Chapter 151 - Damn Reincarnation

A Visit to the Patient

The moment she saw the bouquet cradled in Genia's arms, Ciel took several long steps backward, then spun around.

"You startled me."

Cyan, who had just returned to his room, whirled around in surprise. Ignoring her brother's alarm, Ciel swept her narrowed eyes around the room.

There it was. Inwardly relieved, she reached for the vase on the table. Her brother had an incongruously girlish side and always kept flowers in his room at the main estate, too.

"What are you doing?"

Cyan's jaw dropped as she pulled every last flower out of the vase. Ciel did not bother answering. She shook the water off the stems, roughly tore off their ends, and looked around the room.

"Wait..."

Without hesitation, Ciel flung open the wardrobe. Cyan's eyes darted anxiously from side to side. Ever since he was young, he had hidden obscene books catering to his particular tastes—books he could never show anyone—under his bed or deep inside his wardrobe...

"Uh... Ciel. Why on earth are you..."

"Cyan."

Her rummaging hand plunged deep into the wardrobe.

"Give me this."

What Ciel pulled out was an elegant, old-fashioned silk scarf that came with a set of formal clothes. The continent's foremost fashion designer had given it to Cyan to celebrate his coming of age. But Cyan had not left Black Lion Castle since becoming an adult, so he had never worn either the clothes or the scarf.

"... No... I'd rather you didn't..."

"I'm not asking for the clothes. Just the scarf."

"But, uh, those clothes are a set with the scarf..."

"Keep this up and I'll take out the books hidden underneath and read them aloud. I'll tell Mother, too, and spread the word around Black Lion Castle."

"Y-you... Do you know how old I am? I'm an adult! Mother can't scold me about that anymore!"

"Yes, I know. She won't scold you. Instead, she'll look at you with very, very complicated feelings. So will I."

Ciel pointedly turned to stare at Cyan. He edged backward before his sister's eyes, which swirled with a subtle, complicated blend of emotions. If he refused now, that nasty little sister of his would surely keep looking at him that way for at least the next ten years.

"... T-take it."

"Thank you."

Ciel nodded with a radiant smile.

RIIIP!

Before Cyan's eyes, the scarf tore in two. His mouth fell open at his sister's ruthless handiwork. Ciel tore it a few more times, then tied the flower stems together. She used the wider piece to wrap the bouquet, winding the remaining fabric around it and making a bow.

When she finished, she held a stylish bouquet that had consumed an entire top-quality silk scarf. She inspected it from every angle, inwardly admiring her own dexterity and aesthetic sense.

"... Just to make a bouquet... My coming-of-age present..."

"I'm taking this, too."

Ciel took a large jeweled brooch from his jewelry box.

"Brooches don't suit you."

"I've never even worn one...!"

"You've had terrible taste since you were little. Where were you planning to wear a jeweled brooch this big?"

Unable to argue, Cyan could only tremble at the shoulders. Ciel fixed the brooch to the center of the bouquet's bow, then nodded in satisfaction. Her bouquet was much smaller than Genia's, but there would be no comparison in terms of the care and money lavished on it.

'After all, I made it myself.'

With a contented smile, Ciel left Cyan's room.

... Genia was still hesitating outside Eugene's door.

Her memories were hazy. The moment she had followed the demonic energy deep into the forest... darkness had attacked from behind. A sudden ambush. She thought she had handled it admirably, but her memories cut off partway through.

After regaining consciousness, she had spent two days bedridden. That was when she heard the whole story. Eward Lionheart. The main family's eldest son had done something or other with a spirit of darkness inhabited by a remnant of a Demon King... Genia had no interest in magic, so she could not fully understand what had happened.

Instead, she reduced it to something simple. The main family's eldest son had gone mad. Dominic, captain of the Black Lions' First Division, had gone mad, too.

... So had Hector.

"... Ugh..."

Sighing heavily again and again, Genia glared at the bouquet in her hands. It was unbelievable, but she had no choice but to believe it. The three who had gone mad and caused the incident were dead. Even more unbelievable was that the one who had killed all three and rescued the hostages was that Eugene Lionheart.

'... No... Really?'

The Black Lion Knights had no reason to lie while admitting their own incompetence, did they?

'It wasn't Father who saved me?'

Apparently not.

Genos felt profound gratitude that Hamel, whom he revered, had reincarnated as Eugene and saved his only daughter from danger. He wanted his daughter to share that gratitude and his reverence for the great master Hamel.

... But he could not tell her who Eugene really was. He must not. Eugene's identity as Hamel was a secret Genos had to protect for the rest of his life. But, but he wanted to tell her. His tongue was itching. Genia revered Hamel, too. He wanted to serve his master alongside his daughter, both of them knowing the whole truth and acting with sincere hearts...

That was why Genia was here. Genos had personally pressed the bouquet into her hands. He had even pushed her out, telling her to thank the man who had saved her life.

