Suspicious Tea (2)

The first thing Ethan and I did upon returning to the Star Palace was pack for our trip to the Witch’s Forest tomorrow.

Since it was a long journey requiring us to depart at dawn, not packing in advance would surely cause trouble tomorrow morning. If we weren’t careful, we might even arrive late.

As for the carriage and coachman, Seraphine had arranged them before leaving, so there were no issues. She said the coachman was trustworthy, so I figured we’d just have to quietly trust him.

Anyway, Dietmeyer, who had remained in the imperial capital just in case, would be returning to the Blackwood territory tomorrow with the Blackwood carriage. Since he was going anyway, he’d also inform Harold about Ethan and me returning late, so preparations were perfect in every way.

“Clothes packed, food packed, camping gear packed…”

“Did you pack the insect repellent perfume, Lillith?”

“I put that in a portable bag instead of the luggage. We’ll probably need to use it frequently once we enter the Witch’s Forest. You should carry one too, Ed, and reapply often. There are dangerous poisonous insects in the Witch’s Forest.”

“Got it.”

That was the conversation we had while packing our travel bags a few hours ago.

After that, we just washed up, had dinner, and rested, and before I knew it, the night before our departure had arrived.

“…So much has happened in just a few days.”

Defeating MacHart, the boss of Part 4, and the demon Ivelin, revealing to Seraphine that I’m the true Saintess, planning the summer vacation events, my date with Ethan, and even the incident with Cat’s grandmother…

It was an incredibly packed week, hard to believe all that happened in just a few days. And this was before the main summer vacation event of had even started.

“Feels like I forgot something… Ah.”

Oh right. I still haven’t asked Ethan about his wish.

I’d promised to grant him a wish if the MacHart situation was resolved, but since he hasn’t mentioned it yet, I figured it’d be better if I asked first.

“Should I ask him tomorrow in the carriage? Ah, but Agnes will be with us, so that might be awkward?”

Ethan would undoubtedly make some lewd request, and I couldn’t exactly say that in front of Agnes.

Of course, as I mentioned before, when Ethan chooses to voice his wish is entirely up to him. Maybe he doesn’t have anything he wants from me right now.

But I didn’t like the idea of letting this drag on for days until the wish fizzled out. Once spoken, especially a form of compensation like this where I owed him, letting it fade away felt like a matter of pride.

“But asking him outright now might seem like I’m pressuring him to decide quickly…”

It would be nice if there was a casual opportunity to ask, but dinner time had already passed, so there was no good excuse to call Ethan over.

We had to leave by carriage first thing tomorrow, so inviting him for a drink now felt a bit odd.

‘Make sure to drink this only when you’re alone with your lover.’

“Ah.”

Right, now I remember.

I pulled out the gift from Catherine Millie that I’d stashed in my luggage, unsure when to use it, and checked its contents.

“Alcohol might be iffy, but tea should be fine.”

Even if we were leaving tomorrow morning, there was plenty of time for a cup of tea. Tea would be gentler on the body than alcohol anyway.

Several pinkish tea leaves, as if dyed by something. Opening the gift, which even included instructions on the proper amount to use, I checked the details.

“One serving. For brewing, use about 6-7 tea leaves with 500mL of boiling water, steep for 3 minutes… When drinking, be sure to maintain eye contact with your partner and savor the aroma…”

Since it was a gift meant for lovers, the amount was barely enough for two or three cups.

Wait, so people without lovers can’t even drink this tea? The instructions strangely poked at wounds from my past life.

Well, it was obvious the gift was meant for me and Ethan anyway.

-Sniff, sniff.

“There’s a faint scent, but…”

The aroma from the leaves themselves wasn’t particularly strong. Maybe it would bloom when hot water was added.

“…We won’t have a chance to drink this once we’re in the Witch’s Forest, right?”

It didn’t seem possible to leisurely drink tea in a cramped carriage or the Witch’s Forest, and Catherine Millie’s condition of drinking it alone with a lover would be impossible once we were on the road.

