LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 5: Dinner
Sebastian watched the playful exchange between Alice and the crow with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Midnight, gave a final, indignant croak before hopping away, as if offended by Alice's teasing. The air between them, for a moment, felt lighter.
"Midnight certainly has a way of making a scene," Sebastian remarked, his voice still tinged with a quiet amusement.
Alice, still laughing softly, straightened herself up. "Oh, You are lucky to have a cute pet like Midnight." She looked at him a playful look.
Sebastian's smirk deepened,"But if it bothers you, tell me."
She hummed slightly, crossing her arms over her chest. She thought for a moment, looking away, then looked at Sebastian again."No, midi is cute" She said in a serious tone.
His eyes remained fixed on her, watching her every move. "Cute, huh?" He leaned back in his chair, the casual elegance of his posture betraying nothing of the curiosity he was clearly indulging in. "Also with a nickname"
He tilted his head slightly, a slow smile spreading across his face. "It is impossible for a person who loves animals, even if they hurts them, to be a bad person."
Alice blinked, caught off guard by his words. Her mind took a moment to process what he'd said, but the intensity in his gaze made her heart flutter unexpectedly. She hadn't expected him to delve into something so... profound.
She shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. "Well, I wouldn't say that's always true," she replied cautiously, her voice a little quieter than usual. "People can make mistakes... even if they love animals."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving her. "Oh? You believe that someone who loves animals can also hurt them? Is it a contradiction in your mind?" His tone was probing, but not unkind.
Alice took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Sometimes people act out of frustration or fear, even when they have good intentions. It's complicated." She met his gaze again, a flicker of thought crossing her eyes. "But I do believe that someone who truly loves something, whether it's animals or people, would eventually try to make up for their mistakes."
Sebastian's expression softened slightly, though his smirk never quite faded. "An optimistic view," he mused. "And perhaps a more forgiving one than most would admit." He stood up from his chair, the movement fluid and graceful, his eyes still locked on her. "But tell me, Alice, do you forgive easily? Or do you hold onto grudges like others?"
Alice hesitated, her thoughts a little tangled. She wasn't sure if he was speaking rhetorically or if he truly wanted an answer. "I… I try not to hold onto grudges," she said after a pause, "but sometimes it's hard. People can hurt you, and it's not always easy to let it go."
Sebastian seemed to consider her answer for a moment, then gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod. "I see." He stepped closer to her, his presence suddenly more imposing. "And what about me, Alice? Do you think I'm someone who could hurt you?"
The question was direct, cutting through the light atmosphere that had settled between them. Alice swallowed, feeling a tightness in her chest. She wasn't sure how to respond. She knew he was a being of immense power, someone who existed on the edge of life and death. But there was something about him that made her hesitate, something that drew her in even as it scared her.
"I… I don't know," she said honestly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never really been sure about you, Sebastian. Sometimes I feel like I understand you, but other times…" She trailed off, unsure how to finish her thought.
Sebastian's eyes gleamed, a strange mixture of amusement and something else that she couldn't quite place. "It seems I've left you with more questions than answers, haven't I?" His voice was low, almost too smooth. He stepped back, giving her space again. "But perhaps that's how it should be. Some mysteries are best left unsolved."
Alice felt a strange mix of relief and unease wash over her. She wasn't sure whether she should be frustrated by his elusiveness or fascinated by it. But one thing was clear: she was drawn to him in a way she couldn't explain, and it unsettled her.
"Maybe so," she murmured, rubbing her arms as if to ward off the sudden chill in the air. "But some mysteries are harder to live with than others."
Sebastian's lips quirked up into a knowing smile. "Ah, the things that linger in the dark corners of your mind," he said softly. "Perhaps you're right. Some mysteries are more difficult than others."
For a moment, there was silence again, a thick, almost suffocating stillness that filled the room. Neither of them spoke, but there was a palpable tension between them unspoken words, hidden thoughts.
Then, in a quieter voice, Sebastian added, "But you'll find, Alice, that the more you try to understand me, the further you'll fall into the unknown."
