Chapter 198: Bronya Observes
The full effect of the drug takes about ten minutes, and the formal three meals are group meals with too many distractions, so those three options can be ruled out.
During dinner, Bronya made a mental note.
After dinner came a period of relaxation, followed by bathing and bedtime. Kiana and Sin Mal had to be dealt with through some force before they finally gave up on trying to share a bath or bed with Sigurd.
Bronya, meanwhile, leaned quietly against the corner of a hallway wall, listening to the commotion and silently noting in her mind:
If there are no unexpected circumstances, Sigurd's usual bedtime is 11:00 PM. Approaching him after that would be unusual and would make him alert... This time frame has too many risks, so it's off the table.
Bronya then walked away and slept for six hours. At five the next morning, she returned to her hidden spot, waiting in the darkness with her amber eyes, alert and bright.
Not long after, Kiana came to pound on the door, and Sin Mal barged in soon after. A brief scuffle ensued between the girls, only for them to be swiftly knocked back out of the room, each leaving person-shaped imprints on the metal walls.
Bronya blinked, her expression unchanged.
Sigurd's usual wake-up time is 6:00 AM, a consistent routine. However, Kiana and Sin Mal often arrive early, especially recently. Kiana's visits have become more frequent, disrupting Sigurd's sleep and causing Sin Mal to come earlier as well. Sigurd also tends to wake up grumpy, and these two are a big problem. Still, this is when Sigurd is least on guard... This goes into the backup option for now.
...
After breakfast, Sigurd focuses intensely on work. This time frame isn't good, so I'll push it down the list.
...
Sigurd doesn't always take a morning tea break, and his routine is inconsistent. I'll decide based on the situation.
...
Sigurd doesn't nap after lunch; instead, he uses that time to troubleshoot programming issues. Interrupting him then would also draw too much attention, so I'll discard this time as well.
...
Afternoon tea is a stable routine. Typically, this is when we discuss issues or just chat. It's common for me to bring tea and snacks, so it's natural and won't raise suspicion—this is the perfect time. However, Kiana and Sin Mal also show up during this time. I'll need to think of a way to deal with them.
...
After dinner, Sigurd usually stays in his room, either working on something or simply relaxing with a book. Drinking tea during this time is also normal. I'm usually there too, but so are Kiana and Sin Mal.
...
As her day ended, Bronya returned to her room, lying on her bed while hugging her beloved Homu plushie. Her doll-like face remained expressionless, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
She mentally reviewed the day's notes, comparing them to previous records.
After a careful and thorough analysis, she concluded:
Afternoon tea is the perfect time.
But I need to get rid of Kiana and Sin Mal first.
In fact, as long as they're around the base, none of the time slots are ideal.
At that moment, there was a knock at her door.
"Come in. Bronya isn't asleep yet."
The door opened, revealing Seele in her white nightgown, holding her pillow and nervously shuffling her feet as she entered the room.
"Seele, what's wrong? Can't sleep?"
Bronya sat up, her usually stoic face softening as she gazed warmly at the shy girl.
Seele hugged her pillow closer, her soft voice barely above a whisper as she timidly said, "Bronya... Seele wants to sleep with you."
"Come on up."
Bronya shifted over and lifted the blanket, patting the space next to her to invite Seele in.
Seele's face lit up with a joyful smile, her innocent, angelic appearance resembling that of a little angel who had wandered into the mortal world.
She climbed into the bed, arranged her pillow, and lay down, breathing out a soft sigh.
"Phew..."
Bronya tilted her head and lay down as well, their noses almost touching. She gently asked, "What's wrong? You seem troubled."
"It's just... the other me has been ignoring me lately. She's always been like that, but recently, she's been especially quiet. I haven't even seen her in my dreams. I'm a little worried. Do you think she's upset with me, Bronya?"
"..."
Bronya didn't know how to respond.
This question was outside her area of expertise.
Seele had a dual personality and bore the stigma of death, holding the potential to become a Herrscher—that's what Sigurd had more or less said about her.
But Seele was everyone's little angel, and Sigurd's caring "little cotton-padded jacket." Even Sigurd didn't intend to turn her into a tool.
So, while Seele had assured everyone that she was fine, Bronya had no reason to interfere.
At this point, Bronya knew very little about Seele's other personality, except that it existed.
"Maybe she's going through a rebellious phase? After all, Seele, you're at that age."
Bronya hazarded a guess, somewhat nonsensical but also quite plausible.
"A rebellious phase?"
Seele froze for a moment, recalling how her other self always acted all cool and dramatic—she couldn't really picture it.
"No way…"
Seele muttered.
Bronya frowned and touched Seele's smooth, jade-like forehead but found no signs of fever.
"Do you feel unwell lately? Have you talked to Sigurd?"
"No, I've been feeling fine. And Sigurd's been busy with important things lately, so I didn't want to disturb him."
"It's not just Sigurd. If things hadn't settled down a bit, you probably wouldn't have come to me either. Seele, you're very thoughtful, and that makes me happy. But Seele, you know we all care deeply about you. If something feels wrong, tell us right away. Keeping it to yourself is what will really trouble us."
Bronya gently tapped Seele's forehead, her voice soft but firm.
Seele smiled faintly.
"I will, Bronya."
"Not just 'I will.' You actually have to do it. I can't be sure about your condition, so tomorrow we'll ask Sigurd together. I'm sure everything will be fine—Sigurd would have noticed if something was wrong. So don't worry too much."
"Okay!"
Seele nodded lightly, snuggling closer to Bronya and wrapping her arms around her waist, feeling a comforting warmth and a strong sense of safety. A sweet smile spread across her face.
Bronya gently stroked the soft strands of Seele's hair, her expression softening into a tender smile.
"Let's sleep... Oh, by the way, Seele, is there anyone you like right now?"
"There is!"
"Oh! Who is it?"
"I like Bronya!"
Bronya paused, after a moment, she asked:
"What about Sigurd?"
Bronya asked, her curiosity piqued.
She then noticed Seele stiffen slightly in her arms.
"Well... of course, I like Sigurd too! And everyone else! Seele loves all of you!"
"Alright, time to sleep. Goodnight."
Bronya ended the conversation with a sigh of quiet resignation in her heart.
Seele's reaction had already told her the answer.
Bronya wasn't surprised. Over the years, Sigurd had become a pillar of absolute security for everyone.
Despite his rough and sometimes brutal methods—he wasn't shy about disciplining girls who acted out—even Bronya had to admit that he was extremely attentive, quietly taking care of everyone like a gruff, affectionate father.
It was a strange comparison, but it fit.
In short, Sigurd was a beacon of warmth, unconsciously drawing the girls around him with an irresistible allure, especially those with emotional wounds or dark pasts.
Seele's feelings were something Bronya had anticipated long ago.
While monogamy is the standard in modern society, Bronya's childhood environment was anything but conventional. She had been a child soldier, trained in assassination techniques, and exposed to all manner of morally gray situations, from prostitution to promiscuity. Don't expect her to care much about mainstream values.
As long as Seele was happy and could live healthily, Bronya didn't care much about the rest.
I'll deal with it later.
After all, Seele is still young. For the sake of her mental and physical well-being, it's not time to make any decisions yet.
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