Episode 38: How Did I Sell Myself Out?
The familiar Margaret's restaurant, the familiar seat, the familiar two workhorses.
"...Wasn't it you who called out? Why are you so nervous?"
"Never mind that. Just let order the food this ti."
Since that day, Aeron had made up his mind—he would never let Zani touch alcohol again during their als.
Damn it, he never wanted to experience being a pile driver again. Alcohol causes trouble, alcohol causes trouble!
Seeing Aeron's expression as if facing a great enemy, Zani could more or less guess what was going through his mind.
Alright, she admitted she had gotten carried away before, but taking a step back, Aeron definitely had his own issues too. Besides, she had been under the influence of alcohol at the ti.
'Though actually, I was faking it... Better not tell him that.'
"Fine, you order."
Zani crossed her arms on the table, leaning slightly forward, her eyes fixed on Aeron.
"...Could you stop looking at like that? It brings back bad mories."
"You say that, but you didn't resist at all back then."
"Do I look like I could have resisted?"
"Was it because it was that you weren't happy about it?"
"...I'll refrain from comnting on that."
After getting her response, Zani withdrew her gaze, leaned back against her chair, and curled the corner of her mouth slightly.
In her eyes, Aeron's rare look of being cornered yet stubborn was far more pleasing than his usual air of having everything under control.
At the very least, she knew this man wasn't as shrewd as he appeared in certain aspects.
After Aeron finished ordering, a brief silence fell between them.
A peculiar atmosphere flowed between the two—not awkward, but not as casual as re colleagues or friends either.
They were both smart people who wouldn't show their emotions on their faces. This unspoken understanding was enough to convey what two seasoned adults wanted to say.
"So then,"
In the end, it was Zani who broke the silence first.
"You called out specifically—it wasn't just for a al, was it?"
"What if I said I missed you, Zani? Would you believe ?"
"You'd better have."
Zani smiled as she studied the Aeron before her. Though it hadn't been long since their last eting, sitting together with soone special was always a joy.
And this was still during work hours—paid ti off. Thinking of this, Zani's mood grew even brighter.
"..."
Until she noticed what Aeron was wearing around his neck.
"That thing on your neck," Zani's gaze lingered on his neck, her tone betraying no emotion, "where did it co from?"
"This? It's a thank-you gift from Ciaccona. Sort of like a protective charm."
Zani didn't respond imdiately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes shifting between the quill pendant on the necklace and Aeron's face a couple of tis, then picked up her glass and took a sip of water.
"...Helping? Did you go cause trouble for her again?"
"No need to put it so harshly..."
Zani set her glass down with a soft "tap" on the table.
"There was a bit of a problem, and I helped her out. That's all."
"Who asked you that?"
Weren't you just asking about that?
But Aeron certainly didn't dare say that outright, having experienced Zani's thods before.
"It's just a private matter. This ti, the situation was genuinely quite troubleso."
"Personal connections," Zani repeated the term Aeron had used, drawing out the syllables slightly.
"It seems our little clergyman's social network is surprisingly extensive."
"After all, what I need to do next will require her assistance as well."
Another brief silence fell between them, just as the server arrived with the pizza (Aeron's standard order). Yet neither made a move to start eating.
"...Didn't you always say you just wanted to live a peaceful, ordinary life?"
"That remains my life's motto. I'm constantly working toward that goal."
"Between internal family conflicts, the Fractsidus, and now this situation—your actions completely contradict your words."
"When soone targets , I have no choice but to eliminate the obstacles first."
"So," Zani picked up a slice of pizza but didn't bring it to her mouth, "you specifically called out today to arrange your 'final affairs'?"
"More or less."
For once, Aeron didn't respond with his usual banter. He picked up a slice of pizza and slowly began eating it.
Ah, the thought of going without Margaret's pizza for a long ti still saddened him sowhat.
"Right now all of Ragunna is preparing for Carnevale. I plan to use this period to... attend to so personal matters."
Hearing this, Zani—having known Aeron for so many years—understood what he ant to say. Her hand paused briefly before she slowly brought the pizza to her mouth, chewing deliberately and swallowing before speaking.
"How long will you be away from Ragunna?"
"Don't worry, no matter what happens, I'll definitely return before Carnevale begins."
