<Chapter 30>
#4. The Exchange Meeting (2)
Around the time when Calix and Johaim were engaged in a tense battle of wills in the reception room, Melty rushed to the door at the sound of knocking. As soon as he opened it, Angel, who had been standing in front, spoke with an awkward smile.
“Good morning.”
“You’re too late.”
“There’s still plenty of time to tour the temple even if we go now. It’s large in scale, but there isn’t that much to see.”
Reassured by Angel’s words, Melty nodded vigorously. Calix’s request had been quite simple. Since the mansion was busy preparing for the exchange meeting guests, he had asked Melty to leave when things were less hectic.
“But aren’t you busy, Angel-ssi?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Oh…? If you came to inform me, you could have asked someone else to do it.”
Seeing Melty’s apologetic expression, Angel’s face softened. He didn’t want to give unnecessary attitude to someone who had rushed to open the door as soon as he knocked, clearly eager to leave. Lamenting his poor choice in superiors, Angel composed himself by thinking of the gold coins in his pocket.
“You don’t need to feel sorry, Melty-ssi. I’m getting paid well for this.”
Angel knew that Calix had specifically chosen him for this task because he trusted Angel to handle any unexpected situations that might arise. Fully aware of this, Angel smiled as he thought about using this opportunity to extract an additional bonus from Calix. Seeing this expression, Melty chuckled and nodded enthusiastically in support.
By the time they reached the first floor, Melty was beaming at the sight of the plush carpet on the floor. Thanks to the thick carpet, the sensation beneath his shoe soles felt soft. Unconsciously, he lightly moved his feet, pressing down on the carpet. Angel, who had been grimacing at the appearance of the serious carpet, relaxed his expression when he saw how pleased Melty looked.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes! I think I chose well! The color is pretty, and it’s so fluffy! Don’t you think?”
With sparkling eyes and a proud voice, Melty spoke so enthusiastically that Angel couldn’t bring himself to lie and say “yes.” Angel could only manage an awkward smile at Melty’s shocking aesthetic taste.
The Padrian family typically used subtle but luxurious products, making this carpet quite an unusual item in the mansion. Despite being made from expensive, high-quality materials, its excessive flamboyance actually made it look cheap.
It had been Calix who suggested that Melty choose something as a gesture of goodwill. When Melty selected this outrageous item, Angel hadn’t expected Calix to readily agree to install it. They had been puzzled when Calix, laughing cheerfully, ordered it installed at the main entrance of all places. But seeing Melty’s bright smile and joy, they could belatedly support Calix’s decision.
“Since Pel, who is accompanying you today, knows the geography well, you won’t have any trouble finding your way. Be careful out there. The exchange meeting guests will start arriving in earnest from the evening, so the mansion will be quite noisy in the afternoon.”
Melty nodded vigorously at Angel’s explanation. Angel lightly patted Melty’s shoulders and back as he guided him outside. Just as Melty, led by Angel’s touch, stepped outside, a cheerful voice greeted him.
“Hello there. I’m Pel, assigned to be Melty-ssi’s escort today.”
Looking up at Pel, who had lowered his posture to politely greet him, Melty nodded with a bright smile. When Pel made eye contact with Angel, Angel silently mouthed words to hurry him along. It would be disastrous if Calix failed to keep Johaim occupied and Melty happened to run into him.
Quickly understanding Angel’s signal, Pel promptly guided Melty toward the carriage. With Angel’s light farewell behind them, Melty followed Pel toward the carriage.
“We’ve already greeted each other yesterday. You can speak more casually.”
“This is comfortable for me. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll change my way of speaking.”
Pel reduced his stride, seemingly conscious that Melty’s steps were slower than his. Finally able to walk at a similar pace, Melty smiled brightly and continued.
“Please do whatever makes you comfortable, Pel-ssi. I’m relieved though. When Calix-ssi mentioned there was one condition, I was worried he might be unreasonable, but this isn’t so bad.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Though making me wait without setting a specific time was too much. Don’t you think?”
Despite it being nothing special, Melty leaned in close to Pel and whispered in a small voice, as if gossiping about Calix. Pel laughed softly at his words, and after boarding the carriage with Melty, he spoke.
“Though he must have been busy with work, I believe Master Calix would have wanted to go with you, Melty-ssi.”
“With me? But he didn’t seem like someone who believes in the Beast God.”
Pel remained silent as Melty waved his hand, saying that couldn’t be true. As Melty had said, Calix wasn’t someone who worshipped deities. However, the most important part of this schedule wasn’t “going to the temple” but “going with Melty.”
Assuming that Pel’s silence meant he agreed with his statement, Melty turned his gaze out the window with a small smile. Pel swallowed dryly as he observed Melty, who was lightly tapping his feet in excitement.
