Chapter 24: Infatuated Fragrance in the Spring Rain, Unpredictable as the Spring Rain
update icon Updated at 2023/7/27 10:10:12

The wet and dripping Acadia spring rain has an inexplicable power of embracing everything. It is gentle, strong, and self-sacrificing, just like the women of Acadia. But sometimes it can also be jealous and narrow-minded, unable to bear too much joy that is too young, too free, and too sweet.

Ericebourg, Turing room, early morning. Turing leaned against the window, anxiously tapping the window frame with his fingertips. She watched the tireless raindrops shatter against the glass, giving her a sense of protected safety.

"Young master, it seems that today's weather is not suitable for travel," Theresa stood beside Turing like a background, unnoticed if not looked at. There was no sound of breathing or the friction of clothes.

"What are you talking about? Art can't stay stagnant for a day... How can I miss my weekly life drawing?" Turing's tone was serious, but the slight curve of his mouth already betrayed him silently.

"I understand. Then I will prepare an umbrella for you." Theresa took the umbrella hidden under the white cloth on her elbow and placed it beside Turing's leg.

"Do you still need a pipe? I have one with me." Theresa adjusted her butler's uniform as if the precious item was somewhere on her body.

"No, thank you." Turing's tone seemed a bit struggling, but in the end, he chose not to take it.

"Are you really not going to bring it? You usually don't come back until late at night. If you don't bring your pipe now, you won't get to taste it for a whole day. It must be uncomfortable, right?" Theresa kindly advised. Normally poised and strict, she always felt like talking more in front of Turing.

"No, no need." Turing picked up the luxurious parasol beside him, opened it, and carefully examined the lace and patterns on it.

"This one is too ostentatious, Theresa. Help me change it."

"Also, please help me tie a simpler hairstyle. I prefer it when Theresa sister helps me." Turing put the umbrella aside and walked to the dressing table, sitting down straight.

"Alright, as you wish, young master..." Theresa followed Turing to the dressing table, picked up a comb, and combed Turing's hair a few times before starting to style it.

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Croto City, suburbs, morning, the heavy rain just stopped. As the location of Westminster Cathedral, Croto City has a high reputation and tourism value. Its grandeur is not only due to being one of the main cities of The Altria Family's estate, but also because of the various nationally renowned rumors and oddities.

[Today's little adventure is about to begin here.]

Somehow, even though Turing didn't feel anything special when he was hunting in the vast mountains behind his house, he felt sweet while walking on this small hill with Merka.

"Sisi, did you really tell your family about this? I hope they're not worried about you." Merka, holding a metal cane, worriedly spoke to Turing while picking through the thorns on the path.

"No, don't worry. It's not... too far from home," Turing lightly tugged at Merka's clothes from behind, following her.

"No, that's not what I meant... Sigh," Merka said.

"Although we're going out together, I feel bad making you understand my hobbies."

"Although it's not completely forbidden to be exposed to the outside world, the church generally doesn't encourage it."

"As a monk, it's already breaking the rules for me, and dragging you... I feel really sorry."

[Merka likes things from the outside world.]

[Like how I like Mom's praise.]

[He puts all the treasures he accumulated from the outside world on a small hill.]

[To prevent others from finding out.]

Turing smiled faintly.

[Except me, who can see them.]"Are you getting used to smiling?" Merka smiled too, turning his head gently to look at Turing, as if he could see Turing's smile with his artificial eye.

"That's right, that's right."

"If Sisi doesn't smile, she's cute, but it's like a cat without whiskers."

Merka turned back, but his voice reached Turing's ears. The voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in Turing's heart.

【What does it mean that a cat doesn't have whiskers.】

【Such a strange metaphor.】

"It seems that my therapy is starting to take effect."

"Sisi also smiles often."

Merka even looked a little proud.

"My little treasure, I named it {Golden House}. Of course, this name is taken from a foreign classic."

"This is a parting gift from a witch who used her place as a farewell present for me," Merka said.

【Witches... they are powerful mages without a family, a sect, or a student identification.】

Turing thought.

【They always have odd habits.】

"Come and see, cough cough... it's this way." Merka pushed aside the thick thorns at the end of the path and came to a quaint stone house. He tapped the vine that wrapped around the door with his cane, only to be greeted by a mouthful of scattered dust.

"Little Gear, don't fuss, it's me." Merka said slightly annoyed. The vines immediately wriggled and moved away from the door.

