Crown of Thorns

As the insides of the tower brightened, the dirt became more prominent. I didn’t care much about it when it was dark, but when it got revealed; I had a desire to clean it all up. So I started helping Evan diligently. The rotten stuff was piled up on one side. Because I couldn’t take it out right away.

Evan said he would throw it out on his way out, but I shook my head knowing that every time he went in and out, he was scratched by thorns and hurt himself. It was possible enough with my ability. It would be difficult still to face the bright world, but I thought it might be possible for me to go out at night. When I saw the light inside the tower, I wanted to see a world painted with colors. It is really true that greed has no end.

The insides of the tower were more spacious than I thought. When it was filled with darkness, I couldn’t perceive its vastness well, so it felt new. I used to lean against the wall or lie on the floor, so it didn’t matter whether it was wide or narrow.

“Are we done now?”

“Well, shouldn’t we wipe the dirt off things? My clothes always get all black.”

Evan stretched out his palms and nodded at his blackened figure. I had to grow out the water and wipe it off. Besides the bloody spot, the whole floor was dirty. The stench still lingered. But it was difficult to clean up right away, so I decided to do it myself. I thought I could get it done while Evan was back to town.

So I was about to open my mouth to voice it, but then I heard the sound of water flowing from somewhere. I turned my head toward the stairs, wondering if there was still any rotten blood left that I hadn’t pushed out. It had already gone down a long time ago and there was nothing left, but I heard the sound again. I walked towards the stairs because I felt like something was stuck somewhere. No, I was about to go.

“What is it?”

Evan grabbed me by the wrist. He was slightly lowering his head, but his flushed face was not hidden from my sight. It was when I opened my mouth to ask the question again that the sound of the water running was heard again. But it wasn’t by the stairs. It was coming out right in front of me.

“You don’t have to go.”

Evan still had a calm face, only his cheeks were red-hot. The sound, similar to that of water flowing, was coming from Evan’s stomach. Only then did I think of hunger. I haven’t eaten ever since I got trapped in the tower because I realized that I don’t die even if I don’t eat, I didn’t remember that Evan in front of me was a human being who had to eat. The idea that he’ll go hungry and eventually die if he doesn’t eat struck me like a waterfall.

Before he came here, I saw him pick up some fruits and eat them in the witch’s forest. I also saw him in the village selling bones and herbs to merchants in exchange for bread and simple dishes. But it was too little. He couldn’t even eat them and often starved.

So even the young man in my memory did not grow up properly despite his good physique. He was so thin that his arms and legs looked wobbly, his hair was rough, and his face was gaunt. It shouldn’t have been so. It was important to feed him well.

“You’ll have to eat something first.”

“There’s nothing to eat here. You don’t eat anything at all, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter if I don’t eat.”

“I’m, I’m fine, too.”

I’m used to it. Evan muttered in a small voice, but I heard him clearly. A child accustomed to hunger made my heart ache. And when I remembered the boy who brought me food with him, my heart was fluttering. I was overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude towards the boy for giving his precious food to me and guilt for throwing it away without eating it.

“It’s my turn to give this time.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I’ll be right back, so wait a moment.”

After telling the bewildered boy to wait, I immediately shrouded myself with darkness. The place I came to was the house I used to live in. The time here was stopped, so the food of that time remained the same. It was fresh and delicious. There was also a pile of materials.

For now, I got as much as my eyes saw. I couldn’t afford to take it all. I decided to come back and take my time collecting everything when I got free, so I only kept food that he could eat right away. I knew that I could never see this food again after it was eaten, but I couldn’t help it. The present young warrior was more urgent than the memories of the past.

When I returned to the tower, Evan, who was sitting against the wall, hurriedly rose up. Then he opened his mouth.

“Where did you g…”

However, he couldn’t finish his sentence and his eyes widened with amazement. He looked at the food in my arms. The red eyes, which were splendid even in the dark, shone more clearly under the light. I avoided his gaze and handed the food over. But food wasn’t the only thing needed.

“There’s nowhere to put it down.”

“Huh? Huh? W, wait!”

After dumping the food at Evan’s arms, I moved home again. There was only a rotten table in the tower. I couldn’t put the food on top of it, so I looked for a small table. After barely finding the one-man table, I grabbed it and returned to the tower. I kept disappearing. Evan’s expression was strangely changed whenever I reappeared again.

I put the table in front of him and set down the food from Evan’s arms one by one. Evan’s stomach roared as if he was ravaged. It was amazing that he didn’t show it. The food was very delicious and soon its smell filled the air. It was cute to see his red eyes roaming around and his mouth swallowing saliva. If he had an animal’s tail, it would’ve been shaking nonstop.

However, his expression was calm compared to his appearance. He didn’t even rush in and eat right away. He just looked at the food and the low table and asked questions.

“Where the hell are you getting it from? Besides, this table. It looks very expensive.”

At Evan’s words, I looked at the table I had brought. As soon as I found something suitable to put food on, I brought it with me without hesitation. Now that I see it, it was more like an ornament than a table, with elaborate carved edges; embroidery embedded everywhere, and glossy surfaces. Come to think of it, the things in my house would be worth a fortune. It was because most of them were gifts.

“Just eat.”

I sat a little apart, avoiding Evan’s gaze full of curiosity. My appearance was more likely to drop than enhance his appetite. It would have been better if it was still dark, but it was too bright now. My hideousness was clearly revealed. But Evan brought the table and sat face to face in front of me. I tried to sneak away, so he held on firmly.

“I don’t want to eat alone.”

I was forced to sit back down. The food doesn’t taste good if you eat alone. I know it well, so I sat in front of Evan and covered my face pretending to read a book. Only then did the meal begin. I was mesmerized looking sideways at him over the book I was holding it.

“It’s delicious! It’s really delicious. This is good, this is also good, and this, too, is good, too. It’s all food I’m seeing for the first time.”

It was difficult to decipher his mumblings with his full mouth chewing on food, but I heard him say it was delicious anyway. Perhaps his words were true, but his countenance hurriedly eating was unusually harsh. It was messy. I realized I was frowning and hurriedly arranged my expression. I was at a loss at when to teach table manners.

There was too much to teach the young warrior.

“Nyx. Try this, too.”

Evan pushed something through my mouth. I was shocked and ate the food without realizing it.

“Delicious, huh?”

It was delicious. Still mumbling and nodding. A smile came to Evan’s face as to whether he was satisfied with eating well or happy thanks to the delicious food, I did not know. It was a lovely smile.

The witch had so much to teach the young warrior, but she thought it wouldn’t be so bad.

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