Ch.282282. Cold and Cruel

“What are you doing.”

Deia, who was waiting outside the gate. Even though it was summer, the cold wind still blew in Norsweden.

Seeing Deia wearing just a thin sweater gave me a different impression than usual.

Should I say it was somewhat casual?

She always carried the responsibility of the Verdi family who oversaw the north, but today it felt like she had shed a layer of that burden.

That’s why it couldn’t help but feel somewhat strange to me.

“Didn’t you ask for help because you had something to do?”

I thought that since she asked to go downtown, it would naturally be for an inspection or something that needed assistance.

I expected something like introducing me, the second son of the Verdi family and a Spiritmaster who had returned, to the main officials in town?

But Deia’s attire didn’t look like that was her intention at all.

She brushed back the hair that had gently settled on her shoulders and showed slight annoyance.

“Not really?”

The question of why she called me lingered in my mouth, but somehow I felt like I shouldn’t ask.

Deia’s expression also seemed to dare me to open my smart mouth.

‘Hmm.’

Finally, feeling a subtle pressure, I stepped outside the Verdi household with her.

The downtown area was quite busy.

Even though the cold wind was blowing, this was the warmest time of year in Norsweden, but it was also because of the cleanup of the debris from the battle with Ranhart.

Still, seeing the members of the junkyard helping out, it looked like the cleanup would be finished today.

“Isn’t the street nice? I really like walking here.”

Deia, walking a step ahead of me, looked around contentedly as she spoke.

A love for Norsweden.

I don’t know why it had taken such a firm place in her heart.

But it must be because of that love that Deia still works hard for this place, holding her pen and racking her brain.

“Didn’t you say last time that you wanted to be born in Greyfond?”

Recalling her words about wanting to live in Greyfond, I teased her, and she quickly turned her head to glare at me.

“That was just a joke, okay?”

Judging by her sharp glare, she must consider it an embarrassing memory.

Well, I don’t think it’s a particularly painful topic, but since she doesn’t like it, I won’t mention it further.

Deia pranced through the streets. From the way she naturally greeted people as she passed by, I could tell that she often walked the streets like this.

One of Deia’s good habits was deliberately eating street food to get a feel for the city’s atmosphere.

“Hmm.”

It’s nice to calmly walk around and feel the streets, but I wish she would tell me her intention soon.

Why did she call me?

‘I’m a bit worried.’

Could it be because of what Darius said yesterday? I found myself wondering if there was such an intention behind Deia’s actions.

‘Sigh.’

And I also know how disrespectful that would be to Deia. I felt annoyed that Darius had planted unnecessary thoughts in my mind.

While I was lost in thought, Deia’s footsteps came to a halt. I wondered where we were going, and we arrived at a small vacant lot.

Weeds sprouted here and there, and pipes and wrenches that had been used for repairing nearby buildings were scattered around, now serving as children’s toys.

Other than that, this empty place was Deia’s destination?

I couldn’t help but wonder.

Perhaps feeling my questioning gaze, Deia scratched the back of her head and awkwardly replied.

“No, it’s not time yet, so I thought we’d wait nearby for a bit.”

“What are you planning to do?”

It was about time she told me. Deia knew she couldn’t hide it forever, so she answered hesitantly.

“Ahem, a photo studio opened in Norsweden. We’re going there for an inspection.”

“…Inspection?”

This isn’t the Republic of Clark. Does it make sense to go for an inspection just because a shop opened?

Thump.

Deia’s light punch shattered my doubts. Her fist touched my chest, and she avoided my gaze.

Her true intention slipped out quietly.

“Let’s just take a photo together.”

“……”

If Stella or the Dark Spiritmaster were here, they would have called me clueless.

I kept my mouth shut, knowing that saying anything more would only embarrass Deia. She turned her body abruptly and headed into the vacant lot.

There wasn’t anything special there, but she seemed to be trying to hide.

“If we go to a cafe or restaurant, rumors about your return would spread faster. Even now, except for the mansion staff, everyone is confused about whether you’ve really returned.”

Deia briefly explained why she brought me here.

“Then I should have covered my face.”

“No. If I did that, strange rumors would spread that I have a boyfriend or something. It’s about finding the right balance.”

We had already been seen by citizens while walking here, but Norsweden is diplomatically isolated like a puddle.

It meant that rumors that spread inside would take quite some time to reach the outside.

After all, few people visit this cold northern region even in summer. It’s not like we have tourist attractions.

“By the way, how is she? Soho?”

“She still needs time. I don’t know what choice that child will make.”

“Poor child.”

Being raised to be eaten is no different from being livestock. She may have felt affection for them, but even a caretaker cherishes pigs and cows until they’re slaughtered.

“She needs to overcome it on her own.”

Otherwise, she won’t be able to live independently.

“…Sometimes you seem almost cruelly cold.”

“You misunderstand. This is how I’ve always been.”

I just show a slightly different side to those close to me.

When I added that, Deia made an expression that was both uncomfortable and pleased.

Trying to hide it, she checked her watch with exaggerated movements.

Seeing that there was still some time left, she awkwardly changed the subject.

