The first thirty minute went in a flash, and...well, Angel’s smile was dominating the atmosphere. We, of course, ended up using that thirty minute in silence.
After that, another thirty minutes went by. My one hour time-limit was crossed, but I didn’t stress it out loud.
I continued to wait patiently, and Angel’s smile continued to grow...well, creepier? Gentler?
After that, another hour went by in slow motion. It felt like days, to be honest. Is it that effect? When you want time to go fast, it ends up slowing down...while if you want time to slow down, it ends up running pretty fast.
Of course, we both continued our silent treatment. It was simply too awkward.
But when another extra thirty minute went by...Well, my patience simply faded out.
“Look, Angel, It’s been over three hours. Three hours! He might not even wake up today. So, let’s just leave for now and come back tomorrow, okay?”
However, Angel simply shakes her head, “No, I simply cannot leave him be. It is also partly my fault...This is a test to see how apologetic I am!”
I could only frown at hearing that, and was forced to sit back in my own seat.
To begin with, does she not realize that I’ve escaped from the old man’s place?
Does she not realize that they perhaps already realized that I’ve run away?
Ugh. This would only spawn disasters after disasters!
And not only that...I actually...still haven’t bought a crystal gear!!
I tried to reach out to Luke earlier, but he already left. By earlier, I think it was in about...the end of the second hour? He wasn’t really forced to stay here with us after all.
I took in a deep breath to relieve myself from my impatiences, and I truly felt helpless in this situation.
If I leave here, I’ll be seen as a heartless, worthless person.
If I stay here, The old man will, without a doubt, find out. One of the conclusions he might come to is that, I ran away from home in simple frustration...and am not planning on returning. Even if I did plan on returning, I might be in danger. He will probably send some people to search for me. Although...well, I don’t really see it like that after all. What worth am I to someone? The emperor’s wife? What kind of bullshit is that? I’ve been here for so long, and yet I haven’t heard a single word for the so called emperor. I truly think that there is something moving behind the scenes, but I can’t catch a single glimpse of it’s shadows. Who knows, he might not have even cared to search for me at all.
“Sigh. I really shouldn’t be thinking of depressing possibilities. Wait a second, depressing? What is? The lack of attention? ...Did I truly want attention...?”
It’s really hard for me to accept that I’m slowly changing even without myself hardly noticing.
“Why don’t you head home, Lady Kai? I can stay here by myself and tell him that you stopped by. Not only that, you waited many hours for him to wake up in order to apologize!”
I turned to face Angel, who was still gently smiling, “Believe me, I really want to do it. But...well, even I have my own morals. As the puppeteer of this incident, how could I let my puppet apologize while I head home?”
“Aww, what a harsh way of putting it...a puppet, huh. I don’t believe that you have the cold heart of a puppeteer, Lady Kai.”
I slightly chuckled, “Well, you don’t know anything about me...nor do I know anything about you. But, how can I let a woman of your caliber anywhere near a monster--a beast, such as Old man Arthur? You simply don’t know, but he is used to wolfing down married woman!”
I did my own digging after all! But they were simply all rumors I’ve heard from the servants back at the Old man’s house.
Angel turned slightly red, “Indeed, w-we only know each other for what now...a week? And to begin with...I’m not n-nearly as beautiful as y-you...L-lady Kai...”
I-it would...simply be too awkward If I told her that I’m actually a guy...
I truly curse this body of mine, but I don’t regret having it at all.
It could be better, true, but I can’t regret something that I didn’t have a hand in.
“Well, even though I look like this, I’m actually nearly thirty years old...”
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“...........H-huh?”
The redness in her face instantly disappeared, replaced by extreme disbelief.
“I’m not lying,” I smiled, “This body of mine...well, I truly do not know what’s wrong with it...but I think that it runs in the family. Heck, my own mother looks really young! Even though she should be looking like a grandmother!!”
Angel closely studied my expression, “I dare not to believe it,” She quickly answered. “Although you might sound mature...you could still tell jokes like these.”
...It seems she really didn’t believe me.
“Well, it’s up to you whether you believe it or not...well, what I said really isn’t that far off from the truth.”
“E-eh...B-but doesn’t that simply mean...that you’re older than me? N-not that I believe you or anything!”
She seems to have received a shock.
I guess even she would be worried about her appearance, eh?
Women everywhere would always be jealous when someone looks younger than their actual age!
...But I’m a guy! *Cries!*
“U-umm...E-excuse me...”
We both stopped our conversation there, and the young Pedo-beast appeared in his wheelchair.
“Eh. Before you say anything, Alastair...Why doFn’t you have a healer look at you? Those sorts of injuries should be healed in mere hours with their help!”
Alastair looked troubled, but then broke a wry smile, “Well, Esteemed Grandfat--Duke Arthur is too ashamed to show me to the public eye.”
Angel instantly stood up, “Is what you just said true? He’s refusing to treat your injuries?! Please, can you tell me why?”
Alastair looked really flustered as he pondered on how to answer Angel--it honestly looked a bit funny to me.
“...W-well, he is...really ashamed of my behavior...so he banned me from going outside. I also can’t meet anyone aside from the servants...”
I actually felt a hint of pity toward this young man. He had to go through all of that, no? But as soon as I remembered that he was going to assault me--and perhaps he assaulted many more before me--That tiny hint of pity disappeared completely.
Angel clenched her fists in what I presume to be anger, and asked Alastair, “So what did you want to ask us, Lord Alastair?”
“W-well...U-umm, I-I was asked to tell you that you should leave...because i-it’s getting late...”
Angel nodded, then walked behind the wheel chair and began to head toward the exit.
“Huh? Angel, weren’t we supposed to apologize...?”
She answered me with her back facing me, “I only apologize to human beings. Those who do not care about their families are no human beings! They are simple beasts.” And walked away.
Are you telling me that even you have a twisted side inside of you? I can guess that one of your family left you when you were young...no?
“Wait a second, if you’re not going to apologize...then where are you going!?”
“To the healing center!” She shouted.
And just like that, I wasted four hours of my life on nothing...and not only did I not get anything, when I returned back home...I got severely punished! No more games! Not even chess! Even If I end up buying a crystal gear, it’ll get confiscated almost immediately! Why do you wonder I know that? Because he confiscated the one I bought on my way back! I separated from Angel, and returned on my own! Not only that, I’m now really grounded, with people guarding my door to make sure I don’t leave.
People, this is what happens when you have good will within your hearts!
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Author note: I ended up catching a fever, because yesterday I had a long drive from school to my friend's house. The outside world is not for the likes of me...just a little bit of tiredness made me catch a fever! So, I really wasn't in the mood for writing. But, I really didn't want to stop writing. So! I ended up finishing the arc with character development(That I hope I didn't screw up!) rather than comedy. Why? Because I really couldn't think of anything funny.
P.S: I MADE IT TO THE TOP 50 MOST VIEWED OF THIS WEEK! RANK #49 NOW! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!