Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Tsk tsk, so young! You should have a taste of the bitter world out there. Ah, you’re someone who has everything. What would you know about the bitterness of the world?

“Yes, I have to study every day.”

“Fine, I’ll trust you. But I’ll keep an eye on you.”

What in the world? Why are you watching? But I swallowed the words in the nick of time.

“Let’s go eat.”

This is suffocating. I think I’m already full. But if I ran away, there’s no saying how he would retaliate. So followed him like a leashed animal.

Should I say he is conscientious? Or was he just doing it for his own comfort? Because the place Kirsec took me to was not the hall I usually used.

This hall was much grander, and the table quite spacious. This must be where he typically dines.

In the end, I dined there and had to overeat again. Kirsec was quite concerned with my meal, as if he was making up for the times he couldn’t feed me.

As soon as I empty my plate, he would order his servant to refill it. I valiantly swallowed everything he gave me, hoping to escape Kirsec’s evil presence once I’m done, even though I felt close to death.

It was an excruciating experience that made me feel like I had sated my appetite for a lifetime.

Kirsec put down his fork as if he had finished eating, and I finally felt the time for liberation approach.

I also tightened my throat and put down my fork.

“Are you done?”

“Yes.”

“Well, let’s get up.”

“Yes!”

I nodded enthusiastically. I was so happy that I almost cheered. But of course, I didn’t actually do it. That would put me in danger of vomiting out the food I was desperately trying to keep down.

I instead focused on stopping my lips from trying to curve up at the thought of escaping. I’m dying of joy!

As soon as I left the restaurant, I gave Kirsec a deep bow.

“I’ll be on my way, then. Thank you for the meal.”

He’s a guy who’s obsessed with greetings, so I was extra polite. But as soon as I straightened my back, I notice Kirsec’s crumpled face.

I suddenly had a bad premonition.

“……Where are you going?”

“… Where are you going?”

Doesn’t that question seem to imply I can’t go anywhere now? It’s ominous.

“I’m going to study.”

“You said you studied every day. But you’re going to do it again?”

His tone revealed his irritation at the thought of someone studying every day. I’m obviously doing it for my future, but I answered carefully since I don’t know what sort of emotional bombardment I’ll have to endure if I say this.

“Yes…”

“Is it because of Commander Hertman? You’re being forced to study, right?”

“No, I chose to do it.”

Kirsec was looking at me like I had grown two heads. You don’t have to do anything because you’re born with a golden spoon, but I’m not. Leave me and my future alone.

“Then you should take a break for a day. You follow me today.”

I almost screamed at Kirsec’s declaration. A short while in his company was painful enough. What does he mean by ‘follow him all day’? The time for my liberation is moving farther away.

Was it annoying that I wasn’t answering? Kirsec’s lifted an eyebrow.

“Why? You don’t like it?”

I don’t even know how he is able to express his annoyance with a single eyebrow at such a young age. I can see a sliver of that dark soul.

“I have to study…”

“So you don’t like it?”

I could see him gritting his teeth and his expression hardening. I shouldn’t be surprised. He caught me with such determination, it was foolish of me to believe that he would let me go after having just a meal. He must not have properly finished harassing me. If I say no now, I’ll probably get beaten up.

“No, I’ll play for one day.”

Kirsec loosened his expression and patted me on the shoulder to show that he liked my answer. It seemed like the gesture of a cunning manager who stole the new employee’s report. In a satisfied voice, Kirsec shouted.

“OK! Let’s go outside.”

“Where are we going?”

“Have you ever seen a horse up close? Have you touched one?”

Horse? The horse that runs fast and likes carrots?