I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 197: Left Waiting

"This is our gym." Lt. Kerr shows it to Julian, who immediately enters like he owns the place. He takes a look around and nods in satisfaction. His boots echoing softly against the floor, eyes already measuring distance and clearance.

"It’s good enough. But, when you use the HB, you need to remove all of the equipment, otherwise you’ll trip on them."

He gestures vaguely at the racks and machines.

"The best solution would be HB is installed in a separate room. So, you won’t have to deal with removing and putting them back." Julian gives his advice.

"We can do that." Chief Lutherford agrees. "What about the size?"

Chief Lutherford and Julian are chatting about the HB requirements, with Captain Chambers and both lieutenants. Their discussion turns technical quickly, covering ceiling height, emergency cutoffs, and reinforcement needs. Captain Chambers listens intently, already imagining the upgrade to his unit’s training efficiency.

The Baroness is still holding Arthur’s arm and looking around, looking bored, while her nose is scrunched slightly as if she’s smelling something bad.

"It smells." She states.

"It is of blood, sweat, and tears, Your Ladyship." Arthur answers fluently, without missing a beat.

Liam and Claudia, are amazed at Arthur’s quick thinking and boldness. They’re trying to hide their laughs too.

Theo and Maeve are a bit separated from the group. Maeve is reading something on her phone. She frowns, her thumb hovering over the screen longer than necessary.

"What is it, Maeve?" Theo asks. He knows Maeve is still upset about Jonathan.

Maeve shakes her head.

"Nothing, it’s my Teacher. He wants to meet me."

She looks at Theo. "He says he’s sorry and he wants to talk to me."

Theo returns her stare, "If you’re asking my advice, don’t. Not yet. Not tonight. Give yourself time to calm down."

Looking at her face, he adds, "But, if you want to go, I’ll go with you. I won’t be listening, but I’ll go with you."

Maeve smiles. "Thank you, Thea."

She goes back to her phone, but the frown doesn’t fully leave her face.

Theo sighs silently.

Poor Maeve. How can a teacher behave like that?

He looks at Arthur who is busy catering the Baroness.

Another inappropriate adult. How can adults act like this?

Theo is so irritated by the Baroness, he sends an icy cold air, very sharp, to her back.

The Baroness jumps forward and gasps loudly.

All attention shift to her.

"Are you okay, Your Ladyship?" Arthur asks, genuinely confused.

The Baroness only looks dumbfounded at her surroundings, blinking as if she’s momentarily lost her sense of place.

Theo laughs inwardly. I bet she never looked this clueless before.

The Baroness shakes her head slowly, bur her face still shows uncertainty. When she cannot find what she’s looking for, she moves herself even closer to Arthur, as if to seek his protection.

Arthur freezes when she does it. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, steadying himself.

When he opens them again, there’s no trace of irritation or hesitation in his eyes.

"Your Ladyship, it’s okay. I don’t know what spooked you, but I believe you’re very save here."

The Baroness doesn’t really pay attention to him, but she nods instinctively.

The rest of them return to their previous activities.

"Thea," Maeve says in low voice.

Theo shifts his attention to her. "Yes?"

"I... I want to go. You... you won’t blame me, right? I need... I need to talk to him." Maeve says, stammering. Her fingers twist together, betraying her nerves.

Theo only smiles gently.

"Then go. I’ll go with you. Don’t worry about anything. Just go."

Maeve nods, face lights up slightly. "Okay. Thanks, Thea."

She goes back to her phone, this time typing a short reply.

Julian’s inspection has come to an end.

All of them are saying goodbye, with Julian promising to come again to install the HB as soon as possible. The Baroness stays, she still wants to talk to Chief Lutherford.

Rhaenas leave the Solarys DEU, heading back home.

------------------------------

A few hours later, Thea is sitting in another café, about ten minutes from Rhaenas HQ. He’s enjoying his hot choco marshmallow. He never thought he’d find something this delicious. It is now his new favorite drink, replacing mango smoothies.

He’s sitting at the corner table, where he sits with his back to a wall and he’s facing Maeve’s table, which is four tables away.

Maeve is sitting alone, hands cupping on her hot tea.

It’s a particularly cold night. The temperature had dropped to 3°C just one hour before. The café is equipped with sufficient heaters, but every time the café door opens, it brings the bone-cold wind inside, makes the temperature inside the café not as warm as its patrons would like.

Theo is not bothered by the cold, most powerful magi aren’t. Their bodies would automatically regulate themselves. Saving them the headache to fight abnormal weather.

Jonathan had contacted Maeve and asked if he can talk to her alone. He said he was sorry of how he was behaving and that he would like to apologize in person.

Both Theo and Maeve wait there until the coffee shop is about to close, the staff giving them polite but pointed glances. Jonathan never shows up.

Theo asks Maeve to call him, maybe he’s not coming or he’s in some sort of trouble, but he doesn’t pick the calls or reply any texts.

Maeve grows worried. This is very unlike Jonathan. Each unanswered call tightens something in her chest.

Maeve finally contacts Victor, who sounds very guilty.

"Maeve, I’m sorry. Jonathan... left. He’s returned to Highcrest."

Victor explains further, "He wasn’t himself at the café this morning. And when he came to his senses, he was embarrassed and wanted to leave."

"It was me who suggested to talk to you first. That’s why he texted you. But... at the last minute, he changed his mind."

"I’m sorry, Maeve. I should’ve told you."

------------------------------

Maeve closes her door with a soft click.

She’s on the verge of tears, but they are not coming out.

She sits at the edge of her bed and covers her face with both palms.

She cries dry tears, chest aching without release.

"Give him time, Maeve. He’ll come around." Victor had said to her.

Maeve has never thought that her honesty would lead to this.

"I was trying to be honest and stay true to myself. Is that wrong?" She whispers.

Maeve may not love Jonathan like a father, but she does care about Jonathan. After all, he was the one who raised her and he’s been good to her in his own way. And that makes this hurt linger longer than she wants to admit.

And guilt.