Chapter 47: Change (4)
Chapter 47: Change (4)
“…”
Ariel couldn’t answer right away. After a brief pause, she gave a stiff nod. Not all of her gloom stemmed from that one reason, but the shadow that lingered on her face now, at least, was indeed because of it.
“What do you think?”
“How would I know? Unless I’m that guy, who could possibly tell?”
Karma’s response was so blunt it made Ariel’s concerns seem almost laughable. Her tone carried the added weight of Why would you even ask me that?
Ariel froze, taken aback by the speed and firmness of the reply, then slowly slumped as the meaning set in. After a brief silence, she spoke again.
“I figured as much…”
It was the answer she’d expected, and the correct one. Even so, a bitter taste lingered, and the shadow on her face darkened slightly. As if pulled downward by the weight of it, her head drooped further.
Watching her, Karma’s expression twisted slightly. She arched a brow and curled her lips in mild scorn, her voice sharp with mockery.
“But seriously, was that ever that important?”
Ariel raised her eyes, puzzled by the remark. Their gazes met, and Karma continued.
“People come to like someone for all sorts of reasons. So what if it started with your father? From what I’ve seen, that guy clearly treasures you now.”
“That’s…”
Ariel’s cheeks, already tinged pink, flushed deeper.
Karma was saying exactly what Ariel had longed to hear, words she wanted to believe, whether they were true or not. She was just beginning to realize how deeply her feelings for him had grown, when suddenly a question occurred to her.
“…How can you be so sure of that?”
Karma had never once seen the two of them together. So how could she speak with such confidence about his feelings?
The blush faded from Ariel’s face. Tilting her head slightly, she added, “How do you know he really cherishes me?”
“Huh?”
Karma flinched. Her slip had caught up to her. Ariel didn’t know, didn’t remember, that Jin Kreutz had once followed her when she left with Karma on an outing.
Ariel’s brow twitched. Her gaze sharpened, her expression cooling.
“What do you know?”
In the end, Karma had no choice but to come clean. She recounted everything from that day, especially that one line, the one she remembered word for word because it was so full of raw emotion that it couldn’t possibly have come from someone who was supposed to be so emotionally distant.
Naturally, Ariel’s eyes widened with shock as she heard it all. The shadows lifted from Karma’s face, leaving only surprise behind, as she added gently,
“So what if it was as you feared? No matter who he saw in the beginning, the feelings he has now are all directed at you. And because of that, you’re the one receiving his affection. Even if it’s not quite romantic love yet, do you really think it’ll take long to change into that? If anything, I’d bet it’ll be easier that way…”
Karma’s confident tone began to falter near the end. A memory flashed through her mind: Jin Kreutz, showing a side of himself completely at odds with the cold image she’d formed.
The memory passed in an instant, and she added softly, “No, actually… I think he already sees you that way.”
* * *
Karma didn’t leave until evening.
“Once you’re better, let’s meet again. I hope by then both your body and heart are fully healed.”
With that, she gave Ariel’s thin shoulder a light tap or two, offered a brief goodbye, and disappeared with a spell. Ariel stared blankly at the fading traces of magic she left behind, not moving until they had completely vanished.
Then she stirred and made up her mind to contact Jin.
She opened the drawer beneath the shelf beside her bed and took out paper, a pen, and a messenger bird, one that had gone cold from being left unused for days. Her hands didn’t tremble with doubt or sadness.
The visit from her dearest friend had left behind more courage and comfort than she could have imagined.
「There is something I wish to ask you. If you have time, would you mind visiting me?」
Ariel kept the message short, no more elaborate than one of his. She folded the letter into a long strip, tied it to the bird’s leg, and pressed the small switch near its eyes.
The bird’s cold red eyes lit up, and the tiny gears on its body began to turn with a faint clicking. Once enough energy had built up, it began to twitch its wings.
Ariel rose from her bed, opened the window, and held the bird outside. The messenger calculated the location of its recipient and, once ready, flew off from her hand.
