Chapter 10 - Senephin, Why Did You Apologize? (1/2)

Chapter 10: Senephin, Why Did You Apologize?

Lumins suddenly posed his question to me out of nowhere, catching me off guard. I could only manage to stare blankly into his golden irises while my brain struggled to formulate some kind of response.

Why had I apologized?

Well, the events between Senephin and Velkina thus far were not my fault, but they became my responsibility once I inhabited Senephin’s body.

Moreover, I was confused as to why he was even here and asking me such a question. This type of situation was light years away from happening when compared to the events I recalled in the original game.

How many times did the game even have a scene where Senephin and Lumins spoke properly to one another like this in the first place?

I continued to stare nervously at him, unsure of how to answer, but then the doorbell rang at the opportune time.

“Miss Senephin…!”

Our newest visitor was one whom we had already been expecting. Velkina ran to my bedside as soon as Lumins opened the door and gazed anxiously into my eyes as if to confirm for herself that I was really alright. Her crying face looked so pretty that my heart fluttered a little. As expected of the heroine…

“Wow, calm down, Velkina. You’re visiting a patient while you yourself also haven’t fully recovered. It won’t do you any good to rush at her like that.”

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as Lumins lightly scolded her, and she meekly shuffled away from the bed to give me some space.

“A, ah, umm… There’s nothing to worry about, Lady Velkina. I’m okay now. Really, I’m just glad that you’re safe.”

Otherwise, without Velkina, the future of this continent will be doomed. For the sake of this land’s survival as well Lumins’, her presence was indispensable. I was just glad I was able to save her in time.

“Also, I told you yesterday to drop the honorifics, Lady Velkina. I don’t want to be a mean person anymore.”

“Miss Senephin… Ah, no, Senephin also shouldn’t make things hard for me! Lumins is the same age as us, too. Why don’t we talk casually to one other? You agree, right, Lumins?”

Lumins smiled angelically, affirming her words.

Ahh… Our Lumins’ smile is so dazzling that… the halo…

Let me fan myself… Let me do a happy dance on my bed… Oh, my mental state is at its limit now… Until when do I have to keep maintaining this image…?

Completely unaware of my inner anguish at being unable to express my love for his unrivaled beauty, Lumins nodded.

“Yes,” he beamed, “I felt uncomfortable because I thought I was being treated unfairly while you two were on such friendly terms.”

Oh, wait. You want me to relax? I had hoped to ease tensions between us, but the atmosphere shouldn’t have become this laid-back.

“That’s… I’m comfortable talking like this!” I laughed. “Ho ho! So you don’t need to worry about me.”

I tried to put on an affable demeanor, but I still worried over how interactions would change if I were to start speaking to Lumins and Velkina on friendlier terms. If I were to take off my Senephin Cromwell mask, then there’s no telling what I will do or what will happen to the story later. In other words, placing distance between us by using honorifics in front of their names was my last defense to preserve my persona in accordance with the game’s intended plot.

But…

“So… how about you call us by just our names instead of putting honorifics like ‘Sir’ or ‘Lady’ in front of them?”

Velkina stared hopefully at me with her wide, sparkling eyes. Ugh, when she looks at me like that… Plus, it looks like Lumins is even agreeing with her… Unable to avoid the pressure, I finally answered them weakly.

“W, well, let’s do it then… Velkina, Lumins.”

Upon hearing my words, Velkina’s expression visibly brightened, and she smiled cutely at me. I still questioned whether agreeing to be on friendlier terms with them was the right decision or not.

No matter what, I have to preserve myself and better maintain my image from now on…!

◇◇◇

After exchanging a few more words, both Velkina and Lumins headed back to their respective quarters. Velkina left the room first, and Lumins stayed behind for a bit to pack up the magical instruments he had borrowed to conduct my treatment.