The Smile That Didn't Quite Reach His Eyes

The Pixiepops didn't get any information out of me. I felt guilty for lying to them.

I knew they wouldn't give up until they saw Matcha, and when I closed the door, I leaned against it and slumped. I pitied them because they were conducting a search operation for a being that no longer existed.

My face became shadowy. But even if I kept secrets, the time would come when they'd find out everything, and I was waiting for that exact moment.

I went to my room and threw myself onto the bed, forgetting that the pillow was quite hard. My face bounced off it, but I felt like I just wanted to sulk and shrink away from the emotions I was feeling. With my face buried in the pillow, I screamed. I screamed and screamed to release the weight I was carrying.

"If I were you, I'd drink away your problems, so get up!" I suddenly felt a chill upon hearing her voice. I quickly grabbed the blanket, covered myself with it while sitting on the bed, and leaned against the wall.

"Why are you here? Didn't I already kill you?" I asked, trembling, while still covered with the blanket.

"Clueless? You're the one who brought me here," she explained, irritated.

In wonder, I removed the blanket covering me and faced her. And once again, I was struck by Eusexua's extraordinary beauty. She still wore the same outfit: riding coat, vest, riding pants, stockings, and boots, but she no longer wore a tricorn. Her hair was braided. I couldn't help but be stunned, remembering what had happened between us.

"You're being a bit delusional, aren't you?" I said, and slightly rolled my eyes at her.

"Just admit it, you miss me. Is it that hard to say? And be grateful that I can't touch you now. I'm dying to pinch those ears of yours."

She approached me to touch my ears, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't touch them.

"I don't miss you, and if I do miss anyone, it's only my mom and my bed."

She pouted at what I said, with her arms crossed.

"You're a bit of a mama's boy, huh?"

"Wow, look who's talking, Ms. 'I've-got-daddy-issues' face!"

I'm getting tired of arguing with this lady. I let out a deep sigh and stood up. Even though she was blocking my way, I walked forward anyway, since I could easily pass through her being a spirit.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, following closely behind me. I went to the kitchen and opened the cabinets, hoping to find a bottle of liquor.

"So, I'll follow your advice - I'll get drunk. I know liquor can't solve my problems, but I want to get rid of this feeling I have right now. I'll just look for some alcoholic drink in these cabinets."

I don't know why she came back and showed herself to me again. Maybe she has a mission. Maybe her mission is to do good, and as a reward, she'll come back to life. But I don't see any goodness in this woman right now, except for being flirtatious.

"Hey Eusexua, tell me the truth. Why did you kiss me and touch me?"

"Oh, you're reacting as if you didn't want me to do what I did. I knew from the start that you were interested in me, so I gave in."

"True, I find you attractive, but your accusation that I wanted you is incorrect."

"Really? You didn't think about my naked body?"

"Why do you think men immediately think of lust when they see someone beautiful? I'm not like that."

"So you're different from the boys I've met."

"Why? Do all the boys you meet only want sex from you?"

She was left speechless, staring out the window as if processing something. Meanwhile, I sat on a stool, drinking liquor and feeling macho. I felt like the ultimate masculine guy. I laughed, thinking it was ironic that I considered myself hypermasculine when I sometimes had feminine tendencies.

"I wanted to apologize for my actions. I'm ashamed because my behavior was disrespectful to you as a prince."

"Don't worry about it. I've already forgiven you."

"Really? You're that quick to forgive someone?"

"I forgive easily, but I don't easily forget."

"I remember when I first saw you in the palace, you seemed so strict. I thought all you were thinking about was how to rule the kingdom. You came across as authoritarian. You seemed difficult to smile, but despite your tough exterior, you have a softness hidden inside. You're actually pleasant to talk to."

She had no idea that I wasn't the real Revaliant he had encountered before.

I had already finished a lot of liquor, and the empty bottles had piled up on the table. I thought about playing a vinyl record. I stood up and approached Eusexua, who was still facing the window.

As I approached her, I started dancing sexily, pretending to show off my abs. But suddenly, I felt nauseous. I rushed to the room and collapsed on the bed, dropping the liquor bottle.

"Rise and shine, drunkard," said a familiar voice. I slowly opened my eyes to see Beardman standing while Procko was peeking in from the door.

They were already home, and it looked like it was still early morning. I got up, and suddenly my head hurt, probably just a hangover. I braced myself for a scolding from Beardman, but when I looked at him, he wasn't angry; he was just smiling. He even ruffled my hair.

"Aren't you mad at me for drinking some of your liquor?" I asked him, watching his movements closely.

Typically, when you do something foolish, you'd get scolded, but Beardman was different.

"Why would I be stingy with liquor when I have a steady supply? Besides, it's not hard to get the Stalwartlons to replenish them."

"What? The liquor you're drinking is Stalwartlon urine?" He burst out laughing at my expression.

"Why? The taste is fine, isn't it? You've finished a lot of it, after all."

The Stalwartlon is a grass-type, four-legged Meadow Feral. It's fast and can kick strongly. These creatures serve as transportation for royal officers on land, and I'd just remembered that the Stalwartlons of the deceased royal officers were now under Beardman's care. I slapped my forehead, but he was right – the liquor did suit my taste.

I looked around to see Eusexua, but she wasn't in the room. Maybe she was outside, but Beardman and Procko would've seen her. Maybe she was hiding now.

"Sorry if I didn't clean up my mess, but don't worry, I'll clean up now," I said.

"Are you sure that's the only mess you've created?" For a moment, I was taken aback by his question.

"I followed all your instructions and stayed here in the house."

"Even if you disobeyed my instructions, I wouldn't scold you. I don't control the decisions you make, and I won't interfere with all your choices."

When we both exited the room, Procko immediately greeted me. He hugged me, and I looked like a stuffed toy again. He lay down on the floor while hugging me and tossed me around like an infant.

While I was cleaning up my mess, Beardman and Procko brought in the items they'd traded in town – mostly ceramics and blades. There were also bread and clothes for us. After I finished what I was doing, I went outside to look for Eusexua.

"Good morning, is Volition here at his residence?" asked a man who looked like a mercenary riding an Elephantine with ornaments on its body.

I pondered his question. Volition? I thought that was Beardman's real name. I suddenly remembered that I shouldn't be seen by anyone else, but it was too late – he'd already seen me. But when I looked at the man's face again, I felt something unusual.

He was smiling at me, but why did his smile seem off? He seemed untrustworthy.