“Yes. I will… check… next time… and tell… you.”
Although Tsuare could act normally in the house and with Sebas, she still showed an adverse reaction to the outside world. She could not handle any tasks that required her to leave the residence and as such, jobs like procuring ingredients fell to Sebas.
There was nothing lavish about Tsuare’s cooking. They were simple home-cooked meals.
For this reason, they did not need expensive ingredients and the shopping could be taken care of quickly. Sebas as well, he was able to learn about many different ingredients and managed to acquire information on the foods of this world. He considered it killing two birds with one stone.
All of a sudden, Sebas proposed an idea.
“…Shall we go buy them together?”
Tsuare’s face showed great surprise. Then, growing scared, she shook her head. Her complexion turned for the worse and she began to sweat heavily.
“No, I’m… kay.”
Sebas thought it was to be expected and did not let it show on his face.
Ever since she started working, Tsuare never tried to do the tasks that required her to go outside. She locked up her terror by regarding this residence as the absolute castle walls that protected her. In other words, she was only able to move after drawing a line separating here and the outside— the world that hurt her.
However, at this rate Tsuare would never be able to step foot outside. And they could not hide her forever.
Considering Tsuare’s mental condition, Sebas knew that it was cruel to tell her to go outside after only a few days. The safer option would be to give her more time so she could slowly adapt.
However, that was for when they actually had the time to spare.
Sebas had no intention of settling down and spending the rest of his life in the capital. He would always be a stranger to this land, who was only here for information. If his master were to order that he withdraw…
In preparation for that day, he had to impart her with various possibilities while he still could.
Sebas stopped and stared directly at Tsuare. She blushed and tried to lower her gaze but he covered her cheek with his hand and raised her face.
“Tsuare, I fully know that you are frightened. But be assured that I, Sebas, will protect you. I will destroy any harm that may come your way.”
“……”
“Tsuare, place your foot forward. If you are scared then I do not mind even if you have your eyes closed.”
“……”
He grabbed Tsuare’s hand while she still hesitated and spoke the words that he knew would be mean to her.
“Do you not trust me, Tsuare?”
As time dragged on, a curtain of silence hanged heavily over the hallway. Tsuare’s eyes grew slightly wet as she parted her rosy lips, revealing her pearl-like front teeth.
“…Sebas-sama is un…fair. I can’t refuse if you say it… like that.”
“Please rest easy. Although I may not look it, I am quite strong. There are only a few apart from the 41 who are stronger than I.”
“Is…that…a lot?”
Tsuare giggled at the ambiguous number, believing it to be a joke to console her. Sebas simply chuckled and did not answer.
Sebas continued his stride. Although he knew that Tsuare was stealing glances at his profile, he did not mention it.
He knew that Tsuare held some tender feelings for him, one that could not quite be called love.
However, Sebas felt that those feelings were something that was indoctrinated into her, like a feeling of reliance for the benefactor who saved her from that hell.
Sebas was also an old man and it was possible that Tsuare was mistaking familial love with the love between a man and a woman.
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