Chapter 4: Re: I'm Really a Witch - Persuasion Just Requires Going in Circles (Patreon)

"You two make a lovely couple," Pandora said, nodding as she looked at the two hands clasped together in front of her. "Mr. Archi, what do you think?"

"I... of course..." Archi, suddenly put on the spot, blinked in surprise before answering with a rather complicated look on his face.

"And you, little princess?" Pandora, unbothered, turned to Emilia instead.

"Um..." It was plain that while Emilia was still a little afraid of Pandora, she wasn't nearly as resistant as before.

After all, this Pandora was far easier to get along with than the one before — almost like... she'd become a different person?

"There. Satisfied now?" Having pulled her gaze away from Geuse, Fortuna glared at Pandora. "So would you please leave — now, this instant, immediately."

"Why would you say that..." Pandora sighed. "I wonder if the kind-hearted Miss Fortuna might take in a poor homeless girl like me?"

Fortuna had none of Pandora's memories, so naturally she had no idea where Pandora used to live.

Of course, even if she had known, could Pandora really be expected to go back and live with that gang of unhinged Sin Archbishops? Wasn't it much nicer here?

"I'm sorry, but as a guardian, I can't allow anyone who's shown interest in the thing I protect to stay in this forest," Fortuna replied. "Don't misunderstand — I'm only being impartial. There's nothing personal in it."

Of course, that was what she said — but whether it was really true, even she wasn't sure.

"Miss Fortuna, surely you heard me earlier." Pandora shook her head with a smile. "I have no interest in the seal — not anymore."

"Well, who's to say you won't suddenly develop an interest some day while you're living in this forest!"

"I promise you, that day will never come."

"And why should I believe you!"

"I see..." Pandora sighed. "So, purely as a matter of personal feeling, you trust me less than you'd trust anyone else."

"I..." Fortuna was left speechless. "Are you twisting my words?"

"No, never." Pandora looked at the flustered silver-haired woman with an utterly innocent expression. "I've only ever been making a request."

"Then I refuse your request!"

"And why is that?"

"I won't allow anyone who's shown interest in the seal to live in this forest!"

"I have no interest in the seal."

"Who's to say some day you won't—"

Fortuna stopped mid-sentence.

She'd circled right back to where she started...

This infuriating woman! She couldn't beat her in a fight, and now she couldn't even out-argue her...

"Fine. I admit it — it's simply because I don't trust you..."

In the end, that was all Fortuna could bring herself to say.

"So Miss Fortuna's 'impartial' decision was full of personal feeling after all." Watching Fortuna concede defeat, Pandora's smile widened.

That caught Fortuna off guard.

During their earlier confrontation, she'd never once sensed any real emotion from Pandora — only flat indifference. But now...

"Yes..." Fortuna could only nod.

"So that's an emotion no proper guardian ought to have." Seeing this, Pandora went on: "Still, since you're so determined to drive me out — even at the cost of your own principles — I suppose I'll just have to wander homeless."

With that, Pandora turned and started to walk away.

"Lady Pandora!" Seeing this, Petelgeuse called out hastily. "Where will you stay?"

At that, Pandora stopped in her tracks.

"My home? I don't remember... Petelgeuse... actually, never mind — may I call you Geuse?"

The question left Geuse, whose mood had only just started to settle, frozen stiff for a few seconds.

"Of course! It would be my honor!"

He'd never imagined Lady Pandora could be so warm and approachable!

"Geuse, what on earth is going through your head..." Fortuna sighed at the sight of him looking so touchingly grateful, then turned to Pandora with a look of resignation. "Fine, fine — you can stay..."

At that, Pandora clasped her hands together.

"Really? Thank you so much, Miss Fortuna."

But what met her was Fortuna's chilly stare.

"Let's get this straight first. Rule one: while you're staying here, you're not to come within ten meters of the seal." She held up one finger, then a second. "Rule two: you're not to come within three meters of Emilia."

That was the absolute limit of what she could tolerate.

"All right." Pandora simply nodded. "Anything else?"

"Last, and most important..." Fortuna glanced at Archi. "For as long as you're in this forest, you're never to step outside Archi's awareness."

With that, Fortuna fixed her eyes on Pandora, trying to read something in her expression.

After all, weren't witches supposed to have their pride? Surely she wouldn't accept being watched and bound by so many rules?

"I agree."

"Then hurry up and get out—" To Fortuna's surprise, Pandora agreed instantly, without a moment's hesitation.

Just as Fortuna was about to say something else—

"Actually, may I ask..." Pandora spoke up. "Does that mean he has to watch me at all times, no matter what?"

Fortuna, who'd already been caught off guard, blanked for a moment.

"Aren't you a witch? You don't need... that kind of thing!" she blurted, flustered and embarrassed, staring at Pandora.

"Miss Fortuna's misunderstood..." Pandora waved a hand. "I only meant — doesn't Mr. Archi need to rest?"

"I... I'll arrange for others to take shifts." Realizing she'd misread the situation, Fortuna looked away. "Archi, can I count on you for this?"

Archi still hadn't recovered from his shock.

This witch... was actually going to live in their forest — and Lady Fortuna had agreed to it!

And on top of that... she wanted him to "watch over" the witch!

"Of course!"

But so what!

If anything, Archi accepted the task with the resolve of a man facing certain death...

"Thank you." Relieved that Archi had agreed, Fortuna let out a breath.

"Are you all right?" She then turned to Geuse, whom she'd been supporting. "Should I carry you?"

"No need — I can still manage..." Geuse shook his head.

Besides, if anyone were doing the carrying, it should be him carrying her...

Just then, Fortuna suddenly felt a tug at the hem of her clothes.