in my brain.

Not knowing how much time had passed, I barely managed to hold onto consciousness when warm breath touched my ear.

“I’m going to see Lord Lairas.”

“Mmm… now…?”

The sun was starting to set, with red twilight beginning to cover the blue sky. Setting out this late, it would probably be too dark to see properly by the time he returned. Was he planning to stay overnight at the Lairas mansion? Thinking I should properly see Karhan’s face, I struggled to lift my eyelids that felt as heavy as if weights were attached.

“When will you be back…?”

When I asked in a voice thick with sleep, Karhan pressed his lips firmly against my forehead and whispered softly:

“I’ll just hear what he has to say and return. Don’t wait up and go to sleep.”

“You have to come back quickly. Okay…?”

Half asleep and half awake, even with my eyes open, Karhan’s figure was blurry as if hidden behind a translucent curtain. Unable to see clearly, I narrowed my eyes and stared intently, hearing a small laugh. Chu, his lips pressed against my round forehead again.

As Karhan got up, the mattress that had tilted slightly rose back up. I reached out to hug the blanket and curled up into a ball again. The chandelier that had brightly lit the room went dark, and darkness descended.

How much time had passed since he left? I felt the firmly closed door slowly opening. The light that leaked through the door gap fell on my eyes, disturbing my sleep. Making an “ung” sound, I pulled the blanket up higher to cover my face.

Thump thump, I heard footsteps entering the room. The strangely light feeling made me instinctively realize it wasn’t Karhan.

A servant coming to clean the room? What if they’ve come to tidy the blankets? I don’t want to get up right now. While holding onto my anxious heart hoping it wasn’t bed-making time, the servant approached me.

Seeing them stop right in front of me in this huge room, it must be bed-making after all. Karhan should have told the servants beforehand when he left. Grumbling quietly, I sluggishly moved my limp body to sit up.

Half-drunk with sleep, my head felt like cotton soaked in water. I raised my arm that had been supporting my upper body to rub my eyelids and slowly opened my eyes.

“Huh…?”

A familiar servant stood before me.