And… there is a deep hatred and disgust within him. He even had that same look when he mercilessly slashed my neck.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking but listen, you damned girl.”

“Ugh…”

“You better be aware that I have no intention of staying close to the likes of you.”

“Wh-, why…” Sezh stammered to herself.

Raytan didn’t answer for a moment then suddenly grabbed Sezh’s hair with his other hand. It was so painful that Sezh’s eyes began to swell with tears.

“Blonde hair and blue eyes. All of the people in the Imperial Palace look the same and stick close together. Just like birds, flocking together with their companions.”

“Big bro-, big brother Raytan…”

“I know what the imperial people think of us. So do you. And what of it?”

“…”

“I hate the likes of you. Even more than the hate you show me to the point where I want to kill you all!”

No, wait, you think this is my fault? I didn’t even do anything wrong towards you… I’m not even doing the same things that I did in the past…

Of course, Sezh didn’t say that out loud because she still wanted to live.

“You’re filthy.”

Raytan finally released Sezh as if he were ridding himself of a bug. He even clapped his hands together roughly like one would do when patting themselves clean.

Huff, huff. Sezh staggered and breathed heavily.

“Get away from me.”

Ah, but…

I really feel like vomiting…

As she lost her balance, Sezh slammed her face right into Raytan’s chest. Then…

“Oof…”

“What?”

“Hueee.”

At that moment, all the things that Sezh had eaten hurled forth and splattered upon them like a waterfall. She saw that Raytan’s clothes had become soaked and dirty with her illness.

I’m doom… ed…

“…”

“…”

A cold silence fell between them. Sezh, who freed herself from Raytan’s chest, looked up to see his reaction.

Raytan… didn’t move an inch.

He seems like someone who doesn’t understand what just happened. Maybe he is just dumbfounded, or maybe both…

Seeing him like this, Sezh began to wipe Raytan’s clothes with her sleeve. Of course, it was of no use. Far from becoming better, it was getting worse.

I’m doomed.

Sezh paled and opened her lips, quivering.

“I’m so-, sorr…”

“…”

“I didn’t mean to do this… really, I am-“

Raytan interrupted her by pushing Sezh away.

“Aaack!”

She fell backwards and screamed, and Raytan glared at her as if he really wanted to kill her right now.

Am I going to die now? Because I threw up on him once?

Sezh shivered and trembled in fear, but Raytan neither killed Sezh nor hit her.

He left her alone while muttering things like, ‘damn it’, or ‘stupid girl’, among other curse words.

“…”

Sezh, who was left alone, didn’t move an inch until Raytan’s back disappeared from view. It was more like she had been frozen in place. She was afraid that once she turned around, he would run back towards her, but Raytan had disappeared. After waiting for a long time, Sezh sighed in relief.

“I almost died.”

It was really unexpected. I thought he was going to at least hit me. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he slapped me a couple of times. Well, I’m glad, though…

But it looks like the plan to curry favor with him has failed and been cancelled already.

… No, I’m sure there’ll be another chance to try again later.

Sezh tried to comfort herself. At least now, after vomiting, she felt a little better.

As she got up, she tried to pick up the jewelry box and the ruby that had been left lying on the floor. She was extremely relieved and tired that the day’s ordeal was over. All she wanted to do now was go back, take a bath, and change out of her dirty, vomit-ridden clothes. She was still afraid because Raytan was supposed to teach her Kazaki, but she decided to think about it tomorrow.