NOVEL NEXT Vol. 3 Chapter 1: Simmering Tensions
***The Imperial Council Chambers of the Empire of Chersea***
Several leagues south of Chersea’s northern shores lay the territory of the Empire of Chersea. Formerly the overlord of the entire human realm, this ancient country was just a shadow of its old self, with various kingdoms, principalities, and duchies to its north and east regions, achieving independence at different times in its long history.
However, though relatively smaller compared to its glorious past, the Empire still was formidable. Its power may have weakened for a while now, but it remained a force to reckon with. Their neighbors were wary of every movement within the Imperial borders, for experience could tell that their ambitions to rule humanity never faded yet…
And just like how it was before, this time was of great concern; an Imperial Council of all the Empire’s nobility had been called, and anyone who knew the inner workings of this country could say that it was summoned because of the sudden turn of events recently.
“Such insolence!” a noble named Sir Petaine cried out the moment the news about the treatment of the Imperial Prince was made known to the council, “Despite knowing of our might, those northern barbarians had the gall to insult our Emperor and his heir! We cannot let this pass; a slap to our Emperor’s face is a slap to us all!”
“Call the legions! Let’s go to war!” the other nobles echoed Sir Petaine’s sentiments. The entire council was in an uproar, and soldiers had to be rushed in to quell the potential riot.
Meanwhile, in all his dignity and glory, the Emperor himself sat comfortably on his high chair; right at the center of the hall. He was quietly musing over the chaos before him, knowing full well that it wouldn’t be long before he got what he intended to call the council for.
“…”
At that moment, he snapped his fingers and the chambers immediately fell in order and silence. In those parts of Chersea, the Emperor’s words were absolute—comparable to the voice of the gods. He had the power to take away the life of his subjects, should he will it.
“My dear subjects!” the Emperor spoke softly; everyone else listened intently, “While I understand your sentiments and faithfulness to me as your ruler, I implore you to desist from taking rash and violent actions based on feelings. While the northern barbarian kingdoms had committed a great offense to us, it is of utmost importance to remind you we still have to abide by the treaty we signed before the Saint of Chersea herself!”
A noble then asked, “Your Imperial Majesty, while we had to conform with Her Holiness, our traditions would never allow insults to you, our emperor! However, if we must exercise restraint, what does your great and endless wisdom propose for us to do?”
“For now, we’ll have to agree with them, or Her Holiness will unleash a plague against us,” the Emperor explained, “I don’t want to cause unnecessary suffering to you, my children. But know this, the falcon never sleeps. We shall never forget what was done to us, however, we must stay our hand for now. We will have our honor—soiled by that foolish ‘Iron Duke’—avenged. This, I assure you!”
“Then we’ll gladly support you, our Emperor!” someone shouted. He was followed by thunderous cheers and applause from everyone else. Soon, the entire chamber was in an uproar once again.
“Down with the North! Restore our honor! Kill the barbarians!”
----------
After the council was adjourned, the Emperor called his few trusted men and his Imperial heir into his private chambers.
“Your Majesty, it is of note that I’d report to you we had our spies in place,” one of the Emperor’s loyal military men, Marshal d’Erlone told the Emperor, “We also placed some agents ready to move in and ‘clean’ the undesirables, should you decide that their life is forfeit.”
“Hmm? What for?” the Emperor asked absent-mindedly. His men were quite concerned when they heard that, for their monarch had forgotten the reason they’d gathered in the first place.
“Err…Sire, isn’t it the Holy Congress coming soon?” someone brought it up to him.
“Ah yes, yes! I finally remember it now. That pesky congress…” the Emperor waved his hand as if dismissing the man who reminded him of their goal for that secret meet, “I have already given my orders to our emissary regarding that matter. He should know by now our sentiments to be conveyed to Her Holiness.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Marshal d’Erlone reiterated, “That’s why we placed some agents to back our Imperial emissary, should things go for naught.”
“Ah! Good work, Marshal, good work!” the Emperor praised the military man, who proudly accepted it.
Someone from among the nobles asked, “Sire, are we sending an ambassador instead of your Most Majestic person attending?”
“Of course! Because of my foolish heir of a son, I couldn’t show my face to the barbarian kings for a while.”
The eyes of everyone present in that room fell immediately on the Crown Prince, who silently squirmed at the unwanted attention being given to him.
