Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 24: A Pastillas for Your Thoughts?

Chapter 24: A Pastillas for Your Thoughts?

Katherine sat stiffly on the plush sofa in Maestro Eldritch’s office, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her teacup. The familiar scent of parchment, aged books, and faint incense lingered in the air, wrapping around her like an old, knowing whisper.

Outside, Ariane waited in the carriage. The secrecy surrounding her correspondence with Eldritch had become second nature by now, yet it never failed to make her feel strangely... expectant. As if every visit to the Maestro’s office would reveal something new, something important.

She let her gaze drift over the towering bookshelves crammed with ancient tomes, some bound in thick leather with gold inscriptions, others looking so fragile they might crumble if touched. Strange trinkets sat between the books—a glass orb filled with swirling blue mist, a dagger embedded in a block of crystal, a floating quill scribbling notes onto a hovering parchment. She had the strongest urge to get up and inspect them, but before she could act on it, the door creaked open.

Eldritch stepped inside, his black robes sweeping across the floor with each movement. He was composed, as always, but something about him seemed... different. His usually upright posture carried the slightest hint of weariness, and the sharp glint in his red eyes seemed a fraction dimmer.

Katherine straightened immediately, her curiosity overriding her nerves. Was he tired? That was new.

"How are you, Lady Katherine?" he asked smoothly, though his tone wasn’t as crisp as usual.

Katherine rose quickly, almost knocking over her teacup. "Did I disturb you, Maestro Eld?" she asked hesitantly. "You seem... tired."

Eldritch’s expression remained neutral, but there was a slight pause before he responded. "No, it’s fine. I have work to do, but everything is progressing well."

Which, in Eldritch-speak, probably meant he was drowning in work but would rather drop dead than admit it.

"I see you’ve been busy," she said lightly, trying to ease into the conversation.

Eldritch regarded her for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. "So that’s why you haven’t responded to my letters," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Katherine blinked. Was he... sulking?

She quickly reached into her bag. "I was planning to send a letter with this," she said, retrieving a small box, "but I thought it would be better to give it to you in person. I also have a request that might be difficult to explain in writing."

Eldritch’s gaze flickered to the box, his expression shifting just slightly—an almost imperceptible tilt of his head, a flicker of curiosity in his crimson eyes. "Oh? What have you brought me this time?"

She placed the box on the table, its clear lid revealing neat rows of pastel-colored sweets, their surfaces smooth and glossy. "It’s called Pastillas," she said, her voice lighter now. "I made them myself."

Eldritch leaned forward, studying the treats with the same level of scrutiny he might give a mysterious potion or a rare spellbook. "Are these white chocolates?" he asked warily.

Katherine chuckled, shaking her head. "No, they’re Pastillas. Made from milk. I hope you’re not lactose intolerant," she teased.

The corner of Eldritch’s mouth twitched—a fleeting shadow of amusement. "I have no issues with milk," he replied, before picking up one of the flower-shaped pieces and taking a small, measured bite.

Katherine held her breath, watching him intently. His expression remained neutral, his gaze distant as he slowly chewed. Was that a good sign? A bad sign?

"It does tastes like milk," he finally remarked.

She exhaled, grinning. "That’s a relief! This is one of the products I was thinking of selling. What do you think, Maestro?"

Eldritch chewed thoughtfully, nodding. "They taste good. I could eat them while I work."

That was... basically high praise coming from him.

Katherine beamed. "Hearing that makes me feel so much better." She pulled out two more boxes and handed them over. "I made different shapes and colors. You can share them with your friends or attendants if you like."

Eldritch took the boxes, and for a brief moment, his fingers brushed against hers. Then, something dangerous happened.

He smiled.

Not his usual half-smirk or polite, neutral expression. A real, genuine, utterly devastating smile.

Katherine’s brain short-circuited.

Oh no.

That should be illegal. That smile could topple empires. It was a weapon of mass destruction—of hearts.

Her face burned, and she quickly turned her gaze away, suddenly feeling like she had looked directly into the sun. Focus, Katherine! You have a serious question to ask!

She cleared her throat. "Umm... Maestro, I have a request. Or maybe it’s more of a question."

Eldritch, still chewing his Pastillas, lifted his gaze. "What is it?"

Katherine hesitated. How was she supposed to phrase this without sounding utterly insane? She wasn’t even sure how much she wanted to reveal.

Finally, she exhaled. "Is it possible to travel to another world with magic?"

The room fell into a thick, weighted silence.

