"Hmm?"
Hearing my name being called, I turned my head in the direction of the voice, and there the figure of Alice reflected in my eyes. Her long, pink-coloured hair danced gently in the wind. Her appearance, despite being dressed in such rugged clothing, looked extremely beautiful as she walked towards me.
"Oh, Lady Alice. I'm surprised to see you all the way out here."
I said as my voice was filled with surprise. Hearing this, Alice smiled gently as she said.
"I like to take in the scent of flowers, while being bathed in the warm sunshine."
"Nn, now that you mention it, with the cloudy skies, the temperature of the sun is perfect for sunbathing."
I responded while smiling amicably. She also smiled in returned but, but despite her lovely smile, there was a faint shadow on her face.
"Hmm? Is there something bothering you, perhaps?"
I inquired, tilting my head. Hearing that, she made a puzzled face.
"What do you mean?"
"It seems like you're worried about something, so I couldn't help but ask."
"I see… no, there is no need to worry about me."
She said, shaking her head. However, I narrowed my eyes as I stared into her pink-coloured eyes.
"…. There is something I wanted to ask you; I know this is rather presumptuous of me, but. The man who was lying in the corner of the room, could he be?"
I asked my question while gazing at her reaction. Her eyes flashed as the corner of her mouth trembled. So, it was as I thought that guy must have been her father, if I'm not mistaken.
"Do you want to talk about it? I'm willing to lend an ear if you want."
I said as my lips were faintly upturned into a smile. However, she merely half opened her mouth while peering at my face as though hesitating whether or not to answer.
"…. I appreciate your kind offer, please do not concern yourself with my troubles."
She said as her mouth was turned into a forced smile. But what lies behind that smile was an "Emotion" that I probably wouldn't be able to understand. Was it so bad to lend a hand even while not knowing? The feeling of losing a loved one was a feeling I have not experienced in my life, but still, if there is anything I can do to lessen the sorrow eroding at her heart, I want to.
"Please allow me to lend a hand, if you need one."
I said adamantly, seeing that "Pfft", Alice let out a small laugh as she used her right-hand covering her mouth, hmmm? My face was turned into one of confusion, not knowing what was so funny.
"I apologise for laughing, it's just despite your usual undaunted attitude, you really are kind, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't know about any of that."
I replied somewhat embarrassingly. Undaunted is that really her impression of me. Sure, I can be cold and uncaring sometimes. I'm the most daunting person. My brow furrowed slightly, seeing that Alice once again giggled.
"I'm sorry if my words offended you."
"It's fine, don't worry about it, if you really see me as an 'undaunted' person, then I guess I should change my attitude a little."
I said sarcastically.
"Oh, but I like that side of you."
Alice replied without any hint of embarrassment.
"Eh? Please be careful of what you say."
I replied nervously.
"Cough, anyway, why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"
I said, promptly changing the subject to the most important topic. Alice calmly walked towards the shade beneath the tree and gently leaned her back against the trunk before opening up her mouth.
"Well…. I guess I feel guilty for his death, his death was caused by me after all."
She mumbled. I widened my eyes as I gazed at her from the corner of my eye. She took in my gaze with a bitter smile on her delicate face.
"…. I see."
I was at a complete loss for words. What does she mean by his death was caused by her? I place my hand beneath my chin with a pensive expression on my face, and I notice she is peering at me attentively as though waiting for a response. However, I pursed my lips, unable to come up with a response.
The soft sound of the tree branch swaying from side to side entered my ear perfectly. The fragrance of flowers wafted through my nostrils.
I turned my body toward her, causing my overcoat to flutter gracefully by the recoil. I then gazed strongly into her pink-coloured eyes that seemed to carry feelings of deep sadness.
"Personally, I don't think you were the one who caused your father's death."
I said while observing her expression; however, hearing my reply, which seemed to have gone against her expectations, her eyes wavered as she shouted.
"H-how can you say that?! If those adventurers had never seen me, then he wouldn't have died! He never wanted me to go to that place. I forced my way into that meeting on my own. And now look where that got me."
She said as she hung her head down dejectedly. Seeing that I looked at her blankly while frowning.
"Well then, in that case, doesn't most of the blame go to those scummy adventurers?"
I asked, tilting my head, while I can't disagree that some of the fault does fall onto her shoulders, the real reason her father died was at the whim of those adventurers. Maybe I should pay them a visit when I'm done here. I secretly thought to myself as a dark feeling welled up inside me.
"…. But still, it doesn't change the fact that I'm partly to blame, do I even deserve to live while knowing I'm the reason he died?"
She asked as tears gradually started to well up in the corner of her eyes. Eventually, it became a stream and fell down her white cheek.