“Don’t worry too much about the smallest of things,” the Emperor advised, “Isn’t this somehow helping us? While the northern barbarians are busy bickering with their petty quarrels at the congress, we’ll attack accordingly. And I’ll remain here to oversee our preparations for that.”
“Your wisdom is something to reckon with, Your Imperial Majesty!” Sir Petaine complimented him.
“Oh, yes! My ever-so-loyal orator, Sir Petaine!” the Emperor tossed a bag of coins toward the man, “I’d also like to praise your oratory skills back in the council chamber, Sir Petaine. You galvanized those simple fools into supporting me.”
“It’s my pleasure to have served you, Your Imperial Majesty,” Sir Petaine bowed reverently as he accepted the reward from the Emperor, “My mouth shall be your herald in the council as long as I live, my Emperor.”
“Hmm…very well then!” the Emperor returned to his business, facing his trusted men, “It’s good that all of you have gathered here, my most faithful children. For a while now, we have just been following the events in the northern region, reacting to whatever and whenever something happens. And because of that, we ended up being shamed and the influence of our state challenged.”
“…” No one dared to speak as the emperor recounted the events that led to the incident now known as the ‘Boxing of the Imperial Prince’. His heir stood beside him, head cast down as the younger Imperial never wanted to discuss that humiliating episode.
“And here I thought Sir Milne hired the best mercenaries available to capture the Saint as she went on her way to Fen?” the Emperor’s eyes went around as he finished his speech, “Where’s Sir Milne? I need your explanation!”
“I am here, Your Majesty!” a bumbling, bespectacled man raised his hand from the back of the crowd, “If I may explain myself, my lord?”
“Well, that’s what I want to ask of you. Go ahead.”
“Ah yes!” Sir Milne tried to appear calm and collected. Still, in reality, his knees were quivering from fear. Indeed, I bought the best mercenary companies available in the northern continent and accordingly planned our operation to capture Her Holiness while she vacationed in Fen. I even had our spy spike Her Holiness' drinks and cause her deep sleep so that she won’t be able to intervene while we attacked her carriage…”
“Then what caused the failure of your plan?”
“Sire…” Sir Milne swallowed his fear and explained, “There was…erm…a bit of a…’nuisance’ that hindered our plans.”
“And what nuisance is this?”
“That commoner named Kuro.”
The Emperor suddenly burst out laughing. His laughs were so loud that they filled the entire room and secretly annoyed his subjects present. They never dared show it, though, lest they suffer grave consequences.
“Are you telling me that a commoner is a threat?” the Emperor raised his eyebrows. “Is this how you explain your incompetence?”
“Your Majesty, if I may explain, our spies in Nerfes credited him for prevent—”
“I won’t hear any of your excuses anymore, Sir Milne! Either you give me a proper explanation of why you failed, or I’ll have your head on a pike later.”
Sir Milne was forced to shut his lips for a while. However, the Imperial Prince came to his defense.
“My father! Sir Milne speaks the truth!” he pleaded, “That man named Kuro is not just a mere ‘commoner’; he even defeated the army of the Grey Knight with a handful of mercenaries in his command!”
“It’s just a fluke.”
“Father!” the Imperial Crown Prince cried in dismay at his father’s apparent nonchalant attitude, “He even used a demon weapon to defeat the fully armored Paladin Prince in one fell swoop!”
“A peasant using a cowardly weapon of devils isn’t exactly a warrior!” the Emperor quipped, quite fed up with the ruckus about that commoner, “You’ve been giving him too much credit for something so trivial. I take it you’re still bitter when he punched your face; however, that’s your undoing. You should’ve never let loose of your vicious tongue hurling those insults at Her Holiness. Even if she’s unsightly, she’s still the Saint with the powers of the gods and you’re just a prince.”
The Imperial Prince couldn’t counter those words from his father. Not only those were true; he feared that if he said otherwise, he’d join Sir Milne’s head on the pike.
“Why don’t we focus on something more threatening, like the Golden Sword of Heaven, or the Iron Princess?” the Emperor turned to his military men, “Do you have any reports about those two?”
“Your Majesty, the Golden Sword is one thing; but the Iron Princess is of a greater threat. She may be exiled with Her Holiness for now, but for our greater chance of success, we’d want to isolate her further from Nerfes,” Marshal d’Erlone explained.
