The Antagonist: The World Ends Theory
Chapter 48 - Watching the Theatre

Clara is currently focusing on cutting vegetables that will be used for food this afternoon. Jean and Nero, who had just seen Clara cook for the first time, were amazed at her ability.

"It's so easy to cut it like this, miss."

Nero took another knife and demonstrated the right way. Then Clara quickly learned it and went back to cutting all the vegetables.

"Is Miss thinking a lot?"

"Hjp? Well, not really..."

"Which is right?"

"I don't know either, but right now I don't want to think too far. Better to enjoy my life first. Because life is on the run not thought of."

As they continue to cook, Jean is also silent - silently watching how Clara is doing at the moment. All he heard from the Emperor was that Clara herself was a weapon belonging to Freesia but was simply stolen by Duke Wayne.

Clara ends up living with the Wayne family. And because bad rumors about him circulated in Ranunculus which also threatened his life. Now this is where Clara, living in Hortensia with the Emperor, herself, Nero, some servants and soldiers.

"Miss."

"What's up, Jean?"

"According to Miss, where is it more fun to live? Wayne's residence or the imperial palace of Hortensia?"

Clara paused for a moment, "I think both of them felt really good. But of course there are advantages and disadvantages in every place. Even so, wherever I am as long as that place can make my heart peaceful. Then I'll choose him..."

"Such a place is hard to find, Miss."

"I know."

Come to think of it, after the book burning incident I haven't stopped by the library yet. Maybe after Jean and I get home from the night market I'll be there.

"Jean, when is autumn over?"

"About 15 days from now Miss. And in the first week of winter as far as I know there will be a change of office of Duke at Ranunculus."

"Eh? Winter?!"

"Couldn't Miss get any news?" Nero asked in wonder.

Clara shook her head faintly.

"Ah. Let's have lunch and make cookies for a snack at the market tonight, Miss." Bring Jean.

"All right!"

...❀...

Later that night, Clara brings snacks and Jean goes to the night market. Nero will remain silent in the palace. After all since the beginning of the imperial palace of Hortensia was not filled by many people so it always felt lonely.

Because it's night, Clara thinks there's no need to use a cloth cover or anything like that. Moreover this is Hortensia instead of Ranunculus. In this area he's not a fugitive.

With his cookies and Nero. Clara and Jean go around the night market. Rather than a night market, Clara thought this was more like a festival.

Because the night market in the world and in this world is very different. There are only theaters, food vendors and non-food.

"I brought a lot of snacks. Should we just go see the theater, Jean?"

"Alright, as requested by Miss."

Clara glanced at Jean, it's only been a few days since she came to Hortensia. But she and Jean are getting closer and closer. Perhaps because of the absence of Avrim and Meiger who had indeed specialized Jean in serving all the needs of Clara. It can be created.

One more thing that Clara still suspects of Jean. Jean probably has the same abilities as Avrim. Because when Clara asked him this, Jean seemed hesitant and seemed to deliberately hide it.

But let it be, Jean has the right to have privacy.

Clara too, she has many secrets within her that even she herself does not know what are the secrets of this Clara Scoleths.

I was lazy to find out, but I was also curious.

"Jean." Call Clara.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Since when did you start devoting yourself to His Majesty the Emperor?"

"Hjp? If I don't remember wrongly, it happened when I was about ten."

"It's still young! And now how old are you?"

"Hee... And you're single?"

"Eh? Mm.. as Miss knows. I was too focused on my devotion to Emperor Hortensia. I don't have time to think about that."

"But you have to think about it, Jean. Don't you want to make a family? Your own family consists of you, your wife and your children."

"No need Miss, here too I feel like I have a family with all of them." Jean said softly.

"Jean, what's the reason you're so loyal to Emperor Hortensia?"

Jean chose silence.

Clara stopped commenting on Jean, and they entered a tent that was not too big with the stage as the main highlight. Jean was the one who bought the entrance ticket, of course with a special Meiger allowance for Clara Scoleths.

"Come on Miss, please come in. Ah, don't forget not to be noisy when eating his snacks."

"okay."

Clara and Jean get a spectator seat in the middle. Since the main highlight is the stage, lighting other than there is all turned off.

The theater begins.

From what Clara can take, the story told is about a child who was always bullied by his parents but turned out to have the potential as a great person. Even that kid mastered black magic which was actually taboo.

That's why the boy always hid his magic so that he wouldn't end up like a black magician in the legends.

But one day, the older brother of the boy with magic suddenly killed his parents because he could not see his sister was always beaten. He also ended his life after killing them. The brother who saw it ended up committing suicide.

It's sad if it happens in real life. But for a theater to present a story like this, is not a bit of dregs...?

The theater show is over.

"Jean, the theater's over. Let's go."

"Np? Jean?"

Clara looked in wonder at Jean who was unmoved as she called out. Though the theater was finished and most of the audience had already started to disperse themselves from the venue.

"Jean!" Call Clara louder.

"uh? The show is over! Sorry miss, I'm too dissolved in the story."

"Oh.okay..."

It was just a glance, but Clara saw that the one who had been silent was like not Jean. As if her mind was withering, Jean's gaze at that moment was also very empty.

"Jean, if you're not feeling well, you shouldn't come along. I can take Nero so you can rest." Clara said with a worried tone.

"No, Miss, I'm fine. Just daydreaming."

"....."

I can't believe that. You're a bad liar.

Finally, Clara and Jean exit the theater tent. Clara had already finished her snacks as the new theater entered the middle of the story. Indeed, Clara is very greedy when she is watching, she needs to be accompanied by snacks.

It was also already somewhat late, after arriving at the imperial palace. Clara immediately washed herself and slept quickly.

In her room, Jean was not sleepy at all so she read a book. Only, even though his eyes were fixed on the book, his mind was instead reminded of the theater just now.

Jean put the book on her desk. He began to lay himself down so he could sleep.

"Jean, what's the reason you're so loyal to Emperor Hortensia?"

"Why did Miss suddenly ask that?"

Jean stared at his arm, the bruise that had disappeared inexplicably could return quickly. Though it should have been healed it is not possible to appear again.

"I thought it was over by then."

TB

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