Alice swallowed hard, her chest tightening once again. "Maybe I don't want to understand you completely," she said, her voice low but firm. "Maybe I'm better off just... not knowing everything."
Sebastian studied her for a long time, his eyes never leaving hers. Then, with a slight smile, he gave a small shrug. "Perhaps. But even if you don't wish to understand everything, curiosity will always find its way."
Alice didn't know how to respond to that. Her heart was racing, and for a moment, she wished she could just leave.
"You really do enjoy leaving me confused, don't you?" she said, trying to sound casual, though she knew her voice betrayed her unease.
Sebastian chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to make the air feel even heavier. "It's not my intention to confuse you, Alice," he said, his voice low and almost tender. "But some things are just... inevitable."
She looked at him, trying to read his expression, but it was impossible. He was an enigma—something she couldn't quite figure out, and that made him all the more intriguing.
Before she could respond, a loud croak broke the tension. Midnight, having returned to the room, landed on the back of a chair, giving Alice an almost reproachful look. She couldn't help but laugh, the sound breaking the tension between her and Sebastian.
"Ah, there you are again," she said, looking at Midnight with a playful grin. "You're back to save me from your Lord's questions, right?"
Sebastian gave a soft chuckle, his eyes flicking to the crow for a moment. "You can not count on it, Alice. Midnight's loyalty may not be as strong as you think."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I think Midnight would protect me from anything, even you." Sebastian smirked again, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Midnight hopped closer, its sleek black feathers gleaming in the dim light. The crow tilted its head, fixing Alice with a sharp, knowing gaze. Then, in a voice that was both raspy and oddly articulate, it croaked, "The table is set."
Alice blinked, momentarily startled by the sudden announcement. She glanced between Midnight and Sebastian, her expression caught between confusion and amusement. "Wait... what?" she said, pointing at the crow. "Did Midnight just say the table is set?" Sebastian's smirk deepened, "Dinner is ready. Shall we?"
Alice stared at the crow, who now looked quite proud of itself, fluffing its feathers as if it had just delivered the most important message in the world. "You're full of surprises, aren't you, Midnight?" she muttered, shaking her head with a small laugh. "First you insult me, and now you're announcing dinner like some kind of royal messenger."
Midnight gave an indignant squawk, flapping its wings. "I do more than you realize, girl," it croaked again, hopping onto Sebastian's shoulder.
Sebastian chuckled, clearly amused by Alice's reaction. "Come, Alice," he said, his tone light but with a subtle edge of command. "The food won't wait forever, and I'm quite interested to see how long it takes for Midnight to start critiquing your table manners."
Alice shot him a playful glare but couldn't hide the grin tugging at her lips. "Fine," she said, brushing past him and heading toward the dining room. "But if Midnight has the nerve to critique me, I'm going to start calling him Dinner instead."
Midnight let out an offended caw, and Sebastian's laugh echoed softly behind her as the three of them made their way to the table.
Alice stepped into the dining hall, her eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the setup. The table was long, draped in a deep crimson cloth with gold embroidery, and adorned with silver candelabras that cast a warm glow across the room. Plates of polished porcelain and crystal goblets sparkled under the light, while an array of dishes filled the air with tantalizing aromas.
Although it was not the first time she came to his castle. she still amazed by everything every time.
She followed sebastian, while his movements unhurried. "Impressed?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Alice turned to him with a sheepish grin. "I might be. But don't let it get to your head." Her gaze flickered toward Midnight, who had perched on the edge of a chair, inspecting the table like a critic preparing to write a scathing review.
"Try not to embarrass yourself," the crow quipped, his beady eyes gleaming mischievously.
Alice rolled her eyes and took a seat, brushing her dress with exaggerated care. "Don't worry, Midnight. I'll keep my 'peasant manners' away this time." She mimed holding a goblet like a noble, prompting Sebastian to smirk.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his hand on the back of her chair. "You'd better. In this castle, table manners are everything." Even though he knew she wouldn't do it as usual.
Alice grinned. "Oh, don't worry. I've got this."