Wedge of Life

Episode 57

“Would you mind stepping aside?”

“Not particularly.”

Faced with Christina’s unwavering refusal to move, Céline sighed and said,

“Do you want to cause a scene in front of the Minister’s house? I’m sure everyone around will be quite interested in what’s going on.”

“…If you don’t want a scene, then Céline can simply go home.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Christina gritted her teeth, but noticing the curious glances from passersby, she reluctantly stepped aside.

Céline, feeling triumphant, entered the house, but stopped dead in her tracks at the sight that greeted her.

“What in the world were you doing in the kitchen? Or did something explode?”

She unleashed a barrage of reproach at the sight of the utterly devastated kitchen, causing Christina to flush.

“I-I was cooking, alright?”

“Cooking? You wouldn’t be referring to that unidentifiable lump of black coal, would you?”

“…I was going to try again.”

Hearing Christina mutter softly, Céline couldn’t hide her rising irritation.

‘Daring to feed something like that to *my* Minister… There are limits to what’s acceptable.’

The thought that this woman had tried to block her made her even angrier.

Angry as she was, she held it in for now.

It wasn’t as if she could let the esteemed Minister hear them bickering in such a disgraceful manner.

“By the way, where is the Minister?”

“He’s sleeping in his bedroom.”

“Is that so?”

Celine, thinking she should first wake him, feed him, and then settle him back down, was about to head straight to the bedroom. But, again, Christina blocked her path.

“What is it now?”

“Don’t wake him. He only just managed to fall asleep after suffering from a high fever and excruciating pain.”

“That’s precisely why I’m going to wake him. He couldn’t properly eat dinner; he needs to have something so he can take his medicine, or whatever else.”

Saying that, Celine tried to pass her, but Christina raised her arm, preventing her.

“I said no! It’s more important for him to sleep right now! Celine, you don’t know how much pain the Minister has been enduring!”

To be clear, Christina hadn’t intended to provoke Celine.

But still, those words could only be interpreted as a provocation.

“I don’t know? Me? Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not you, but *I* who have been by the Minister’s side all day long! I know the Minister’s condition better than anyone!”

Similarly, Celine wasn’t trying to provoke Christina.

She was angry, it was true, but she hadn’t meant to anger the other woman.

However, to Christina, Celine’s words were utterly absurd.

“If you’ve been with him all day, how can you not know?! You clearly have no idea how much pain the Minister is enduring!”

“What is it that you keep saying I don’t know?”

“You don’t know anything!”

Finally, Christina exploded, causing Celine to erupt as well.

“It’s not that I don’t know, but that I’m pretending not to know! Because I know the Minister doesn’t want to show any weakness!”

The realization that Celine also knew what she thought was solely her understanding made Christina flinch momentarily, but she didn’t back down.

“If you’re going to pretend not to know, then pretend until the very end!”

“I can’t, that’s why I’m here! You’re no different!”

“I came here with the Minister’s permission!”

“Don’t lie! If the Minister was someone who could permit anyone to be near him, he wouldn’t be in this state in the first place!”

Those words struck home, leaving Christina speechless, and Celine explained why she, in particular, was qualified to be at his side.

“I was asked by the Minister’s mother! She wants me to stay by his side and take good care of him!”

“L-lies! You’re lying too, what!”

“Really? And the fact that you said ‘too’ means that the part about getting the Minister’s permission *was* a lie!”

“No good.

I can’t possibly win with mere words.”

“Then all that’s left is brute force.”

Just as Christina was about to snap her fingers to knock Celine unconscious, a voice cut through the air.

“Be quiet and get out, both of you.”

The Minister stumbled out of the bedroom, scolding them.

—

Ah, damn it.

My head is unbearably hot and throbbing.

Unable to simplify my thoughts and feelings, I truly feel like I’m dying.

What’s the cause?

Is it because I’ve been turning the Eye of Heaven on and off so frequently lately? Or is it from the forced synchronization with Merlin’s Staff?

Whatever the reason, it’s driving me mad.

I wonder if returning my vision to normal would help, but even that wasn’t something I could control.

Unless my consciousness is severed or I fall asleep, the Eye of Heaven is currently active at all times.

“A-Ah, I, I’m sorry, Minister.”

“W-We’re sorry. Did we wake you?”

“Not exactly.”

The truth is, I hadn’t been in a deep sleep, so I can’t really blame them for waking me.

That being said, I also didn’t want to hear their bickering.

“Ugh.”

“Minister!”

“Minister-nim!”

The moment my body lost its balance, Christina and Celine rushed over and supported me on either side.

Grateful as I am, I wish they would just go back to what they were doing.

“How can we leave you in this condition, Minister!”

“That’s right! Absolutely, not even in death!”

They were just fighting a moment ago, yet in these matters, their teamwork is perfect.

I can’t tell if they’re friends or enemies.

Anyway, there’s a pleasant scent coming from the bag Celine brought.

“Will you eat?”

“Ah, yes! I made a light meal so that Minister can eat comfortably!”

