Chapter 180: Did you put peach in it?

A dining hall exclusively for a single person, Mardian. Its scale was extraordinary.

Even the somewhat splendid dining hall of the annex seemed shabby in comparison.

Gold-plated decorations along the walls, luxurious chandeliers, and intricately crafted silverware. Luxurious items filled the space.

It was so extravagant that the food placed on the table seemed humble in comparison.

Fortunately, it seemed Mardian viewed it positively.

“…Tina, did you make all of this?”

“Yes… it may not look impressive, but the taste should be fine.”

“No. It’s more extravagant than any dish I’ve seen.”

A vegetable salad with chicken, creamy potato soup, freshly baked bread, and lastly, a perfectly cooked steak.

It wasn’t the kind of high-end dish you would expect, but I was confident in the taste.

Mardian took a spoonful of soup and a bite of the bread. Slowly savoring it, a subtle smile appeared on her lips.

“…It’s really delicious. The best in the world.”

She looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“You’re really good at cooking, Tina.”

“…Thank you. Please, enjoy.”

It was an honest and unpretentious compliment.

Watching Mardian enjoy the food I carefully prepared made an unexpected warmth rise in my lower stomach.

My lips twitched as if they were about to form a smile, but I kept my composure.

But I couldn’t just be happy.

Because the only thing I had prepared for Mardian wasn’t just food.

I subtly shifted my gaze. Two glass cups on the cart caught my attention.

Cups filled with clear, transparent liquid. They looked identical on the outside, but only one contained real spring water.

The other… contained ingredients I didn’t want to mention.

“…No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t feel right.”

The sense of self-loathing and shame I felt while preparing that drink. Thinking of it twisted my stomach.

I remembered the time I had caused a ruckus in the bathroom for a long while. With tears in my eyes, scolding myself, feeling the unbearable shame as I cringed against the wall.

I wanted to forget it. It would undoubtedly remain as the most embarrassing memory of my life.

But even after all that effort, I still couldn’t find the courage to offer it to Mardian.

Of course, I tasted it first.

It wasn’t a pleasant thought to drink from my own cup, but I couldn’t just offer it to Mardian without trying it.

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a sip.

…Surprisingly, it was okay.

Just as Lilian said, it was truly pure liquid.

Surprisingly, it was clearer and more refreshing than ordinary water. As it gently slid down my throat, I felt as though it was cleansing deep within my body.

It made me feel even more invigorated.

There was a reason why it was called “holy water.”

However, even though it was fine for me to drink, giving this to Mardian was a completely different issue.

It was a lie, and in some ways, it could be considered an inhumane act.

She would unknowingly drink the liquid mixed with my essence, believing it to be pure water.

No matter how pure the holy water was, ethically, it wasn’t something I should do.

It seemed better to call Lilian and have her resolve the issue instead.

After a long period of solitary contemplation, I ultimately decided to give up.

I made up my mind to offer Mardian a glass of pure spring water.

But before I could act on my decision…

Mardian, who had somehow come up beside me, picked up the glass.

“Can I drink this?”

The glass she held was, of all things, the one with the striped design. It wasn’t the glass I had filled with water.

I gasped. Why did she pick that one?

“No, that’s not okay!”

My body reacted first. I quickly reached out and snatched the glass from her hand.

As Mardian stared at me with a confused expression, I handed her a different glass.

“D-Drink this one.”

Mardian stared at me without saying a word.

With a look of curiosity. A look of suspicion. She didn’t ask, but her gaze was sharp as it pierced me.

“…So, um… this is the water I’ll drink! I already touched it!”

I blurted out the excuse that popped into my mind.

But the outcome wasn’t as I expected.

At the mention of “I touched it,” Mardian’s eyes sparkled strangely.

“…You want to drink that?”

Her eyes lit up as she reached her hand toward me.

“No, Mardian.”

“Could it be… poison?”

“What?”

“Like how you poisoned the saint… are you trying to poison me too?”

I blinked in disbelief. The absurdity of her words left me speechless.

Poison?

Me?

Why on earth?

“No, that’s not possible!”

Just as I was about to stand up in surprise, Mardian’s eyes gleamed brightly, and she quickly snatched the glass from my hand.

“Ah!”

There was no time to regain my composure. Without hesitation, Mardian brought the cup to her lips and gulped down the liquid in one go.

Gulpp—

With the sound of her swallowing, her throat moved.

I could only stare blankly as Mardian finished the drink.

“…It’s not water, is it?”

Mardian squinted one eye and glared at me.

Her suspicious gaze made my mind go blank. My face heated up as if I had been burned.

“Ah, well, uh, I mean…”

My words tangled as they came out.

My mind wasn’t functioning properly.

