chapter 15

One on One with the Captain. Talk of Rumors.

While I was relaxing in my room, a knock was heard. I called out with a sure and answered the door revealing Ariade.

Vito, may I speak with you for a moment?

I step back into my room and invite her in. I was the only one occupying this room because Chiffon was away on break with her sister, shopping at the town around the castle. Since we dont have a table or chair, I had her sit on Chiffons bed across from me. For some reason, Ariades expression was dark.

Whats wrong? You have a really glum expression.

Do you know the rumor thats been circulating the castle?

The only rumors Ive heard were the typical news of a love affair, adultery, or cheating that the n.o.bles talk about. I cant recall any rumor that Ariade might be worried about.

Right, youve been working outside of castle grounds so you havent heard it yet

Aah, I see. Its true that ever since I was a.s.signed to the Fourth Knight Corps dormitory, I havent really been able wandered castle grounds. Thats probably why Ive been falling behind with the rumors.

An interesting story?

Rather than an interesting storyits the rumor that the man-eating dragon was actually an earth dragon.

Is that so.

When the subjugation corps went out to exterminate the man-eating dragon, apparently they got attacked by another dragon and ended up being saved by an earth dragon.

I see.

Moreover, it took someone away but they returned, living and fine.

Interesting.

And its rumored that the person who returned got contracted to the earth dragon.

What with that rumor, Ive never heard of it before*. Wa, wait seriously? What? WHAATT? When did the captain and I get into a contract?

Theres no way! My body is still white, and I dont even know how to make a contract. How can I make a contact if I dont know how?

I, I see.

The captains been acting normally since then. wait, was he really? For some reason he doesnt seem to have his feet on the ground, well hes basically been acting normally.

So my little sister, Im pretty sure she was attacked by the subjugation corps. They say that the earth dragon eats every single being it sees, and since my younger sister came back alive, thats the only possibility.

But the subjugation corps members came back alive too, you know.

If they managed to contract it, then they obviously would be able to come back. Besides, they say that all the people who went into the mountain before them didnt come back. It must be, it must be so.

It seems that she had thought a lot to get to that answer. Ariade has a sad expression on her face, but her eyes spoke of determination.

Somehow I feel that Im leading Ariade around in a wild goose chase and guilt wells up within me. Im also pretty sure that if it wasnt for me, her little sister wouldnt be bedridden with her sickness.

I was filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

Since I ended up grumbling to you about it, and I was worried that I ended up putting you in a bad mood. Sorry.

No, it fine! I was glad that you came to consult with me.

We became pretty close after that, and I didnt exactly have any bad feelings after that anyways. More like I was glad that she consulted me. Even if I was the cause of her problems.

So when you told me I can consult you whenever, it, well made me happy. I even caused you such a bother.

Blus.h.i.+ng. Ariade definitely just blushed! With her cheeks tinted pink was quite different from her normal cool self, she looked more like a girl of age. If she was always like this, she would have tons of guys flirting with her. That in itself is pretty dangerous. Chiffon got called out to so many times as well. That girl could probably become the equivalent of a jewel-set palanquin. Thats not what were talking about though.

For some reason, I start smiling. Ariades confession honestly made me happy. Ever since I came to live with humans, I seem to be living pretty calmly but Ive more or less have been having my own inner conflicts as well. Even if I cant tell Ariade my worries, its really reliable to have a friend who I know is willing to listen. It lets me see the illusion that Im not alone.

Thank you, Ariade.

No, thank you.

Besides, when I talk to them everyday little things and create small talk, my worries seem to disappear.

When you say that someone might have been contracted, do you mean

The Fourth Knight corps captain If I remember correctly

Ugyah, just as I thought.

According to Ariades story, theyre certain its the captain because whomever came across the earth dragon, regardless of age or gender, got eaten but the captain came back alive even after being abducted.

Eh, but I did eat him. The left arm.

So apparently this is the rumor thats been circulating the castle by mouth. Its apparently even spread to the town around the castle, and its seriously problem.

I knew I shouldve eaten all of him and not just the left arm!

I hope it wont become anything too troublesome.

It did.

The captain began to wake up early without needing the key-word. Since I ate one of his braids, I ended up having to make two of them instead, like the ones that stereotypical long haired nerd girls have. Its strange because this actually suits him as well. Hey, can you try putting on some gla.s.ses? And a sailor uniform too. Itll definitely suit you.

Ahem, either way the captains been acting weird. He keeps on getting lost in thought and walking into walls, and he often ends up not listening when people talk to him. His mind is totally above the clouds.

While I was thinking about how this would really begin to affect his work, it happened.

Excuse me Vito, but have you seen the captain?

Rance suddenly called out to me while I was cleaning the common room. Right now everyone should be out there for training, I wonder what happened. When I told him that I havent he let out a dejected sigh with a mumbled ah dammit.

Ever since then, the captains been acting weird. Do you know anything, Vito?

Well if hes been like that since then then its probably that.

Im sorry but Id like you to help me search from him. Its bad if our work gets delayed any longer.

Sure, I understand.

Ill search the dragon pens. Vito, please look anywhere that comes to mind. If you find him, tell him that I was looking for him and bring him to the dorms please.

Okay.

With a deep sigh and I Im counting on you, Rance left the common room. With all of his struggles, I swear that hes going to go bald in the future. Especially since theres another problem child present here. A good example would be Stefano. It seems that hes gotten better recently, but he still has a long ways to go. He recently got caught secretly meeting up with a n.o.ble woman from somewhere. Before that he was flirting with another woman in the courtyard. Im afraid that one day its going to result in a bloodbath.

The day that happens and then hed get caught and scolded by Rance doesnt seem that far away. Rance is kind of like Stephanos mom. Their names sound kind of similar too.

