Chapter 45: Stay by my side
1861 Words
Days had passed.
Rin was indeed the new gardener of the family. He waters the plants and takes good care of them. Because of his effort, the flowers are blooming beautifully in the garden.
The garden is one of my favorite parts of the mansion because of its wonderful colors. When the breeze of wind passed by. I could scent the sweetness through the air. Giving me a calm mood.
I noticed that I took a glance at him every day from my window. Most of the time he didn’t notice my glance. But when he did, I immediately swayed the curtain covering my window. After that, I looked at him a little and smiled.
We went up to my room to take the wilting flowers on the vase and replace them with new ones. I was silent reading my book.
He looked at me and said:
“Aren’t you bored?”
“Not really. In my room, I have everything I need. There is no reason for me to be bored.”
“I kinda relate to you… before I’m someone who is always in my room playing video games. I didn’t like society and hated people around me back in my old days. That’s why I isolate myself in my room. Thinking that it's the safest place in the world.”
“Are you a noble? What are video games?”
“That’s from my world.”
“Eh? That’s interesting, but I won’t believe you. I mean, what do you mean by your world? There is only one world according to the sacred text.”
“I’m not lying, I’m from the planet called Earth. It's a plant similar to this, but no magic or monsters. Mostly peaceful and no war.”
“I can’t believe that you lie in front of your master. You don’t even have information to back up your words.”
“I don’t care if you believe me or not. I came to this world without knowing why. I was playing a VRMMORPG when suddenly I woke up in this place. I don’t question why, but I’m probably transported to another world like in anime and novels. I was excited, felt like I had made a new chapter in my life. I thought I was a hero, but of course, I’m not. I’m just an ordinary character in this world.”
“You’re talkative for some who don’t care about me… But I know people like you. People like you are considered people with screws loose. Sprouting non-sense. Saying meaningless worlds… There are plenty like you in the novels I’m reading.”
“That’s insulting.”
“Then, if you’re from another world, how did you become Rafael’s grandson?”
“He adopted me after saving me in a raging river. That’s why I have become a gardener. I’m heavily in debt to him. I want to repay him by continuously making the flowers bloom in your garden.”
Repaying to the parents.
I wonder if I could do that? My relationship with my parents is the worst possible. Not a single memory from childhood till now was remembered to be precious.
I put the bookmark on my book and closed it.
“How are you going to make the flowers bloom if we go away to travel?”
“I planned on finding someone who could do the job. After that, I take seeds of the flowers. I’ll find a peaceful place where I can live in peace with my future wife and children. We’re going to have a garden and use the flower seeds. If the flowers here wilted. The flowers will continue to bloom in other places, in my garden.”
Rin has already told me that he's just here to save money for his grand adventure.
Having a destination in mind is great. Meanwhile, I’m just here in my room for eternity, meaningless and empty.
I envy him.
Rin finished changing the water and changing the flowers. Before he left, I called him.
“Rin…”
He turned his head.
“What is it, my lady?”
“Umm… I was interested.”
How can I say this? I have read this in many romance novels already. I wanted him to know how I feel about him. I want to tell him to stay at my side. I don’t want him to go. Or else, I’ll be lonely again…
“My lady?”
“I… I… I was interested in the fictional tale.”
“I don’t remember telling you a fictional tale.”
“About that video game thing and being home in your room… The other world thing… Those are all fiction things, right? I was interested in them. Also, remember that I’m cutting your salary again because of the window you broke.”
“I already know that… I don’t have much to complain about. You gave me good food and shelter in the basement, so it's fine. About my past. I’ll tell you when I have the time. I’ll visit you here again.”
“Promise me tomorrow.”
“Yup, I promise my lady.”
He said and left me in my room.
After he closed the door, I jumped toward my bed and jumped on my stuffed toy doll, Elaina.
“Elaina… he is staying with me. He promised to visit me again. Did you hear that, Elaina? I’m still troubled about my feelings. But I’m happy to know him going back tomorrow.”
I hugged Elaina with a flustered face, rolling on my bed.
It's crazy, but this is the first for me. This fond feeling. Tomorrow all I need to do is wait for his return.
