**Chapter Seven: Old Scoundrel**
“Bubbly sweet? What does that even mean?”
Carlos raised an eyebrow, looking slightly puzzled.
“Nothing…”
Seeing he didn’t get it, I was too lazy to explain.
Honestly, I understood the worries running through both Carlos and Angel’s minds. But some questions left me just as confused… Whatever, it’s a hassle to think about, so let’s not go there right now.
I quickly changed the subject, “Is the trip to the Eastern Continent really dangerous?”
“Dangerous… Sure, there might be a bit of that,” Carlos twirled his hair at the back of his head, then suddenly grinned, “Why? Are you worried about me?”
“Who would be?”
“Tsk, you’re just playing hard to get… I can totally tell you’re worried about me.”
“Hmph.”
I purposely turned my head away and huffed, refusing to continue the conversation.
Seeing I was ignoring him didn’t faze Carlos at all, and he kept chatting, “Don’t worry about it. The Eastern Continent is my hometown! I grew up drinking Red River water, so I know the ropes there like the back of my hand. Honestly, I’d love for you to see it. It’s so refreshing—if you’ve got a strong punch, you’re king! The Easterners are mostly pretty straightforward. Easy to get along with, much better than those flashy jerks on the Western Continent…”
I looked into Carlos’s striking blue eyes that twinkled in the night, momentarily lost in thought, then suddenly remembered.
Duh, this guy is from the Eastern Continent.
“…Anyway, that’s how it is… I actually came to say goodbye today.”
Goodbye?
You disappeared for days, barely said a word, and now you waltz in just to say goodbye?
So annoying.
“Well, if you’re done saying goodbye, just hurry up and leave! You’re irritating to look at!”
I made a show of my impatience, glancing over at the brightly lit house behind me. Through the window, I could faintly see a graceful silhouette on the sofa, her golden eyes seemingly fixed on me.
“Really?”
I heard Carlos’s teasing tone in response.
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
“Then give me back my cake and cheese.”
“I won’t!”
I spun around quickly, eyes wide open in protest. Carlos just winked at me with that cheeky grin, and I kicked at him.
Carlos dodged nimbly.
He stepped back two paces, bent down to pluck a piece of grass from the lawn, popped it in his mouth, the grin on his face growing wider.
“Little Shay, you’re still the same, haven’t changed a bit… I feel so relieved.”
After saying that, he just smiled at me, his grey-white hair gently swaying in the breeze, his figure standing tall under the moonlight, casting a long shadow.
Just when I thought he might say more, Carlos abruptly turned towards the iron gate leading out of the garden.
Panicking, I called out, “W-What did you say?!”
So confusing…
But Carlos didn’t answer; he just waved his hand without looking back.
“See you! Take care.”
Zing—
A flash of light, and his figure disappeared into the vast night.
Oh, he’s gone…
Great, now I don’t have to ponder if stewed oranges with radish count as a dish or soup.
I stood in the garden for a bit, then suddenly remembered I hadn’t eaten my dessert, so I dashed back into the house and plopped down next to Victoria, curling my legs up on the sofa. I gazed at the delicate pastries and ripe fruits on the tea table, feeling a little hungry still. After a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed a large fruit and started munching on it.
I also sneaked a glance at Victoria.
…Why isn’t she saying anything?
Sitting there like a serene statue, isn’t she curious about what Carlos and I talked about?
She wasn’t even looking at me or eating…
And more importantly, I noticed there was no alcohol on the dinner table tonight.
“Chew… chew… Viki… mmm…”
“Swallow what’s in your mouth before talking.”
“Mm…”
The servants had left a long time ago, leaving just the two of us in the enormous mansion.
I looked down, scratched my thigh, and feeling my bangs blocking my view, I pushed them aside. As I chewed the fruit and swallowed, I had thought of asking her why she wasn’t drinking, but suddenly remembered she promised last time in the bedroom at House No. 2 to drink less.
Is this… her keeping that promise?
Or maybe it’s because Carlos was around…
Questions buzzed in my mind, and what came out instead was, “So, how long have you and Carlos known each other?”
“Not long. Why? Did he leave?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded and took another bite of fruit, crunching loudly, noticing Victoria had gone silent again. I couldn’t help but ask, “You two… how did you meet?”
“His swordsmanship teacher and my teacher are the same person.”
Victoria said flatly, plucking a grape from the platter and chewing it gently.
“Uh…”
I already knew that…
“I mean, did you… have any conflicts?”
“No.”
“Then why—”
“There’s no reason; just eat your food.”
“……”
Ugh…
She doesn’t want to tell me…
What to do?
I thought for a moment, grabbed her little arm, gave it a gentle shake, and pouted with my eyes batting.
“Come on, spill it…”
“……”
“Viki…”
“I told you, he’s been involved with a lot of women.”
Ah, she let it slip!
That was easy~
Looking at the calm and composed side profile beside me, I nearly burst out laughing.
No, must hold it in…
“But, why would you—just because of that—”
“He proposed to my mother’s cousin when he was twelve.”
“Puh— cough cough!”
I almost choked.
Huh?
Proposal? Huh? Victoria’s mother’s cousin? Carlos?!
???
Such explosive gossip just dropped on me like a bomb, and coming straight from Victoria, it was too much to process! My brain short-circuited, and I stared at her in disbelief, finally managing to ask: “So, she…”
“Married into Silgaya.”
“……”
In an instant, I had imagined a dramatic love story.
Like some commoner crossing paths with royalty… No, wait, with a noble! Falling in love, eloping, then being scorned by the world, the noble girl getting dragged back for a marriage, and Carlos swearing off love forever, becoming a lonely old bachelor…
“Stop thinking about it. The day after the proposal, Carlos slept with a carpenter’s daughter in town, who was thirteen years older than him.”
“……”
Carlos…
Is he really that kind of person?!
I exclaimed angrily, “He should’ve had his head chopped off!”
“Back then, there was indeed that preparation, but the man himself was weeping like a baby, refusing to comply. My mother couldn’t bear it, and with the Sword Saint’s identity in play, it all ended up unresolved.”
Victoria shot me a glance, speaking in a flat tone.
Eww…
Thinking back to his suave smile as he left just now, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.
Old scoundrel…
“So, you don’t like him…”
“That’s not entirely the reason.”