Genia knew nothing of those circumstances. Her feelings were complicated in all sorts of ways. Hector, her friend and rival since childhood... had betrayed Lionheart. And now he was dead.

Did she think of Eugene as Hector's killer, someone to avenge herself on? Not to that extent... but she felt uncomfortable around him. It was not that she refused to acknowledge his skill. She was jealous of how much favor her father showed him.

"May I go in first?"

Ciel strode up and stopped beside Genia. Still wondering what expression to wear and how to convey her thanks, Genia startled and looked at her.

"If you're not going in, that is."

Ciel smiled, elegantly flicking back her hair. As she did, she carefully inspected Genia's appearance and bouquet.

'I misunderstood.'

Genia had come alone, even bringing a bouquet, so Ciel had been on guard in case she had ulterior motives. But the obvious reluctance on her face made it clear that Genos had pushed her into coming.

"Were you uncomfortable going in alone?"

Ciel rested her hand on the doorknob and smiled softly.

"Then let's go in together. To be honest, I felt a little embarrassed about going in alone myself."

"Ah... Did you?"

Genuinely relieved, Genia's expression relaxed. Several calculations lay behind Ciel's offer. Genia was twenty-seven. Ciel was twenty. Genia was not old, but a seven-year age gap was significant.

'And as for looks... I'm prettier.'

Her looks had earned praise since childhood. Ciel knew perfectly well that she was fresh-faced, cute, and pretty.

'That drab uniform. And me? Good thing I changed. Side by side, the comparison will be obvious.'

She had put on perfume and a necklace, too. Smiling brightly, Ciel turned the doorknob.

"I won!"

The instant the door opened, Mer hopped down from the sofa. Looking triumphant, she approached Eugene's bed and thrust out her hand.

"You stood outside long enough. If you were coming in, couldn't you have waited one more minute?"

His face deeply scrunched up, Eugene glared at Ciel and Genia.

"You came in early and made me lose!"

"I told you, didn't I? That they'd come in soon. You said they'd wait a little longer, but I won. That means you were wrong, Eugene. Do you understand?"

"Just get it over with."

"Please admit defeat."

"Yeah, I lost. Hurry up!"

Only then did Mer grin. She lifted Eugene's limp wrist from beneath the blanket and rolled up his sleeve.

"I won't go easy on you."

"Who asked you to?"

"I know you're hurting, but a bet is a bet."

Mer blew twice on her gathered fingers, then delivered a merciless blow to Eugene's wrist.

SMACK!

The slap landed with a satisfying sound. Ordinarily, it would not even have stung, but in Eugene's current state, that blow sank deep into his bones and reached his very soul.

"Nngh...!"

Eugene clenched his teeth, suppressing a scream. His violent reaction actually startled Mer. Her shoulders flinched inward as she studied his face.

"A-are you all right?"

"It's nothing... Nothing at all...!"

"Really... Really? You won't get angry at me for this later, will you?"

"No!"

"Pinky promise."

Only after extracting a promise did Mer smile and retreat. Enduring the pain still lingering in his wrist, Eugene raised his head.

... What on earth were they doing?

Ciel had rehearsed several possible conversations with Eugene, but she had never imagined walking straight into a scene like this.

"... Ahem."

Genia cleared her throat and offered Eugene the bouquet in her arms.

"... I've come to thank you."

"I'm sure you have."

"... This bouquet conveys not only my feelings, but my father's as well."

That felt like a lot to accept.

Eugene recalled Genos shedding copious tears.

"... Thank you. I'll gladly accept it."

"Take mine, too."

As though she had been waiting for her cue, Ciel held out her bouquet, angling it so the bow and jeweled brooch were clearly visible from the front.

"Pretty, isn't it? I made the bouquet myself."

"What's this jewel?"

"A brooch. You wear it on your chest. Want to try it on?"

"Later."

As he answered, he glanced at Ciel's outfit.

"And what's with your clothes?"

"... Huh?"

"What's with the necklace, too? Since when do you wear necklaces like that?"

She had prepared for that question.

"Pretty, isn't it?"

Ciel tilted her head slightly, accentuating the curve from her neck to her shoulder, and lifted the corners of her lips into a mischievous smile.

"No."

"... What?"

"It doesn't really suit you."

How could he say something so obnoxious right to someone's face?

"I think a different necklace would suit you better than that sparkly one."

"Uh... Huh? Really?"

"The dress is pretty, though. I don't think I've ever seen you dressed like that."

"... Right?"

Ciel steadied herself after the unexpected exchange had thrown her off. With a soft chuckle, she elegantly flicked back her hair.

"You're the one who said it, remember? That you'd hear my very polite thanks later, when you were better?"

Ciel made a show of turning in place. The motion carried her subtle perfume toward Eugene.

"Thank you for saving me."

