Volume 10 Chapter 29 Mx. Margaret And The Cards Of The World
When I told my mother and father that I was going to the red moon, my mother cheered me on, saying, "Good luck, Lyd-Lyd," while my father looked like he was about to cry and said, "I'm worried; I want to go with you."
When I told them it would be okay because Sir Ciel and the others would be there, he nodded and said, "That's true... they're stronger than me, after all."
After returning from the Rest Priest Family to Lobelia, I was thinking about what preparations I needed while opening the restaurant as usual.
Since Sylphina was a princess from Kirschtein, I wondered if Kirschtein cuisine would be best.
Mr. Lucian's favorite, meatballs with jam?
But, since Sylphina is a woman, there's also the possibility that she would prefer sweets...
"Lyd-Lyd, are you okay?"
"Ah! Sorry, I was lost in thought."
As I was pan-frying fresh white fish with summer vegetables in butter, I looked up.
x. Margaret was at the counter, saying, "It's nice and cool," while wrapping Med around their neck.
"So, you're finally going to see Sylphina? Or is it love troubles?"
"Uh, well, that's... um..."
"Both, maybe?"
"...Mx. Margaret, this is freshly caught white fish with vibrant summer vegetable meunière. And we have kitty bread and tomato soup."
"Thank you, Lyd-Lyd. It looks delicious."
Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel were sitting side by side, eating the fried white fish kitty bread sandwiches.
Ms. Famine and Mer-Mer were sleeping by the window, and my father was dozing off on a stool.
Animals really do sleep a lot. They look so peaceful when they're resting.
"Mmm, delicious! Now I want some white wine."
"Shiratama anmitsu."
"White wine, Med. You're so squishy. You feel like an ice pillow, which is nice."
"Perfect for summer."
"Right?"
I watched Mx. Margaret as she cut the fish into small pieces with her knife and brought them to her mouth with her fork while I washed the frying pan and knife.
Mx. Margaret seemed a bit put off when she first tried Med, saying, "What is this, a lizard...!" but it looks like she's gotten used to it now.
The feel of Med is definitely amazing, and when you use her as a pillow, it's nice and cool.
"If you have any worries, I'm here to listen. We're close, me and Lyd-Lyd, right? Well, I might not be that helpful, though."
"That's not true! I've really been supported by you, Mx. Margaret."
"Don't say things like it's a farewell in this life. That's just bad luck."
"But you should express your gratitude when you can."
"It's okay, Lyd-Lyd. You saw Sylphina's memories, right? Did you really think Sylphina was a Witch?"
"I don't think so... Sylphina was just a woman. She loved God Theobart and loved her own child."
I stop scrubbing the frying pan in the bubbles and lower my gaze.
Every time I remember, it feels like my chest is being squeezed painfully.
It's as if I've traced Sylphina's life alongside her, feeling it as if it were my own.
If I were Sylphina.
If the person I loved stopped noticing me and my child was taken away.
That would be so, so painful.
"I wonder if the old Sylphina is gone from the current Sylphina."
"...No, I don't think that's the case. ...Eir-Eir was trying to fulfill Sylphina's wishes. Those wishes were filled with resentment, anger... the desire to destroy this country. And then, like Goddess Alexandria, to become a Saint and be loved by the prince of the Bernard royal family──Sir Stefan."
And then──.
"The desire to protect Gem's People. For Sylphina, Gem's People must be like her own children. ...There's still love there, and even after being imprisoned for so long, I believe those feelings remain."
"If that's the case, Lyd-Lyd, then there's nothing to worry about. If there are feelings, your feelings should be conveyed too."
Mx. Margaret said that and put down their fork, pulling out a shining card with both hands.
The cards swirled together, and one card floated up gently.
What was depicted there was the image of a beautiful woman inside a ring.
"This is the world. The last card. Lyd-Lyd met Ciel, and then continued her journey──eventually reaching the world. The meaning of the world is harmony──and also, corruption."
"Harmony and corruption..."
"Sylphina married into Theobart for peace as the princess of Kirschtein. However, the peace brought to both countries was shattered because of Alexandria, and Sylphina fell into being a Witch."
"...Yeah."
"Just like before, the meaning of the card is 2 sides of the same coin. Just by turning it a little upside down──it can change to a bad meaning. But, I'm going to──."
Mx. Margaret straightened the upside-down world card.
"Just by moving it a little like this, the meaning changes. ...Hey, Lyd-Lyd. You met Ciel, and then a lot of things happened, and you cried and felt resentment, but you became a kind and honest Lyd-Lyd who can do her best for everyone."
"Yeah... I hope that's true."
"People can't live alone. No matter how strong someone is, they can't live by themselves. Because if there are no people, you wouldn't be born, and there wouldn't be homes, food, plates, or knives──none of it would be on the shelves without someone, right?"
"Yeah."
"You got better because Ciel and everyone were there for you, right? It's the same. Being all alone in a prison must be lonely, right? If you reach out and express your feelings, I'm sure──it'll be okay. Sylphina is surely waiting to be saved."
Mx. Margaret's words sounded certain.
They held a mysterious power—perhaps they even dreamt of Sylphina.
But I didn't ask; just those words reassured me that everything would be alright.
"Yeah! I think I'll try to move on instead of worrying. There might be something left of Sylphina's records with Kirschtein... I want to know what her favorite food was."
"Right. I think that's a good idea. In that case, why not ask Lucian?"
"I'll give it a shot."
"...And Lyd-Lyd."
"Yes?"
"It's about love..."
"Uh, um...! Well, right now, I'm okay. I plan to think about it properly after everything is over."
──I'm already thinking about it properly.
But I'm a little scared that by sharing it, our current gentle and warm relationship might change.
"That's fine then. Everyone will respect your choice. Everyone loves you, Lyd-Lyd."
I nodded.
When she said "everyone," Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel shot their hands up, shouting, "Pumpkin pudding!" "Fried horse mackerel!"
I wiped my hands covered in bubbles and gave their heads a good rub.
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