“Jellika? Yeah, I remember her but I never actually interacted with her.”

Zecruix remembered his first impression. Spunky and wild, she was about to assault Zecruix when Volkara stopped her.

“What’s this got to do with her?”

“… You went inside right?”

“Yeah but a female guard named Volkara was the one guiding me around.”

“… Really?”

Varius with a doubtful expression was eyeing Zecruix sceptically.

“You like this Jellika?”

Roschev while eating nonchalantly said it but the reaction Varius was showing was sudden. Hearing that, he immediately jolted and his face was reddening.

“W-What!!? I-i…”

He stammered.

“Oh, so that’s it…”

It was such a childish reason but Zecruix finally knows the reason for his hostility. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Don’t laugh!”

“Sorry but I thought I did something terrible to you but come on, it’s kind of hilarious in a way.”

“We’re all man here…”

Roschev with a slight smile comforted the red-faced Varius.

“Well, let me assure you, I have no interaction with her other than she tried to attack me but I will give you an advice, you’re too possessive. I mean what is your relationship with her anyway?”

Zecruix felt like some part of his master has rubbed off onto him as he felt like teasing the young Varius.

“We both kind of grew up with each other in this village. Back then, we were both loners. She was quite wild and violent and I was too socially… inept. After some trials and errors, we became ‘friends’ of a sort because we often play with each other at that age. I eventually realized my feelings for her… but… it wasn’t the same for her.”

Varius was getting depressed the more he talked about it. Sensing this, Zecruix cleared his throat. Varius sharply glared at his interruption.

“Sorry but I think we need to get straight to the point here. Roschev and I can probably help you if you tell us what is your current relationship with her right now and how is your interaction with her of lately?”

Roschev nodded in agreement.

Varius made a worrying look but –

“Right now, we’re still friend… maybe it had downgraded to acquaintance. I always go see her earlier morning in the market sometimes when she’s accompanying that manor’s owner younger sister. We exchange a few words and small talks but nothing progress to a personal level… I’m scared at this rate, I’m gonna lose her…”

He said the last sentence in a whimper.

“So you knew me from?”

“When I saw her with the rest of the bodyguards and the sister this morning, she was acting weird and edgy, so I tailed her from the shadow. It was then arriving at the manor, I saw you, a good looking guy gallantly standing there.”

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Zecruix was amused at how much that sounded like praise and how much hostility he had gain just by standing around. Good-looking was the last thing that he thought of himself.

“Too possessive.”

“Yeah, you hated me just for existing.”

He now knows the pleasure that his master had derive ever so sweetly.

“Shut up! I can’t help it! Every male that approached her have ulterior motive!!”

He yelled vehemently. After he did, the two families between them turned their heads towards their table.

Varius shrunk his body in embarrassment. After things looked as they had settled down, Zecruix who had been thinking after his outburst finally looked at the calmed Varius.

“Okay, first, I never been into a relationship but I have observed couples, married and newly. I advise that you need to take a direct and straight-forward action because so far, you’d been passive. She seems like the sort of ‘action speaks louder than words’ girl, so try to show your affection to her by sending flowers, give her foods and anything that is physical.”

Roschev had finished his meal after Zecruix finished his advice and faced towards Varius.

“Been in a relationship once, it depends on how long you known the girl… If you just met, it’s easy to be in a relationship… If you been a friend for long, it’s harder… In your case it’s the latter.

My advice, keep your adoration in moderation… If too much, you might destroy what… you currently have with her right now.”

“Yup.”

Zecruix affirmed in agreement to Roschev’s advice. Varius nodded with a serious expression.

“… Thanks, you two.”

He shyly muttered.

“No problem, anyway we’ll advise you again after you this case is over. Speaking about the case, I wondered how you two met with Vaneri and Hervan?”

“Met those two while wandering around three days ago… they said something about mercenary job… I signed up since I could make something on the side.”

“I met those two after I had followed Jellika. They told me that there was some trouble going on the manor. Thinking about Jellika, I got worried, so I signed up immediately.”

They both answered fully without hiding anything. Zecruix felt a little relieved because there was no tension between them.

“Was surprised it escalated into something big.”

“Yeah, demons… I hope Jellika is alright…”

After a while, they had small talks and conversation while enjoying the atmosphere.

After an hour, they decided to call it a night and Zecruix and Roschev went back to their inn.

He safely reached the inn and greeted the innkeeper, who was still bartending the ever rowdy patrons, still hanging and drinking to their content.

He got up to his room and after washing himself and changing clothes, he lay down on the bed and he had no difficulty in falling asleep that night.