Chapter 88: Narrative
A very kind girl… right?
I remember the Lady told me. Back in the day, I was quite the troublemaker, always wandering off without a clue where I might end up, and when I returned, my hair would be a complete disaster… But now it seems, things aren’t quite what I imagined — I wasn’t just off causing chaos after all.
Turning back, I glanced at the shop assistant’s pretty face, her cautious yet hesitant expression suggesting she was worried her words might only add to my troubles, but she couldn’t help but spill them out anyway, which I found adorable.
“But then… I don’t know when it started, but she just stopped coming… At first, I thought maybe she was too busy… I know the nobility has all sorts of rules and things I don’t understand, and I even worried, what if her family found out she was working here and forbade her from seeing us again? What if she got grounded or something? But months passed, and I still hadn’t seen her.”
As she reached this point, her gaze dimmed.
“But she really loved eating Osmelure Cake. I thought about sending her some, but I was too scared, yet I went… to my castle, only to find out she had gone missing.”
“I don’t know what happened… she didn’t say anything to me, just vanished… What if she was kidnapped? She lives in such a big castle, must have a lot of wealth, and being so innocent, she’d definitely catch the attention of some bad guys. I warned her… It’s been three years since I’ve seen her. Someone so wonderful, why would she have to go through something like that? I still haven’t sent her that cake…”
As the girl spoke, her voice began to tremble uncontrollably, her eyes slightly reddening, almost telling me she must have shared a deep emotional bond with Peilo.
But such precious memories, I had completely forgotten.
Then she started to laugh.
“Sorry, I’ve told you so much, I just couldn’t help it. You look just like her… Do you… do you want some Osmelure Cake?”
Looking at her sincere face, I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
The shop assistant turned and grabbed a whole tray of Osmelure Cake, shoving it messily into a paper bag, weighing nothing before handing it to me.
“Is this enough?”
“Enough, how many coins?”
“Coins…” Hearing my question, the girl chuckled softly, “This is a gift from me, no payment required.”
I frowned slightly.
“You have to take payment. Just weigh it.”
She shook her head gently, her stance firm.
“No need… Consider it a thank you for listening to my ramble. Don’t worry, Grandpa won’t scold me.”
I tilted my head, thinking for a moment.
“…Alright then.”
Taking the paper bag, I turned to leave, but my eyes unconsciously scanned the shop.
In the cozy environment, a rich scent of cream wafted through the air.
On a row of chairs, a few not-so-casual customers sat scattered about. Their clothes weren’t fancy, looking a bit shabby, and they seemed out of place in the shop’s elegant surroundings, barely buying anything, just resting.
But the shop assistant didn’t shoo them away; perhaps she understood that those who could only sit alone today had their own sad stories.
Suddenly, the shop grew bustling.
I seemed to see a petite figure, scampering around with a tray, flitting between tables and the counter in a fluster. The hem of her white dress swayed with her steps, while her high ponytail peeking out from a checkered beret, with a few wayward strands of hair sticking out mischievously.
“Hello, here’s your dessert, enjoy…”
“…Would you like to take a pound of curd? Alright, please wait…”
The girl appeared quite clumsy, clearly inexperienced in serving, and almost dropped the cake a couple of times because of her rush. But the customers didn’t complain; they seemed to know who she was and just watched her with warm smiles.
After several runs, the girl seemed a bit tired and ducked into a corner to wipe the sweat from her forehead, not even bothering to fix the wild strands of hair sticking on her forehead before another voice called her.
“Miss Peilo, I’d like some water, please.”
“And over here! Miss Peilo…”
“I’m coming, I’m coming…”
“Miss Peilo, are you tired?”
The girl stopped, shaking her head and flashing a sweet smile at the questioner.
“Not tired.”
And off she went again, quick as lightning.
Her figure disappeared into the distance as if it were a dream.
A smile crept onto my lips, and the earlier gloominess had dissipated.
That’s nice, I used to be someone like that.
As I reached the door, I pulled a gold coin from my pouch and casually dropped it on a nearby table.
“I didn’t help out today.”
So she’d understand the meaning of payment, right?
Moments later, I heard the assistant’s excited voice from behind.
“You… you really are Miss Peilo… wait!”
I paused, turning to face her slightly trembling eyes.
“I’m leaving.”
“Where… where have you been for these three years? I… I cried secretly under my blanket several times…”
I cocked my head.
“I’m fine. I’m going to Order Royal City.”
“…Will you come back? To here…”
“I will, my home is here… I’m off now.”
Waving a small hand, I stepped out of the shop, crossed the street, and climbed back into the carriage.
“Why so long?” Carlos slouched with a tired look; it was the sort of question, he asked casually.
I chewed my nails, contemplating.
“Dealing with… relationship issues.” Then I slapped his face lightly, “But this is none of your business.”
It wasn’t hard enough for Carlos to feel pain; he just rubbed his cheek.
“At least you didn’t use the word ‘b*tt’ this time.”
“None of your business.”
“……”
The wheels of the war chariot started rolling again.
I saw the shop assistant chasing after us, standing by the street, jumping up and down, waving her hand at me.
“Be careful on the road—!”
Her figure swayed in the harsh snow, a fleeting shadow.
In this Winter City, a miracle of the world, there are many who care for me and love me.
Even if among them are faces I can no longer remember, even if memories fade with the wind, even if I am no longer me.
In the not-so-distant future, perhaps I will meet them again; perhaps I never will, but I know they are living well here, enjoying their peaceful lives.
Such tranquility, no one shall disrupt.
This is my home.
Be it the Abyss or war, no matter what happens, I will never allow the plight of my small village to happen again.