“Ugh…that bastard, Arthur, trained his sister well…” the Emperor muttered, “I should’ve had him killed before he could impart his martial skills to that little princess.”
The Marshal, however, didn’t mind what his ruler said and carried on with his words, “I already prepared measures to make sure that the Iron Princess would stay on the sidelines, should we make our move to destabilize the northern kingdoms.”
“As always, outstanding work, Marshal!” the Emperor applauded, “And speaking of our plan, when do you think your men would be most ready to execute it?”
“As soon as you give us the order, Your Majesty. I believe that just as you say, the most ideal time would be the time when the conference is in full swing and the barbarian rulers are distracted” the marshal replied, “The Kingdom of Amaranth is the most vulnerable since the nobles there had no love for their crown prince. And as King William of Amaranth is getting weak, the opposing factions to his heir grow stronger. I think it’ll be only reasonable that we’ll strike there first.”
“Yes, let’s do that, Marshal,” the Emperor agreed.
“And also, Your Imperial Majesty, may I remind you that the Bloody Witch of Meldech is on our side as well.”
Everyone’s eyes in that room listened intently to the Marshal after he said those words. Only the Emperor was left unfazed.
“What are you saying, Sir Marshal?” one noble asked, quite alarmed, “If I can recall correctly, that madwoman was defeated and killed by Her Holiness before!”
The Imperial Prince backed it further with, “I also knew it was so. Do you mean to say that Her Holiness is lying? That she-devil is alive?”
The Marshal didn’t reply to their concerns. Instead, His Imperial Majesty answered, “Don’t ask for too much. What’s important now is that this witch is fighting for us right now.”
“…”
An air of dread and fear then spread to all who were present, save for the Marshal and the Emperor. However, as if expecting such kind of reaction from his subjects, His Imperial Majesty then spoke…
“Please call over the Flame Saint’s Grand Templar.”
“I am here, Your Majesty!” an old woman in crimson holy garments came up and presented herself before the monarch.
“Great Templar, would you be so kind as to request the presence of your patron? I’d like to speak to her about these fools doubting our wisdom.”
The old templar bowed in reverence, “Yes, my lord. I will summon the saint, Seirna, as soon as possible!”
----------
**Kuro**
Ah! We’re finally here…
Well, in all honesty, I missed these familiar sceneries. Those moss-green ramparts that made up the walls, the tall towers of that dominant, colossal building in the middle of this place, and the pearly-white, and gilded doorframes of that 5-story palace we call the ‘Saint’s Chambers’…
Yep, at long last, we’re back at the Holy Palatial Gardens.
“…”
“Uh, can you guys help with these luggage cases here?”
“Sure thing! Here, hand me that thing over there.”
“Get those stuff here! Don’t you dare drop a single bag!”
The maids who remained in here for the duration of the Saint’s vacation quickly moved to assist us in unloading our baggage. Well, let me correct that…it’s their baggage. In all the time I stayed at the Rubinforth estate, I bought nothing else, save for that gunpowder. I made the flasks, and it’s from several discarded potion bottles. Virtually all those bags and suitcases being unloaded were from the guards, maids, and the two saints with our group. They were the ones who took time to shop for anything since they had the means to do so…
Hah, typical girls.
But yeah, I guess I needed to help with that stuff because I was the only guy here. I didn’t want to be seen as an irresponsible and lazy adult…
“Hey, Mister Kuro, you can leave that to us,” a maid told me.
Well, it’s a bit of a sting unto my pride, so I insisted, “Ah, I can help you with that, at least.”
The maid stared at me. I could tell those eyes seemed to emit some kind of meaning. Then she giggled and quickly took the case from me. “You may reserve your energy for when you’re alone with Her Holiness!” The maid mischievously smiled and scurried away.
I pretended not to hear anything and moved on to the next group of suitcases. Well, not wishing to appear ‘weak,’ I took every bag I could lift.
Heh, you know, ‘guy’ problems…
“Please, Mister Kuro!” it’s the Head Maid, Lily. Her voice was strangely aloof and formal, compared to when she talked to me before. It’s like she was putting on an invisible wall between us, “Put down those bags and let the girls carry them. That’s our job, see?”
“Well, at least let me get mine,” embarrassed, I tried to salvage my situation by offering to take care of my belongings.
But Lily won’t even budge, “No. Don’t meddle in our work.”
Err…the blunt refusal from Lily made the air between us extremely awkward.
