(EP-334.2) Of Hearts #3
334 – Queen of Hearts #3
At the quiet washing area, Professor Balan nodded calmly. It was as if she had already expected this. Her solemn expression even infected me with a similar sense of resolve.
"You plan to finally extract the magic that has taken root in the queen's heart. But d-do be careful. It won't be an ordinary one."
"Is that your intuition as an Ars Nova?"
Though, Balan shook her head at my inquiry.
"It's a woman's intuition."
Professor Balan was a black mage.
Considering she was someone who had fully merged with a great magic, I thought she might give me some special advice. However, it seemed she didn't have much knowledge about the entity residing within Aira's body either.
"More importantly… I received a message from Ark's Demon Monk."
"Ark's Demon Monk—so it's Vassago."
"He seems to be encountering some difficulties with Saintess Priga. That Vassago. He's too attached to his memories as a human…"
She, too, harbored a great magic within her. If I successfully dealt with the one inside Aira, would it be her turn next?
As I was thinking about that.
Professor Balan was hesitating to say something, so I lightly asked.
"Is there something else you'd like to say?"
"Theo-nim, are you a-alright?"
"It's been a while since we returned from beyond the wall. But I, Balan de Sabrnak, keep having the same dream. There's a giant door and something is calling me…."
Balan was no ordinary person.
Dismissing her dreams as mere coincidence would be foolish. Even so, I didn't have the time to delve into the matter at the moment.
"Let's set aside time to discuss this in detail after we've safely handled today's matters. I also need to talk about Saintess Priga, so let Vassago know to prepare for that as well."
Leaving Balan bowing behind me, I walked away.
First, I should go to Stella and tell her to clear our schedule from this evening until late at night.
"What!? A hot spring trip without me? You guys are too much…"
Inside Stella's room.
She was sitting on a bed, painting her toenails.
"Well, I guess there's a bit of a generation gap between us. We don't exactly speak the same language. I can understand why you'd want to hang out with people your own age…"
It seemed Stella didn't like being left out. But I couldn't exactly tell her the truth, not when she hadn't been fully brought into the fold yet.
Then, she spoke again.
"Well, fine. It might be awkward for someone who isn't close to join in. I'm an adult, so I understand."
She agreed more readily than I thought. I suppose she really was an 'adult.'
"But in exchange, I get to have you all to myself, Theo-kun. A hot spring trip with the girls means you won't be going, isn't that so?"
She stood up and wrapped her arms around my waist.
Bringing her lips close, she pressed them against my cheek and ear, making my face flush with heat.
"Why not? I'm already set."
Her slender fingers ran down my pants. But I had to push her away. Just as I had said—not today.
I wanted to approach tonight's task in peak condition.
After all, there was this rumor that athletes would often abstain before a game. I supposed that was exactly how I felt right now.
But Stella seemed a little surprised that I had rejected her.
"I never expected you to turn me down. Theo-kun, didn't you meet me for that?"
At my question, Stella brought her lips to my ear and whispered in a small but unmistakable voice.
Just… How did Stella see me?
On the other hand, was she seeing me just for that reason? Thinking back now, it did seem that way.
Since returning from beyond the wall, we've had more physical interactions than mental ones. At this rate, weren't we more like sex partners than lovers or a couple?
Something was wrong with this…
I wasn't sure where things had gone astray, but—
This wouldn't be the kind of relationship I had in mind.
That was why I decided to make things clear this time.
"I'm not seeing you just for that, Stella-nim."
"Then… are you saying you're seriously dating or wanting to marry me?"
At my firm response, Stella fell silent.
A deep red blush began to spread from the neck to her entire face like a rising tide, and she fanned herself with both hands as if she were suddenly overheating.
Thanks to that, I could smell Stella's unique sweet scent whenever she got excited.
"Theo-kun, you know there's a big age gap between us, right?"
"I see… You knew… Of course, you would. Yeah… I see. I don't know what to do."
Was it something to fuss about?
Anyway, I had said everything I needed to say.
And it had ended on just the right note.
"Stella-nim, please take your time to think about what I've said today."
Instead of answering, she just fidgeted awkwardly. Leaving her like that, I stepped out of the room.
It wasn't intentional, but at least now there was no chance of Stella disrupting our operation tonight.
Turning my head, I noticed that the sky outside this hallway window was tinged with crimson hues of sunset. Maybe because autumn was approaching, the sun was setting earlier.
I'd done all I could.
Now, I could only hope everything would go well…
With that thought, I made my way toward the hot springs where Elga and Aira should be.