Chapter 03

The protagonist of Secrets of Raven Manor wasn’t much of a talker. Most of what appeared in dialogue boxes was ‘……’ and there was no voice data. So when conversing with the manor’s main characters, you had to guess what the protagonist had said based on the other characters’ reactions. Because of this, Ian, who had only played the early parts, didn’t know much about the protagonist.

The one thing he knew for certain was that his face was ‘handsome’—that’s about it. He only remembered because of that exceptionally handsome face. Short black hair, violet eyes, a tall, beautiful youth with a cold expression—players of all genders acknowledged the protagonist’s good looks.

‘The game’s promotional materials even used images with the protagonist’s face prominently displayed…’

But since the game was first-person perspective, you usually only saw his back on the game screen, and that refined appearance could only be glimpsed occasionally in event scenes. Or you could go to places with mirrors and admire his reflection, however blurry.

So even though Ian recognized the protagonist at first glance, he couldn’t believe that the young child sitting across from him would grow into that protagonist. In the game, though silent, his interactions with other characters gave the impression of fearlessness. But the child sitting opposite him kept his gaze fixed on the ground without any movement.

‘At that age, he should still be restless…’

He thought of his restless young cousins who couldn’t sit still for a moment and smiled bitterly. As he pondered how to start a conversation while observing the child, his eyes fell on the boy’s feet. He was wearing the shoes that had fallen from upstairs on the day of Ian’s arrival. Perhaps sensing Ian’s gaze on his feet, the child crossed his legs as if trying to hide them, fidgeting.

Thinking that despite appearing well-behaved, children of that age were bound to do unexpected things, Ian turned his gaze to the butler standing at a respectful distance.

“Excuse me…”

The butler bowed leisurely as if he’d been waiting.

“…Come to think of it, I was too flustered to make proper introductions. I’m Ray Clayton. Please call me Clayton from now on, master. And while you converse with young master Ash, I’ll step out and return when the meal preparations are finished.”

“…Yes, please do.”

He’d been thinking of asking if he could give them some privacy, but it was as if the butler could read his mind. Ian nodded while inwardly clicking his tongue. Even after Clayton disappeared, the child in front of him didn’t lift his head.

Though he couldn’t see clearly what expression the boy was making with his head down, the small hands resting on his knees were as delicate as fern fronds. He must be close to twelve years old, but his appearance seemed much more childlike and fragile.

“You’re… no, Ash, right?”

He barely swallowed the words ‘protagonist’ and called the child by the name he’d just heard. Even at that, the child didn’t lift his head. Thinking he must be very shy, Ian cleared his voice and continued.

“I’m, uh… (he bit his tongue) I mean, I’m Ian Hale. You must be deeply saddened by your father’s passing. And you may have heard explanations from the adults around you, but I’ll be staying in this house from now on. I don’t know how you’ve been living until now, but you can continue as before while I’m here.”

Ian didn’t know how the manor’s people had been caring for him, but Ash didn’t look very healthy. Though it might be too early to judge—he could be a picky eater—the skin visible beyond his clothes was pale and thin. While Ian was understandably poor as a scholarship student without home or property, it troubled him that a young child living in such a grand manor didn’t look well-nourished and lacked the vitality typical of his age.

Since there was no movement at all, it was almost like having a child-sized doll placed in the chair, which Ian found somewhat eerie. He stopped that thought and, watching Ash’s reaction, placed the package he’d brought from his room on the small table between them.

The rustling sound of paper wrapping whenever it moved should have aroused curiosity, but the child showed no reaction.

“This is a gift from me—will you accept it?”

Before coming to the manor, while organizing his few dormitory belongings, he’d sold his books to an old bookshop near the academy that students frequented. They were heavy, and it seemed obvious they’d just be baggage once he entered the manor.

The old bookshop owner, who’d glimpsed Ian’s worn sleeves while he handed over the books, clicked his tongue while counting coins and said he’d given him extra because he looked pitiful, handing over several coins—though Ian had no way of knowing if it really was extra.

Walking back with that money, he discovered a doll in the display case behind a nearby shop’s glass window. It was a cute bear doll made of pale yellow fabric. Thinking that since the protagonist was still a young child, he should use a gift to break the ice in their relationship, he’d gone in and bought it.

‘Maybe a doll is a bit much for a boy…’

But with the money he had, the doll he’d seen through the glass window was all he could afford. His young cousins would get excited and fight over who got to take even just snacks, but seeing the child keep his gaze on the ground as if rejecting the offer, Ian sighed quietly and leaned back against his chair.