I was just feeling hungry, so I figured it was good timing and allowed them to guide me to the table.

There wasn’t much point in arguing and wasting time when it seemed I wouldn’t be going back anytime soon. Better to quietly fill my stomach.

As I sat at the table, Celine pulled out various dishes from her bag and laid them out.

I always think it, but she really is a great cook.

On the other hand, the kitchen Christina had used was a complete mess, but I decided not to mention it.

The results were unfortunate, but she had at least tried to cook for me.

No need to embarrass her with pointless words.

Besides, even without me saying anything, she was already drooping her shoulders, alternating glances between the lump of charcoal she’d made and Celine’s dishes.

“I will eat well.”

“Please, take your time and eat plenty!”

I scooped up some soup and brought it to my lips.

…It’s seeping into my whole body.

When I came to, I was shoving all the food Celine brought into my mouth.

But… is it alright for me to be eating alone?

“Aren’t you two going to eat?”

“We’re fine!”

“Yeah. It’s most important for Minister to eat right now.”

Hmm.

What to say.

I don’t know if it’s because my physical condition is poor, or because they’re continuing to treat me warmly without giving up even though I’m pushing them away, but it’s becoming harder and harder to drive them out.

Am I… perhaps, getting weaker?

If that’s the case, it’s a big problem.

At this rate, I might really get eaten up, just like Celine said before.

“I ate well.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Very much.”

When I answered honestly, Celine showed me a dazzling, clear smile.

Conversely, Christina’s expression darkened rapidly.

You are receiving so much help, there’s no need to be so downcast.

“I brought both headache pills and fever reducers, which do you need?”

“Both.”

Thanks to a hearty meal and the medicine, his condition improved, if only just a little.

The sky’s weeping eye was still acting up as it pleased, but the runaway train of his thoughts seemed to be slowing down, too.

He seized the chance to brush his teeth and wash up, and by the time he left the bathroom, sleep was slowly but surely creeping in again.

“Return safely.”

Normally, he would have waited to see her leave before going into the bedroom, but he was far too sleepy and went in first.

He shouldn’t have.

—

After the Minister went into the bedroom, Celine and Christina cleaned up the messy kitchen together.

Christina insisted she would do it alone, as she was the one who had made the mess, but Celine dismissed the idea, saying it would probably just get messier, and rolled up her sleeves.

And so, they continued cleaning in silence for a dozen or so minutes.

Christina, who had been glancing sideways at Celine, quietly muttered, as if to herself.

“I hate to admit it, but you’re amazing.”

“What is?”

“Your cooking, Celine.”

The Minister’s face during the meal had been the most relaxed she’d seen him in recent times.

The image wouldn’t leave Christina’s mind, and she couldn’t hide her melancholy.

“So cooking can make someone that comfortable.”

“Of course. How important is it to eat properly?”

“You’re right. So, the Minister must have washed and gone straight to bed after eating.”

Celine casually replied to Christina, who was nodding as if she understood, as if it were just a passing thought.

“That’s not quite right. I did put in some ingredients that are good for vitality, but he fell asleep because I put sleeping pills in his rice.”

“………………Eh?”

Leaving Christina, who couldn’t believe her ears, Celine dusted off her hands, having finished cleaning.

“Whew. I think that’s enough.”

“No, no, no, no, wait a minute! Didn’t you just say something outrageous?”

“Hm? What? Oh, the sleeping pills?”

“That! That’s, well, what is it? You put them in because the Minister hasn’t been sleeping enough lately, and you thought you should force him to sleep, right?”

Even offering the most logical of possibilities only brought back an absurd reply.

“No. I burned it so I could pounce on him while he sleeps.”

“Are you actually insane?!”

“I’m not insane.”

“Sounds pretty insane to me!?”

“I’m telling you, I’m not.”

“Then why are you trying to pounce on him?!”

“Isn’t it obvious? To bear the Minister’s child.”

“Without his consent!? You ARE insane!”

Unlike Christina, who instinctively knew this was a matter to be stopped even with force, Celine continued speaking in a placid voice.

“The Minister has no attachment to life. He compulsively, almost as if cursed, sees to every task with perfect execution, but at the same time, he’s okay with simply dying and it all ending because of it.”

“What does that have to do with pouncing…!”

“I’m creating a wedge.”

“…A wedge?”

A reason to live.

A reason to keep going.

A reason to survive.

Celine intended to create it.

“If he continues like this, the Minister won’t live long. That’s why he needs a wedge. A wedge to give him attachment to life.”

“But… doing it like that, he’ll end up hating you…”

“Even if he hates me, it’s alright if it means the Minister can live. Or were you trying to love him without even that much resolve?”

She had no answer.

Leaving the hesitating Christina behind, Celine spoke before entering the bathroom.

“Your being here was unexpected, but if you have the resolve as well, you can join. Though I’ll be first, of course.”

Celine entered the bathroom, and the door closed.

Left alone, Christina clutched her head.