"Ah ha... this is the little familiar that the witch gave me as a gift, but it doesn't seem to listen to me very well." Merka scratched his head awkwardly. Although it felt a bit silly, this gesture matched his handsome and sunny face, so it didn't seem too foolish.

"Hmm... the point is not here, come and see the typewriter I told you about last time."

Skillfully pushing the door open, Merka moved some obstructing groceries around and placed them in other places.

Merka led Turing to a mechanical device placed on the table.

"It doesn't require magic... but it allows the pen and ink to move freely, writing ten thousand books in a day." Merka came to a corner of the room and touched a small metal object as he explained.

"I only managed to buy it by scraping together every last penny in Red Port..." Merka talked passionately, and Turing listened with great enthusiasm.

【Why?】

【Why is such a boring thing so interesting?】

【Why didn't I discover it earlier?】

Gradually, quietly, the rain started to fall again.

The drizzling rain seemed like a silent blessing from the wordless spirits in the world to the two secret lovers.

The two of them, who had forgotten about time, chatted, played, and frolicked in the room for quite some time.

"It's getting late." Merka stopped his hand, which was originally intended to oil a mechanical device shaped like an engine.

"I've been telling you things that you're not interested in all day."

Merka's tone sounded a bit apologetic, and between his eyebrows seemed to hide countless love and tolerance.

"It's nothing." Turing said.

"I had a great day today." Turing smiled again.

"Let me see you off, it's raining again." Merka faced the window, reached his hand out, and tested the size of the rain.

"No need, my home is really close." Turing said.

【He doesn't even know where I live.】

【How could I let him send me home?】

【Sigh.】

"I can use magic to evaporate the rain." Turing said, handing his small black umbrella over.

"But Merka might not know this kind of magic."

"I'll leave this with you for now." Before Merka could refuse, Turing had already reached the doorway.

"Wait... um." Merka took the umbrella and took a few steps forward."Thank you, Sisi. See you next week," Merka smiled.

Originally planning to find excuses, Turing did not expect Merka to express gratitude so directly.

Looking at Merka's smile, Turing's face turned red and continued to the neck, without even saying goodbye, just flew away.

[I did it... I gave him the umbrella...]

[I don't think I used any strange words just now, did I?]

On the way, Turing even forgot to use the fire magic, letting the raindrops hit the body. The whole body was as energetic as if injected with chicken blood, without feeling the coldness of the first rain.

[Is life supposed to be this happy?]

Flying back home like lightning, Turing arrived half an hour earlier than usual, but the whole body was already soaked.

Landing in the backyard of the family courtyard, Turing pushed open the gate of Elysium. Even before seeing the statue in the center of the hall, the first thing Turing saw was Theresa's concerned face.

"Young master... Why are you soaked? Ah, is it because you lost your umbrella?..." Theresa bombarded with numerous questions.

For some reason, the strange and ecstatic feeling that Turing had just experienced was abruptly interrupted. A feeling that Turing had never dared to have, a distorted and uneasy feeling, suddenly appeared in Turing's heart, slowly eroding Turing's heart chamber.

"Don't call me young master!" Turing raised his voice suddenly, yelling.

"Ah... Then what should I call you?" Theresa was stunned, trying to keep her tone calm.

"I... I don't know. Just don't call me young master." Turing took the towel that Theresa brought over, carefully rubbed it on his head a few times, and gave it back to her before bypassing her and walked away.

"Then, should I call you Miss?" Theresa followed Turing, her eyes somewhat sorrowful, but at least Turing couldn't see it.

Turing remained silent.

"Miss, do you still want to smoke tonight? I put the cigarettes in your room..." Theresa waited for a moment when Turing didn't speak, and then said.

"No need, you can leave..." Watching Theresa, who was gradually unable to keep up with his pace, Turing softened his heart and slowed down.

"Goodnight, Theresa."

[Merka doesn't smoke... Secondhand smoke is also not good. I should quit smoking.]

"Okay, I understand. Then I'll have someone bring hot water later, and Miss can take a bath in the room." Sending Turing to the door of his room, Theresa waved goodbye to Turing.

"Goodnight, Turing." Theresa gently closed the door and left.

Turing leaned against the door in the room, listening to Theresa's footsteps gradually fading away. The feeling of being sweet and ecstatic, like the beginning of first love, filled her small body so much that there was no reaction to quitting smoking.

She couldn't help but laugh.

[Maybe I don't need cigarettes anymore?]