Volume 4 Chapter 39 Interlude - In the Sunlight
This mansion seems to be called a haunted house by the children in town.
The girl understand why they would say that. After all, the enormous mansion built on the mountainside is covered in various plants, as if rejecting anyone who approaches.
But the children probably don't know.
The one living in this mansion is the strongest demon that even ghosts would flee from.
Now, the girl push the wagon carefully, making sure the hot water in the pot doesn't spill.
She walk down the carpeted hallway and see the study she was looking for.
She knock on the door and then open it.
"I have brought you some tea."
"Roze, huh? I apologize."
In the study, Larkan Mines was watering the potted plants. Without a coat or weapon, he wore a well-tailored shirt and pants, looking like a nobleman's son.
Roze doesn't know the Larkan who fights on the battlefield. The only thing she vaguely remembers is when she was picked up in the burned-down town. He carried a halberd on his shoulder and held her with his free hand. The gentle warmth of his touch on her burnt skin.
Everyone calls Larkan a demon of war.
A merciless killer without blood or tears.
But Roze knew. That he was very kind and warm on the inside. That's why he lives in a place like this, so as not to scare the demons in town.
Suppressing conflicting feelings of wanting to be recognized by others and wanting to keep it a secret, Roze prepared the tea.
Her favorite tea set was a gift from Larkan on her twelfth birthday.
"Please, Larkan-sama."
"Thank you."
Larkan takes a sip of tea and places his hand on Roze's silky black hair.
He strokes her with a touch as gentle as handling fragile objects. It was the moment that made Roze the happiest.
"It tastes even better. You've improved."
"I mixed in a slightly different type of tea. It has a better aroma."
"I see, it's good to be enthusiastic about research."
After that, Larkan and Roze enjoyed a peaceful tea time.
Larkan will probably go back to the battlefield again. And when he returns, Roze will brew him warm tea.
For Roze, who has lost everything, that is her only reason to live.
In the soft afternoon sunlight, Larkan observes the plants.
"Larkan-sama, you seem to like plants."
Even though she didn't mean it that way, her voice sounded somewhat sulky.
Larkan noticed or maybe not, he turned towards her. Just being stared at by those eyes made her small feeling of jealousy disappear instantly.
"Yeah, plants are nice. No matter how they bend, they never lose sight of the light in order to live. I like those who are lost rather than those who grow straight."
"What is your favorite plant?"
"I don't have a favorite, but there is something I'm currently nurturing the most."
"It seems like you're nurturing all of them."
It was a mysterious question.
Roze tilted her head and thought.
Larkan's hand rested on her head again. The comforting scent of iron and the sun.
"Even someone like me, who only takes, can nurture something. Roze taught me that."
"――!"
Roze understood the meaning of his words and looked at Larkan with a bright red face.
Embarrassed, happy, and a bit annoyed at being treated like a child after all.
When she looked at Larkan's face with those feelings, she couldn't help but retreat. It's unfair.
"You are also the most important to me, Larkan-sama."
Did those pointed words reach him?
Will they disappear like a child's play or steam?
Nevertheless, Roze engraved those words in her heart.
Even if the whole world turns against him, even if there is an opponent that even Larkan cannot defeat, she will still be on Larkan's side.
That is a dream from the past. A vow of a little girl.
The memories that will never return, but they certainly existed.
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