ALL NOVEL “What is a Master, I wonder?”
I thought as I watched the Nameless meticulously cleaning the inn room in front of me.
“Master, are you saying you didn’t wash for two days because you thought the innkeeper would be bothersome?”
The Nameless’s words pierced me like a knife.
I flinched, shuddering, and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“The Masters I know aren’t constantly bullied by their Disciple.”
“…”
I could sense the Nameless’s gaze and couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud.
“Yes, I understand that you are a selfless Master, and your words are not lies.”
Can’t we just move on from this?
“But if you only care for others, you won’t be able to take care of yourself.”
“Okay, enough lecturing. Just sit and rest.”
“Are you not caring for me while cleaning the room right now?”
The Nameless, who had been picking up strawberry stems off the floor, turned to look at me.
“I like that selfless part of you, Master, but sometimes I want to see a shameless side too.”
After finishing her sentence, the Nameless stared at me for a while before turning back to rearranging the room.
‘Shameless…’
I twiddled my lips.
It’s not like I have never thought about such things myself,
I know I’m a bit over-concerned as well.
“But it’s just hard to change…”
I had lived my life this way for as long as I can remember,
It wouldn’t make sense for that to change all of a sudden just because of what the Nameless said.
But couldn’t I gradually change a little as the Nameless suggested?
“Learning something from a Disciple isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Even watching a passing puppy can teach you something.
“Alright.”
I decided to try acting shameless for once.
“Hand over the strawberries!”
“…What?”
I got up from my bed and straightened my shoulders with confidence.
“The strawberries you took earlier! Hand them over!”
“Master, that’s not what I meant by being shameless.”
Of course, I felt something was off when I first brought it up,
and my face turned red.
But,
“Fess up! Hand them over!”
If I backed down now, that would be a loss.
Today, I was going to learn shamelessness!
I leaped off the bed and charged at the Nameless.
“Ah! Master! I don’t have any strawberries on me!”
“Hand over the strawberries!”
“This is just the usual Master, isn’t it!”
After this little scuffle, I ended up with no strawberries and two extra hours spent cleaning the room.
It was a fight that ended in defeat.
Now that I think about it, did the Nameless eat anything?
She must have been too busy looking for me, so maybe she hasn’t eaten yet.
Hmm, that’s a problem.
While sitting on the floor, I watched the Nameless cleaning my beloved wooden sword.
Surely someone of her level could go days without food, but that also means she’d benefit from eating.
Men grow in height and muscle even after becoming adults, so it’s definitely healthier for the 19-year-old Nameless to keep eating.
“Nameless, have you eaten?”
“I haven’t, but I got a bit caught up in cleaning the inn room, so it’s a bit late now.”
Hmm, hearing that makes me feel guilty.
Well, it’s completely dark outside now, so it’s definitely late for a meal, as she’d said.
But if I let her skip it, my conscience would hurt.
“Hmm, I think I’m a bit hungry. Do you feel like eating something?”
It’s obvious she’d refuse if I suggested she eat, so I used myself as an excuse.
Upon hearing my words, the Nameless smiled gently and nodded.
“Yes, if Master is feeling hungry, I can go get something to eat.”
“How about we eat at the tavern downstairs?”
Instead of going far, it’s just downstairs, but I thought it was polite to ask for her opinion.
The Nameless nodded immediately, as if she hadn’t considered eating somewhere else.
“In that case, I’ll go down and bring back some food.”
“Please do.”
The Nameless carefully set down the wooden sword, slowly got up from her seat, and walked towards the door, glancing back at me.
“What should I order?”
Order? I don’t even know what’s on the menu here.
I waved my hand dismissively, signaling her to figure it out.
“I’ll be back.”
With that, the Nameless bowed her head slightly and stepped out the door.
Once I confirmed she was completely gone, I let out a chuckle.
“Ha, how amusing.”
I had thought I naturally guided the Nameless towards eating, but somehow it seemed like she caught on to my true intentions.
Maybe it’s not just six years of living together for nothing.
The Nameless has really honed her skills in reading my mind.
Though in the context of a Master and Disciple relationship, that’s a good thing, it still makes me uneasy to think our bond isn’t what I had imagined it to be.
When it comes time to hide something from her, will I truly be able to deceive her?
I don’t know.
I quietly closed my eyes, waiting for the Nameless to return.
After about ten minutes, the Nameless returned with two plates, holding each with a different hand.
I guessed she hadn’t brought any drinks, huh?
I expected that, but a small disappointment bubbled up.
Our eyes met, and she quietly avoided my gaze.
‘As expected.’
With a light sigh, I took one of the plates she held and set it down on the table in the room, preparing to eat.
“Come and sit.”
“Yes, Master.”
Since it was side dishes for drinking, the food didn’t look that impressive.
There was a somewhat small roasted chicken, soup with floating meat and vegetables, and lastly, the staple here, bread.
Not expecting much, I took a bite of the food first.
The Nameless started eating after confirming I was having food too.
As expected, it tasted as plain as it looked.
After finishing our meal and cleaning up the leftovers, I stared quietly out the window.
The high moon and stars made it clear it was night without needing to look at a clock.
The Nameless must be tired, so it’s probably about time for her to go to sleep.
I glanced over at the Nameless, who was shyly shifting in the corner of the room due to her appearance.
“Nameless, let’s head to bed soon.”
“…Yes, Master, but there’s only one bed?”
She must not be blind; why is she asking that?
I looked at her with a puzzled expression, and her face turned pale.
“What kind of grown man acts like a shy village girl? Just lie down already.”
“…Yes.”
The Nameless and I lay side by side on the single bed.
I turned my head to see the Nameless awkwardly positioned next to me.
She wasn’t even under the blanket and was turned sideways with her broad shoulders making it clear she was uncomfortable.
‘She’s going to be sore tomorrow if she sleeps like that.’
Worried, I called out to the Nameless.
“Nameless, it seems like your position is uncomfortable.”
“No, I’m fine.”
She still wouldn’t look at me while responding.
She surely wasn’t like this when she was younger; it seems she’s become oddly shy.
I suppose sleeping next to an adult like me would be rather embarrassing for her.
I can understand that.
But didn’t the Nameless say I could be a little shameless?
“Nameless, you can afford to be a bit shameless.”
I gently pressed on her back with one hand.
“There’s no one watching here, so you don’t have to be shy.”
I slowly began to stroke her back as a form of comfort.
“Feel free to act like a baby.”
I slowly swept up her spine and patted her shoulder at the end.
Tsk, why should it be embarrassing to sleep alongside your Master?
I shook my head and tried to close my eyes.
“Master.”
“Hmm?”
I turned to face the Nameless again.
Hmm, this time we’re facing each other.
The Nameless looked back at me with a sharp gaze, unlike before.
For some reason, that made me feel quite proud and I smiled.
“What’s up?”
“…I think what you just said could be misunderstood.”
Hmm, what could that mean?
‘Did I say something that could be interpreted differently?’
I don’t think so.
I tilted my head, trying to understand the Nameless’s words.
“Hmm, I don’t quite get it.”
“…It’s nothing.”
The Nameless, eyes tightly shut as if holding back something, turned over into a comfortable position unlike before.
‘Why keep resisting when you’re just going to listen?’
I found her behavior rather adorable and ruffled her hair.
“It’s just a little dull.”