"Hoo, what's a kid doing in a place like this? I almost got hurt."
...It wasn't.
It was a voice slightly lighter than Aen's.
I stared blankly up at him.
He also looked at my face and his eyes widened.
After a moment of silence, I was the first to speak.
"Um, hello."
"You are..."
The man – Aen's adjutant – looked down at me with a bewildered expression.
Still in his arms, I gave an awkward smile.
Just then, a knight came running urgently from afar.
"So, sorry! Are you hurt anywhere- Ah, Miss Lucia?"
"Hello."
The knight of the Magic Knight Order, who had become quite friendly with me through classes with Aen, looked surprised to see me.
Naturally getting out of the man's arms, I greeted him.
"Are you here to see the Commander? But the Commander is currently-"
"Sir Robert, do you have time to chat idly?"
"Yes, yes?"
"The Commander has told you to be careful, very careful, when handling magic!"
"Ah, that..."
"I will report this matter to the Commander, so stand by until orders are given."
"Kuh, yes..."
The knight turned away with a face as if holding back tears.
The adjutant looked back at me with a complicated expression and said.
"What brings you here, Miss? I thought you didn't have class."
His tone was heavier than before.
His expression was also somewhat stiff.
'He wasn't originally like this.'
I had often encountered him while taking classes with Aen.
Each time, he had a reluctant expression, but after some time, we became quite friendly and even had friendly conversations.
But now he looked like...
'He looks like he wants me to be scared and run away.'
Unfortunately, Aen's adjutant was not good at acting. Although he had a cold expression, his eyes were trembling and he was sweating.
His fingers also twitched uneasily for no reason.
I stared at him for a moment and said.
"I came to see the Commander."
His shoulders flinched at my answer, and he said with a troubled face.
"What should I do, the Commander is currently out on business..."
"I know he's here."
"......"
"Perhaps... did he say he didn't want to see me?"
Teary-eyed.
I looked up at the adjutant with a face that looked like I was about to cry.
Of course, it was acting.
'I know Aen is somewhere here.'
But even Marin found it difficult to pinpoint where he was hiding.
So I was trying to get there with the adjutant's help.
'It feels a little... heartbreaking though.'
My heart ached just from the fact that Aen was avoiding me.
Was that why?
"Did he say he doesn't like me anymore?"
My tearful face and trembling voice added sincerity.
"That's not it, I mean, ah..."
The adjutant, seeing my tears, didn't know what to do.
As knights began to gather wondering what had happened, he hastily reached out to me.
"I understand. I don't know what will happen, but... I'll take you to where the Commander is, so don't cry, stop. Take my hand."
I looked at the large hand extended in front of me.
Belatedly, the adjutant tried to withdraw his hand with a "oops" face.
"......Thank you."
I held his hand tightly.
And I looked up at him.
His eyes trembled greatly, and he put strength in his neck and said.
"Then let's go!"
"Yes...!"
The place the adjutant took me was not Aen's quarters...
"Here is..."
"These are the temporary quarters for apprentice knights. It is currently not in use, but because of illegal occupants..."
He sighed deeply as if troubled.
"Let me tell you in advance, this place doesn't have air circulation, so it's colder than the outdoors. Also, it hasn't been cleaned, so it's very dirty. Are you still okay with that...?"
He asked carefully.
His eyes already saw me as a member of Rodbel and a princess. That's why he was asking. Could I step into that place that didn't suit me?
'What on earth is he talking about.'
I wanted to scoff.
'Such a place is familiar to me.'
Cold, dark, and cluttered.
But...
'Such a place doesn't suit Aen.'
Why was Aen hiding so deeply in such a place? My determination to meet Aen became even stronger.
"Yes."
"Hoo, I understand. Let me say one last time... I can't guarantee that you'll be able to meet the Commander."
"Yes."
"Yes, then..."
He approached the door. Knock, knock. He knocked on the door with the back of his hand.
"Commander, it's me. Dot Ebin."
I learned his name for the first time today.
Dot Ebin spoke, but there was no reply.
He sighed deeply, as if he expected this, and said to me.
"Actually, he hasn't even been answering for two days. We only occasionally confirm that he's safe... So..."
His expression became awkward.
I could tell what he wanted to say without even hearing it.
"Why don't you go back today and come back tomorrow..."
"Can I see him tomorrow?"
"...I can't give you a definite answer."
Yeah, I thought so.
"Yes, then I..."
I turned to the door.
The door was very thin. Moreover, Aen's senses were several times that of ordinary people. He was probably listening to this conversation too.
I said pointedly.
"I'll keep waiting here."
"Yes, yes?"
Dot Ebin looked down at me with a surprised expression.
It was a look that said, what reckless nonsense.
Not nonsense. I'm serious.
I also answered with my eyes.
"Ah, no. What I mean is... The sun will be setting soon. The temperature will drop further, are you going to keep waiting here?"
"Yes."
"...If that's the case, I'll talk to the Commander so that you can meet soon. So please go back today. We'll be in trouble if you get sick, Miss."
"It's okay. I have a medic waiting and I'm strong."
To prove it, I thumped my chest with my fist.
However, Dot Ebin's face only became paler.
"It won't do! I'll take you back to your room, so please go back today-"
"I know you're busy. Thank you for bringing me here. You can go now."
"Miss!"
"I'm really okay."
Dot Ebin became even more anxious at my stubborn answer.
I know why he's doing that.
'He'll have to take responsibility for Aen's absence.'
Currently, the position of Deputy Commander of the Magic Knight Order was vacant.
'That's why Vansis starts as Deputy Commander in the future.'
That's why, with the Commander locked in his room now, the adjutant has to somehow lead the Knight Order.
Fortunately, it was a period of just training without any special schedules, so it was relatively relaxed.
It was 'relatively' speaking, so it was difficult to take a long break.
That's why he's so anxious.
I feel sorry for him, but I have no intention of going back.
And there was also a reason why he had to disappear.
"Haa... Are you really okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"...Don't overdo it."
"Yes."
The adjutant looked at me with a worried face until the end and then left the building.
I waved goodbye to him and then turned to the door.
Actually...
'I thought he would open the door by now.'
The tightly closed door was like Aen's heart, and my chest ached.
But I didn't waver much and strode up to the door.
And.
Thump-
I sat down on the spot.
Leaning my back against the door, I gathered my knees and rested my face on them.
'It's cold...'
Sitting there, the cold from the ground rose up and made it feel even colder.
But it's okay.
Compared to the time I spent all night lying in front of his grave one winter day, this is nothing.
'Right.'
Also, unlike that time, this time.
"...Aen."
.......
"Are you very angry?"
My voice, not an empty soliloquy, is clearly being conveyed to him.
That's enough.
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