Is she mad because of that ‘engagement’ between me and Maddie? Lily’s been pretty attached to Maddie since they were childhood friends. Could she be getting jealous now that I came between them and technically ‘snatched’ Maddie away from her?
Well, Maddie’s attention nowadays is always focused on me, so I guess that’s understandable.
“…”
Nah. It’s better that I didn’t presume on things, especially with girls. I might be mistaken; from what I observed, Lily’s matured enough not to let this matter get into her head. Maybe it's just that she’s tired from the long journey, like the rest of us.
It’d be bad if the head maid would see me as someone threatening to her.
But man, she can be snappy when tired, eh?
“…”
Anyway, though the air was awkward, Lily remained beside me. It’s as if she wanted to tell me something.
“Mister Kuro.”
“Hm?”
“It’s about Her Holiness, Madelaine,” she began, her indifferent tone piercing my ears. Lily’s sudden change of behavior towards me was painful to experience; you know, like an old, close friend of yours getting all angry at you? It felt like that.
“What do you mean?”
She continued, “Although Her Holiness may seem like that—sweet and whimsical at times, I advise you to keep your distance. You may be engaged to her, but you could be certain that the winds of change would come, so be careful.”
“…”
“You can be sure that we’re always watching,” Lily bowed politely and returned to her work, fixing our luggage.
I found myself unable to say anything. I felt like I wanted to cry; it seemed like Lily suspected me. This was a big change from being her friend!
Man…this is why I don’t like that ‘engagement’ thing. It’s not that I also wanted to be Maddie’s fiancée. I mean, not that I hated it, but she deserved a much better person than me!
I didn’t even know what to do when the Duke of Rubinforth happily announced it to everyone in our group; all the while, the Rubinforth kids happily chirped in. The servants and paladins initially couldn’t believe the big change of heart of the ‘Iron Duke’ of Nerfes, but when they saw that the Saint’s old man was sincere, they also began teasing us.
I remembered Lily’s face back then. She had no expression in her eyes, but I could feel hostility oozing from her.
And then, amidst their merry-making, Lily posted a suggestion: keep this matter a secret for now. Yes, I agree as well. If this issue gets out to the public, it would only increase scrutiny of my private life and my relationship with Maddie.
Not only that, nobles and royalty would soon swarm around me—either challenge me for a duel (since it’s not a secret that the Saint has a legion of admirers in both the aristocrats and commoners) or, they’d vie for my favor (since I’m technically the closest person to Maddie).
Of course, enter the petty human politics…
“…”
Besides, I guess Maddie’s just being swept by the suddenness of the events around her. She got heartbroken just recently, and I've been the closest man to her ever since, so it’s all due to what happened before. There will come a time when she and everyone around her will suddenly wake up from this ‘dream,’ and I’ll be once again a nobody.
Yes, that’s why I didn’t like to presume things; and would treat this as carefully as possible. It’s painful to realize that you’re just a replacement in someone’s heart.
And, I knew full well that no one would fall in love with someone like me; back on Earth, all the girls I tried to court flatly rejected me—BUH!
A small branch from the tree flew and hit my head fair and square. My eyes quickly went to Maddie, who was smiling at the person she was talking to. Well, I guess it’s just a coincidence that the branch broke off and hit me.
I mean, look at that girl; she’s all smiles and a dark, threatening aura is coming out of her…
“…”
Yep, she read my mind. These branches would only go off like that whenever she’s pissed.
Ah, anyway. I guess I did my part. It’s just that they—Lily—didn’t allow me to help them with anything. And with that, I should just sit back, relax, and remove my useless self in this place so that the maids could focus on their work…
Good lord, I guess I should find work soon. It feels like I’m becoming more and more of a liability here rather than an asset.
----------
And so, everything was back in order at the Holy Palatial Gardens. The normal, and slow, uneventful ‘days’ resumed as usual. As someone who was close to Maddie, I didn’t face suspicions that much compared to before. I could come in and out of the Saint’s Chambers without being questioned by the Paladin Corps.
However, I resolved to myself that I wouldn’t abuse my given privileges. While I do drop by that place to visit, it’s usually when I am about to assist in Maddie’s exercise, which by now had become something of a normal routine—nothing more, nothing less.
While I understand people's doubts, such as ‘We’re engaged,’ I was not in a hurry to marry Maddie. As I always say, she had more potential in other good men than she did with me.
