The Flame Swaying In The Heart (7)

“So then, you should—”

“I understand. I’ll go to the capital too.”

“Huh!?”

“In that case, there’s still room to consider.”

“W-what!? That defeats the purpose—and besides, in our situation it’s impossible!”

“Even if it’s impossible, it can’t be helped.”

Given the current state of things, it was extremely difficult for Kardia, the lord, to leave his domain. But if Noi said she was leaving, there was no other choice.

“There’s nothing more precious—or more important—to me than you, Noi.”

He said it while looking earnestly into her eyes, and she stepped back.

Then she shook her head, small but firm.

“I’ve already decided. I can’t stay with someone who won’t give me love.”

Her heat-filled peppermint eyes brimmed with tears.

“Then I’ll give you love at least.”

If she would stay by his side, Kardia could offer anything.

At his pleading, Noi wrinkled her nose and shook her head again.

“No, Kardia. That won’t do. —You’re clever. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

He did. But it was also his true, naked feeling.

(If it’s something I possess, I’ll give you anything—)

So please stay. Don’t take Noi away from me.

“Someday, we’ll meet again and laugh. I’m sure of it.”

He wanted to know when. How many days—how many years—he had to wait. If she told him clearly, he would live sustained by that promise, counting the days on his fingers, living only with the thought of seeing her again.

“I’m leaving this place, but our hands will stay linked forever. If anything happens, come to me. I swear I will help you.”

Even without mana.

Even as a child; even without backing or a home—the woman before him smiled, strong.

—The face of the mage Kardia had always admired.

“…Let’s both cool down. Tomorrow we’ll surely be able to talk calmly.”

“Understood.”

He could not imagine that would be true, but it was better not to force a conclusion out of her now. Kardia decided as much and agreed with her.

He steadied his heart and spoke in his normal voice.

“…Well then, shall we go to the bedchamber?”

“? I told you I’m sleeping with Aidoni.”

Kardia stared at Noi, eyes wide.

“You… really…? You’re going to leave me in this state and sleep with someone else?!”

Unable to keep up appearances, Kardia trembled.

Tonight of all nights, he would not—absolutely would not—hand Noi to anyone else. Man or woman, young or old—it made no difference. To Kardia, they were all equally “someone other than me.”

“You… you were confessed to by me today!”

Noi was just as stunned and shouted back at him.

“And what of it!?”

“What if I corner you—press you—in the bedroom!?”

Kardia’s mouth fell open.

“Even if I don’t press you, I might throw up, right!? I’m the same as the women who lay on your stomach!”

The small Noi raised her voice, insisting how dangerous she was.

“…No way. You’re you, Noi. We’ve spent so much time together; there’s no way—no, you won’t throw up.”

He denied the impossible. Yet the voice that left his own mouth sounded frighteningly weak.

“But I’m in love with you now.”

Noi fixed him with a steady gaze.

“Can you still sleep beside me, knowing I’m that kind of woman?”

The thought had never even occurred to him.

It wasn’t romantic love, and yet Kardia loved Noi. He could affirm it with all his being.

So he had vaguely believed:

No matter what feelings she turned toward him, Noi could never become an object of disgust to him.

(…But if things were truly as she said—?)

Strength drained out of Kardia’s body.

Noi gave a wry smile, slipped past him, and took hold of the doorknob—the only exit.

“…Good night, Kardia.”

The door shut with a soft click.

Kardia did not stop her.

“Master, about Lady Noi’s room—we’ve prepared the sunniest room on the second floor—”

A cutting glare.

Ornis entered the office at last with documents in hand, saw Kardia’s face, and fell silent mid-sentence.

Since Noi had left, Kardia had been pacing back and forth inside the office. He would circle there and then collapse into the desk chair, circle here and then curl up behind the curtains.

And just as he had thrown himself across the seat of the chair, Ornis arrived.

Sensing his master’s unprecedented posture and truly foul mood, Ornis muttered “ahh…” and tried to make the same doorway he’d entered through into an exit.

“I just remembered—I haven’t had dinner—”

“Cancel it.”

“Eh?”

Having only recently dined at the same table, Ornis half-turned back and looked at Kardia.

“Cancel everything!”

At this rare fit of absurdity from his master, Ornis’s eyes went perfectly round.

“C-cancel—! But the furniture and wallpaper are already ordered!”

Kardia had been preparing quarters for Noi—on the second floor, the sunniest room—having Ornis arrange to renovate it with an interior that would suit a woman’s taste.

But Noi said she was leaving.

And for a reason that made no sense—because she loved Kardia.

(I told her I loved her, too.)

Yet she had not nodded.

(I even said I would offer her my love!)

He had no intention of ever loving anyone else again; there was no problem with giving that love to her now.

But that did not mean Kardia would give it to just anyone.

He had said he would give it because it was Noi.

And still, she said she did not want it.

(She says she loves me, but won’t bend herself.)

And though she gave to Kardia, Noi demanded nothing in return. He had loved that strength, and yet now it hurt terribly.

“Cancel it!!”

After Kardia said the same words a third time, Ornis hurriedly bowed with, “As you wish,” and bolted from the room.