But really, I wonder where and what that person is doing.

Switching from cleaning the common room to searching for the captain, I looked in the dorms first but he was nowhere to be found. Since Rance said hed be looking in the dragon pens, lets go look on castle grounds.

Ah, Vito~!

Its Chiffon. If I remember correctly, this is the time period where they clean the windows. I can see some familiar faces.

Even the fact that I used to work here a few weeks ago feels nostalgic.

Good timing Chiffon, have you seen the captain?

The captain?

When I hurriedly added on that hes the captain of the Fourth Knight Corps, Chiffon told me that she saw him wander over to the garden through the courtyard.

I got some really good information. Well done Chiffon! **

Hey hey, that captain is that captain, right?

Urg. As I thought, Chiffon has heard it too. Everywhere is abuzz with this rumor!

It seems her co-workers want to hear this story as well because they keep glancing in our direction.

Ah, Ill tell you later. Thanks!

I hear an Eeh of protest behind me but I ignore it and walk away. I refuse to partake in any complicated matters. Im afraid that I would end up telling them some unnecessary things while talking.

Lets hurry to the garden before the Captain changes locations.

I came to the colorfully blooming flower garden by walking through a neatly landscaped courtyard.

This place is usually used for date courses and tea parties and is not a place a normal servant like me can enter. But since theres n.o.body here, if I keep quiet about it I think I wont get found out.

I walked around quite a bit but I couldnt find the captain. When I exited the garden thinking that hes already left

Ah, I found him.

Just as I was walking through the garden towards the exit, I saw the captain laying there hidden by the gra.s.s and bushes. It seems that I couldnt see him while walking to the path to the middle garden because he was hidden in the shade. Also you cant see him very well even if you look because hes practically a.s.similated with the gra.s.s. You know, because his hairs the same color.

Captain, I was looking for you.

It kind of startled me because his long bangs were divided straight down the center and I could see the area eyes clearly. And as always, he has his doll like face.

When I call out to him again, his eyes slowly open, revealing a pair of black eyes looking up at me.

Ahh, black is definitely the best. It makes me feel relieved.

Vito?

Yes, it is. Who did you think I was?

The captain sits up and cradles one knee, then reaches out with his left hand and touches my chestnut colored bangs.

Who, I wonder Its just, your presence was very alike.

I dont ask who. Somehow I have a very good idea who it is. Im very troubled because the captain has sharp senses for the weirdest of things. I might get found out if I dont get out of dorm duty soon. But even though the Madam said I could return at any time, the work here is challenging and leaving makes me feel a little lonely.

Lonely, huh. I wonder, why Im lonely? Because I wont go and wake up the Captain every morning? Because I wont be able to go to the dragon pens anymore? Because I wont be able to have long silly conversations with the Vice-captain anymore? Because I wont be able to hear stories of all the hard times Rance has had anymore? Because I wont be able to laugh with the other personnel about Stephanos relations.h.i.+ps with women? The people in the dorm are all pretty good people. Even Na.s.so the chef, who waits for me with my meal. Its kind of like hes my grandpa.

But the thing that bugs me the most is you, captain.

Really, youre so unfair captain. I wonder why I mind you so much. Because I want to eat you? Theres that too. But theres also something else, rooted deep within my chest. Whether this comes from me as a human or me as a dragon, I do not know. Its frustrating because I dont know.

The person in question looks up at me with sleepy eyes. Just what are you thinking about.

Rance has been looking for you. I even stopped my work to look for you, you know.

I see, sorry.

What were you doing?

hrnthinking?

Please dont ask me. When I tell him that, he gives me a bitter smile and says youre right. The captain slowly sits upright.

Theres gra.s.s on his back. To return to the dorm like that is embarra.s.sing, so I dusted the gra.s.s off of him and he finally stood up. When I stand up, I again notice how tall he is. He was so tiny before. Since humans can see things from so many different perspectives everything is always a new experience. Also even when I find someone tasty looking in a human form, I dont end up moving per instinct like in my dragon form.

I wonder what the captain thinks about that. Ive actually been fidgeting, really wanting to ask.

Rather than Chiffon and the others, I think the one who wants to know the most is me.

Would it be okay if I just asked

Captain.

Yes?

I have something I want to ask you.

Its just my curiosity acting up.

I heard that you met with the Earth-dragon in the rumors, but is it true that you contracted it?

The captain had a blank look on his face, but suddenly began laughing and giggling. I wonder whats so funny.

What do you think, Vito?

Wh, What I think

I didnt think I would get a question in reply. Its actually my first time having a question answered with another question.

I wonder how I should reply.

Hrm. No, maybe?

Yup, I havent.

He said it so frankly.***

But, youre the first one to say that, Vito. Everyone only either says I dont know or you did.

Dammit, did I just dig my own grave? I kind of panicked but the captain doesnt seem to mind at all. He just looks up at the sky and stretches. Since there was gra.s.s in his hair as well, I reach out and take them out. The soft feeling of his hair was transmitted from my finger. This hair, this hair has definitely become a habit. Ah, oh no, Im not drooling am I!? Ah, good I wasnt.

Shall we go back?

Since he stood up, I cant see his black eyes anymore. While thinking that its regrettable, I answered with a yes, lets and followed the captain back to the dorms.

While we were walking we ended up meeting with Rance, and the captain got thoroughly scolded. Although the captain was pretty dazed, and it looked like he didnt hear any of Rances words at all, head floating above the clouds again.

Rance, realizing that the captain wasnt listening stopped scolding him and let out a large sigh instead. With a now, lets go back he slapped the captain across the back.

Since I still had work to do, I returned to the dorms from there.

On my hand lingered the sensation of the captains hair.

My heart is warm, just a little bit.

I wonder what this is.