Chapter 28

"Are you here?"

Recently, Pierre was not at the fountain as he used to be.

Since the first time I entered the building, he would be in his room or the parlor, and when he saw me, he would say this.

Sometimes, I would see him sitting by a window where he could see me and wonder if he was waiting for me.

But it was probably just my imagination.

"Um... Hello, Master."

"Sure."

I carefully observed my father.

Let's see, is there something different today?

He still looked as handsome as ever, with a beauty that resembled a high-ranking member of the Hong Kong Triad, and his tired, lazy expression remained unchanged.

There was nothing different that I could see with my own eyes.

"..."

...No, is there?

'Why, why is he staring at me so intently?'

Something was different. He was staring at me more intently than usual.

The cold sweat that had stopped started flowing again.

What would happen if this father found out I had lied?

I never thought I could lie and never be caught.

I just thought that the Pierre I knew would take a long time to figure out what I had lied about.

'At least, I thought Father wouldn't care about worldly matters and could last at least a month?'

I had planned the timing for when I would be caught and even set up a diversion!

I didn't expect to face him today!

Moreover, the way he was staring at me was like he was saying, 'You know your sin, don't you?'

It was very awkward for someone with something to hide.

I still needed his protection.

"What's that?"

When Father finally spoke, I quickly responded. This became a breakthrough.

"What? This? The parchment I'm holding?"

"Right."

Ah! He was looking at the parchment in my hand?

My face lit up.

"This is something I brought for you, Master! What do you think? Aren't you curious? Aren't you excited?"

"......Not really."

Fine! I felt a sense of relief at his usual gruff response.

Yeah, I don't know why Pierre gave Laïla that order.

'I probably don't want to have a serious conversation with me yet.'

I was curious about what whim led to that order, but I thought it wasn't the right time to bring it up, so I quickly hugged the parchment.

"Wait and see, Master! I'll make an amazing meal for you today!"

What I had requested from the Lougarou brothers was a recipe.

* * *

Pierre was in a bad mood.

No, he hadn't felt this bad in nearly three years.

Mostly, he felt lazy, tired, or bored.

This was a sharp, vivid emotion, unlike the resigned feelings he usually had.

And this mood was solely due to the daughter he had taken as his disciple.

"By any chance, do you need a second disciple?"