* * *
“This is nothing, really…”
“Since when were you ever humble?”
Arthur grumbled in a low voice, annoyed.
“That makes you even more infuriating.”
I wasn’t trying to be modest.
“…Is that so?”
So that’s how it looked.
I guess it was a good enough reaction—he didn’t even consider that I was actually beating myself up over it.
It didn’t feel bad.
So I decided to let go of the sinking feeling that only I knew about.
We had to move quickly, anyway.
“Take care of it.”
I gave a small wave before slipping away.
Vasco seemed like he was about to say something, but I was in too much of a hurry to hear it.
Well, I’ll just assume it was a compliment!
Carrying an unconscious grown man back through the hidden passage was a hassle.
But in a way, it was easier than having him move around on his own and accidentally setting off a trap.
Should I head straight to Swindlin?
If I want to catch up to Batista quickly, I might need to borrow a horse.
Ah, right.
I had asked for the truth serum to be sent to the inn where I stayed last time.
Should I have skipped that?
It would have saved time.
Then again, there’s no guarantee Batista is even in Swindlin.
He might have left on a mission.
Maybe I should start by gathering information on where he went.
I’ll think about it after I pick up the serum.
Too much thinking at once just gives me a headache.
I’m not that smart.
That thought crossed my mind just as I arrived in town—and immediately, I was glad I made this choice.
Near the entrance, I spotted a familiar tea shop.
That’s right. I had promised to meet Gaspar here the next day.
‘Wow. I completely forgot.’
How could I have forgotten so thoroughly?
I’d been trying to build a connection with Gaspar, but the moment things got chaotic, I wiped him from my mind like he never existed.
Even I was dumbfounded at myself.
No, but—!
Batista told me he wanted to part ways!
That there was no reason for us to stay together anymore!
Of course, I was in shock!
Besides, all Gaspar wanted from me was to arrange a meeting with Batista.
If I tell him I’ve been running around desperately trying to fix things, he should understand.
What do I do?
Should I find Gaspar first?
If I want to maintain this relationship, I need to apologize for breaking my promise.
And explain myself.
But if he’s not in town, I’ll drop it.
Batista comes first.
Just in case, I stepped into the tea shop.
The owner knew Gaspar, so maybe they had some information.
“Oh! You’re… Florenti? You’re Florenti, right?”
The tea shop owner recognized me instantly.
Since I’d only been here once, it was a good sign—maybe Gaspar had left some kind of message about me.
“Yeah. Raul Florenti.”
I confirmed.
“Did Gaspar leave any message?”
“Oh, yes! He said something about a handsome man with golden eyes. I thought it was a vague description, but wow, you really are striking! There’s no way anyone could miss you.”
This place has good business sense.
I was already starving after running all the way here, so I ordered the same sandwich I had last time.
“What did he say? Was he mad?”
“He was. But he said he figured something must have happened, so I should tell you to just wait here when you arrive.”
“Wait? Here, at the tea shop?”
The owner nodded.
So Gaspar was coming here?
Even though I broke our promise, he was still rushing over?
He must really be desperate, too.
I did as I was told and waited.
I ate my sandwich.
I had some tea.
And eventually, Gaspar arrived.
“Florenti!”
“Just call me Raul.”
We’re going to see each other often—no need to be so formal.
“What happened?”
Gaspar sat down across from me like it was the most natural thing in the world and grabbed one of my sandwiches.
I didn’t offer that?
Well, if he’s considering it as a waiting fee, I guess I can let it slide. Fine, eat.
“You see, I tried bringing you up in conversation, just casually, to test the waters…”
“…Did you fight?”
Fighting would’ve been the best-case scenario.
If it were just that, I could’ve made it up to him with some sweet words.
But no, thinking about it again still hurt.
Lately, Batista had been letting his guard down around me, and maybe I got too comfortable because of it.
Just a while ago, he’d been saying things like, “I just want to be with you.”
How did things end up like this?
“He said there was no reason for us to stay together anymore… that we should go our separate ways…”
“What?”
“And after that, we split up. I don’t even know where he is now.”
Gaspar went silent for a moment, clearly processing what I’d just said.
I was still struggling to believe it myself.
Then he let out a long sigh.
“That explains it. I was wondering. You’re not the type to break a promise without a word, but when you didn’t show up, I thought something must’ve happened.”
Wow, he thinks really highly of me.
If Vasco heard this, he’d probably get angry and say Gaspar was being fooled.
Maybe he sees me as someone with a good personality just because I got along with the socially inept Batista.
“Anyway, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I was all over the place. Should I buy you another sandwich?”
“Two.”
Damn, did he not eat lunch?
He didn’t gamble away his money again, did he?
Either way, I was in the wrong, so I went ahead and ordered.
“So? You missed the meeting because you were looking for a way to fix things, right? What’s your plan now?”
“I thought about it. He got mad because I took your side, so I figured the best thing to do would be to show him I had a good reason.”
“Wait. Are you saying… you’re going to help me explain myself to him?”
Huh?
Who just straight-up drags the person who pissed someone off and says, “Listen to them, they’ll explain”?
That would only make things worse.
“No. I just figured the fastest way to clear up the misunderstanding is to let him hear it from the real culprit’s mouth. So I went ahead and kidnapped the actual perpetrator.”
Gaspar’s jaw dropped.
“Are you insane?”
Was it really that shocking?
“I told you not to do that! Batista won’t like it! Do you even want to make up with him or not?”
Gaspar suddenly raised his voice, catching me off guard.
“Huh? I mean, obviously, that’s why I did it…”
He wasn’t just yelling—his face was visibly flushed with emotion.
He was completely thrown off.
“I let it slide when you broke your promise. But are you really going to do everything your way from start to finish?”
“I’m sorry for breaking the promise…”
“If you’re sorry—!”
Before I could say anything else, Gaspar slammed his hand down on the table with a loud bang, cutting me off.
He put so much force into it that the teacups rattled, and the tea splashed over the table.
“Shouldn’t you at least respect my opinion more?”
I stared blankly at the spilled tea, caught off guard.
He didn’t say a word of complaint when I first broke the promise, but the moment I acted on my own, he suddenly decided to bring that up too and start yelling?
Even if my reckless behavior piled up, it was still a bit odd.
* * *
