Not long ago, after resolving my conflict with Kalz, the ban on leaving the castle’s work areas was finally lifted. Since then, whenever I had free time, I’d been eagerly going around to visit colleagues I hadn’t seen in ages. Today, I decided to drop by the sewing room during lunch.
“Kiddo, get the lower back, too.”
“Yes, understood. Let me know if it hurts.”
“Ho ho ho, this feels fantastic.”
Grandpa Tail laughed in satisfaction as I gently kneaded his shoulders with my fingertips. Initially, I’d started these massages for the Pitt couple, who’d complained about their aching joints, but honestly, I was the one enjoying it the most.
This is heaven…
A fragrant cup of tea and savory peanuts. Velvety-soft fur brushing warmly against my palms like freshly roasted sweet potatoes—this was pure bliss. Who said healing had to be complicated?
“That’s enough, dear. Let me have Briel massage me now.”
“Just a bit longer…”
“Um, should I use both hands?”
“Oh no, that’ll tire you out.”
“No, it’s no trouble at all!”
Please, say yes! The mere thought of soft squirrel fur slipping through my fingers was already making my heart flutter.
“Well, if you insist, could you?”
“Yes, of course! Please lie down right here!”
“Oh dear, now I feel a little guilty. Maybe it’s the gloomy weather lately, but all my joints are aching. At our age, it feels wonderful just having someone’s touch.”
“If you ever need a massage, please don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll come flying right away.”
“Ho ho ho, just hearing that warms my heart.”
“Ah, so refreshing.”
She said she was happy just hearing it, but I was completely sincere. Still, I couldn’t push it too far, or they’d catch on to my selfish intentions. Instead, I just smiled innocently. The three of us were enjoying a blissful, cozy moment.
“……?”
Was it just my imagination, or was someone watching me? Feeling an odd prickling at the back of my neck, I glanced around. Through the slightly open sewing room door, someone was peeking inside.
As soon as our eyes met, the observer jolted in surprise. Smiling brightly, I waved.
“Marianne! What brings you here?”
“Oh my, is that Mari? Goodness, adorable as ever! Did you come to see this old granny?”
“Ho ho ho, want some peanuts?”
The Pitts greeted Marianne warmly, treating her just like their visiting granddaughter. The conversation was heartwarming, yet it felt slightly guilty of me to still see even the Pitts as simply adorable squirrels. Marianne stepped inside and politely bowed.
“Grandma Rosie, Grandpa Tail, have you been well?”
“Yes, yes. Sit down and join us.”
“Oh, no. Sorry to interrupt your fun. Actually, I came to get Briel.”
“Me? Oh, that’s right! We’re supposed to clean together this afternoon.”
Remembering Marianne’s name listed on my afternoon schedule, I quickly stood up.
“I didn’t realize the time. Well then, we should get going.”
“Alright, if you have work, there’s nothing to be done. Come by whenever you have time again. It’s so quiet here with just us old folks. Mari, you come along too—Granny will give you some hidden snacks.”
“Yes, I’ll visit again soon.”
Marianne and I waved goodbye to the Pitts and left the room.
Today’s cleaning duty was on the second-floor windows.
Ah, embarrassing memories!
Back when I first arrived at the castle, I’d been awkward and had made some silly mistakes, but now I was proud to say I’d become almost professional at window-cleaning. Thanks to our steadily improving teamwork, Marianne and I handled the windows smoothly, chatting cheerfully as we worked.
“You can make bread from rice flour?”
“Technically, it’s called tteok. It’s similar to bread, but different—its chewy texture is the real charm.”
“Hmm… I can’t quite imagine it.”
“It’s easier to make than you’d think. How about we try making it together sometime?”
“That sounds great!”
Marianne’s face brightened with excitement. She seemed intrigued by this unfamiliar dish. My own heart fluttered with anticipation as well.
Just picturing Marianne enthusiastically pounding tteok dough with a wooden mallet made her seem even more adorable. The only regret was that this world didn’t have cameras.
“When should we do it? Oh, how about this upcoming holiday?”
“Oh no, I’m sorry, Marianne. I have to go down to the village this holiday.”
“Again? You went out last holiday too.”
“I know, but… I have some errands to run. I’ll probably have to go frequently for a while.”
“Oh… I see.”
Marianne’s shoulders visibly slumped. Clearly disappointed that her chance to try tteok had moved further away, her round ears drooped pitifully. Guilt tugged sharply at my heart, making me blurt out without thinking:
“Do you want to come with me, Marianne?”
“What? No way. Butler Squawk would never allow it.”
“What if we sneak you out? You could hide inside my bag. I’ll leave it open just enough so you can peek out and see the village.”
At my playful suggestion, Marianne giggled softly, covering her mouth with her paw. I’d initially proposed it as a joke to cheer her up, but suddenly it felt very tempting—enough to genuinely consider asking Butler Squawk.
Marianne, however, shook her head with a gentle, understanding smile.
“No, it’s okay. It wouldn’t be right for me to leave when everyone else stays inside. Besides, I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk.”
How could anyone be this sweet? I resisted the urge to pet her so vigorously that her fur flew everywhere, instead silently praising her overwhelming kindness in my heart.
“Alright, then. Is there something you’d like from the village? I know it’s not the same, but I could bring you back something nice.”
“No, I’m fine… Oh!”
Marianne started her usual polite refusal, then suddenly inhaled softly, remembering something. Of course, I seized the opportunity immediately.
“What is it? Anything is fine, really.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing essential…”
“Oh, come on. People don’t only buy essential things. Wanting something is reason enough.”
“But still…”
After gently coaxing and encouraging her in every way possible, Marianne finally leaned close, her fluffy little mouth brushing my ear. Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if worried someone else might overhear.
“Well, if it’s not too much trouble…”
“Yes?”
“Could you get me a little bit of safflower seed oil?”
“Safflower seed oil? Sure thing.”
My answer came out just as softly, making Marianne smile shyly in relief. But safflower seed oil wasn’t particularly rare or expensive, was it? Why the embarrassment?
“Can I ask what you’re using it for?”
“……!”
“Oh! You don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. I was just curious.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you…”
Marianne’s face turned adorably red as she glanced nervously around us. Leaning even closer, she whispered again, her voice barely audible.
“I heard that if you use safflower seed oil, your fur becomes shinier and softer…”
“Oh!”
Fur care! Come to think of it, Kalz regularly groomed himself too, so naturally Marianne would also be interested in it.
Perhaps this was similar to a young girl buying cosmetics for the first time—no wonder she was embarrassed.
Ugh, she’s too cute!
Fighting hard not to smile, I kept my expression neutral. Laughing right now might embarrass Marianne terribly, and I didn’t want to risk hurting her feelings.
Think of Ian. Yes, picturing Ian hiding alone in his room, gloomily stuck in centipede form, quickly sobered my amusement.
“Alright. I promise I’ll bring you the best quality safflower seed oil.”
Excellent! Now I had yet another good reason to head down to the village.