Recently, rumors had been circulating in the Padrian mansion that Melty Crosel might be a candidate for the position of mistress. It made sense—since his arrival, the once barren garden had become a flower bed overnight, the kitchen had filled with the sweet smell of desserts, and for the first time, they had a resident physician.
Moreover, when news spread that Melty had chosen the carpet now prominently placed at the main entrance, it added weight to the rumors. Traditionally, decorating the mansion was the mistress’s prerogative, and the fact that the discerning Calix had approved such a carpet was not something to be overlooked.
“Melty-ssi. I’m curious about something, may I ask?”
“Curious? About what?”
Melty’s gaze, which had been fixed on the window, turned to him. Facing Melty’s bright, attentive eyes, Pel calmed his nervous heart. Everyone in the mansion was desperately hoping for the rumor to become reality. And for that, only one thing mattered. Bearing the weight of their collective will on his shoulders, Pel looked straight at Melty and asked his question.
“How do you feel about Master Calix?”
“How…what do you mean?”
“If you were to express how much you like him on a numerical scale, what score would you give?”
The fact that Calix had feelings for Melty was known to everyone in the mansion except Melty himself. For the servants’ dream to become reality, Melty’s feelings were most important.
At Pel’s question, Melty placed his index finger on his chin and tilted his head before speaking.
“Hmm… I’ve never thought about it that way…”
Pel responded with a faint “I see.” Seeing Pel’s dejected appearance, Melty rolled his eyes earnestly. Feeling somehow that he should provide an answer, he engaged in the scoring exercise he had never done before.
Making a groaning sound, Melty displayed five fingers with an uncertain expression. Realizing that this meant “5 points,” Pel blinked.
“Is the maximum 10 points?”
“No. Out of 100.”
“…”
Pel was speechless at the unexpectedly low score. Still, Calix was considered eloquent and his appearance was certainly attractive enough to capture people’s attention. The fact that he received a score that didn’t even reach halfway was shocking to Pel.
“Ha, haha. That’s, that’s low. The score.”
With a forced laugh, Pel’s shoulders drooped. It seemed that their dream becoming reality might not be so smooth after all. Complaints about Calix, who couldn’t even earn a decent score, bubbled up inside him.
Pel, who desperately wanted Melty as the mansion’s mistress to keep the lively atmosphere he brought, gathered his strength again on behalf of his pathetic master. Melty, not understanding why Pel was dejected over a poor score given to Calix, mumbled in response.
“I don’t mean I dislike him… It’s just that he’s always too playful, and actually, the score used to be much lower, but it’s improved a lot.”
“Oh, really? What was it before?”
“About… minus 100 points?”
“…”
Ah, our master. You’ve really made progress.
With this belated realization, Pel quietly recalled the events at the mansion since Melty’s arrival. He had been terrified upon arrival, and had even fallen seriously ill due to Calix’s mischievous pranks. The more he thought about it, the more he understood why Calix’s image couldn’t have been good.
“That’s quite an improvement.”
“Well. He may be mischievous, but he’s not a bad person.”
Melty’s face was bright as he answered with a “hehe.” Pel smiled back at him and nodded. Come to think of it, it was becoming noticeable that Calix had been treating Melty well lately.
“When we arrive at the temple, will you visit the prayer room?”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since I last went to a temple. So I’d like to greet the Beast God.”
Not just greetings, there was also something he wanted to ask. Of course, he wasn’t sure if he would receive an answer from the Beast God even if he asked.
‘Beast God, what is my gift?’
Ever since he realized his misunderstanding, curiosity about his gift had continued to follow Melty. The carriage came to a stop with the expectation that he might find an answer.
“We have arrived.”
Melty took a deep breath. Although his faith in the Beast God was stronger than anyone else’s, this was only his second visit to a temple. Moreover, befitting a temple in a large city, it appeared at least five times larger than the one he had visited for his coming-of-age ceremony. Since the coming-of-age ceremony was held only once a year, with special locations designated for receiving blessings, this was his first time really exploring a temple.
Pel laughed softly as he watched Melty, who was opening his small mouth into a circle and repeatedly making silent “wow” sounds. Completely unaware of Pel’s laughter, Melty swallowed hard while pressing his flushed cheeks with both hands. Despite trying not to look like a first-time visitor, he couldn’t stop his head from turning instinctively. Constantly glancing left and right, at the ceiling and behind him, Melty followed Pel with small steps.
“If you want to go to the prayer room, the inner…”
Pel, who was about to guide Melty to the private prayer room located deep inside the temple, stopped. He blocked Melty’s path due to the noisy commotion. Unlike Pel’s vigilant gaze, Melty, whose way was suddenly blocked, peeked his head out here and there.
“What’s wrong? Is something happening?”
“…I’m not sure. Melty-nim. I think it would be better to visit the temple another time.”
