“Is that so…?”
“Is that okay?”
“Hm?”
Seeing Finihiya’s puzzled sound again, Darlian’s expression subtly shifted as she explained.
“You said it’s ‘not impossible,’ right? So, coming here every day to eat isn’t a problem?”
“If Darlian has time, then naturally, I don’t mind.”
“Then it’s settled.” Upon hearing Finihiya’s agreement, Darlian’s brows gently curved, “No time to waste—the agreement starts now. Just like last time, you’ll handle the cooking, and I’ll help with the little chores.”
“…Maybe not today.”
Just as Darlian was about to stand up, Finihiya’s words poured cold water on her enthusiasm, and she asked with a hint of confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
“I haven’t prepared anything. Also…” Finihiya’s tone slowed, “Lady Danila said tonight’s dinner is carefully prepared.”
“…Then there’s nothing we can do.”
Hearing this, Darlian sighed softly with a touch of regret.
After that, Finihiya lifted her eyes to gaze at the gray, murky sky in the distance, then asked quietly.
“Darlian, will you stay for dinner before leaving?”
“Then I won’t be polite.”
She accepted Finihiya’s invitation with a light smile and a calm demeanor.
***
After dinner.
The sky, shrouded in deepening night, began to rain again.
Heavy, overlapping black clouds rolled and surged like living creatures, only to be torn apart by sudden streaks of purple lightning.
This was the worst weather since the beginning of summer; raindrops the size of soybeans pelted the windows violently, producing a sharp pattering sound.
Finihiya emerged from the bath, drying her wet golden hair with a towel as she stood before the glass window of the corridor, gazing up at the thunderous sky.
As she quietly watched the rain-draped night, voices suddenly came from afar—Danila and Darlian talking.
“Lady Darlian, please be careful on the road.”
“It’s fine, it’s just rain.”
Hearing Darlian’s words about going out, Finihiya frowned and started walking toward them.
At this moment, Darlian stood before the mansion’s main gate, her slender, tall figure wrapped in a leather raincoat.
Glancing once more at the outside weather, which could no longer be called merely bad, Finihiya slightly parted her cherry lips, speaking with concern.
“Darlian… are you going back now?”
“Finihiya.” Darlian tilted her head toward her, then her thin lips curled into a faint smile, “I wanted to tell you in person, but you stayed in the bathroom too long, so I thought I’d have Danila pass the message.”
“…You’re really going back?”
“Yes!” Darlian pulled the hood of her raincoat over her head, “It’s late, I should go back.”
“Is it something important?”
“Important?”
Finihiya nodded slightly, then glanced again toward the nearby glass window.
Raindrops the size of beans hit the window fiercely, gathering into thick streams that slid down the glass under gravity.
“So, that’s why you’re braving such terrible weather to go back.”
“Uh…” Darlian’s slender eyes revealed a subtle expression, “I just think it’s too late; I should go back and rest.”
Darlian’s answer left Finihiya somewhat incredulous, her tilted head showing a puzzled look.
“…Can’t you rest here? It’s pouring rain outside, isn’t it dangerous? The carriage would get stuck in the mud.”
“Is that okay?”
Darlian’s question made Finihiya raise a doubtful “Hm?”
“What do you mean, ‘Is that okay?’”
“If I stay here tonight to rest, you wouldn’t mind or be troubled, right?”
“Why would you say that?” Finihiya’s face showed genuine puzzlement. “I’ve never once thought you were a ‘burden.’”
Finihiya felt there was nothing odd about what she said, but Darlian’s delicate cheeks briefly flushed with surprise.
The momentary shock on Darlian’s face soon faded, replaced by a gentle smile soft as goose down.
“You’re right. After all, Finihiya, we’re friends.”
Though she didn’t understand why Darlian’s expression turned so gentle, the smile was etched deep in her eyes.
The night deepened with the rain.
After nine o’clock, Finihiya returned to her bedroom.
She sat before the dressing table, its pale surface edged with gold stripes, gently combing her lush, silky hair with a wooden comb.
Knock, knock, knock…
A crisp knocking suddenly echoed in the room, making Finihiya’s hand pause mid-comb.
Tilting her head slightly toward the door, she set down the wooden comb on the table and padded over.
Opening the door, she saw Darlian standing there, clutching a pillow sewn with several layers of lace.
“Good evening!”
Darlian first lifted a faint, gentle smile and greeted her.
Though Finihiya was somewhat curious about Darlian holding such a large pillow, she suppressed her emotions and politely returned the greeting.
***
In the bedroom.
“…Good evening.”
“Looks like the two of us will be sharing one bed tonight.”
Darlian’s somewhat abrupt remark made Finihiya cock her head in confusion, her delicate cheeks faintly tinged with puzzlement.
Stepping aside to let Darlian in, Finihiya motioned her forward.
This mansion was very large, comparable in size to a noble’s castle, with vast grounds growing grapes and other fruits and vegetables.
Naturally…
There were plenty of rooms inside.
After Darlian entered, Finihiya gently closed the door.
With a slight hint of curiosity, she asked about Darlian’s earlier words.
“Aren’t there many guest rooms? Lady Darlian, you don’t have to trouble yourself by squeezing into one bed with me.”
Darlian went straight to the edge of the bed, tossed the pillow onto it, then sat on the edge, studying the room with a playful expression.
“Danila said because my staying over was such a sudden decision, she didn’t have time to order the servants to prepare a clean guest room. So, I have to sleep here tonight.”
After hearing the explanation, Finihiya didn’t press further.
She understood Danila’s thinking to some extent, and purely hoped that her relationship with Darlian would grow closer.
Over the past few months of getting along, she had come to know Darlian much better.
The names are flipped in this chapter.
it’s fixed now!