## Chapter 215 – Clara’s Melancholy (2)
Ryu, having tossed and turned all night thinking about Clara, rose from his bed with bloodshot eyes. Perhaps because it was a rare day off, Aser and Charlotte showed no signs of waking up yet. As Ryu tried to get out of bed, Charlotte, who had groggily opened her eyes, grabbed his wrist and pulled him into her embrace.
“Why don’t you lie down a little longer?”
Ryu, noticing the seductive glint in Charlotte’s eyes as she looked at him through her disheveled hair, nestled back into her arms. Charlotte wrapped her arms around Ryu’s neck and gave him a light kiss.
Not intending to start the morning with lovemaking, she ended the short kiss and gently nipped at his neck. Ryu always felt an indescribable pleasure whenever he felt Charlotte’s fangs sinking into his neck.
After the brief bloodsucking, Charlotte lay back down, staring at the ceiling, and stroked Ryu’s hair.
“We’re going to rest a bit longer, so go play as you like.”
Ryu was bothered by Charlotte’s uncharacteristically subdued demeanor, but thinking nothing of it, he got out of bed and went down to the first floor. Ryu, puzzled by the complete lack of activity despite it being a villa, looked around, and then heard Clara’s voice from behind him.
“Looking for someone?”
Ryu, startled by Clara’s silent approach, yelped and cowered in place. Clara, looking both embarrassed and apologetic, carefully put her arm around Ryu’s shoulder.
“Oh my, I’m sorry… Did I scare you?”
Ryu shook his head and barely managed to reply.
“N-no. I’m okay.”
“What’s wrong!”
Aser, somehow hearing Ryu’s startled voice even while sleeping, rushed down to the first floor in her pajamas. Aser’s perception of Ryu as someone who couldn’t be left alone, like a child near water, made this reaction understandable. Ryu, aware of his past actions, didn’t question or complain about her overprotectiveness.
“It’s nothing.”
Aser sighed in relief and patted her chest. Clara smiled amusedly at Aser.
“Since you’re up, want to have breakfast together? I’ve already prepared everything.”
“Sounds good.”
“Shall we call Charlotte?”
Aser shook her head at Ryu’s words. Knowing the work she usually entrusted to Charlotte and her difficulties, she knew better than anyone how precious this time was for her. Letting her rest comfortably now was the best thing for her.
“She seems to be sleeping soundly for once, so let’s let her rest a bit more. She’ll eat on her own if she gets hungry.”
Following Clara to the dining room, they were speechless at the sight of the stew bubbling in an enormous pot. It was enough to feed a small restaurant for an entire day.
Clara, befitting her size, placed a considerable amount of food in front of herself and then served Aser and Ryu in turn.
Clara started eating and, with a benevolent smile, looked at Ryu and said,
“Tell me if you need more. There’s plenty.”
Aser was satisfied with the amount she was given, but Ryu was not. He was a surprisingly big eater for his size, and Clara, watching him empty his bowl in an instant and refill it, exclaimed in surprise,
“You eat more than I thought?”
Ryu swallowed the food in his mouth before replying.
“S-sorry. It’s just so delicious….”
Clara waved her hand dismissively.
“No, you don’t need to apologize. I’m just happy to see you enjoying it so much.”
The food, enough for at least ten people, was eventually devoured by Clara and Ryu, leaving only Charlotte’s portion untouched. Clara placed her hand on her stomach and said with a satisfied expression,
“I’ve never seen anyone eat so well. It makes it worth making.”
Even though Ryu offered to clean up, Clara insisted on doing the dishes herself.
Aser, who had been sitting idly and even had tea served to her, was about to relax again when Clara, without resting, was already putting on her work clothes and preparing to go outside. What had gotten into her? Ryu unconsciously stood up and said to Clara.
“If you’re going to work, can I come with you?”
Clara smiled and replied without a moment’s hesitation.
“Really? I’d appreciate the help.”
“Aser, can I go play with him for a bit?”
A sense of unease suddenly washed over Aser. She had a premonition that something different would happen if she let Clara and Ryu go alone. It was a kind of foresight that only Aser, who had lost Ryu to many women in the past, could possess. But it was also difficult to refuse Clara’s request, who was suffering from the loss of her subordinate.
In the end, Aser reluctantly nodded.
“Shall we go?”
Clara went outside and immediately started climbing the mountain. It wasn’t a particularly steep slope, but the path wasn’t easy, with rocks and thick tree roots protruding in places. Clara said to Ryu, who was struggling to keep up behind her,
“The mountain is quite high, isn’t it? Tell me if you’re tired. I can carry you.”
