At the dining table, Sifni was eating breakfast as usual, but today she felt that something was off.
She glanced over at Colin and Liyami sitting across from her. Ever since they entered the dining hall, an unusual atmosphere seemed to envelop them.
Sifni was puzzled. Had something happened between the two of them again?
She had been too busy with various matters before to pay attention to Colin and Liyami’s affairs. Recently, she finally had a chance to rest, and because of lingering effects from the potion, she had slept soundly in her room the entire day. She had no idea what had transpired between Colin and Liyami during that time.
And now, even without knowing the details, Sifni could tell that something was definitely wrong between them. What on earth had happened to cause this change?
Just then, Liyami suddenly spoke, directing a question at Colin, and Sifni’s eye twitched instantly.
“…Um, Colin? Have you set the time for next time?”
Next time?! What next time?! What exactly happened before? And why was Colin the one deciding the time? Was he taking the lead? What was going on?!
Unfortunately, no one answered Sifni’s silent questions. Upon hearing Liyami’s inquiry, Colin simply replied calmly.
“Next time? It’s hard to say… Our vacation is almost over, and once it ends, there will probably be a mountain of tasks waiting for us. Plus, we’ll have to wait for news from the Knights Order. If they run into trouble, we’ll need to go support them. It’s unlikely we’ll have time to do that kind of thing again.”
??? That kind of thing? What kind of thing??? What exactly are you two talking about?!
Sifni felt completely like an outsider, utterly unable to understand what they were discussing.
At this, Liyami looked a little downcast. After mumbling a few words, she went back to eating breakfast in silence.
Seeing this, Colin hesitated for a moment with his spoon in hand, then added to Liyami, “…Although it’ll be hard to do that again in the future, there’s still a little time left in the next few days. If you really want to go, why don’t we go every day during the remaining time? Wouldn’t that be better?”
What exactly are you two doing?! Going every day?! Aren’t you tired?! Colin, you’re a Paladin! And Liyami, you used to be a man! How can you both be like this?!
No one noticed Sifni’s eyeballs practically ready to burst. Colin and Liyami’s focus was entirely on each other, completely forgetting there was anyone else listening.
After Colin’s suggestion, Liyami smiled softly. She looked at him full of warmth, feeling the care radiating from him.
“Really? If you’re that willing, I don’t mind.”
“Yeah, since you agree, let’s do it.”
“Well… in that case, how about going today too?”
“…That’s not impossible.”
“Yay! You truly live up to the name of Paladin!”
…Sifni had no idea what to think anymore. These two had completely treated her like air in their conversation, making her feel as if she no longer existed in this world.
She watched the pair’s tender interactions, feeling stuck—not knowing whether to sit or speak—and could only quietly continue eating breakfast. Even though this was already her third serving.
But until they finished their conversation, she planned to keep eating. She really wanted to see what these two would do next.
At that moment, Sifni noticed Colin blush slightly after Liyami said, “You truly live up to the name of Paladin!” Seizing the opportunity, Liyami teased Colin mercilessly.
Colin struggled to endure the teasing, his face remaining red for a while. When he happened to catch sight of Liyami’s ear also flushed red, he began to strike back.
Thus, Sifni watched as the two of them playfully bantered back and forth, flirting so much they nearly forgot the breakfast on the table. Eventually, they finally remembered Sifni, who had already eaten several servings, and embarrassedly left the room.
Only after they had completely left did Sifni swallow the last bite of her breakfast. She felt like she almost choked—not from the food, but from the suffocating atmosphere of their affection!
Now, Sifni only felt regret. She shouldn’t have slept through the entire day. If she hadn’t slept and had kept an eye on those two, this wouldn’t have happened!
But no matter what, what’s done is done. No matter how much she regretted it, she could only accept the fact and try to adapt.
Just then, Lora came in with Lane and Xiaolan, seemingly there to clear the table.
Seeing Sifni still there, Lora hesitated for a moment, intending to ask if she was still hungry, but Sifni just gave a lifeless wave, signaling them not to bother her—she just wanted some peace.
Seeing that, Lora didn’t press further and just began tidying up with the others.
As Sifni doubted her life choices, she caught sight out of the corner of her eye something that stopped her thoughts cold.
Lane was clearing a surprising number of plates, far more than usual. At that moment, Xiaolan quietly approached him and whispered a few words.
Although her voice was low, with Sifni’s ability, she would definitely have heard—if only she wished she hadn’t.
“Um, Lane? What do you think about what I mentioned before? Want to come with me? I promise you won’t be disappointed!”
??? You too?! What is going on today? Why are similar things happening back to back?!
Sifni felt like she was in another world, as if everyone else was experiencing this, but she was the only one not part of it.
At these words, Lane hesitated with a complicated expression. But when he saw the hopeful look in Xiaolan’s eyes, he gave in and agreed.
Seeing this, Xiaolan happily clapped her hands. Though she restrained herself, her expression showed she felt like she’d just accomplished something major.
Watching this scene, Sifni wondered if she was still dreaming—why else would such a similar thing happen right before her eyes?
She wished more than anything that this were just a dream, but her painfully full stomach reminded her it was no dream, but harsh reality.
So, Sifni closed her eyes, intending to comfort herself by pretending that what she couldn’t see simply didn’t exist.
Only after everyone left the room did she open her eyes again. Staring at the ceiling, gray and white with nothing else, she felt like she shouldn’t even exist in this world.