You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 626

His concern to make me feel comfortable was obvious. There was nothing I could truly reproach him for. Clemente had always tried not to overstep boundaries and be polite... a very good man he is. Little could we talk that day. Opportunities came were we could engage tranquil in conversations. I would use my own sound at times, yet mostly hiding it for Karina or Clemente’s parents would at times be around. Nonetheless, even as it was not as easy as we would have liked, I learned many things about the one I first knew as the second male lead of a novel.

Unexpectedly, Clemente had a special sense of humour as well as a hobby I could have never known if not for him telling me about it.

"Sculpturing... that is unexpected."

"I am not versed in it yet I find it entertaining... the lady is versed in making art with ink, I would like to learn a tad of it for I wish to make more complicated sculptures if time is granted."

"Oh, I see... however, you made this? It is quite lovely... a tiny turtle, haha~" — I said while he showed me around his workshop which not only had sculptures made of stone and marble but also had wooden sculptures and even clay ones. Not as big as one would imagine... however very beautiful, unlike he believed they were.

"... that one I made when I first learned... after my first lesson."

"It is truly beautiful and well made... You had talent from the start. It is good you continued to nourish such talent, Clemente."

"It is a snail, though."

"Huh?! It looks like a turtle!"

"Yes, it is a turtle."

"... what in the... a jest? Truly? When I am complimenting you?"

"Thank you. Your reaction was funny, my lady."

"... hahaha~ I suppose it was... You scared me, haha~!"

He was truly not good at drawing, however. When showing him some techniques to make it easier to sketch anatomy it was obvious his hand lacked the delicacy when the art was to be captured on sheets... and somehow I ended up making some sketches instead so he could use them to make new sculptures.

"?! My lady... This is...?"

"I think these could be of use to you. It is a rabbit this time, since I thought it could be good to try something small for a first attempt."

"It is very detailed... the poses as well..."

"If it turns out useful, it would be great, haha~"

"... I will start right away. My difficulty lies in recalling such subtle details... yet with these sketches... Thank you, my lady!" — His wide smile even caused shyness in me. The way his eyes shone was so different to the composed stance he always wore... and like that we started a kind of collaboration in the arts.

We had understood that staying at his workshop for long was not wise, however. Either for the fact of us being alone or for the persistent need Karina had to chase or interrupt our comfort. Eventually, as days passed, even if Karina was nice once talking to her, Clemente did end up mentioning that he was not inclined to keep her close and much less let her stay for long at their home.

"I am not too fond of people who invade my surroundings so... one-sidedly." — He said. Probably wanting to hide from me how she was actually invading his space... although it could be an innocent thing I was giving other meanings because of a past’s knowledge.

During my stay, I did watch her steps. I even sent Theressa to sweeten her ear to get some more information that could clear up some of these suspicions... Yet little could we gather. Furthermore, instead of clearing it up it ended up with Karina appearing more and more harmless.

"Sister, she is very amiable, so much I also find it overmuch considering the fame I own now... The sole change I have noticed is that every time I come back from meeting with that lady, Khibi is eager to expel myself from your presence."

It was little time we truly had to get something out of this visit... Was I to be honest, I would have used the aid of the fairies to get more clues and faster as well... nonetheless, Estelle had decided not to enter the household, much more, she had refused to remain by my side throughout my stay here.

— Ninth! Estelle needs to go back! Here is not for Estelle to follow you! Much less as the season gets colder!! —

Before we had even reached the surroundings of the duchy, she manifested. I had thought her warning before we left home was a tease because of her singsonged tone, however, once we reached a point close to the Capital Dahlka, she flew out of her hiding place within my strands, happily declaring she was to travel back alone to her home.

— Do not miss myself dear ninth~, hehe~ We shall meet at our Garden again~... Although...—

As if recalling something she had stopped to whisper another warning before flying out of the carriage.

— Your return to the palace must be before winter, dear ninth... otherwise we may not meet... Be careful where you are going, never take off our lovely Aenean’s tear! Never! —

Even though I had the intention to ask more about the little hints she suddenly threw at myself before leaving, she appeared to be in a hurry... and so, the situation has been as is... seemingly uneventful, peaceful... although as she had warned me, I never took off my pretty treasure... managing to see how a few times it reacted on its own when nothing much happened around me, yet most of the times it happened when Karina was near.

’... today again..... it became dark and foggy while she stayed close. It’s change of hue even informed myself of her presence... although it also became like that when I met Theressa during breakfast... and we were on our own at that...’