What should I say?

Should I honestly tell her?

No, that would not be good. If she knew what I had her drink, she would definitely be angry.

It’s not something a human should do, right?

I wouldn’t just sit back if I were her. Mardian wouldn’t be any different.

But I can’t lie either…!

“Peach?”

Mardian’s voice cut through my chaotic thoughts sharply.

“Huh?”

“It’s really sweet and refreshing. It tastes like peach… did you put peach in it?”

She tilted the cup again. As if not wanting to miss a single drop left at the bottom, she drank the last bit in one go.

“It’s delicious… You know how to make drinks too. Impressive…”

“……”

I was speechless.

Mardian quietly moved closer and without hesitation, embraced me.

I couldn’t even open my mouth, entangled in her arms.

“Can you keep making this for me…?”

Her bright eyes sparkled so much that I couldn’t bear to look at her directly and turned my gaze away.

“That… It’s hard to make, though…”

“Oh, so you can’t… I’m sorry, Tina. I was wrong…”

The corners of Mardian’s eyes drooped.

Her expression was like that of an abandoned puppy, and my heart sank.

I felt even more sorry for her. I carefully reached out and gently stroked her head.

“Mardian, more importantly, how are you feeling?”

“…How am I feeling?”

Mardian slowly pulled away from my arms and raised both hands to examine her body.

She waved her arms once, then opened and closed her fingers. Then, tilting her head slightly, she muttered as if something seemed off.

“…I feel light. The headache seems to have disappeared too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Tina, I guess it’s because I ate the food you made.”

For a moment, she left my embrace. But soon, Mardian dug into me again, resting her body against mine.

She’s still as clingy as ever. But judging by the brightness in her voice, it seems that the effect is definitely working.

I fell into brief contemplation.

I know it’s a lie. But if Mardian can be happy, wouldn’t it be okay?

In fact, it’s beneficial for her body, and most importantly, she wants it herself, so there doesn’t seem to be any problem.

After all, the shame and guilt are mine alone to bear. So nothing should go wrong.

…Isn’t it said that ignorance is bliss in situations like this?

“If that’s what Mardian wants, I’ll do it.”

I turned my head, trying to hide the warmth spreading across my face.

It seemed she was really happy to hear that. Mardian opened her eyes wide and smiled brightly.

“Really?”

“Yes…”

In an instant, my hand was grabbed. Then she pulled my hand above her head.

As if asking me to pat her.

Her cute gesture made a smile unconsciously appear on my lips.

Just a few years ago, I never could have imagined Mardian acting this way toward me.

“I can’t live without you, Tina…”

Her desperate voice made my chest ache painfully.

I gently smiled and looked into her eyes.

“Yes, I’m not going anywhere, so don’t worry.”

The last person I need to ask forgiveness from.

So, I’ll stay by your side until the end, Mardian.

***

Sometimes, on nights when my mind is full of thoughts, sleep doesn’t come easily. That was one of those nights.

Most of the lights in the mansion had been turned off, and even the last remaining fire in the hearth only gave off a faint warmth.

The night was filled with a stillness as if holding its breath.

I watched the dwindling campfire, holding my knees to my chest.

“Did you arrive?”

I slowly turned my gaze. Half of her face covered, Rushel was standing there.

“…Yes.”

“What is this, speaking so formally?”

“I won’t if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Rushel spoke to me, who was much younger, without hesitation, using polite speech.

Should I call this being sharp or socially skilled?

A small laugh escaped me. I stood up, brushing the dust off my knees.

“Do as you please.”

I handed her the prepared coin pouch.

She accepted it without a word and tucked it into her chest.

“What about lovers?”

“Most of them are just harboring slight complaints. But…”

“Erina probably has a lot of complaints, right?”

“Yes.”

Erina was just as greedy as Rushel. However, due to her lack of social awareness, she wasn’t as favored as Rushel.

And now, with Mardian’s attention entirely focused on me, the person who would likely be most dissatisfied was surely Erina.

“I hope there’s nothing I need to fix.”

“…I’ll try to convince her.”

Rushel understood right away, without needing further explanation.

Seeing how capable she was, I almost felt like handing her another money pouch I had prepared, just in case.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Rushel. I don’t like hurting that person.”

I gave her a faint smile.

It was only for a moment, but her calm expression cracked, and confusion flickered across her face.

“…Of course.”

A doubtful gaze.

I felt a little unjust. I hadn’t done anything so wrong to deserve such a look.

“…You should go inside.”

Rushel, as if there was no need for further words, immediately left her seat.

After she disappeared, silence returned once again.

I quietly sat in front of the campfire. The firewood was now nearly extinguished.

I closed my eyes slowly, listening to the occasional wind rustling the leaves.