"Look at that, Sienna! I can't believe it." lina was crouched down over one of the garden beds, watching the tiny sprouts. Sienna looked at her curiously from her spot on the large rock in the sun, not quite understanding what she was so excited about. "I'd better water them."
lina hurried over to the well, lowering the wooden bucket down and then hauling it back up. Then she poured the water into the watering can and began her rounds in the garden. First, she watered the tiny beet, carrot, leek, and lettuce sprouts. Then she watered the chilli, hot pepper, and tomato seedlings, and finally she turned her attention towards the strawberries.
"lina," Master Gilbert called, and judging by the tone of his voice, he wasn't happy, or rather, he was even grouchier than usual. lina could already guess why. She had managed to evade the problem yesterday, busying herself in the shop and later with cleaning.
She even woke up early, preparing breakfast for herself and Master Gilbert in advance, to avoid eting him eye to eye. But there was no way she could keep avoiding him.
"Yes, Master?" She turned towards him with a bright smile, hoping to soften so of his anger. Judging by how his arms were crossed over his chest, it wasn't working.
"We need to talk," the old baker grumbled, and even Sienna grew tense, looking at him and then at lina. She could sense trouble.
"What about?" She chuckled nervously, plucking out a small weed that had taken root among the strawberries.
"You know what. Co inside." He disappeared into the house, and lina went to pick up Sienna.
"I might be in trouble," she whispered to the wyrm. Her steps were slow as she walked to the kitchen where Gilbert sat at the table, tapping his finger impatiently. In front of him was the letter that Alistair had delivered to them yesterday.
lina sat across from him, trying to remain calm under his piercing gaze. One would think that, having lived as the most powerful [Archmage] of her ti, there wouldn't be much that scared her. But in front of Gilbert, lina felt like a child—in this case, like one who had eaten all the freshly baked cookies by herself.
"Tell what this is?" Gilbert grumbled, pushing Alistair's letter forward.
"I believe it's…" She wanted to say that it's Alistair's letter, but knew that playing the fool would not be doing her any favors. "I'm sorry, Master."
"I don't need apologies. I need an answer. Why would the lordling send another letter asking for the recipe of "apricot raspberry caral haphazardly incorporated therewith elderberry cream tart"? What is this nonsense?" He poked his finger at the place in the page where it said that.
It really did sound nonsensical at first, but it didn't take much for lina to figure out exactly what Alistair was asking for—a more concrete location of the architect. He had likely formatted his request this way in case so curious post delivery boy decided to snoop on the contents inside. Not that any postn would ever even see the letter, but Alistair didn't know that.
lina took a deep breath. "I altered the last letter telling Lord Sinclair that there was an architect located in this region."
I promised not to lie to Master Gilbert, so I have to own up to my actions. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised if he decided to throw out after this—I've caused him nothing but trouble. But even if he does, I do not regret trying to help Alistair.
Gilbert sighed, exasperated. "What is it with you and that boy? Whenever he is involved, your reason goes straight out the window. Never with anything else, just him. Why is that? Is it related to your past as a mage?"
A few days ago, lina had told Gilbert so of the truth about what happened—she felt he had deserved to know. She told him that she was a powerful mage once, which was why she had no issue channeling mana through Sienna. She also revealed that ti has been turned back. lina didn't reveal that she was the one to rewind it or what had happened to the world, or her connection to Alistair.
She hesitated to talk about her past with Alistair, but Master Gilbert had already picked up that her feelings towards him defied reason. She nodded. "Alistair was a close companion of mine. We traveled together, fought together, we…"
"He was your lover?" Gilbert asked, deadpan.
"No!" She shook her head in a hurry. "Alistair was already married by the ti we t. I was nothing more than a friend."
Pity crossed Gilbert's features. "Girl, isn't it ti for you to let go?"
"I-I'm not chasing after him, Master. I understand that no matter how many tis ti is rewound, so things just cannot change. But… he's saved my life. More than once. I wish to repay him in whatever way I can."
Gilbert let out a sigh. "Why can I never pick up normal things? Instead of a horse, I get a nightmare. Instead of an apprentice, I get a ti-travelling mage. Fine, do what you will, but don't forget that Alistair is not your friend in this lifeti. He is a nobleman and a System user under the Church's command. You have to think of yourself first."
The old baker stood up and hobbled away. lina took the letter, looking down at Alistair's handwriting.
Master Gilbert is right. The Alistair I knew before is not the sa Alistair I know now. I know that old Alistair was trustworthy. But his younger self—I don't know. If he reveals the location of the architect to the Church, then who knows what they'll do with the creature? The consequences could be… disastrous.
But I can't have him rember the past either.
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