Episode 38: How Did I Sell Myself Out?
The familiar Margaret's restaurant, the familiar seat, the familiar two workhorses.
"...Wasn't it you who called me out? Why are you so nervous?"
"Never mind that. Just let me order the food this time."
Since that day, Aeron had made up his mind—he would never let Zani touch alcohol again during their meals.
Damn it, he never wanted to experience being a pile driver again. Alcohol causes trouble, alcohol causes trouble!
Seeing Aeron's expression as if facing a great enemy, Zani could more or less guess what was going through his mind.
Alright, she admitted she had gotten carried away before, but taking a step back, Aeron definitely had his own issues too. Besides, she had been under the influence of alcohol at the time.
'Though actually, I was faking it... Better not tell him that.'
"Fine, you order."
Zani crossed her arms on the table, leaning slightly forward, her eyes fixed on Aeron.
"...Could you stop looking at me like that? It brings back bad memories."
"You say that, but you didn't resist at all back then."
"Do I look like I could have resisted?"
"Was it because it was me that you weren't happy about it?"
"...I'll refrain from commenting on that."
After getting her response, Zani withdrew her gaze, leaned back against her chair, and curled the corner of her mouth slightly.
In her eyes, Aeron's rare look of being cornered yet stubborn was far more pleasing than his usual air of having everything under control.
At the very least, she knew this man wasn't as shrewd as he appeared in certain aspects.
After Aeron finished ordering, a brief silence fell between them.
A peculiar atmosphere flowed between the two—not awkward, but not as casual as mere colleagues or friends either.
They were both smart people who wouldn't show their emotions on their faces. This unspoken understanding was enough to convey what two seasoned adults wanted to say.
"So then,"
In the end, it was Zani who broke the silence first.
"You called me out specifically—it wasn't just for a meal, was it?"
"What if I said I missed you, Zani? Would you believe me?"
"You'd better have."
Zani smiled as she studied the Aeron before her. Though it hadn't been long since their last meeting, sitting together with someone special was always a joy.
And this was still during work hours—paid time off. Thinking of this, Zani's mood grew even brighter.
"..."
Until she noticed what Aeron was wearing around his neck.
"That thing on your neck," Zani's gaze lingered on his neck, her tone betraying no emotion, "where did it come from?"
"This? It's a thank-you gift from Ciaccona. Sort of like a protective charm."
Zani didn't respond immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes shifting between the quill pendant on the necklace and Aeron's face a couple of times, then picked up her glass and took a sip of water.
"...Helping? Did you go cause trouble for her again?"
"No need to put it so harshly..."
Zani set her glass down with a soft "tap" on the table.
"There was a bit of a problem, and I helped her out. That's all."
"Who asked you that?"
Weren't you just asking about that?
But Aeron certainly didn't dare say that outright, having experienced Zani's methods before.
"It's just a private matter. This time, the situation was genuinely quite troublesome."
"Personal connections," Zani repeated the term Aeron had used, drawing out the syllables slightly.
"It seems our little clergyman's social network is surprisingly extensive."
"After all, what I need to do next will require her assistance as well."
Another brief silence fell between them, just as the server arrived with the pizza (Aeron's standard order). Yet neither made a move to start eating.
"...Didn't you always say you just wanted to live a peaceful, ordinary life?"
"That remains my life's motto. I'm constantly working toward that goal."
"Between internal family conflicts, the Fractsidus, and now this situation—your actions completely contradict your words."
"When someone targets me, I have no choice but to eliminate the obstacles first."
"So," Zani picked up a slice of pizza but didn't bring it to her mouth, "you specifically called me out today to arrange your 'final affairs'?"
"More or less."
For once, Aeron didn't respond with his usual banter. He picked up a slice of pizza and slowly began eating it.
Ah, the thought of going without Margaret's pizza for a long time still saddened him somewhat.
"Right now all of Ragunna is preparing for Carnevale. I plan to use this period to... attend to some personal matters."
Hearing this, Zani—having known Aeron for so many years—understood what he meant to say. Her hand paused briefly before she slowly brought the pizza to her mouth, chewing deliberately and swallowing before speaking.
"How long will you be away from Ragunna?"
"Don't worry, no matter what happens, I'll definitely return before Carnevale begins."
