Chapter 19 Side Story: Veras Treasure (2/2)

Then, sithout a single word of explanation, I wrapped my treasure as carefully as I could and calmly hid it away under my sleeve.

I bowed with both hands intertwined. ”Good morning, Mistress.”

The Young Master obviously intended to court this young woman. As such this form of address was not incorrect.

Having gotten that out of the way I went on to ignore her and started walking in the opposite direction of the hallway.

I stopped. Turned again. And stared once more.

Specifically at her cat ears.

How vexing.

Annoyed, I turned away one final time.

”U-Um...” Shecalled out.

”Yes?” I looked back. The woman was wriggling about uneasily. Her ears twitched, much like how Baz's cowlick did when he was nervous.

”That thing you had just now...what was it?”

I considered murder for a fraction of a second. She wanted to steal my treasure! I was furious.

”Hah?” Luckily my face, like Mother's, was impregnable and hid my thoughts perfectly.

”Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that I smelled something very pleasant a moment ago...I followed it and--”

”You didn't see anything.” I tore off a small piece of my treasure, though it pained me, and casually threw it at the woman.

It would be inconvenient to deal with her the way I wanted so I settled for a compromise.

By the time she reached out to grab it I would already be home, preserving the rest of my treasure.