She tapped on her cheeks with her hand, got a grip of herself, and started to walk toward the apple tree where Riley lied down often.
‘The fall will be here soon.’
When the fall comes, she will be able to close her eyes.
“… Ah, you are here.”
In the garden, where the apple tree was, Nainiae walked to the front of Riley and bowed to tell him that she is now back to do her work, although it was going to be until just today evening.
“Ian, can you please excuse us for a second?”
Riley, who had been lying on the ground with his fingers locked together to support his head, ordered Ian who was standing next to him.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Having heard the order, Ian lowered his head and stepped back away. Nainiae, wondering what this was about, tilted her head side to side.
‘Mr. Ian, you didn’t hurt your back?’
Unlike what Willa said, Ian, who was on standby next to Riley, seemed to be quite all right.
‘Nainiae.’
Ian had his eyes met with Nainiae, but he remained silent, took a moment to steadily gaze on her face, and walked away.
‘… You have been crying.’
It looked like she washed her face in a hurry, but her face near the eyes were swollen red, indicating that she cried her eyes out. Having realized this, Ian left the scene so others cannot see his face filling up with bitter sorrow.
“You are here?”
“Yes.”
As usual, with a relaxed, leisurely face, Riley greeted Nainiae. Seeing his face actually made Nainiae’s heart more complicated instead.
‘I thought I would feel a little better if I saw Young Master, but…’
She opened and closed the right hand she was hiding behind her back. As usual, she walked over to stand next to where Riley was lying down.
“…”
Riley closed his eyes, and…
For a moment, silence flowed through the air.
It appeared that he was taking a nap. Lying down, he was completely still. Taking a glance at Riley, Nainiae asked carefully,
“Young Master, are you sleeping?”
There was no response from Riley.
Perhaps Nainiae was unconsciously hoping for a response.
Nainiae unconsciously had a disappointed look on her face.
‘That’s right. Just like this.’
Nainiae, in a respectful posture, stood by Riley.
She was thinking,
‘It’s nice to spend time like this… No, I wish the time could stop like this.’
“Nainiae.”
At the end of the silence, Riley opened his mouth.
‘Perhaps he was not sleeping, but then why didn’t he answer earlier?’
Nainiae had a lot in her mind, so she responded a little late.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Autumn will be here soon.” 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Having heard what Riley said, Nainiae cast shadow on her face as she answered,
“Yes, Young Master.”
Riley slowly opened his eyes and looked at the apple tree’s leaves that were shaking in the wind.
“When the autumn comes…”
One, two, three, four…
There were countless leaves hanging on the tree.
There were things besides leaves too.
“… you have something that you are supposed to do for me, isn’t there?”
“Something that… I am supposed to do for you?”
Having heard the question, Nainiae vacantly asked back.
Riley didn’t open his mouth anymore.
“…”