Volume 3 Chapter 12 The Place To Return
I suddenly noticed something strange and looked up.
My father looked very young, but I couldn't tell how old he was.
However──my mother also looked young.
She seemed just a bit older than me, but still very young.
"...Mother, I'm so glad you're safe. Thank you for protecting me."
I suddenly noticed something strange and looked up.
My father (Feldur) looked very young, but I couldn't tell how old he was.
However──my mother also looked young.
She seemed just a bit older than me, but still very young.
"Um, Mother..."
"Lydia?"
"Mother, don't you think you look really young...?"
I wondered if it was okay to ask this or if I shouldn't.
I thought about it for a moment, but I was really curious.
I'm 18 now.
It seems impossible that my mother could be around 20.
My father looks super young, but I wonder if my mother does too.
I don't remember her face well, so I'm not sure.
I looked at my father with a confused expression.
He looked very flustered.
"No, Lydia...! Your father is not a criminal."
"I didn't say he was a criminal."
"Are you talking about how he looks? I guess it's normal to wonder about that."
My mother looked down, as if checking her own body.
"I was surprised too... After I had Lydia, I was quickly taken by Famine."
"Yes. I heard about it from Mx. Margaret and father. Mother, after hearing Mx. Margaret's prophecy, you asked father Arjuna to hide my powers, right? And then you disappeared..."
"Margaret... you mean Macbeth? I wonder how he's doing. He was an incredibly beautiful boy back then, but now he must be all grown up."
"Mx. Margaret is doing well."
"Good, I'm glad. ...I think I was eaten by Famine when I was 20. It's been 18 years since then. It feels like a dream."
Mother Tiansa tilted her head slightly.
"I was absorbed into Famine... but I don't remember anything after that. The next thing I knew, I was lying with other women on the top floor of a brōtḥel in the town where I met my end."
I remembered Famine's words.
Famine said that a mother who loves her child wouldn't kill them.
It seemed like Famine longed for love.
Maybe those who tried to protect someone or loved someone weren't killed.
I pressed my hand to my chest.
Eir-Eir, who was hiding in my chest, squished and made a "pudding" sound.
"For some reason, it feels like time stopped for me since then."
My mother said this with a puzzled look.
Arjuna father, who was somehow being held by Sir Stefan, opened his mouth, which was probably hidden by his fluffy mustache.
"Cold sleep. It's also called a state of suspended animation. Inside Famine, you were in a state like being frozen."
"Like a tuna."
"Yes, like a tuna. What is a tuna, Lydia?"
"It's a fish, and it's delicious. So, Mother is... 20!"
"Yes."
"It seems so. No matter how old you get, I still think you look lovely, just like when we first got married... you still look like my Tiansa..."
father looked happy.
"Sir Fer, I'm so glad to see you again. You haven't changed much in 18 years. In fact, you've become even more handsome...!"
Mother looked happy too.
After holding hands, they hugged tightly in the middle of the street.
"...This is what it feels like to be a child watching your parents be affectionate..."
I whispered softly.
I was happy, but I felt really embarrassed. Also, it felt a bit awkward.
"Head Priest... and Lady Lydia. I'm sorry for the trouble. Normally, someone like me shouldn't be talking to you both like this."
With a shy tone, my mother-in-law Soiree spoke to us. Like Francois, she was a beautiful person.
She was a beautiful woman who seemed scary, but now she looked a bit tired as she gently supported Francois, whose body was pressed closely against hers.
"I think I will stay at the clinic for a while with Francois. After that, I don't have a job, and I don't know what to do for this child, but... a crime is a crime. I plan to live while making amends."
"Sister..."
"Francois. You and Lady Lydia are from different backgrounds. You shouldn't call her that."
"Yes, Mother..."
"FraFra..."
Francois nodded sadly.
I looked up at my father.
Even though he had been controlled, he had been family for over ten years.
The thought that it would all end when everything was over felt very sad.
"Soiree, Francois. For now, take your time to rest at the clinic. Many people have lost time because of the famine. After that, I plan to discuss support with King Zeere and Sir Stefan. I won't let anything bad happen."
"But both Francois and I took away the love that Lady Lydia should have received from the Head Priest."
"That is my responsibility. I plan to take a long time to regain the moments with Lydia and Tiansa. You should also cherish your time with Francois."
"Please don't worry about me. I've been through a lot, but I like my life now. I believe that the hard and painful times have made me who I am today."
Lady Soiree isn't bad.
Francois isn't bad either.
The famine did bad things, but they were desperate.
"FraFra is my sister. No matter where she is or how far apart we are, she will always be my sister."
"Sister... I love you..."
"I love you too, FraFra."
"Thank you, sister. I will do my best to stay by your side."
Francois rubbed her tears away.
Francois and Lady Soiree were led by the priests toward the recovery center.
As I watched them go, my father spoke.
"Lydia, let's go back to the Rest Priest family together. I won't let you suffer anymore. Your Highness must return to the castle as well. The chaos in the town hasn't settled down yet."
"Ah, you're right. I don't want to leave Lydia alone. If we're going back to the Rest Priest family, then I will return to the castle too. I'm worried about Father."
"Lydia, let's go home. I want to hear your story. I want to know what happened while I was away and how much you suffered."
"I..."
My mother and Sir Stefan also said this, and I frowned.
I too...
have to go back.
My father and mother are at the Rest Priest family.
My family is there.
"Princess!"
I heard light footsteps running toward me against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Waving widely was a hero wearing a fox mask.
"Princess, you're awake now. I'm glad. I heard from Margaret that you didn't wake up, and I was worried."
Running behind Sir Rail was Sir Roxas, who warned, "Don't run, brother. You're out of magic."
Then there was Mr. Lucian, carrying many bags of food, along with Sir Ciel.
"Lydia, are you okay? I'm glad."
"Lydia, I'm sorry. I couldn't be by your side because I had to prioritize my role. If I had known it would be like this, I could have quit Leonsroar."
"I feel the same way. But I think that because of my position as a Saintwise, I can protect Ms. Lydia. It's a tough situation."
"Princess, you used a lot of magic to cook for everyone, so you must be very tired. We bought a lot of food today to treat you."
"That's why we were late."
"Don't worry, I won't let Sir Roxas touch the knife."
"Ms. Lydia, are you feeling okay? Let's check if you have any symptoms of magic depletion."
"Everyone, Ciel is trying to enjoy her perks!"
"I've been thinking for a while, is that really your plan?"
"From my experience, a guy who is always smiling is the least trustworthy."
I──
"Father, I'm sorry. I want to stay at the restaurant... because I think this is my place."
I bow my head slightly to my father and mother.
They look at each other, and Sir Stefan has a──sad smile on his face.
Sir Stefan looks sad, but I still can't go back to the old Lydia Rest.
The chef Lydia at the restaurant is who I am now.
Sir Rail came running towards me and hugged me tightly. Eir-Eir, who got squished again, let out a little protest, "Pudding!"
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