“…”
Aside from our relationship, many things had also changed—big and small. For one, there were now organized groups of servants and paladins doing jogging rounds every time we awakened from our ‘long sleep.’ I could hear their shouts encouraging their companions to keep up their exercise pace.
I wonder how did those guys end up jogging? Did they witness Her Holiness doing it?
Another thing—and this one was pretty big for a change, was that the maids’ and guards’ treatment of me significantly improved. Before, I always had to endure suspicious stares thrown at me whenever they saw me walking around; now, even if I do my laundry in front of a maid (I wash my undergarments, see?), the maid would try to help me.
Yep, the atmosphere is kind of pleasant right now.
And also, the food. You see, although I was a commoner, the kitchen—under the chief maid Jessica—was now serving me the usual fare reserved for a distinguished guest. Back then, I would get scraps, or after the incident with Eris, they’d give me ‘commoner-style’ food.
Of course, I had to refuse their gesture. I preferred to be seen as a usual ‘commoner,' and the sudden improvement of treatment stressed me out more than ever. It’s not like I don’t want any improvements in relationships…I just got used to my usual lifestyle inside the palatial gardens.
Heck, I’m not even a member of nobility! What made them think that getting close to Her Holiness—yes, I’m not using the word ‘engaged’—changed the very essence of my personality?
“…”
Anyway, they offered me a room inside the Saint’s Chambers (the palace where she stays), which I immediately rejected. Well, any man with self-decency would do it; it’s almost as if we’re cohabiting before marriage, an idea with which I disagree.
The maids still treat me like an oddity, though with a bit of better reception. Maddie still drops by my room to relax, often accompanied by her friend Lily. Sometimes, she’d come with another servant to chat with me…usually about politics and similar matters.
We both have the same interests, so we’re hitting off quite well on those topics.
Yep, our rendezvous was as platonic as possible, don’t worry. I guess if someone sees us, one would think we’re not dating at all.
“…”
Oh, that brings to mind that if anything changed for the worse, I’d say it’s my relationship with the head maid, Lily.
I mean, before, we’re way too close. But nowadays, we barely talk to one another. Lily often accompanies Maddie when she hangs out in my room. However, the Head Maid maintains her ‘aloof’ and ‘quiet’ self whenever she’s here.
It’s as if she’s just watching us together, monitoring me.
“…”
Honestly, it was painful at first. The silent treatment hurt me, and I couldn’t help but feel extremely awkward whenever she was here. But as time went by, I gradually became used to it. I didn’t know if Maddie was aware of her friend’s behavior; I never wanted to raise it because I hated them to fight because of me.
Haa…but well, I do miss that ‘warm Lily’…
I am at a loss for what caused her to change like that.
“…”
I probably should get some sleep. These negative thoughts were getting to me.
----------
“Rise and shine, Maddie!”
“…”
The Saint’s head maid, Lily, greeted her when she opened her eyes. No, just to be clear; it’s not that she was awakened by the head maid. It’s more like Her Holiness woke up alone and Lily was there to greet her. You know how deep of a sleeper Maddie could be; she won’t awaken until she decides to open her eyes…even if she’s already conscious. I watched them from the sidelines since my unofficial duty was prodding Maddie to take on her ‘daily’ exercise routine.
“Ah, hello Lily!” Maddie smiled at her friend when her senses were up, “By the way, where’s Kuro?”
“I’m over here, Your Holiness!” I waved my hand for her to see me.
“Hello, Kuro! And it’s Maddie,” she quickly reminded me of her preferred way to call her.
“Right,” Lily—all business-like and formal—immediately went to work, having the other maids bring out the selection of ‘exercise’ clothes for her to choose from, “Well, Maddie, what would you wear today?”
“Hmm…I don’t know…it’s just an exercise, anyway.”
“Well, you have to appear at your best every time you go outside,” Lily reminded her. "You always tell me that before, right?” She then picked out a set for her friend. “Well, why don’t you wear this one? I think you’ll be able to move freer in this one than the other.”
“Maybe I’ll just wait outside for you to get dressed,” seeing that Lily would decide for Maddie, I excused myself. ‘Girl stuff.'
But then Maddie stopped me from leaving…
“Ah wait, Kuro! I want you to choose for me!” I heard her say.
“Eh?” I stared at Lily, who remained indifferent, keeping up her usual smile, “Err…didn’t you guys already agreed on a dress?”