“I’ll leave it here for now, so you can take it whenever you want. Please continue living comfortably in the manor, and be sure to tell me if there’s anything troubling you.”

Though he had the ulterior motive of winning the young protagonist over to his side, all the words coming out of his mouth now were sincere. He didn’t know about the original owner of this body, ‘Ian Hale,’ but Ian understood well the stress of an unstable environment. This was because of his experience of suddenly losing his parents in high school and being taken in by relatives. Even though no one scolded or criticized him, it was difficult to live without constantly reading the room.

If it had been difficult as a high school student, how much harder would it be at such a young age? As Ian was briefly lost in thought, causing the study to fall into silence, the child glanced up for a moment to steal a look at Ian and the gift. Then he lowered his eyes again and fidgeted with his fingers on his knees.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. At that sound, Ian snapped out of his reverie and looked at the child while getting up.

“Shall we go eat?”

As if he’d been waiting for those words, the child climbed down from his chair, bowed politely, then scurried over to stand beside the butler who had opened the door and entered. Though Ian hadn’t expected them to become close immediately upon meeting, he felt somewhat awkward. Ian scratched the back of his head and followed the waiting butler and child down to the first-floor dining room.

The dining room was as long and large as the manor’s scale, with both walls decorated with reliefs carved with various fruits and animals that seemed to symbolize abundance. The dining table covered with white cloth had a flower vase placed on it, and plates, napkins, and utensils were set at the seat closest to the head of the table.

Still not adapted to scenes rarely seen in Korea, Ian walked with creaking steps.

“…Are we the only two eating breakfast here?”

As Ian awkwardly sat in the head seat and asked Clayton, the butler who had been holding and pushing in his chair bowed and said:

“We servants eat separately after you and the young master have finished. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Yes…”

Though the response wasn’t cold, it felt strange that only two people would sit and eat at such a large, luxurious table. A plate of food was placed before Ian. Glancing over, he saw the same thing being placed in front of Ash. The child just stared at his plate as if this situation made him uncomfortable.

Thinking it might be more pleasant if they ate side by side at a smaller table, Ian picked up his spoon and spoke toward Ash.

“Eat plenty. You need a hearty breakfast.”

“……”

Ash stopped moving as if hearing such words for the first time. Then he glanced sideways to look at Ian, nodded slightly, and picked up his spoon. At that action, Ian wondered if he was bothering the quiet child unnecessarily and lifted his spoon to eat the soup in front of him. Only the quiet sound of clinking utensils echoed in the spacious dining room.

Though the atmosphere in the dining room wasn’t particularly lively or cheerful, the food that came out was delicious. It was incomparably tastier than the cheap food he’d eaten in the dormitory cafeteria, and he quickly emptied his soup bowl. The egg omelet and boiled potato dish that followed also delighted Ian’s palate. As he ate without pause, moving his hands continuously, just when he thought it might not be enough, more food was placed on his plate.

“…I’ll tell the kitchen to increase the portions from now on.”

At Clayton’s whispered words in his ear, Ian swallowed the food in his mouth and nodded. On the first and second days, he’d had no appetite and even water hadn’t gone down well…

Feeling a gaze from beside him, Ian turned his eyes toward Ash and saw the child hurriedly lower his gaze to his plate. He felt like making some excuse but couldn’t say anything and only felt his face grow hot for no reason.

Just as the meal was finishing, word came that Gale had arrived at the manor. Glancing at Ash, Ian could see food still remaining on his plate. As he wiped his mouth with a napkin and was about to stand up, seeing the child also preparing to rise, he said:

“Clayton, please look after Ash. I know the way to the study myself…”

At those words, Clayton, who had been preparing to leave with Ian, stopped and bowed his head.

“Ash should finish his breakfast before coming up.”

At his following words, the child lifted his head. It was the first moment Ian looked directly into those jewel-like, sparkling eyes that held a bewildered light. In that instant, Ian found himself unconsciously grinning and patted Ash’s shoulder with his hand as he walked past.

Startled by that touch, the child kept his hands down and craned his neck to watch Ian’s retreating figure as he left the dining room, then turned his gaze to his remaining meal. Looking back and forth between Ian’s cleanly emptied plate and his own food, he gripped his fork with small hands and poked at the remaining potato. Soon the small piece of potato speared on his fork disappeared into Ash’s mouth.

And as if imitating him, he followed Ian’s example and cleaned his plate completely. When the plate was empty, Ash smiled with satisfaction, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and ran off with quick steps. Clayton, who had been watching from behind like a decoration the entire time, cleared away the chairs.