Chapter 39: Spying and chatting

                                    

                                          
*Lupusregina POV*

                          
Where's the kid? I've been looking for him everywhere! 
                          
"So he isn't in the infirmary, he isn't in his room, where is he?!" I yell as I'm walking through the corridors of the 1st floor. 
                          
It's so empty and quiet here, I don't like it...silence is pleasing and all, but this is just depressing.
                          
I casually walk by the…basement's door, and as I distractedly look there with the tail of my eye I see it's open. 
                          
That's strange, the bitch doesn't usually leave the door open. 
                          
I start going down the steps and for some reason I start getting the feeling that I shouldn't be here. 
                          
I really really think that I shouldn't be here, but it's too late to turn back now! 
                          
As I get to the bottom of the stairs, I look around me for a few seconds but I don't find anything or anyone right off the bat.
                          
I shouldn't snoop around here...especially after everything that happened lately. But I'm just too curious!
                          
"Hmm…" 
I take a few steps around and I don't find the kid or the bitch anywhere, so I start getting a bit bored. I become invisible and I walk around the torture room a bit more. At some point, my eyes casually land on a shiny object laying on the floor right at my feet. I kneel down and after having a closer look I realize it's a half empty vial with a not so promising purplish liquid inside.
                          
Huh...I'll keep that in mind. 
                          
I sigh pretty loudly, join my hands behind my head, and I’m about to walk out of the torture room when I hear some agitated chatter coming from…the bed. 
                          
Oh, now I wanna see. 
                          
I become invisible and quietly walk to the bed, finding Mark and Shalltear sitting on it next to each other. I can’t hear what they’re saying, and I definitely can’t come any closer since they’ll notice me. 
                          
But wait, of course I can hear them! I’m a werewolf, I’ve got enhanced senses! 
                          
I shake my head and look away thinking that Mark is about to be manipulated by the sharp toothed bitch again. 
                          
He really didn’t learn his lesson did he?
                          
I distractedly look back at them and at first I don’t distinguish well what’s going on in the penumbra.
                          
Wait…no, that can’t be. 
OH GOD THEY’RE SMOOCHING! WHAT?!
                          
And they keep going on for quite a while. I just stand there with my mouth wide open, watching them smooch. 
                          
Did the kid just go crazy?! I mean, as far as I know he’d been trying to…repress his desire to love Shalltear or something. SO WHY THE HELL ARE THEY KISSING?! This is so confusing! 
                          
I keep watching, as shocked as ever, at least until Shalltear starts taking off the kid's shirt. 
                          
Ah, no no no no I don't wanna see that! I gotta get out of here!
                          
I start running out of the basement and I stop just outside the entrance to the right, letting out a sigh of relief as I become visible again. 
                          
Okay, let's try to reason. NO THERE'S NO POINT IN REASONING! That kid is so stupid! Ahhh, he's gonna get himself killed...oh shit, need to go to Lord Ainz's quarters tonight! That's right! I'll think about how to punch the kid in the face for being so stupid later.
                          
I start running through Nazarick as fast as I can and in a matter of minutes I get in front of Lord Ainz's office. After a few seconds of waiting Narberal walks out of the room giving me a nod, I answer with a smile and a wave and I walk in. 
"Lupusregina." 
I bow down and lower my head.
"Yes, Lord Ainz. I came here after Narberal as the work schedule says."
"Get up, Lupusregina." 
I do as I'm told and I stand beside Lord Ainz who is sitting behind his desk. I stay in silence for a while, feeling a bit bored, as I look around the room.
"Tell me something, Lupusregina." 
                          
Oh, Lord Ainz himself is asking me something! Alright! 
                          
"Yes, Lord Ainz. I will try to answer you as best as I can." I say convinced and do a salute. 
"What do you think of Mark?" 
                          
Oh, that's why Lord Ainz asked me something. I'm clearly among the people who know him the most here. 
                          
"Well, Lord Ainz…I'd say he's a nice kid. He loves killing and torturing humans, but here he isn't the only one. Sometimes he acts a bit stupidly, but it's due to his lack of experience, not to his intelligence. He can actually be quite a smart and calculative person. And, well…I'd say him and I get along well because we have similar tastes." 
                          
I think I said everything I needed to say. More or less. 
                          
"And how do you think he feels towards me? Does he ever talk to you about me?" 
                          
Weird question…but I'll do anything for Lord Ainz, even answering these strange questions!
                          
"Well, Lord Ainz, whenever we end up talking about you the few things I manage to understand are that he considers you a glorious being, and he's very intimidated by you. You could even say he's scared!" 
At what I just said, Lord Ainz brings a hand to his chin and lets out a hum of perplexity. 
"Scared, you say?"
"Yes, Lord Ainz. He is still mentally a human, after all, and your sight is truly a fascinating and maybe terrifying experience for a human." I explain.
                          
I can't find any other reasons, honestly. 
                          
"Hm. And tell me, Lupusregina, do you love him in any way?"
                          
Huh? What? I...it's a difficult question to answer right here and now...
                          
"W-well, Lord Ainz…only as a friend! Plus he's already…" 
                          
Dammit, I fucked up. I shouldn't have said anything else.
                          
"He's already what, Lupusregina?" 
                          
Yeah, I fucked up. 
                          
"I guess I have to tell you now, don't I Lord Ainz?" I ask with a nervous smile, hoping he says no.
"Yes, Lupusregina. I'd love to hear what you have to say."