Aisha's eyes flickered.
"So, he grabbed her wrist?"
"Yes."
"What... what did she say?"
Aisha, her eyes wide, questioned in an anxious tone.
"He just held it firmly. She said something, but Sylphy* couldn't make it out. Ah, why does she look so shy?"
"What?"
"I can't watch this anymore. I'm done. Sylphy needs rest, too."
Drrrrr-
Siena, with a scowl, rose from her seat.
"Where are you going?"
"Why ask the obvious? I'm going to where Theo and that woman are."
Siena moved towards the door.
"No, you can't!"
Aisha, rising from her seat too, blocked Siena's path.
"Why? Move, Aisha. I can't look at this anymore. I won't just watch."
"No, you can't...!"
"Why can't I?"
"Theo... Theo hates that sort of thing!"
Aisha blurted out in haste.
In truth, she wasn't sure whether he hated it or liked it.
She just said it to stop Siena.
'I need to fix this fast. Before that mad elf does something...!'
Theo was a quick thinker.
If Siena storms over now, he'll surely connect it to her.
He'll come straight to this room.
If she were alone, she could have excused herself like, 'Ah~ I was dining here too. Such a coincidence to bump into you~', but eating with Siena, who's not too friendly with her, is... odd.
Anyone could connect the dots.
She can't make him angry again.
If he turns cold like before...
'I can't even imagine it.'
With this thought, Aisha racked her brain quickly.
And soon, she thought of a good plan.
"First, let's send Jang Woohee. You want to go yourself so you can see it personally, right? So, let's send Jang Woohee first. If it's Jang Woohee, she can watch as close as a spirit would!"
After saying this, Aisha looked at Jang Woohee.
Her eyes pleaded for help.
"Okay."
Jang Woohee nodded her head calmly.
She was curious too.
'The prophet... I didn't know Theo was like this.'
She finds it hard to believe.
"Then I'll go immediately."
Jang Woohee, rising from her seat, met the gazes of Aisha and Siena.
"Yes... Yes! Siena, are you okay with this? Let's calm down for now. We need a plan. Storming into their room without one won't accomplish anything."
"Ugh, fine. I'll wait a bit. But don't take too long. I'm not overly fond of those who smell like you."
Siena nodded and reclaimed her seat.
"Alright."
Creak─
Jang Woohee exited the room.
Only the main meal and dessert remained.
For the meal, the options were Jjajangmyeon (noodles in blackbean sauce), Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodles), and fried rice.
"What would... be good, Theo? I'm familiar with fried rice... but I don't know what Jjajangmyeon and Jjamppong are."
Irene looked at me with hopeful eyes.
Hmm, what would be a good choice?
Jjajangmyeon is likely the best option as Irene often eats pasta.
Jjamppong is spicy, and there's a chance the soup could splatter on her white clothes.
"I believe Jjajangmyeon would suit your palate, Irene. We'll both have Jjajangmyeon."
I turned to the waiter, who was politely standing nearby, hands clasped in front.
"Understood, sir. We'll prepare it immediately."
The waiter bowed and exited the room.
"Wow..."
"What is it, Irene?"
"That's impressive. I thought you were like me, but... but you know quite a lot. Did you look into food like this on your own?"
"Yes."
Of course, I didn't look it up.
I've known about it all my life.
My inner self has lived at least 10 years longer than these students.
"To be honest, I didn't expect such a night. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is wonderful... I'm happy."
Irene smiled, her cheeks flushed.
"But that makes me... even sadder. Because I can't be sure of this happiness."
Irene's smile twisted momentarily.
"What's the matter?"
"...You, that time. What you did before entering the academy. You haven't... apologized."
I stared at Irene impassively.
She looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
A mournful smile played on her light pink lips.
"Do you mean... that time?"
"Yes... In the forest by the Waldeurk Estate. You have transformed so wonderfully now... Honestly, I hate myself for thinking it's connected to that. I should trust you..."
Irene's voice broke as she spoke.
"I tried to be patient... but it's too hard. I want to hear even a little bit. I'm not saying you should beg for forgiveness or confess all your wrongdoings here...
But just enough to ease it a little. If I could feel that today's happiness is real... then it would be okay."
With that, Irene bowed her head.
"..."
This is difficult.
Extremely so.
I don't know what happened in the past between Theo and Irene.
After all, Theo was just a third-rate villain extra who should have left in the earlier parts of the game.
It was sudden.
Really sudden.
Considering Irene's character, this must have been weighing on her heart for some time.
And judging by her attitude, it's likely whatever happened was quite traumatizing.
I can't imagine how it must feel.
She must be extremely confused.
"...Sigh."
To maintain an outward composure, I bolstered [Twisted Noble's Dignity] with the [Amplification Orb].
And then I thought quickly.
I need to find out what happened in the past.
I'm to inhabit this body for more than three years minimum.
I don't know what threats there might be.
It's better to reduce the risk, to reduce any chances of death.
It's a threat from a past I don't know of.
It can't be helped, it's unfair... but it can't be helped.
'I can't ask Irene.'
The easiest way to find out is to ask Irene directly, but I can't do that.
If I did, she would be deeply disappointed.
But eventually, I came up with a solution.
'Before entering the academy. In a forest by the Waldeurk Estate.'
Waldeurk Estate.
In the original game, it was home to a grand noble family shrouded in many mysteries and the lineage of a renowned warrior.
'I'll go there.'
What happened between Theo and Irene.
The sin that Theo committed in the past.
Waldeurk Estate should provide the answers.
After organizing my thoughts and as I was opening my mouth-
"..."
I felt as if someone was watching us, or to be precise, me.
Similar to Siena's spirit magic, or Amy's intuition.
Whether it's an exceptional ability or an inherent characteristic, Theo's senses are quite excellent.
Thanks to [Observer's Eye] and these senses, I was even able to detect Jang Woohee last time.
'Who could it be.'
There's no sign.
They were very well hidden.
I only feel a sensation of being watched.
If it's at this level of stealth...
If it's an individual capable of moving this covertly within the academy...
'Jang Woohee.'
It has to be her.
Did she follow me all the way here?
'I don't understand why.'
But the fact that she's watching is clear.
I need to find out why.
If I peek through the window now, she will vanish without leaving a trace.
'Then...'
I should make her leave a trace.
I know Jang Woohee's weakness well.
She's young.
Inexperienced.
Her emotional fluctuations are noticeable.
I looked at Irene.
"Irene."
"Yes."
I rose from my seat and moved towards her.
And then—
"Oh, eh... what?"
I abruptly enveloped Irene in an embrace.
