Waiting and Waiting (2)

A chill ran down Theorad's back. Cold sweat gathered on his forehead while the last mouthful of pudding remained on his tongue.

Was that one prank too many?

Lately he had found himself teasing the elf more and more, simply because her reactions delighted him. Perhaps he had crossed a line without realizing it.

He swallowed, cleared his throat, and spoke cautiously.

“I'm sorry. If you didn't find it funny, I apologize.”

The elf regarded him with an unreadable face. Her half-lowered red eyes made the silence almost unbearable.

At last she sighed, as though choosing to forgive him, and opened her mouth once more.

“Ah.”

It was an unmistakable request. Theorad offered another spoonful, this time putting it where she expected. The faintest smile touched her lips.

Thank goodness. She's forgiven me.

They finished the pudding together. When Theorad set the empty plate aside, the elf asked quietly:

“…Was it good?”

“Of course. I don't know which shop you bought it from, but it was excellent.”

“I'm glad…”

She turned her head and fidgeted with her fingers, looking as though she wanted to say something but could not bring herself to do it.

Finally, with an embarrassed glance, she spoke.

“Actually, I made that pudding with my own breast milk.”

“…What?”

Theorad froze. The thought of eating pudding made from the elf's milk caught him so completely off guard that he began coughing.

She kept her gaze lowered and covered her mouth, playing the part of someone too shy to admit what she had done.

“Why… why would you do that?” he managed.

Before he could finish, the elf burst into laughter.

He should have been annoyed. Instead, he found himself smiling. It had been far too long since he had seen her laugh so freely.

“Idiot. It was a joke. How did you like it?”

“I liked it.”

“Of course you didn't—wait. You did?”

She blinked in astonishment.

“I got to see you smile. How could I not like it? If you want to play tricks on me, go ahead. I'll be happy to be your victim.”

“Ah…”

Her victory evaporated. She had expected to turn his own teasing against him, but instead he'd answered with such warmth that she could think of nothing to say.

That's unfair…

She lowered her eyes. Her cheeks grew hot, and her pointed ears trembled. If Theorad noticed how quickly her heart was beating, he would surely find some new way to tease her.

She stood and headed for the door.

“Are you leaving?”

She could not bear to look back. Biting her lip, she turned the knob and hurried into the corridor.

“Hmm…”

Left alone, Theorad rubbed his chin.

“What did I do wrong this time?”

For all his careful thought, he could not find an answer.

---

Later, Theorad left his guest room and boarded the carriage at the appointed departure time. Ashley and the elf were already inside. Despite the carriage's spaciousness, the elf sat by the window and avoided looking at him.

When he asked what was wrong, Ashley only laughed and said she did not know.

The carriage passed through the warp gate and returned to Deharem Mansion. Theorad greeted his household, then retired to his office and threw himself into the work awaiting him. Though he had little direct influence over the Empire, his obligations within Pelgaroin and his contribution to the new regime kept him busy.

Three days passed.

Then the mansion courtyard became the scene of an unusual planting operation.

“Dig deeper! Make certain the ropes are secure around the trunk!”

“Chief Chamberlain! There are stones under the soil. Should we keep digging?”

“Those aren't stones, they're boulders! Get them out and keep going!”

Havid had crossed the sea to the commercial city of Yebrinus and arranged the purchase of a cherry tree bred to bloom throughout the year.

The trouble was its size. The servants had removed the courtyard paving and begun digging, only to discover rock after rock beneath the surface.

“Honestly! Move aside!”

Havid rolled up his sleeves, climbed into the pit, took a shovel from a servant, and began digging himself. His determination shamed the others into working harder.

Beynon, still recovering from his injuries and walking with crutches, arrived in time to witness the labor.

“Grandpa. What magnificent enthusiasm.”

Havid's forehead creased.

“If you admire it so much, come down here and help.”

“I would love to, but I'm a patient, remember? Chocolate?”

Beynon produced a piece of chocolate with a wicked grin. Havid refused to rise to the bait and took his frustration out on the work instead.

“All of you! This tree must be planted before sunset! Move!”

“Yes, sir!”

For another three hours the servants cleared stones and widened the hole. Then, under Havid's direction, they lowered the great root ball into place with ropes.

They watered the roots, worked the soil so no air pockets remained, and filled and firmed the earth around the trunk.

By the time the work was done, the sun was setting. Havid stood back to admire it, exhausted and proud.

Beynon approached with a clean towel.

“Honestly, Grandpa. Was all that effort worth it?”

“The head of the house is going to propose beneath this tree, you fool.”

Havid clicked his tongue and wiped the dirt and sweat from his face. His fine coat was filthy, but he hardly noticed.

Against the sunset, the pink cherry blossoms drifted through the air. The tree was spectacular, a fitting setting for a marriage proposal. Even Beynon, who had never cared much about flowers, had to admit it.

“Well. I can see why it cost so much.”

It seemed strange that the boy Havid had watched grow up was now preparing to ask someone to marry him.

His eyes strayed to Beynon's black eyepatch.

“Does your eye still trouble you?”

Havid remembered why the knight had been wounded: protecting the people of this household. Beynon, for his part, had no shame in his injuries. They were the marks of a duty honorably fulfilled and a debt repaid to Wellion, the house's former master.

“It's a little inconvenient, but nothing I can't live with. Besides, an eyepatch makes me look like a man with a mysterious past.”

“If you're so capable, when do you intend to marry?”

“What? Where did that come from?”

“Not from nowhere. You're a good man and an accomplished knight. Why not find someone worth sharing your life with?”

“Usually you introduce a woman before giving that advice. If you're really worried, find me someone.”

“A woman…” Havid mused, folding his hands behind his back. “There was a witch who came to see you when you were hurt.”

“Dremes?” Beynon snorted. “Very funny. As though she'd be interested in me.”

“You won't know unless you ask.”

Beynon dismissed the idea and looked back toward the flowering branches.

“Anyway, when is the young master going to propose to Lady Ashley?”

“She'll be here in two days. I expect he'll ask her then.”

“So that's why you've been in such a hurry.”

“Of course. He's endured enough hardship. It's time he had some happiness.”

Havid smiled quietly as the cherry petals drifted around them.