Chapter 42 Had a Feeling

The crowd gradually thinned, no one eager to linger near the adventurer who’d almost snapped the arm of a prominent merchant’s heir. Probably for the best. Amos and Edith kept moving through the market—or at least, that was the intention. In reality, silence hung between them. One couldn’t speak at all; the other was lost in thought. Eventually, Amos paused beneath the shade of a broad tree overlooking the summit grounds.

Edith looked at him curiously. The young man stared at the sky. Then sighed.

"Rich girl."

She tilted her head.

"I've been meaning to ask something."

Edith pulled out her notebook.

What?

Amos stared at the words.

"Are you afraid of me now?"

The pencil stopped moving.

The question clearly surprised her. Amos laughed weakly.

"That's probably a stupid question." He leaned against the tree. "Actually no. It is a very reasonable question." His gaze drifted toward the distant crowd. Toward the merchant heir being dragged away by attendants.

"My personality aside." A pause. "You saw what I almost did."

Edith remained silent.

"I could have easily broken his arm."

Another pause.

"And if I was in a worse mood." His voice became quieter. "Maybe more than that."

The breeze passed between them. Amos continued staring into the distance.

"You know. Most people think they can tell what someone is like after spending a few days together. Usually they're wrong." Edith blinked.

Amos crossed his arms. "Three days. That's how long we've known each other. That's not enough." He looked directly at her.

"What if I'm actually a terrible person?" The question hung in the air. "What if everything you've seen until now is fake? What if I'm just good at pretending?"

Edith's expression softened slightly.

"What I'm trying to say is—" He paused, searching for the right words, then let out a sigh. "I don't want you getting fooled."

Edith blinked. Amos looked away.

"That sounded weird. It sounded less weird in my head."

The notebook appeared.

It usually does.

"Hey."

No remorse. Not even a hint. The pink-haired girl gave a faint smile. Amos fixed his gaze on her, then pointed with accusation.

"See. You're doing it again."

Edith merely waited. Then Amos sighed. "...Forget it."

"No. Actually, don't forget it."

The words came out more firmly. "If someone can be kind one moment and almost break someone's arm the next..." He shrugged. "Maybe that person isn't someone you should trust so easily."

For a few seconds, Edith just stared at him, exactly as she had since the very first day. Then, without a word, she started writing. When she was done, she held out the page for him to see.

I know.

Amos blinked.

"What?"

She nodded. The notebook moved again.

You are dangerous.

Amos froze. "...Ouch."

The notebook continued.

You are also troublesome.

"That's fair."

And suspicious.

"Okay, that's just bullying."

She ignored him.

And you like pretending not to care.

"..."

And you overthink things.

"..."

And you are trying to push me away right now.

"..."

Amos suddenly became fascinated by sky. Edith wore a triumphant smile. The notebook was back.

Did I miss anything?

"..."

Edith's smile widened.

"I liked you better when you couldn't talk back to me."

The notebook immediately returned.

I still can't.

"..."

I'm writing it.

"Smartass." His expression softened. "Then why?"

Edith paused, her smile fading as hesitation crept in for the first time. The answer wasn’t simple—not entirely. She had always had it, that feeling, the strange instinct she shared with twin sister. Her sister could glance at objects and instantly know their worth, almost unnaturally so. Edith’s gift was different—she could look at people and sense something. Not their thoughts, not their emotions, but… something else. A feeling, an impression, a glimpse beneath the surface. It wasn’t perfect, never was, but it had never let her down completely.

And right now, that feeling remained unchanged.

The notebook moved.

I just have a feeling.

Amos stared. "...A feeling?"

She nodded.

"That's it?"

Another nod. Amos looked genuinely unconvinced.

"That sounds incredibly unreliable."

Edith shrugged.

Maybe.

Probably.

The notebook appeared once more.

You looked angrier than I was.

Amos blinked.

When he grabbed my wrist. You looked more upset than me.

Amos opened his, then shut it again. He couldn’t deny it—he’d been furious after seeing someone hurt a girl who couldn’t defend herself, and the sight had made his blood boil.

Edith continued writing.

You were careful not to actually break it.

"..."

Even when you wanted to.

"..."

She lowered the notebook and met his eyes without hesitation, without fear. It was the same steady gaze she’d given him, the one that never wavered. Somehow, it grated on Amos more than suspicion ever could—because it was filled with trust. Trust, despite his efforts to push her away. Trust, despite his warnings. Trust, despite everything.

The notebook rose one final time.

If you were truly a bad person. A pause. You wouldn't be trying so hard to convince me that you are one.

Amos froze as Edith offered a gentle smile—the kind that brought back memories of the first day. For some reason, that smile carried more weight than any argument could.

"..."

Amos looked away. "I dislike people who make good points."

Edith’s shoulders trembled slightly, probably from laughter. After a long pause, Amos let out a sigh.

"Fine." He pointed at her. "Just remember."

She waited.

"You are responsible for your own decisions."

Edith nodded.

"Good." Another pause. Then Amos added. "...And if someone harasses you again. I am absolutely breaking something next time because you are my friend."