"Mhm." Zani acknowledged without pressing for details or offering commentary.
"But I won't completely neglect matters here in Ragunna either, so..."
"You came to me, wanting me to keep an eye on things for you?"
Aeron didn't deny it, leaning forward slightly, his tone more serious than ever before.
Because this was the first matter in all this time that he couldn't handle alone, which was why he had approached Zani.
"The Blessed Maiden currently with Montelli needs protection. Carlotta is busy with family affairs and can't spare the time. I have some minor secrets I can't let Rover know about. Ciaccona... well... I can't think of anything she could do at the moment."
"What about Phoebe?"
"To be honest... she's probably the least of my concerns."
After all, Phoebe's greatest flaw was simply being on good terms with Aeron. Since Aeron absorbed most of the Order's criticism, the devout, gentle, and kind Phoebe had become the darling of both the Order and the local community.
Moreover, since the Fractsidus already had cooperation with the Order, they wouldn't target the clergy. As long as Aeron leveraged this properly and had the Rover provide some assistance, no one would be able to get anywhere near Phoebe.
You're right, but this demonstrates the value of being a mascot. While everyone else was tangled in Cristoforo's schemes, only our Phoebe was quietly levelling up on her own. Aeron even suspected she might not even be mentioned in that script.
"But just in case, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on her too."
Zani listened quietly. This was the first time she had seen Aeron show such genuine emotion in front of anyone else.
"While you're away, report intel on Ragunna, and by the way, help take care of the people you care about... like this?"
"Correct. As for payment, Montelli will handle..."
Just as Aeron was casually shifting the most critical issue to Montelli, Zani said something he never expected.
"Then, Aeron, what will you personally pay me?"
"...What?"
What did she mean? Was what he offered not enough?
"What Montelli pays me is my salary. Doing things for you is extra work."
She tilted her head slightly, her silver-short hair brushing past her ear with the movement.
"Helping you out counts as a 'private job.' Since it's private, the payment should naturally be settled 'privately,' shouldn't it?"
"Hiss..."
Though it sounded somewhat off, Aeron couldn't find fault with her logic.
His mind raced, trying to grasp Zani's intent. "What do you want? Echoes? Materials? Or something else?"
"Those things," Zani interrupted him, her tone flat and unemotional, "Miss Carlotta or the Montelli family can provide. They might even offer better or more. If I wanted those, there'd be no need to go through you."
Damn, she made a good point.
"...Then tell me what you want."
She leaned forward slightly, crossing her arms on the table again. The posture made her seem both imposing and strangely restrained, as if holding back some emotion.
"Aeron, how long have we known each other?"
"Uh... quite a while, right?" Aeron answered vaguely, his sense of foreboding growing stronger.
"You came to me, entrusted me with this matter, because you trust me, believe I can handle it, and believe you can repay the cost. Right?"
"Ri... right?"
Aeron felt he was being led in circles by Zani's words.
He understood every word, so why did they sound so strange when put together?
"So, my payment is simple and within your ability to repay."
Here, Zani paused. Even she hadn't expected she'd ever say these words aloud.
"Then, after you return to Ragunna, all your time belongs to me."
"...What do you mean?"
Aeron's brain short-circuited completely.
Seeing his expression, Zani smiled softly, exhaling lightly, her voice steady and clear.
"It means, when you come back, you'll be my boyfriend."
She met his gaze unflinchingly, leaning closer to him.
"Or perhaps, that night, Father, you just considered it a fling?"
"To be fair, it didn't seem like I initi—"
"Hmm?"
Seeing the dark lines forming on Zani's face, Aeron didn't finish his sentence.
"So... do you accept?"
"...Is after-sales service included?"
"No need to worry about that. I have my ways."
"..."
Hearing this, Aeron realized he might have just handed himself over, completely at her mercy.
Only then did Zani pick up the slightly cooled pizza, take a bite, and resume her usual work tone. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow. But don't come see me off."
"Then I'll wait for your return, dear~"
"Uh... we'll talk about it then."
Aeron didn't say any more farewells, simply turned and walked toward the door, waving a hand behind his back at Zani.
Zani watched his retreating figure disappear beyond the doorway, then took another bite of pizza, the curve at the corner of her mouth lingering for a long while.
"...Not bad."
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