He’ll stay… I make him stay with me.
It was on pure intention. I don’t plan on making him a slave. It was a selfish plan, but I want to make him mine.
As always, he didn’t break his promise.
Days had passed without knowing, he came to tell me the story about the world where he came from. He told me stories about giant robots and much more stuff that I found fascinating.
“ Your place seems very peaceful and easy.”
“You’re right, but society is at the worst. Because everything became too easy, people became very lazy and selfish. Romance has already died. Everyone just thinks for themselves. My country is one of the most depressing ones. My country has the highest risk of suicide. Because of loneliness, I think. The rise of individualism continues. Everyone thinks of everyone as a tool. Social status, wealth, and power. That’s what's important to most people in my home.”
“I can tell that it's depressing.”
“Sure it was.”
“I was the same as I would think… I couldn’t go outside the mansion because of my strict parents. I have a fiance and he is a prince. But I have never seen him, not even once.”
“It would be funny if he looked like a pig.”
“That’s harsh. I pray that’s not the case… Still, the prince is not the one I like to stay at my side.”
“What? You have someone you like… You’re always home. I never thought you'd fall for someone.”
“I’m confused in my feelings, but I like to know him more. I was interested. What kind of girl would you like to marry?”
“Let's see. First of all, I want a cute girl... I don’t want to be a generic guy saying I want someone very kind and loving. Of course, appearance matters just sometimes… Kindness would be great and someone who can cook. I would love to eat freshly made dinner after I work hard the entire day.”
I never cooked even in my entire life. I wonder if my mother would let me visit the kitchen? I asked her immediately.
In terms of cuteness. I think I’m very cute. I have been a pretty girl since birth. Appearance is not a problem.
“What else?”
“You so worked up about this?”
I pulled his cheeks and said:
“Just answer me… It's an order!”
“Yes… My lady… Maybe someone likes my lady.”
Eh?
“What did you say?”
“My lady is cute, intelligent, wealthy, and nice. I don’t feel intimidated to talk with you. Unlike your father and mother. They look down on us like they are going to kill us anytime. I feel scared… My lady is the cutest in this mansion. I barely had a time seeing other girls outside… I kinda look at you as my ideal girl.”
He was flustered and avoided his way.
Could it be… His feeling embarrassed?
“Hmm, I can’t cook through.”
“I know that.”
I crawled toward him and in his ears, I whispered.
“I’m the same… I think you’re the best looking in the mansion. Not handsome, but I think I can bear with it.”
“You’re insulting me again. My appearance is just the bare minimum, huh?… Being average is tough.”
Looks like he didn’t get my confession. He was so oblivious about romance.
But maybe it's my fault for not being straightforward. I’ll tell him when I get the chance.
I retreated to make him comfortable.
“I’m just telling the truth.”
I said.
After that, we go back to the stories about his world.
“Oh, the sword demon is said to be someone like me. I heard rumors about it. She’s someone from my world.”
“Sword Demon, you mean the substitute hero. The one that saved the capital city.”
“Kaede is the same in the game Fantasy world online. She’s one of the most powerful players. She dominated high-level players in her early playing days. I look up to her.”
I took a newspaper from the table and presented it to Rin. There was an article about the upcoming war and many male adventurers were gathering to participate in the war.
“The sword demon and other chosen adventurers will come to attack dark territory. She has her hands full.”
Rin became silent for a moment. He stood up and before he exited the room.
“I remember… I have something to do… Let's see each other tomorrow.”
He didn’t even look at my eyes. Is he still embarrassed about earlier?
Well, I like him acting cute.
“Yup, tomorrow again.”
I replied and smiled.
Like today. All I need to do is wait for tomorrow. I’ll see him again and the day will be really fun again.
However…
Gods don’t like seeing me happy…
That tomorrow I’m waiting for never come…
I saw him in the garden or the mansion for many days. He vanished from my life like a bubble.
“You didn’t break the promise, right? What happened?”
I muttered, holding Elaina in my arms, looking at the window, waiting for him.
“The flowers are wilting.”
- Writer
