My child 18

Chapter 18. Two-day bond

***

I glared at Bordeaux.

"You're lying again..................."

"Why don't you believe me? Yuna, that's the picture I drew, you can testify."

"Yuna" was the name of the innkeeper. The woman who'd called my name pulled her lips away.

"Yes, Master, that's the picture you drew."

I couldn't bring myself to accuse a woman I'd never met of being a fraud, so I stopped doubting him.

"Okay, I'll believe you for now."

"Your faith is so lacking."

"Isn't it more strange to believe the first person you see?"

Bordeaux shrugged.

"If you say so, then so be it."

"Okay. Where is that?"

"Another place of business."

"What other business do you have?"

"We'll have to stay up all night to talk about that. You're tired."

I nodded.

I was curious about Bordeaux's other business, but more than that, I wanted to rest.

"Follow me."

Bordeaux strode briskly up the stairs to the second floor. Tired, I trudged after him.

***

The room Bordeaux gave me was a rather nice place to spend the night.

The room was spacious and clean, with a separate bathroom and a lot of unnecessary furniture.

"I only need one bed..................."

I thanked Bordeaux with a newfound gratitude and flopped down on the bed.

I felt sleepy as soon as I laid down, probably because I had been traveling a lot.

Just before falling asleep, I stroked my belly and talked to Eddie.

"Eddie. I'm scared to settle down in a new place, but I'm also excited. We'll make it to Ezra tomorrow without incident.”

I passed out, too scared to finish my unanswered thoughts.

The next day, I woke up early and didn't see any other guests on my way to the dining room.

The dining room was deserted except for Yuna and Bordeaux.

"Honey, don't you want a simple breakfast?"

And Bordeaux was still in the middle of a skit. Yuna could only giggle at the sight of Bordeaux.

It was as if they knew about his mischievous side early on.

Maybe they thought we were a real couple.

I didn't tell Yuna the truth because I was leaving anyway.

I just sat at a table where Bordeaux pulled out a chair.

Soon after, Yuna served us a simple meal. It was well-cooked bacon, eggs, and sausage.

I took a big bite of my sausage and glanced at Bordeaux, who sat casually across from me.

"Where are the other guests?"

"I sent them all away."

"Why?"

"I want you to feel comfortable.”

"..."

"You don’t like people looking at you."

I didn’t want to be seen because I had to hide my identity. ................

I wondered why Bordeaux had gone to such lengths to help me.

Why he cared about me, even to the detriment of my business.

‘Does he have a crush on me?’

That was the only reason I could come up with.

"The last thing I want is for you to stare at me."

"But I can't help it. I want to look at you."

"You’re strange.”

"But I can't help it, I was born that way."

.................. This maniac was still the same.

I wasn't sure I could win with words, so I changed the subject.

"I'm leaving today."

"Can I ask where you're going?"

I shook my head.

"If the stars align, I'll see you again, like you said."

Bordeaux rested his chin on the table and replied slowly.

"Okay. If the stars align..................."

"You're not going to follow me again, are you?"

"I told you, I was worried about you out late last night, so I followed you."

"Yeah."

"I think you’re going somewhere far away this time, and I'll be a crazy person if I follow you there."

"Weren’t you already a nutcase?"

"No. I'm a crazy servant to my master."

"..."

"Renee. I'm going crazy for you."

I stabbed the sausage hard with my fork.

"If you're going to keep talking nonsense, get out of my sight. Because you're interrupting my meal."

I growled, and Bordeaux smiled wryly and walked away.

I thought he was gone, but when he came back a few minutes later, Bordeaux was all smiles.

"Here, honey. And drink your milk."

"..."

Giving up on berating him for his natural virtue, I drank the milk he handed me. 

It was fresh milk, damn it.

***

Over breakfast, I argued with Bordeaux about how to procure a carriage for the long journey.

It took about two days of nonstop carriage travel from the capital to Ezra, where I was going.

It wasn't my first time riding a three-horse carriage, but it was my first time traveling long distances.

I wanted to find a coachman I could trust.

My problem was solved by an unexpected person.

"I'm a trustworthy coachman, and I can take you long distances."

Bordeaux, leaning against one of the wagons in front of the inn, had procured the wagon and coachman.

I was away for breakfast, and that's when I found the coachman.

"You don't really believe me, do you?"

Bordeaux was frustrated with my lack of answers.

I was right to be suspicious of him. We were on first name terms.

But somehow, I believed him.

He felt as if he couldn't have gotten a better coachman than the one he'd gotten.

"Well, well. I'm sorry..................."

My continued silence made me think he was mistaken. That I didn't trust him.

A wistful look crossed his face as he spoke.

I finally parted my lips.

"I believe you."

"Really? You're still honey...............!"

I cut off Bordeaux's antics.

"I don't believe you completely, but I'll believe you for getting the carriage."

"I don't know what it is, I'm kind of offended."

Bordeaux's lips puckered at my uncharacteristically respectful reply.

What a strange man.

We'd only known each other for two days, and I didn't understand his insistence that I should trust him.

There was one more strange thing.

I was offended that Bordeaux had sent me on my way, as if he would stick around even if I didn't want to.

"And you?"

I asked for Bordeaux's plan.

Bordeaux's face, which had been completely dead, lit up.

"Am I coming with you? Is that what you want?"

"Oh, no, I'm not asking you to follow me, I'm asking why you're being so stubborn."

"What. Does Renee want me to follow her?"

There was hope in his tone.

"Of course not. No one asked you to follow me, but you've been following me to the point of disgust."

"Because I'm not completely clueless. If I follow you that far, you'll hate me."

"How do you know? If I had followed you, I might have called the authorities. You're my stalker."

"Renee. That's not fair, we had a two-day bond.”

"I only let you stay with me for two days because I care."

"My honey is so well-spoken."

He was a really good talker.

He had never lost a word.

I decided to end the debate.

"Well, thanks anyway. I think I've gotten a lot of help from you anyway."

"Thanks for noticing."

"I mean it when I say thank you, and if we ever do meet again, I'd love to see you again......."

I walked away. I didn't want to make any promises that would get him excited.

"Well, I'll be off then."

That was enough.

If we talked more, I might have gotten to know him.

I didn't want to bond with someone from the Remzi Empire-no, I didn't want to bond with people under the pseudonym Renee.

I didn't want to make a promise that would set someone up for disappointment.

I started to climb into the carriage, but Bordeaux stopped me.

"Wait."

"Anything else?" 

Bordeaux was in front of me in just two steps.

His eyes sparkled beautifully in the morning light.

His eyes, unclouded and pure, were fixed on me.

As we stood face to face, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia wash over me.

I asked, feeling like we had met in a past I didn't remember......

"I'll give you a parting gift."

Bordeaux seemed to be preparing something.

"I like money."

He chuckled at my comment and held out something.

I looked down at it.

"A ...... dagger?"

It was a small knife in a sleek black sheath.

"Yes. Keep it, and use it if you ever get in trouble."

"Thanks."

I accepted the dagger and pulled it out of its sheath. It was an odd-looking dagger, and it certainly looked expensive.

‘I hope I never have to draw it.’

I hoped my future with Eddie would be free of danger. Eagerly, sincerely.

***

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