“I’m okay. What kind of work do you do here?”
“It’s not really hard work. Just picking mushrooms around the area or preventing possible fires.”
Ryu thought that he could easily do that kind of work. At Clara’s words that they would be picking mushrooms, Ryu reached for a brightly colored mushroom that caught his eye. Clara grabbed his wrist and shook her head.
“You can’t eat that one.”
After saying that, Clara squatted down next to Ryu and pointed to a plain, inconspicuous mushroom that was barely visible.
“These are the ones you can eat.”
Ryu stared blankly at Clara’s profile as she explained. He remembered having a similar conversation with Rou once. Looking back, Rou and Clara had quite a few things in common. They both liked to show maternal affection to others, although Rou’s love was limited to Ryu, while Clara’s seemed to be directed at a wider range of people. Feeling Ryu’s gaze, Clara turned her head and asked him.
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
Before Ryu could answer, Clara lifted her arm as if her foot was tingling and stuck her hand deep into her armpit and cleavage, then smelled it. She seemed to be self-conscious about sweating more than other people, and said with a reddened face and a voice that grew softer,
“Ah, did I smell like sweat? Sorry. I’m a bit too casual….”
“It’s not that. It actually smells nice….”
Ryu stopped there, thinking it might sound strange, and clamped his mouth shut. The sweat that made Clara’s skin glow healthily actually had a sweet scent that he wanted to keep smelling. The primal scent, as if stimulating a male’s instincts, was enough to arouse his lower body.
Clara seemed quite flustered by Ryu’s words and stammered.
“R-really? You have quite a unique taste. What’s so good about this kind of smell….”
In the silent atmosphere, Clara started working again to defuse the awkward situation. As she silently moved her hands, Clara’s expression occasionally turned stern. Ryu, unable to imagine that this was the same woman who always had a smile on her face, cautiously asked.
“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Clara smiled weakly, more so than usual, and replied.
“Does it look like that?”
It would be a lie to say that she was fine after what happened yesterday. But this sin and emotion were something she had to bear alone. A disgrace that she could never confide in anyone else. Yes, these emotions were something she had to endure alone until the moment she died. She, whose hands were stained with so much blood, didn’t even have the right to rely on anyone.
Ryu paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, then jumped up from his seat and said.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Ryu left those words and disappeared from the mountain path, hiding himself in the nearby bushes. Of course, he didn’t go too far, as there was a risk of getting lost. Clara, watching Ryu disappear in the blink of an eye, didn’t stray far from that spot and quietly waited for Ryu. However, memories of her days with Spade suddenly flashed through Clara’s mind.
It was only a matter of time before the melancholy that gnawed at her heart and soul returned. Why did she make that choice? Could there have been a better ending? Even when she thought of all the possibilities, it all felt like her fault.
How much time had passed? Clara naturally turned her head to look behind her when she heard a rustling sound behind her.
“You’re late? It’s dangerous to wander around alone like that.”
Ryu seemed to be hiding something behind his back.
“Um… This….”
What he was hiding was a small bouquet of flowers. Remembering the one Rou had made for him before, he wondered if it might help Clara feel better, so he had diligently made it with his clumsy hands. Of course, he couldn’t make it as perfectly as she had. He didn’t have enough time, and his skills were lacking. He had no choice but to switch to a bouquet, but he could only hope that Clara would like it.
Clara received the bouquet and stood there blankly for a while.
Hands covered in dirt and small cuts. She felt as if a warm energy was flowing from the flowers, filled with his heart for her.
That wasn’t the only emotion Clara felt. Memories of the past, why did she see the images of those children overlapping? Surely, something like this had happened when Spade was young too. She still vividly remembered the boy smiling brightly as he handed her a flower. At the same time, she realized.
If she only harbored regret for that child, even the memories would become tainted. She needed to move forward, using the joyful memories as nourishment, not regret. That was the right way to remember Spade. And also, the children she had personally executed until now.
Clara, having let go of her regrets, collapsed on the spot and burst into tears. The fact that the disgrace she thought she should never reveal to others had turned into a memory she could proudly share with others saved her life.
Clara hugged Ryu tightly, who approached with a worried expression, and sobbed.
“Can you stay like this for a moment?”
Ryu silently put his arms around Clara’s body and embraced her. She was clearly too large to be fully embraced, but at this moment, Clara felt small.
