13 – Nostalgia and Guilt
Your fate can change in an instant. And so easily.
I learned this when I was a child.
Until then, my world was very small.
There was my father, mother, and my younger sister. That was all there was.
I think that we were the kind of family you would see anywhere.
Perhaps it was because we could be proud as nobles.
While it wasn’t luxurious, we were satisfied.
…However. That time of peace gradually began to break.
Our house became poorer.
As my father toiled and sweated with the people of his land, his once hopeful eyes grew murky.
My mother, who was once calm and happy, began to grasp desperately to worthless ideals.
It wasn’t any single thing that made the change.
But before I knew it, there was no turning back…
(…Mmm.)
I open my eyes.
The sounds of the shaking car. A room in a train. Outside the window, I saw the nostalgic sight of my homeland surrounding us.
Windmills turned slowly, and fields of wheat continued into the distance.
I then saw a beautiful field of flowers in the corner of my vision.
The Arne flower. The village was named after it, and it was the only special export that it had.
When summer ends, those petals turn light red and dance in the wind all at once.
I closed my eyes and imagined the mystical sight.
“…”
‘…This train will soon arrive in Arnas. Please make sure you do not forget your belongings…’
The announcer’s voice suddenly brought me back. And so I picked up the traveling bag at my feet, and the case with my spear, and stood up.
The aisles were empty as I passed through. I waited at the door until the train stopped with a screech.
I stepped out of the train. Yes, the small station was much the same.
I went through the ticket gate, which only had one person standing there, and a breeze smelling of grass tickled my nose.
I took in a deep breath and started walking.
“…Oh? Is that you, Lady Aize?”
After I had walked for some time, a farmer called out to me. He must have been working, as there was a basket filled with vegetables right next to him.
“Mister Ramil. It’s been so long.”
“Aye, it has! Three years? You have grown so much!”
“…I don’t think I’ve really changed.”
“Really? Perhaps you are right! I’m sure the youngsters will be excited to see you again!”
He said with a laugh, and then he took out a red Nirme fruit from the basket.
“Here, have one! Freshly picked!”
“…Uh. Thank you.”
I wiped it with my sleeve and took a bite.
It was different from the fruits I ate in the city. A sweet and sour taste that made me think of Summer.
“By the way, there have been rumors about a wedding… Is that why you came back?”
I did not know how to reply to that.
It wasn’t me who was getting married.
In a way, you could say that I had come to put a stop to a different marriage.
It was a simple thing. But not something I needed to tell others about. Even if it was someone I knew since I was a child.
I ate the fruit silently, and then licked my fingers.
“Thank you. Has anything changed in the village?”
As I had ignored his question, he seemed to have sensed something. He scratched his head with an ‘Ah…’
“Nothing really. Mister Serma hurt his back. Just ordinary things like that.”
“Are things going well with Tor and the others?”
“Aye. They are still doing their neighborhood watch. But recently, there are not many monsters, so they seem bored? You should go and check up on them when you have time.”
“Yes…maybe I should train them again.”
“That’s a good idea.”
He laughed boisterously.
“Well, I’ll see you later then.”
I said as I turned away. Though the claws of guilt scratched at me a little, I continued on my way to the mansion.
Arnas was very small, and so it did not take long to reach the large house, which looked out of place in the countryside.
I rang the bell, and then a man with brown skin appeared.
“Lady Aize. Welcome back.”
“Yes. It’s been a while, Mr. Rand.”
Rand Lanes. The steward at the Lilieth house. He appeared to have more gray hair since I last saw him.
Though, he was a steward in name alone. He had his own separate house, with a field that he spent most of his time in. After all, he could not survive on what the Lilieth family were able to pay him.
“The master contacted me, saying that he will be a few days late.”
“Yes. …He is going to speak with Mimi’s betrothed.”
“Indeed.”
He took my bag and bowed. He really had not changed at all.
As always, he would not get involved in the family’s business.
He was not an ally to me. He just took care of us silently. Not a friend or enemy. However, it was because of him that we survived this long.
“How is Mimi?”
“Lady Mimi is in her room. However, I have prepared clothes and a bath for you. So please wash up first.”
“…Very well.”
To be honest, I wanted to see her as soon as possible.
But I did not want to meet her while I was dirty from my travels.
And so I pushed aside the anxiety, and allowed him to lead me away.
Thanks for the chapter.