“I heard you went to the Han Empire? How was it?”

Unable to ignore my sister’s effort, I overlooked her awkward tone and explained what I had seen in the Han Empire.

After about 30 minutes had passed.

Deia, seeing that it was time, pulled me out of the vacant lot, and we arrived at the photo studio that was indeed nearby.

The studio owner greeted us quite enthusiastically, but we just exchanged brief greetings and immediately began preparing for the photoshoot.

The preparation room had a mirror, combs, wax, simple cosmetics, and even scissors for cutting hair.

“Wow, this is quite professional.”

But that wasn’t all.

There were concept outfits, wigs, glasses, earrings, necklaces, and more.

Seeing the various items laid out, it was clear that the owner was quite serious about his business.

“Impressive.”

When we sincerely expressed our admiration, the photographer behind us scratched his head shyly.

“Not at all. This is all thanks to the young master.”

“Him?”

The photographer suddenly mentioned me. Deia also pointed at me with a puzzled expression.

“You know Claren, right? The city teeming with artists.”

Claren, the city of artists.

It was the place where I met Owen and his grandfather, and I also remember fighting with Dina, Dante’s monster artist.

I also helped create a festival so that the monsters created by artists could naturally dissipate.

“I heard that the young master created a festival there. That’s why the festival was renamed to the Spirit Festival.”

“They call a festival by that name? For artists, they don’t seem to have much sense.”

I agreed with Deia’s sarcasm. Honestly, I wished they had chosen a more normal name for the festival.

“Thanks to the festival, many changes have occurred in Claren. Even without the festival, many people in disguise walk the streets. As a result, there are more tourists.”

“……”

“More photographers have emerged, and some photo studios cater to tourists who want to take pictures in costume.”

So the hungry artists are finding their own ways to survive.

That’s not a bad change.

“But you’re doing that here? I don’t think it would work well in Norsweden?”

From a business perspective, the photographer’s sense seemed somewhat dull. Despite Deia’s sharp observation, the photographer smiled and replied.

“You’re right. But I didn’t want to keep photography just as a hobby. Well, don’t worry, my other businesses are doing well.”

If he says that much, there’s nothing more to say. I didn’t know, but it seems he’s quite wealthy in Norsweden.

Deia came up beside me and whispered.

“He controls the construction sector in Norsweden. He’s also close to Darius.”

“I see.”

“Especially since Ranhart made a mess and left, his pockets must be quite full recently.”

So the photographer is just pursuing his hobby.

After boasting about the cutting-edge magic camera made in the Republic, the photographer left to prepare.

We were left alone.

Thinking there was nothing special to prepare, I was planning to just take the photo as is, but Deia pulled at my clothes and sat me down in the chair in front of the dressing table.

“Your hair has grown too long. Let me cut it for you.”

Deia brought over the hairdressing scissors and stood behind me. Having been left in the general store for several months, my hair had indeed grown quite long.

But I wondered if it was okay to entrust it to Deia.

“Don’t worry. I have some experience.”

I don’t know where she gained such experience, but I entrusted my hair to her hands.

Snip, snip.

Deia skillfully handled my hair, cutting it bit by bit. My initial anxiety naturally dissolved as I watched her professional hand movements.

“Hehe, this is fun. Moving Deus’s head around.”

Was it fun for her to direct my head this way and that?

The small smile on her face was much more innocent than her usual one.

“Why did you ask that yesterday?”

Then suddenly.

Out of nowhere.

Deia blurted out a question. The snipping of the scissors felt eerie as the atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

The slight trembling of her hands transmitted through my hair.

Why?

Why was she asking this now, at this moment?

I wondered but answered calmly without showing any agitation.

“Darius was worried about something strange.”

“What kind of worry?”

Saying this would probably add to the reasons why Deia dislikes Darius.

But that was Darius’s problem to deal with.

“That you might have feelings for me.”

But since I heard yesterday that it wasn’t true. I spoke calmly, and Deia replied just as calmly.

“I think that’s right.”

Snip, snip.

Cut hair fell on my shoulders and slid off smoothly.

It was just a moment, enough for just one snip of the scissors, but the time felt strangely long.

Deia’s eyes in the mirror were looking at me.

“Deia.”

I.

“His Majesty mentioned you before. He said that since you’re of age, he could introduce you to suitable noble young men.”

I awkwardly changed the subject, just as she had done in the vacant lot.

But.

“I also think it would be good for you to meet noble men and gain such experiences.”

There was a hidden message.

As a brother, I heard words I shouldn’t have heard. But instead of addressing them directly, I subtly expressed my rejection.

“……”

Deia’s scissors stopped.

But only for a moment; she soon resumed skillfully trimming my hair.

As my previously covered nape began to show, Deia smiled slightly and replied.

“I’m already busy enough, where would I find time for dating? And you know I don’t like that kind of thing.”

With those words, she put down the scissors.

By now, my hair had been cut to a length similar to what it used to be.

Deia quickly turned around and began preparing for the photoshoot.

Since the preparation room was quite small.

“Cold.”

Words I didn’t want to hear.

Even the woman’s voice tinged with moisture reached me.

“And cruel.”