“Thanks for the meal!!”
Ririi finishes her bread and does a big hop off the chair. It’s the same as ever, but she always has too much energy. She runs to the kitchen, grabs a feedbag, and heads to her room. Feeding Beary is her morning job.
I was thinking it wasn’t in the living room today, and apparently it slept on her bed.
“Don’t overfeed it, Ririi.”
“Yes!”
I don’t know if she’s listening, but at least she gave me an energetic reply.
“…It’s lively.”
Mumbles Sieglinde. She follows Ririi with her eyes as she runs down the hall, and squints a little.
“Is the Loyd house different? I can’t imagine it’s boring with all those maids.”
“They’re considerate, and don’t talk to us unless necessary.”
“Sounds lonely.”
Every day was rowdy in Zenith. After all, no one there knew consideration, holding back, or law. If you don’t show off your power there, your house, money, and right to live are forfeit.
A poor environment, but livelier than the capital. That was where I met Ririi.
“Weiss.”
“Hn?”
That tone tells me she had been preparing. My instincts tell me it’s serious, and her expression tells me I’m right.
“Before you came back to the capital… Where were you and what were you doing?”
“Didn’t you hear? You might be disappointed.”
Extortion, killing, kidnapping royalty, buying a slave… If the law in the capital knew what I did, I’d be sent to the gallows.
“I won’t. Not at this point.”
“Ah, because I bothered you in every possible way?”
“I’m serious.”
Sieglinde’s eyes make it clear she’s not joking. Still, I don’t want to tell the truth. Sieglinde has always seen me as a problem child, but no matter how bad what she’s imagining is, I can’t imagine someone with a good upbringing like her can understand Zenith. She would probably faint and roll dramatically on the floor like a stone.
“You won’t say it even to me?”
She sounds a little hurt.
“Sorry.”
Is all I say. I could make something up, but I don’t want to lie to Sieglinde. I’d rather stay quiet.
It’s silent for a while.
The morning mist outside the window slowly clears. Gentle rays of light enter, reflecting off the tableware.
“…I see.”
She silently nods. She’s not mad, and doesn’t pry. She just accepts it.
I’m probably just imagining that her expression is a little sad. Maybe I just want that to be the case.
“I… Think I want to know the truth. But I don’t want to ruin this time by forcing it out of you.”
Those words squeeze my heart.
Ah, yes.
I was thinking the same thing.
Hearing it made me realize… I feel the same way.
I don’t want to imagine Sieglinde not liking me after I said the truth. It’s surprising that I have this weakness inside me, and makes it a little hard to breathe.
“The three of us are living together, so I don’t want breakfast to be awkward.”
Says Sieglinde with a smile.
It’s awkward and it feels like she’s almost crying, but it’s a strangely human smile.
“…Thanks.”
Is really all I can say.
I sip the coffee, and the bitter taste feels very gentle today.
“Beary ate lots!”
Ririi comes back with a big smile. Her hands are covered in powder and her cheeks have bits of feed.
“Ririi, your face is dirty.”
“Eh? Where!?”
“Here.”
I wipe with a cloth, and Ririi flinches and twists her body because it tickles. And her laughter loosens Sieglinde’s face a little.
“Ririi really is full of energy.”
“Every day is full of new things.”
“…That’s good.”
Sieglinde looks out the window. Her silent face in profile makes it seem like she’s looking at something far away.
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