Chapter 206. I’m Doomed (2)

Translator: Lili

Weekly Chapter 4/7

The delicious aroma wafting in from the kitchen was both inviting and cruel—a tempting lure as if beckoning her to come out. Yet, Shushu couldn’t muster the courage to face the creator of that enticing scent. If she stepped outside and encountered Henriad in the kitchen, she might just end up stabbing herself with a fork out of sheer mortification.

But as long as she stayed in Henriad’s room, the inevitable confrontation loomed.

When she faintly heard footsteps ascending the stairs and then a knock at the door, she genuinely debated whether to crawl under the bed.

“Get up.”

Shushu glanced under the bed almost reflexively, her throat dry. The voice following the knock was Henriad’s—calm and dry, as usual.

Not a trace of the awkwardness you’d expect the morning after doing something like that with your sister’s cellmate.

For a brief, blessed moment, Shushu entertained the hopeful thought that all her memories were just the imaginings of a drunken fool.

‘Yes, I was that drunk. Of course I had strange dreams.’

The fact that her pajamas were different? She reasoned it must’ve been because she spilled wine all over herself, and Henriad, horrified, had kindly helped her change.

The thought itself was horrifying enough, but still more bearable than the alternative—that she’d mistaken Henriad for the Mini Cat and… gone all the way.

Convinced now that it was just a dream—a mortifying secret she could take to her grave—Shushu brightened visibly and got out of bed.

“W-wait! I’m up!”

She nearly collapsed from a sharp pain in her back but ignored it, buoyed by relief that she hadn’t made a horrible mistake worthy of a late-night radio confession.

Opening the door, she found Henriad staring at her impassively. His gaze was peculiar, unreadable.

“You’re surprisingly…”

Still holding the door, Henriad spoke softly.

“… resilient.”

“Huh? Oh…”

Caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, Shushu scratched her head awkwardly, assuming he was referring to her ability to handle alcohol.

“Really? I guess I have gotten a bit tougher than before.”

She chuckled nervously. Life in Augwell had been physically demanding, whether she liked it or not.

Henriad gave a faint smile as if to humor her, then turned and descended the stairs.

Following him down, Shushu finally discovered the source of the heavenly aroma that had seeped into the room.

***

The dining table was laden with dishes that seemed like the perfect cure for a hangover. A spiced clam chowder, savory stews—all tailored for someone who’d clearly overdone it the night before.

And Shushu, who had overdone it, felt her face heat with shame as she realized just how much trouble she’d caused Henriad.

“S-sorry… about last night. Because of me…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Henriad’s voice was flat, indifferent, as Shushu hesitated, her spoon hovering above the chowder. His tone, though cold, carried a detached reassurance that left her momentarily touched.

What a classic example of someone whose words are sharp but whose actions are kind, Shushu thought, nearly moved to tears.

If he’d stopped there, she might have been genuinely overwhelmed with gratitude.

‘But’, he continued, his voice calm, “you did drink all the cider I was saving for cooking, spilled that horribly staining wine all over the carpet, and forced me to start cleaning at dawn. But really, don’t worry about it.”

“…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Shushu turned around to survey the living room. Sure enough, just as Henriad had said, the carpet beneath the sofa, which should have been a mess from the spilled wine, was nowhere to be seen. The empty bottle of apple cider, which she had intended to just take a sip of but ended up finishing without realizing, was also gone.