Apology

2I put both drinks on the table and turned around, hoping to go back to my room, but Andor stopped me.

"Taro, why won't you join us? I'd like to hear how you two met." He said while drinking.

I let out a laugh. "Sorry, sir, but I am a bit tired. Maybe tomorrow?"

Roman looked at his father and replied, "Father, let him rest; I will tell you all about it."

Andor looked a bit disappointed but didn't mind. I went to the second floor and closed the door to my room. The room was small, with one bed and a desk with nothing on it.

Making sure nobody could open the door, I was conflicted. What should I do now? Should I be worried about Roman or not? What if he's sent by the vampires to me as a special case to try and make me lower my guard?

However, I couldn't hold up enough to be able to think about the issue. Since I used all of my mana, I fell instantly to sleep.

In the morning, I woke up to the sounds of people shouting in the streets and the town becoming more lively than ever.

I usually wake up before Andor so I can get the tavern ready. He told me not to do it, but I guess it became a habit I picked up from the bakery.

Going down, I saw the closed tavern. I took a cloth and then started cleaning the tables and rearranging chairs.

I was reminded of last night, but I didn't want to think about it. At the next moment, I heard creaking on the wooden stairs, and there was a man with brown hair and blue eyes.

Roman yawned while stretching, then looked at me. "Hey, let me help."

I didn't say anything as he started cleaning the tables with me. He didn't wait and started asking, "So you aren't an adventurer? My father said as much. Are you a rogue mage?"

I kept doing my best to keep my movement the same, to look like I didn't react to his words. I don't know what type of person he is; I can't just say anything. He said it so casually, however, as if he didn't grasp the weight of his own words.

"Yes," I replied as I started holding a chair in my hand to get as far away from him as possible.

"You're really talented! You seemed like a newbie from the way you controlled your mana. However, the way you thought of using your surroundings to get that vampire was nice." Roman said, giving me a thumbs up.

"Uh-huh. Thank you." Avoiding him, I put the chair down.

"I haven't introduced myself formally, so let me do it now." Roman put the cloth down on top of a table and looked at me, then bowed. "My name is Roman Summers. A knight of the Froste family with the affinity of light."

Froste? Isn't that... My body froze involuntarily as I remembered the meeting with Gilbert and how I felt like I was about to die.

I then coughed, remembering that someone was in front of me. "My name is just Taro, no last name. And I am an inexperienced mage; my affinity is wind."

Having no last name was common in the kingdom for the poor and a low percentage of the middle class.

"Taro, huh? That's an unusual name. But easy to remember. I like it." Roman smiled, then instantly his expression changed. "Can you tell me how you found that vampire last night? I am curious."

I started opening the window to let fresh air in and explained, "I smelled his scent in the crowd and thought that he was up to something bad, then followed him into the alleyway. And you know the rest."

Roman nodded while having his eyes closed. "So he was your hunt."

"Huh?"

"Hunt. That's what adventurers call their targets. Makes sense; you wouldn’t know. Anyway, I gave the body to some knight friends, as we’re investigating vampire activity. We're investigating a recent spike in their activity. I'll make sure you get the bounty for this one when it's posted. Sound good?" Roman explained.

I nodded, feeling like this went easier than I thought.

Then Andor came downstairs, yawning and scratching his shoulder. "You two are awake already? Oh, youth. When you get old, sleeping will never be skipped." Andor explained.

"Father, you should start training, I am telling you." Roman said, "I can't let you die young on me like that!"

"Oh, you bastard! I am still at my peak." Andor walked to Roman as he prepared a punch.

I just looked at the duo from the side, smiling so I don't get their attention. Later on, Roman left, and the tavern opened.

After I came here, my name got popular, at least around the folks who come here regularly. I didn't want that since vampires might catch on to it soon, so if that happens and I bring trouble to old man Andor, then I will move again.

I started serving the people drinks as Andor was making them. Slowly, the tavern got more active; since today was a holiday, people were coming in, and that's when the money came in. At least that's what Andor says; it just means I have to work more for myself.

The wooden door opened again, and I looked in its direction, then my eyes widened. And my body became stiff.

Green eyes, brown hair. And in that black gothic dress she always wears, Eden entered the tavern.

I didn't know how to react or what to say, but people noticed me looking at her.

"Oh look, young Taro here has a crush!" A man started laughing.

I put the glass down on the table, then went behind the bar. "Sir Andor, I'd like to take the back door; I have someone I must meet."

"Oh? That's rare for you, sure. Don't take long." He smiled.

I put my head down and walked out to the back alleyway. I am not sure why Eden is here, but if she's here, she's under that curse that was put on me as well. Then I have to fight her.

I looked to my right, and in an instant, a girl walked into the alleyway. "Why won't you serve me? Are you too shy?" She laughed, her voice still low. "You know vampires like me can read intentions. The moment I saw you, I knew you'd try to run away."

I started to concentrate the energy around me slowly, ready to attack. "What do you want? Didn't Conall already get what he needed from me? Isn't it enough that he made me hunted for the rest of my life? Even you want to come and—" Blinded by a surge of anger and grief, I didn't even notice her closing the distance between us.

The moment I did, I tried to summon a blast of air, but my hands refused to obey. They hung uselessly at my sides.

Eden hugged me; she smelled of faint jasmine. I didn't move, and she didn't say anything.

My hands were shaking; I didn't know what to do.

"I am sorry." She said, embracing me tightly. "I am so sorry for everything."

I didn't know why, but my eyes started to get teary. I pushed Eden away, my whole body stiff.

I looked at her; she was smiling a small, sad smile. I saw my own reflection in her sad eyes, and then my vision blurred.

And I stepped back, but she again moved closer and hugged me. I covered my face with my hands. Pathetic. What the hell am I doing?

"You never deserved any of it, Taro. You're kind—too kind for a world that treats people like you this way." Eden said, her voice broken.

Then it turned into silence; both she and I stood there not saying a word.

I don't know how long we stood there, but I cried until the tears finally ran dry.