It didn’t take long for the bird to vanish into the deepening dusk, lit by a crimson sunset and the soft glow of street lamps. The moment it disappeared, Ariel shut the window and pressed the switch on the wall by her bedside.
A few minutes later, a breathless Ophelia arrived, clearly having rushed.
“You called? Is something wrong with your condition?”
Seeing her so flustered filled Ariel with unexpected guilt. Maybe I should’ve just waited until morning… She gave a small shake of her head.
“No, it’s not that. There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried!”
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t urgent… I should’ve waited until tomorrow.”
“It’s no problem at all. If you have questions about your health, it’s my duty to answer them.”
Ophelia waved her hands and smiled warmly, the sincerity in her expression easing some of Ariel’s guilt. Ariel spoke again.
“I’d like to go out sometime soon. I wanted to ask when that might be possible.”
“Go out? Where to?”
“Wellington.”
“Wellington?”
Ophelia repeated the name, tilting her head as if it didn’t ring a bell. She scratched her cheek, brow furrowed, until Ariel clarified.
“If I take a train, maybe a half-day round trip? A bit longer, maybe. I can use magic for shorter distances. I don’t have many errands, so that should be enough time.”
“Half a day? And using magic on top of that?!”
Ophelia was horrified. She shook her head vehemently, gasping.
“No way! You’re still recovering from malnutrition! You shouldn’t push yourself!”
“I’m not going right away. I just want to know how much more I need to recover. It’s my hometown, and I really want to visit this time.”
“Hm…”
The word hometown softened Ophelia’s heart. She crossed her arms, glanced up at the ceiling, and muttered silently before looking back at Ariel.
“Well, your wounds have scabbed over, and you’ll need about three more days of nutrient IVs. If you’re careful with what you eat, don’t overexert yourself, and take your medicine regularly, I think a half-day trip should be okay. But I’d recommend avoiding magic, if possible.”
“So, in a few more days…”
Before Ariel could finish her sentence, a loud chime interrupted. It came from the receiver in Ophelia’s pocket. Startled, Ophelia quickly pulled it out and silenced it.
“Oh my! What now? Would you mind if I step out briefly and continue this later?”
Ariel was just as surprised. Her eyes went wide like a startled rabbit, but she nodded.
“Let’s talk again tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you for understanding, Lady Elias.”
Ophelia bowed and hurried out of the room. But mere minutes later, rendering their farewell pointless, Ophelia returned and knocked again.
“Lady Elias, Sir Jin Kreutz has come to visit. Would you like to receive him?”
The regular knock and her words struck Ariel like lightning. Her eyes widened. She’d only sent the message minutes ago. He must have come immediately after receiving it.
Too shocked to think, Ariel swung the door open. On the other side stood a surprised Ophelia, clearly startled by the sudden action. Their eyes met naturally, their similar height placing them at eye level.
Ophelia, letting out a long breath, spoke first.
“You could’ve just told me to let him in.”
Ariel didn’t answer. Her eyes shifted to the tall figure behind Ophelia, who could not be hidden by her smaller frame. He had been watching her from the beginning. The moment their eyes met, his gaze locked with hers.
Ophelia, noticing the silent tension between them, stepped aside and spoke again.
“Go on and talk inside. But remember, the patient needs to maintain her routine. Please don’t stay too late, an hour at most. And Lady Elias, please make yourself comfortable. Don’t stand too long.”
“Understood.”
Jin responded without breaking eye contact with Ariel. Satisfied with his reply, Ophelia gave a short nod.
“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow, Lady Elias.”
Only after Ophelia’s farewell did Ariel finally collect herself enough to speak to Jin.
“Would you… like to come in?”
He gave a small nod and stepped inside. After closing the door, Ariel turned and led him in. Jin followed quietly behind her.
……
T/N: I can imagine Jin sitting in front of his table and staring at the messenger bird hahahaha
