Chapter 346 - 346: Father, Son and Sisters

Eyes that did not forgive others' incompetence.

A back that, the instant she judged doing it herself was faster, left the surroundings behind and pushed on.

Indeed there was a part unsuited to coordination with others.

"In contrast you seem to be on good terms with Miss Cynthia, don't you. Unofficially, they sounded out intent of engagement. I evaded it suitably."

"That's only her getting excited on her own…"

"Be sure not to have premarital negotiations. Even if a lower-ranked noble it becomes a bit of a pain."

Balzac exhaled looking exasperated.

Even so he was somehow amused.

Rather than truly worrying about his son's womanizing it was close to saying do as you like within a range that did not bring in trouble.

"Anyway stay several days. Show your face to Mother and look at the territory's state too. Whatever you do in the royal capital, whatever you do on the road, this is your home."

"Then I'll take you at your word."

Rigel lowered his head honestly.

Just then he had something he wanted to do in this land.

The "that matter" left to Dolly too would be cleaner if finished early.

Miena who trusted completely.

Her older sister Siena.

The mansion of the Gousel marquis house.

Now that these materials were gathered he could think of as many ways to enjoy as he wanted.

"What's wrong, Rigel."

Balzac narrowed his eyes.

Father's gaze was sharp.

As if seeing through soldiers' habits in training he was trying to see through his son's thought too.

"No, it's nothing."

"That face is a face scheming something."

"I was only thinking of how to play with my toy."

"It's before departure, keep it moderate."

"Of course."

Rigel laughed.

A calm, refined smile like a noble's son.

But what floated in its depths was a light like a beast before prey.

He turned his gaze beyond the inner courtyard to the depths of the mansion where Dolly and Miena had vanished.

Their figures were already gone.

But to Rigel it felt as if Miena's small back was still visible.

A girl who gripped the cloth bag at her chest, held unease and trust, and walked without doubting his words.

Thinking of that appearance the corner of his mouth warped naturally.

"Now then… it's getting fun."

That smile was not the aristocratic smile turned toward his father.

Nor the face of a hero thinking of a girl he should protect.

Only, like a child who had obtained a fragile toy, he was laughing quietly.

—-

Guided by Dolly, Miena advanced into the depths of the mansion.

Polished floors.

Paintings hung on the walls.

Flowers decorated at the windows.

All were completely different from the dark rooms of the slave firm.

Every time she stepped she felt only she was out of place.

"Are you tense?"

Dolly walking ahead asked without turning.

That voice was quiet, soft enough not to disturb the corridor air.

"Y-yes… a little."

"It's all right. There is no one who treats poorly someone Lord Rigel brought."

"…Master is truly an amazing person."

When Miena muttered it Dolly slowed her pace for only an instant.

A change of not even half a step.

But something that could not become words seemed to fall on her back.

"Yes. A very… strong person."

Strong.

Miena agreed honestly to that word.

But she could not catch the slight shadow contained in Dolly's voice.

In the bath she dropped the dirt of travel, changed into clean clothes, and was given a warm meal.

Everything was careful.

For Miena used to being ordered the sensation of being cared for was rather unsettling.

Even so Dolly did not rush her.

"If you hurriedly eat hot things you'll hurt your throat."

Told that as if obvious Miena looked at the soup looking troubled.

She was used to being ordered.

Used to being told hurry, used to being told be silent, used to being told lower your head.

But she was not used to the sensation of being cared for.

Rather that unsettled her.

"Miena-san. Lord Rigel is calling."

After the meal, around when she had finished drinking about half of the warm tea.

Told that by Dolly Miena's chest bounced.

She almost stood from the chair, her knee almost hit the table, and she hurriedly drew back.

"Master is?"

"Yes. Please follow me."

Miena hurriedly stood and checked the cloth bag at her chest.

Inside was the blue glass bird.

A precious thing Rigel had bought her.

As they advanced down the corridor the mansion air gradually changed.

Leaving the gorgeous area with guest rooms and dining hall servant traffic also lessened.

The number of doors decreased and only the wall candlesticks quietly swayed flame.

"Um… where to?"

"The room where Lord Rigel is waiting."

Dolly said no more.

Eventually the two stopped their feet before a heavy wooden door.

Dolly quietly knocked the door.

"Lord Rigel. I have brought Miena-san."

"Enter."

A familiar voice returned.

With that alone Miena's unease thinned a little.

Rigel was there.

Then it was fine.

She could think that.

The door opened.

Inside was a wide room.

Different from both a study and a reception room.

Furnishings were arranged but thick cloth was hung on the windows and almost no outside light entered.

Instead wall candlesticks lit red fire.

In the center of that Rigel stood.

Spine straight, looking this way as if waiting for Miena.

It was the same settled face as always.

"You came, Miena."

"Yes, Master."

Miena lowered her head small.

It was then.

A human shadow in the depths of the room stood from a chair.

"…Miena?"

A trembling voice.

Miena's whole body froze.

When she slowly raised her face there was one elf girl.

Long ears.

Pale golden hair.

The face of her older sister who had pulled her hand many times when she was little.

"…Siena, onee-san?"

A voice that did not become voice leaked.

Even though it was words that came from her own mouth it sounded terribly far to Miena.

Tears floated in her pupils.

The next instant the two had begun running.

"Miena!"

"Onee-san!"

The sisters embraced in the center of the room.

Trembling shoulders.

The smell of hair.

Everything was what they had thought would never return again.

"You're alive… you were alive, Miena…!"

"Onee-san too…! I kept searching and searching… but I was taken to a slave firm…"

The instant she put it into words the days she had locked away welled up to her throat.

Dark rooms.

Cold floors.

Appraising eyes.

Time she was called not as a person but as merchandise.

Siena put her arms around her little sister's back and shook her head many times.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't protect you, I'm sorry…!"

"No, no, onee-san. It's not onee-san's fault…!"

Miena was crying.

Even surprising herself the tears would not stop.

When she was at the slave firm even crying was scary.

If she cried she would be seen as weak.

If seen as weak she would meet even crueler treatment.

Thinking that she had endured the whole time.

But now it was different.

Her sister was there.

There was a person who would embrace her.

"I wanted to see you… onee-san, I wanted to see you…!"

"Me too, Miena…!"

While embracing her little sister's back Siena called that name again and again.

As if fearing she would vanish if she did not call.

Miena too repeated her sister's name.

"..."

Rigel silently watched that scene.

It was a beautiful reunion.

Sisters torn apart meeting again.

Tears, embrace, gratitude, hope.

People liked these things.

If it were a story blessing music would probably flow here.

But in reality only the candlestick flame was swaying.