Volume 3 Chapter 11 Return Of Tiansa Rest
Yesterday──when the Great Temple was destroyed by Famine, the sky was filled with a fiery red sunset.
I had really slept for a whole day, and when I stepped outside the Lobelia Diner House, the sky was still the same sunset.
"Sister, our clothes match!"
"FraFra, you look great in it!"
"I'm so happy we're matching!"
Francois was clinging to my arm, smiling.
Still in the same clothes from yesterday, Francois and I took out new outfits from the closet and changed.
Sir Stefan looked a bit sorry and said, "I understood that the clothes were dirty, but I couldn't make you take them off," and Francois glared at him with half-closed eyes, saying, "That's proof you have ulterior motives.".
The relationship between Francois and Sir Stefan is too complicated for me to understand.
I'm not sure if I should say anything.
For now, I just don't want them to fight, so I said, "FraFra, be nice," and Francois replied with a big smile, "Yes!".
Francois is like a cute stray cat that only likes me, but I wish she would get along with everyone.
It might be hard to resolve their tension quickly, though.
"I want to take a bath, Sister... but if our mothers are alive... then I want to see them."
"Yes, FraFra. I want to see our mother too."
Sir Stefan said there was no rush, but I still couldn't just sit still.
Plus, it feels wrong that everyone is still working while I'm just sleeping.
I want to be helpful.
If there's something I can do, I want to help.
"The injured and those who were likely eaten by Famine are being treated by the priests at the clinic next to the Great Temple. Lady Tiansa and Ms. Soiree are there. Star Reader Priest Macbeth... Margaret came to teach."
"Macbeth..."
"Macbeth Forenheit. Their name is in the royal records. They were said to have guided the young king. They should be helping the priests with treating and caring for the injured."
As Sir Stefan walked slowly beside me, he spoke.
Mx. Margaret.
Mx. Macbeth.
It feels like a different person. Just a different name, but it feels like someone I don't know.
But──Mx. Margaret was my landlord who worried about me and watched over me.
That's enough for me.
Bathed in the soft orange light, Sir Stefan, Francois, and my dad Arjuna, who was walking around my feet, and the shadow of Eir-Eir sitting on my head, all stretched long.
"Hehe..."
"Lydia, are you happy about something?"
"Once, Sir Stefan read me a picture book. The happy family in it lived on a hill with a view of the sea, with a couple, their children, and a dog. I thought it was similar."
"...I see."
The happy family has a dog. Dad Arjuna said in a serious voice, "I'm not a dog. I'm your dad."
"Sister... am I a child...?"
"FraFra is my little sister."
"But, Sister, I... I'm not related to you by blood. I don't even know who my father is."
"That doesn't matter anymore. FraFra is my sister. Sir Stefan is like an older brother."
"......Older brother."
Sir Stefan repeated it in a small voice.
Francois glared at Sir Stefan while still clinging to my arm.
"Happy to be called an older brother, the cheating prince."
"That cheating prince accusation is unfounded. I'm not cheating."
"You whispered love to me."
"You were the one controlling me."
"I know. If there's the power of love, I can't be controlled."
"...That hurts when you say that."
Sir Stefan clutched his chest and frowned. I was stuck between Sir Stefan and Francois, not knowing what to say. I just want them to get along.
But it might still take some time.
"Pumpkin..."
"Eir-Eir is also my important family."
"Pumpkin pudding!"
I was startled by the sad voice and called out to Eir-Eir above my head. Eir-Eir flapped its wings happily and snuggled into my chest.
"Now that everything is over, please don't fight. Sir Stefan and Francois, at one point, well, they loved each other..."
"Sister, that's a misunderstanding. I don't like men."
"Lydia, that's not true. When I was under the control of Francois... no, Famine, I wasn't myself. I know I showed you a terrible side of me..."
"Y-Yeah, that's true..."
I felt down. It was true. I must have said something wrong. I just didn't want them to fight.
"I'm sorry, sister. Even though he's the cheating prince, I'll try not to call you that."
"Lydia, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"N-No, it's fine, really."
I wonder if we can all get along someday.
But──thinking about our positions, Sir Stefan is the Crown Prince, and I'm just a cook in Lobelia, and Francois isn't even related to my father by blood.
Once everything with Famine is settled, we might not see each other again.
Or will I go back to being the daughter of the Rest priest family? I wonder──what do I really want?
"Lydia!"
At the end of the path lit by the sunset, I see a figure.
It's my father, and next to him is a young woman who looks a lot like me.
Then, there's Lady Soiree, walking with the support of a priest.
"Mother!"
"Mom...!"
Francois and I started running almost at the same time.
In the evening town, the stars began to shine.
I felt the gentle warmth of my mother Tiansa hugging me, and it smelled so nice, like a sunny afternoon nap.
My father wrapped around us, hugging us tightly.
I could hear Francois crying loudly.
I could also hear Lady Soiree sobbing.
Big tears fell from my eyes, staining my mother's clothes.
I couldn't remember her face, but I could smell my mother.
"Lydia... you've grown up. I'm so glad. You're alive like this."
A gentle hand stroked my hair. I closed my eyes, held in my mother's arms. For now, I felt like I didn't have to think about anything.
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