"Mhm." Zani acknowledged without pressing for details or offering comntary.
"But I won't completely neglect matters here in Ragunna either, so..."
"You ca to , wanting to keep an eye on things for you?"
Aeron didn't deny it, leaning forward slightly, his tone more serious than ever before.
Because this was the first matter in all this ti that he couldn't handle alone, which was why he had approached Zani.
"The Blessed Maiden currently with Montelli needs protection. Carlotta is busy with family affairs and can't spare the ti. I have so minor secrets I can't let Rover know about. Ciaccona... well... I can't think of anything she could do at the mont."
"What about Phoebe?"
"To be honest... she's probably the least of my concerns."
After all, Phoebe's greatest flaw was simply being on good terms with Aeron. Since Aeron absorbed most of the Order's criticism, the devout, gentle, and kind Phoebe had beco the darling of both the Order and the local community.
Moreover, since the Fractsidus already had cooperation with the Order, they wouldn't target the clergy. As long as Aeron leveraged this properly and had the Rover provide so assistance, no one would be able to get anywhere near Phoebe.
You're right, but this demonstrates the value of being a mascot. While everyone else was tangled in Cristoforo's sches, only our Phoebe was quietly levelling up on her own. Aeron even suspected she might not even be ntioned in that script.
"But just in case, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her too."
Zani listened quietly. This was the first ti she had seen Aeron show such genuine emotion in front of anyone else.
"While you're away, report intel on Ragunna, and by the way, help take care of the people you care about... like this?"
"Correct. As for paynt, Montelli will handle..."
Just as Aeron was casually shifting the most critical issue to Montelli, Zani said sothing he never expected.
"Then, Aeron, what will you personally pay ?"
"...What?"
What did she an? Was what he offered not enough?
"What Montelli pays is my salary. Doing things for you is extra work."
She tilted her head slightly, her silver-short hair brushing past her ear with the movent.
"Helping you out counts as a 'private job.' Since it's private, the paynt should naturally be settled 'privately,' shouldn't it?"
"Hiss..."
Though it sounded sowhat off, Aeron couldn't find fault with her logic.
His mind raced, trying to grasp Zani's intent. "What do you want? Echoes? Materials? Or sothing else?"
"Those things," Zani interrupted him, her tone flat and unemotional, "Miss Carlotta or the Montelli family can provide. They might even offer better or more. If I wanted those, there'd be no need to go through you."
Damn, she made a good point.
"...Then tell what you want."
She leaned forward slightly, crossing her arms on the table again. The posture made her seem both imposing and strangely restrained, as if holding back so emotion.
"Aeron, how long have we known each other?"
"Uh... quite a while, right?" Aeron answered vaguely, his sense of foreboding growing stronger.
"You ca to , entrusted with this matter, because you trust , believe I can handle it, and believe you can repay the cost. Right?"
"Ri... right?"
Aeron felt he was being led in circles by Zani's words.
He understood every word, so why did they sound so strange when put together?
"So, my paynt is simple and within your ability to repay."
Here, Zani paused. Even she hadn't expected she'd ever say these words aloud.
"Then, after you return to Ragunna, all your ti belongs to ."
"...What do you an?"
Aeron's brain short-circuited completely.
Seeing his expression, Zani smiled softly, exhaling lightly, her voice steady and clear.
"It ans, when you co back, you'll be my boyfriend."
She t his gaze unflinchingly, leaning closer to him.
"Or perhaps, that night, Father, you just considered it a fling?"
"To be fair, it didn't seem like I initi—"
"Hmm?"
Seeing the dark lines forming on Zani's face, Aeron didn't finish his sentence.
"So... do you accept?"
"...Is after-sales service included?"
"No need to worry about that. I have my ways."
"..."
Hearing this, Aeron realized he might have just handed himself over, completely at her rcy.
Only then did Zani pick up the slightly cooled pizza, take a bite, and resu her usual work tone. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow. But don't co see off."
"Then I'll wait for your return, dear~"
"Uh... we'll talk about it then."
Aeron didn't say any more farewells, simply turned and walked toward the door, waving a hand behind his back at Zani.
Zani watched his retreating figure disappear beyond the doorway, then took another bite of pizza, the curve at the corner of her mouth lingering for a long while.
"...Not bad."
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