For the first time since she had met him, Eldritch looked... taken aback.

His piercing red eyes, usually half-lidded with quiet amusement or sharp calculation, widened ever so slightly. It was brief—so brief that anyone else might have missed it—but Katherine caught it.

Surprise.

That reaction alone sent a chill down her spine.

"Why would you ask that?" His voice was quieter now, careful.

Katherine shifted in her seat, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I was just wondering... if it’s possible to travel to another world. A world other than this one?"

Eldritch remained silent, his expression unreadable. His sharp gaze bore into her as if peeling back layers, searching for something beneath the surface of her words.

"It has never been proven that another world exists," he finally said. "Where did you hear about such things?"

Katherine let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, you know. Just rumors. Fairytales about travelers from other worlds."

Eldritch’s eyes didn’t waver. If anything, they seemed to darken, as if he were examining her every movement, every breath.

"Fairytales, hmm?"

Her fingers clenched slightly against her lap.

"You enjoy fairytales, Lady Katherine?" he asked, his tone unreadable.

"I... think I do," she admitted, suddenly unsure.

Eldritch leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he regarded her. "Well, there might be some truth to such tales," he mused, his voice laced with amusement. "But even if such a thing were possible, it is beyond the reach of magic alone."

Katherine’s breath hitched slightly. "Why?" she whispered.

Eldritch’s red eyes gleamed in the dim candlelight. "Because," he said, voice quieter now, "it requires more than just gold, knowledge, or power. To travel between worlds, Lady Katherine, you would need a god. Not a wizard."

A lump formed in her throat. So, it really is impossible...

Eldritch must have noticed the shift in her expression because, for a fleeting moment, his voice lost its usual detached coolness.

"Perhaps," he said, almost hesitant, "it may be possible in the future. But for now, I cannot help you with that."

Katherine forced a small smile. "I... was just curious."

Eldritch studied her carefully, as if debating whether to press further. But after a moment, he merely exhaled and leaned back.

"If you have any other requests, feel free to ask," he said, his usual ease returning to his tone. Then, with a smirk, he added, "I’ll even give you a discount on the sweets."

Katherine blinked at him. Was that supposed to cheer me up?

Despite herself, a laugh escaped her lips, light and unrestrained. "How generous of you, Maestro."

Eldritch raised a brow, as if pleased with himself.

Katherine forced out a laugh, shaking off the lingering weight of the conversation. Dwelling on the impossible wouldn’t change anything—at least, not right now. She needed to focus on things she could control.

"Actually, I do have another request," she said, shifting the mood.

Eldritch arched a brow, silently urging her to continue.

Reaching into her bag, Katherine pulled out a neatly folded sketch and placed it on the table between them. "Could you make a box that acts like a freezer?"

Eldritch took the paper and unfolded it with one gloved hand. His red eyes flicked over the drawing, analyzing every detail. "A freezer?" he echoed, his tone mildly curious.

She nodded eagerly. "A box that can keep things cold—like ice. I need it for food preservation."

He studied the design in silence, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk. The soft flicker of candlelight cast sharp shadows over his elegant features, making him look even more unreadable than usual.

"Interesting," he murmured at last, tilting his head slightly. "A controlled cold enchantment... It’s possible, but it will require careful adjustments. If you want one that can produce ice, that will take even longer."

Katherine leaned forward, eyes bright with anticipation. "How long?"

"A week."

Her lips curled into a triumphant grin. "Perfect! I’ll have my attendant pick it up when it’s ready."

Eldritch’s fingers stilled against the parchment. His gaze lifted to her. "You won’t check it yourself?"

She hesitated, her excitement dimming just slightly. "...I’ll be traveling for a month."

For a brief moment, Eldritch said nothing. His expression remained composed—elegant, unreadable, as always—but there was something in the way his fingers slowly set the paper down, in the subtle way his eyes lingered on her.

Was that... disappointment?

"I see," he murmured at last, his voice unreadable.

Katherine bit her lip, feeling an odd pang in her chest. She fidgeted with the strap of her bag before forcing a smile. "I’ll write to you, Maestro. I won’t forget."

A quiet pause.

Then, slowly, a rare, dangerous smile curved his lips.

"Take care, Lady Katherine." His voice was soft, almost teasing, but there was something else beneath it—something unsettlingly genuine. "I’ll be waiting for your letters."

Katherine swallowed.

Why did it feel like she was saying goodbye to something important?

As she turned to leave, she couldn’t shake the uneasy twist in her heart.