"…"
I tried to open my mouth, but no words came out. I then quietly clenched my fist, my eyebrows furrowed as a feeling of helplessness filled my heart. I felt a sense of self-deprecation as I was unable to come up with a clear response. I then walked over to the crying Alice and gently embraced her in my arms.
"Eh? H-Haruto…"
Alice widened her eyes at my sudden action.
"It's fine… if this helps you even if it's just a little, then it's fine."
I brought my mouth to her ear and gently whispered those words. She closed her eyes as she continued crying.
***
Meanwhile, back inside the cabin, Alya was now dressed in a luxurious-looking blue dress that reached a little above her knees; on the side of the dress was a beautiful red rose embedded there. Alya's green hair was still tied by a green ribbon in a twin-tail on either side of her shoulders. Nikita, who was sitting on the bed with her feet crossed, widened her eyes upon seeing that the appearance of the dress was exquisite enough to easily be compared with one of the most expensive dresses sold in a dressmaker's store.
"How did you make something like that in such a short time?"
Nikita asked as she reached out her hands, gently feeling the soft sensation of the fabric of the dress.
"Haha, such a thing is easy for the great me, you know."
Alya answered with her mouth upturned into a smug smile.
"If you admit that you're a buffoon before me, then I will make you one of the most beautiful dresses."
Alya said, turning her gaze towards Nikita. Nikita opened her feather fan with a 'Flop' and, with a graceful motion, placed it by her mouth before speaking.
"I refuse, though I must say, aren't you being too impudent?"
"If it is a matter of being impudent, then you aren't any different."
"Well, I guess you have a point, but are all spirits as arrogant as you?"
Nikita inquired cocking her head. However, Alya didn't reply to it; it didn't seem as though she wanted to continue that conversation. Instead, she changed the topic.
"Anyway, there is something I wanted to ask you, if you don't mind."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Even though she was confused about the sudden change of topic, she decided not to press that matter any further as she waited for Alya to speak.
"Do you know a woman who goes by the name Suzan? If I remember correctly, she was the chief of your clan three hundred years ago."
Alya said, narrowing her emerald eyes towards Nikita. Nikita stayed silent for a few seconds before nodding her head.
"Yes, she is also a part of my family and was the main head three hundred years ago. But why are you asking this?"
Nikita said, gazing at Alya suspiciously.
"I'm just curious, how is she doing now?"
Alya asked as she pressed for the information. However, Nikita closed her feather fan with a puzzled expression as she heaved a sigh.
"She died three hundred years ago during the war."
Nikita uttered those words while exuding a calm atmosphere. However, in contrast, Alya widened her gem-like eyes as Nikita's words seemed to have pierced through her, making her lips tremble in sadness. She had already guessed that there was a chance her friend was no longer around; learning about the reality really hit mercilessly.
"…. I see"
She said in an inaudible tone, thanks to Nikita's sharp fox ears, she heard perfectly. Nikita used her hand and, with a gentle motion, moved the strands of her silver hair from her face and placed them behind her ear.
"Our territory was attacked by one of the demon lords serving the demon king."
She informed.
"The demon lords, huh, sigh. I remember how much trouble those guys gave us back then."
Alya said, recalling those events with a faraway look.
"Hmmm…. There is something I'd also like to ask you."
"Oh, and what is it?"
"That boy, Haruto. Is he really human?"
Nikita inquired, tilting her head somewhat dubiously.
"Why, of course, why did you ask?"
"Well, I think it's faint; I can sense a lot of magic power coming from him. My instinct also warns me about danger when I first saw him, which is why I was being so cautious around him."
"Oh… I see, so that's why you didn't attack us when we were trapped inside that ice dome."
Alya said, humming in understanding, back then, she had also found it strange. But now it makes sense. Alya gently placed her finger on her lower lip before speaking.
"To be able to sense his magic power even though those rings are suppressing his magic output, I must say I'm really impressed."
Alya said, giving her words of praise. However, to those words, Nikita raised her round eyebrow.
"H-he is suppressing his magic output."
At its current level, it's already enough to make her shudder. Just how strong would it be when he removes his suppression?
"Anyway, about your earlier question, in short, as far as I know, Haruto is definitely human; there is something special about him that differs from other humans."
Alya answered.
"Something special, you say. Hahahaha…. I see, I see, yes, I guess I made the right judgment to choose him as my master."
Nikita said as she gave a hearty laugh.
"Fufufu…. I hope you don't go falling for my Haruto now."
Alya said, giving a warning in a strong tone.
"Humph, perhaps he would be the perfect mate for me. I'd love someone with strong genes."
"Ara, do you want me to turn you into mincemeat, perhaps?"
Alya said with a smile that contained murderous intent. Nikita only kept a smile on her face even while being on the receiving end of such intent. However, her face became serious as she asked her next question.