“Well, Lily always decides on my clothes for quite a long time now. I think it would be a breath of fresh air if I let you choose this time.”
“…” I couldn’t help but feel awkward for Lily. But the head maid was silent. She just gave me a nod and displayed the choices for Maddie’s exercise clothes. I…I just hope that Lily’s all fine with this.
Come on, Maddie, won’t you read the mood? I mean, you’re good at this and all, right?
“…”
I was having my apprehensions.
I could feel something was off. Lily’s suggestion was rejected, and though she may put up a brave face, being refused for your opinion was painful…especially if it’s someone as close as your friend.
“Mister Kuro?”
“!!!” Lily's voice brought me back to reality. “Eh? What now?”
“Uh, Maddie’s clothes? Have you already decided on one?”
“O-of course!” I randomly picked out a dress for her from the bed. “Here, I think this will do it!”
Well, picking carefully for a girl’s clothes could be a handful, especially if it’s someone as picky as Maddie. And also, I was not that good with women’s sense of fashion—be easy on me! I’ve been a single virgin dude for the past 25 years of my life, ’till recently.
“…”
Lily and Maddie intensely stared at the pair of clothes I chose. And then, much to my surprise, they both blushed. What just happened?
“Uwaah…I didn’t know that Kuro liked this one while I do my jogging…” Maddie commented with an embarrassed expression on her face, “Quite bold for your choice, mister!”
Lily was more direct and clearer than the Saint, “Uh…Mister Kuro, I don’t think Her Holiness could wear that, at least for an exercise session.”
“Huh? Isn’t that just a normal exercise dress?” I took the clothes from Lily and examined them carefully. I think I just made a mistake…“!!!” By reflex, I quickly threw the clothes back to Lily, who caught them in time.
Hey, it’s not like I can help it; after all, it’s something that a girl should wear in private.
“Mister Kuro, would you like Maddie to wear lingerie when she does her jogging?” Lily coldly asked, though with amusement and bits of sarcasm.
“Well, yes—wait—ah, NO!” I panicked, “Wait! What is lingerie doing there on the choices for an exercise dress, anyway?”
----------
So, after picking up an appropriate dress for the occasion, we did our usual jogging routine. Maddie did the most intense part of the exercise while I watched her from the side, occasionally throwing encouragement and guidance at her. She went around the courtyard, and Lily was on standby with a pitcher and a glass of cold water on an ornate silver table nearby.
Well, I don’t know. After that episode with Maddie earlier in her room, I was embarrassed to talk to Lily for now. I’d like to tell her I was sorry for what happened, but it felt like I shouldn’t do it, or I’d be patronizing her…
“She’s gotten used to your ‘exercise,' Mister Kuro,” Lily broke her silence, much to my surprise.
“Oh, ah…yes!” I blurted out. And then I fell quiet again, unable to come up with something to keep our conversation going.
I could feel an air of tension between me and the Head Maid. I didn’t know why, but she also reverted to adding the ‘Mister’ before my name, which she usually does in her ‘formal’ mode.
Lily must have taken offense about Maddie’s decision earlier.
“Uh…H-head Maid…”
“Hm?”
Yep, I guess Lily took it to her heart. She’d usually remind me to call her ‘Lily’ whenever I referred to her as ‘head maid.’
“Err…how do I say this, but well, I’m sorry for earlier.”
“For what, Mister Kuro?”
“Well…” Honestly, I had difficulty putting into words the mixed feelings I had in my heart. However, I believe this was better than having that awkward, cold treatment at all, “Uh, you see, about earlier…”
“Ah, that incident with Maddie rejecting my suggestion on what she’d wear and instead she accepted yours?” Lily was dismissive, “Don’t worry Mister Kuro, it’s all fine with me.”
She said that with a business-like smile. And yes, I felt something was off with her face; Lily’s not reassuring—it’s scary.
“Head maid—”
“It’s Lily,” she forcefully reiterated. I could sense the tension in her voice when she said that.
“Uh…are you angry?”
“Why should I? It’s a trivial matter, anyway.”
Yes, she’s mad, indeed. By the sound of her voice, Lily was getting more pissed the more I talked to her. Well, and with that, I guess I won’t proceed much further. I was afraid the more I said anything, the more she’d get angry.
“…”
Good lord, this is awkward…