(EP-202.1) Flower Aira #3
202 – Classroom Flower Aira #3
After Serazade’s intrusion, the peaceful tea party was turned upside down.
“Such insolence! It wasn’t enough that she interrupted the tea party, she’s even going on with provocation…!”
If even Mirna, who usually didn’t show much emotion, frowned and trembled, it was clear how much of a magnitude Serazade’s visit was.
“Hey, Aira. You should have said something. Why did you stay silent like a fool? It’s gonna look like we lost…!”
Elga was also visibly upset.
She didn’t like the fact that Aira didn’t say anything back to Serazade. From Elga’s perspective, it was a reasonable thought to have.
On the other hand, Aira looked relatively relaxed.
“Everyone should calm down~. Serazade, that wench’s purpose is to create chaos like this. Like throwing a stone onto a calm lake. She enjoys the ripples.”
Despite saying this, the tea in Aira’s cup had a slight ripple.
It was such a small wave that one wouldn’t be able to notice it, unless they were sitting right next to her.
It meant that Aira was also harboring some anger.
Still, it was fortunate that Aira didn’t make a scene in front of Serazade.
If Aira had grabbed Serazade by the throat with her telekinesis, I couldn’t bear to imagine what would have happened.
Ripple, ripple.
However, the seemingly insignificant ripple started to be noticeable.
“Hey, Theo. What did you do to make Serazade tailing you like this? How messed up were you to cause something like this.”
After the tea time lecture, Elga dragged me to a secluded corner and started to vent her frustration.
“… You, will any woman just do for you? She’s… she’s a bit extreme, don’t you think!”
It seemed like there was a misunderstanding… Elga might be thinking that I had an affair with Serazade, and that was why Serazade reacted that way to me.
Attempting to seduce a foreign Empress? Did Elga really think that? Well, if such a thing were to happen, it could potentially lead to political and national complications…
“She’s got a small chest like a kid! No different from a nymph. Are you saying you like anything if it’s a woman?”
“…….”
… The chest was the problem.
“It’s not what Elga-nim thinks. I have never seduced or flirted with Serazade-nim.”
“Hmm? Really?”
Elga didn’t seem to trust me.
Our level of trust was limited as it stood, but considering that I once confidently talked about creating a harem and having lots of children in front of Elga….
However, I swore I never had such plans for Serazade. I wouldn’t stop her if she came, but I was not so confident as to reach out first.
Anyway.
It took quite a while to convince Elga. But my sincerity seemed to have reached her, as the misunderstanding has been resolved to some extent.
However, how would I tell Mirna?
And what about Aira?
My vision darkened a little at the thought of explaining everything again. Perhaps this was what Serazade aimed for. The fact that I needed to explain myself made her strategy already half a success.
Once people started doubting, there would be no end to it.
But what Serazade overlooked was the depth of trust Aira had in me! There might even be no need for further explanation.
Indeed, returning to her room, Aira didn’t ask for any explanation as she showered and changed into comfortable pajamas.
Watching Aira close her eyes as she prepared for bed, I couldn’t help but feel a moment of relief as this tumultuous day finally came to an end.
“Theo.”
Then Aira’s eyes, which I thought were closed, were looking up at me.
“Does Aira-nim need anything?”
“Do you think so too?”
“What do you mean?”
“That if you were under the command of another Queen or leader besides me, you might have been able to rise higher.”
Aira was asking such a question?
“Why would you say such a thing? This is not the confident Aira-nim that I know.”
The Aira I knew would have confidently said, “Of course, I know how to handle and treat people better than anyone else~.”
In that sense, the current Aira seemed uneasy.
It was as if her nature, inertia, or sturdy frame was slightly shaken or formed a crack.
However, upon reflection, this was only natural.
Aira was also human.
She had recently come of age and been burdened with the crown. It was natural for her to feel uneasy and shaken at times.
Wasn’t this normal?
Perhaps Aira was in the process of returning to normalcy. From someone who seemed like a mannequin, numbed by various events, to an ordinary person.
Seuk-
Meanwhile, Aira’s eyes were unblinkingly facing me, which left me uncertain about where to place my gaze.
How was it that people in this world had no aversion to looking into the eyes of others?
I couldn’t help but wonder how I appeared in those eyes, making me suddenly conscious of the expression on my face and how I looked to her.
“Theo.”
Breaking the momentary awkward silence, Aira called me. It was something I’d noticed, but she liked calling my name like this.
“You’ve always been different from others since the first time I saw you. You don’t seek honor. You don’t desire a high position or wealth.”
“Me?”
“Yes. That’s why there were times when I couldn’t understand. What is it that makes you so loyal to me?”
“Um-. Of course, isn’t it because I’m already being rewarded for being able to serve Aira-nim? The fact that a former slave like me can closely work with….”
I wasn’t able to finish my sentence.
“━━─.”
Edited by: faker