Lifting her skirt slightly, she bent her knees and lowered her waist. Rather than bowing her head all the way, she watched Eugene with playful, smiling eyes.

"How can I repay you for saving my life?"

"That doesn't seem like a polite thank-you."

"..."

"Maybe kneel... or bow your head lower. Wouldn't that be a polite thank-you?"

"Honestly, what a naughty little brother you are to your Big Sis."

Ciel's face crumpled as she straightened. Then she strode over and plopped down beside Eugene.

"Then how about this? I'll nurse you every day while you recover."

"I can nurse him."

When Mer lifted her chin to speak, Ciel snorted and wagged a finger.

"How can you nurse him when you can't even peel a piece of fruit properly?"

"Peeling apples isn't important to nursing."

"Then what do you need to do?"

"Change Eugene's bandages, wipe the sweat off his body, change his clothes and underwear, massage his muscles so they don't stiffen, and collect his piss and shit."

Ciel's mouth fell halfway open. She stared at Eugene in disbelief, while Eugene stared at Mer with the very same expression.

"Are you insane?"

"Isn't that what nursing involves?"

"When did I ever ask you to collect my piss and shit?"

"I'm prepared."

"I don't need it!"

"Now that I think about it, it's quite strange. You've been bedridden for two days, so how have you not gone to the bathroom even once? You don't sweat, either."

Mer tilted her head, her eyes sparkling.

"... Piss and shit..."

Genia, who had been listening quietly, muttered to herself. Looking uneasy, she glanced at Eugene.

"... I don't think that's a suitable topic for members of the main family to discuss."

"I have to clear up the misunderstanding, don't I? I've never asked her to collect my piss and shit, or to change my clothes."

"Then do you wear a diaper?"

Genia stepped back, unconsciously glancing at Eugene's lower body. Naturally, she could not see it beneath the blanket.

"... Look... I'm dealing with it through magic. It keeps my clothes clean without needing to change them, too. Satisfied?"

"Still, I'm always prepared."

"Just fuck off."

Eugene glared at Mer for bringing up something so unnecessary, then whipped his head toward Ciel and Genia, who were watching him.

"... Don't get any weird ideas."

"I'm not thinking anything."

Ciel edged away, shaking her head.

"... Um... I can change your bandages, but... anything beyond that is a bit much."

"I feel the same way."

"When did I ask either of you to do it? Stop pestering a patient and get out."

Eugene snapped, his face scrunched up, and pointed his chin toward the door. A wind responded to his wishes, flinging it open.

"We've barely arrived, and you're already telling us to leave?"

"A patient's peace and quiet comes first."

"You mean being with me doesn't put you at ease?"

"Why ask something so obvious?"

"Why? Is it psychological? Does having me in the same room, dressed like this, stir you up emotionally?"

"Your outfit doesn't stir me up, but your bullshit does. Know what emotion it stirs up? Anger. Get out unless you want a beating!"

Eugene shouted at the top of his lungs. Ciel stuck out her tongue and retreated, but Genia stayed where she was. After a moment's hesitation, she took a necklace with a whistle attached from inside her clothes.

"... Please blow this whistle if you need help."

Unable to move properly, Eugene could not resist. He glared at the whistle now hanging around his neck, then summoned a breeze to place it between his lips.

TWEEEET!

Genia blinked as he blew the whistle right in front of her. Eugene spat it out and continued.

"Take Ciel out of here right now."

"How cruel. So cruel."

"You come here supposedly to visit a patient and drive me up the wall!"

"With lungs that strong, I guess I don't need to worry."

Smiling brightly, Ciel tugged on Genia's sleeve.

"Come on, let's leave him in peace, Big Sis."

"... Big Sis?"

"You're a whole seven years older than me. Does it bother you if I call you that?"

What was this feeling...? The words carried no particular meaning and were not strange in context... yet Genia felt vaguely displeased. Of course, she could not vent her irritation at a young lady of the main family over such a tiny feeling.

"... No."

"Rest well. Call if you need help or get bored. And as for the bathroom, you really should get someone to help you there instead of holding it in."

"Get out!"

Ciel left the room with an infuriating smile to the very end. While Eugene huffed and puffed, Mer transferred the flowers from his bouquets into a vase.

"Still, everyone's worried about you and grateful to you."

"I saved them all. Of course they should be."

"Don't you feel proud or fulfilled?"

"Just as they ought to feel that way about me, I did what I ought to do. Why should I go out of my way to feel proud or fulfilled?"

Eugene answered without much thought, but his answer brought a bright smile to Mer's face.

"You're a good person, Eugene."

"Did you think I was a bad guy?"

"I mean you're a much better person than I imagined from reading the storybook."

Without replying, Eugene looked out the window. Mer sat beside him and began peeling another apple, humming to herself.

"... I feel sorry for the apple."

"Pardon?"

"I didn't say anything."