That meant today was effectively the only opportunity. After returning from the forest would be too late, and things like this usually have expiration dates, so drinking it sooner would be better.

Since I had something to ask Ethan anyway, I decided to use this as an excuse to finish it off. Holding the tea leaves, I knocked on the door to the next room.

-Knock, knock.

“Ed, do you have a moment?”

Surely he wasn’t already asleep.

He might have gone to bed early considering tomorrow’s schedule, but fortunately, Ethan’s voice soon answered from beyond the door.

“Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

“There’s something I want to talk about. Can I come in for a bit?”

“…Ah, yeah. Come on in.”

-Creak.

Ethan, who apparently hadn’t gone to bed yet, was sitting at a table working on something.

Come to think of it, he’d been handling paperwork earlier today too. He’s really diligent, even here.

Still in his uniform instead of sleepwear, he must have been quite busy. Though I wasn’t sure what exactly he was so busy with.

“What’s wrong, Lili? Nightmares again?”

“…I told you that was over. Do you think I’m some kid who can’t sleep without someone next to me?”

“Glad to hear it. …Though if you ever want to sleep together, nightmares or not, I’m always available…”

“Huh?”

“Ah, never mind.”

How bland. Walking to the small table in the center of the room, I sat down as Ethan, who had been working at his desk, quietly approached and took the seat across from me.

“If it’s not nightmares, then what brings you here?”

“Nothing much. Just thought we could have a cup of this.”

“Huh?”

“The tea leaves Catherine Millie gave us. Remember the gift from the perfume shop?”

“Ah, that thing.”

After my explanation, Ethan quietly looked at the tea leaves in the paper bag and spoke.

“We won’t have time to leisurely drink tea later, so I figured now’s the only chance. At least until we return from the Witch’s Forest, we won’t have time alone together, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Catherine Millie said to drink it with a lover, so I couldn’t drink it alone. Since I remembered it now, I thought I’d share it with you.”

“…L-lover…”

“W-well, we’re not really lovers, but we are temporary lovers, right? Besides, it’s obvious Catherine Millie gave this to us, so this is the intended use, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah, that makes sense.”

Understanding my point, Ethan rang the bell to call a servant and requested a teapot of boiling water.

Opening the lid of the hot teapot, I dumped all seven tea leaves inside and quietly closed the lid again.

A strange aroma began to slowly rise from the spout of the teapot.

-Click.

“It should be ready in 3 minutes, Ed.”

“Okay.”

“So, want to talk for those 3 minutes? Actually, that’s partly why I came at this hour.”

“Huh?”

Ethan tilted his head, seemingly surprised that I had something to say, but soon nodded as if he’d figured it out.

“Sure, I don’t mind talking alone with you. So, what did you want to discuss?”

“…It’s about Prince MacHart from a while back.”

“……Why bring up that dead bastard?”

Ethan’s expression darkened at the mention of MacHart, so I quickly corrected myself.

“Ah, no, I phrased that wrong. What I meant was, after Prince MacHart died, you kinda brushed off the conversation we were supposed to have.”

“Conversation we were supposed to have?”

“…You didn’t forget, did you? I promised to grant you one ‘wish’ if the MacHart situation was resolved.”

“……”

“…E-Ed?”

Don’t tell me I was the only one who remembered this promise?

Maybe Ethan never cared whether I granted his wish or not, and I was just overestimating its importance?

Perhaps he was planning to let it slide, and I brought it up unnecessarily? As these thoughts swirled in my head, Ethan thankfully nodded as if he’d been waiting all along.

“E-Ed…? You didn’t forget about the wish I promised, did you…?”

“Of course I remember.”

“…Ah, I see. I thought maybe you’d forgotten to tell me your wish.”

“How could I forget? It’s a precious wish granted by Lili-something I could never forget.”

“……”

“So… does this wish have to be used right now, Lili?”

“……Ed?”

With a strangely pressuring tone, Ethan leaned in, forcing me to awkwardly avert my gaze.

What’s with this atmosphere?

Somehow, Ethan feels… different from usual?