After talking with Mister Delaigal, I start thinking about things like marriage and love.
There’s a lot of that around me. Kayu likes Lilyd, and I know that relationship is slowly going well.
Miss Shehan likes Mister Ilma, and that’s slowly developing too.
And… I think the merchant Mister Sadda sees Miss Lan as special.
I like everyone, but I don’t really understand the idea of liking someone in a special way. I just know that it’s definitely not the same as what I feel towards everyone here.
“Miss Lan, are you in love?”
I decide to ask her.
She’s drinking something, and chokes when she hears me.
“What’s wrong?”
I rush towards her and ask.
She starts coughing, and then drinks a lot of water.
“What’s that all of a sudden? Why are you asking that?”
“When I was talking to Mister Delaigal, he said there might be fights over who gets to be the miko’s husband. And he said I should watch out for that.”
Miss Lan says he has a point, and continues.
“That’s right. There’s bound to be a lot of people who want the miko.”
“Want me? I’m not a thing.”
“Some people see lovers or spouses as their property, and try to manipulate them. You should stay away from that kind of people.”
Manipulating lovers or spouses… There’s no one like that around me, so it feels strange to think that those people exist.
If I had someone like that… What would I do if someone didn’t let me do what I want?
People don’t want the person they like to not like them, so would they follow them regardless of what they thought? What would I do…? I wouldn’t like that.
If it wasn’t too bad, I might listen to that other person. But if it’s something I really want to do… I think I’d do it.
“Yes. I’ll do that. If I ever find someone I like that way, I’ll tell you, Miss Lan.”
I say that, and Miss Lan smiles gently.
“It’s very emotional for me to see you’ve grown enough to talk about love.
You’re going to feel it sooner or later, but don’t think you have to force yourself to fall in love or get married. A lot of people might want the miko to marry and have children, but you should do what you want.”
“Yes. Thank you Miss Lan.”
Miss Lan doesn’t demand anything from me, she respects my wishes.
But she’s right, there might be more and more people who want that from me… It would be nice if I had someone I like when it happens.
“So Miss Lan, are you in love?”
I got off track, so I ask again.
I think it would be wonderful if Miss Lan had someone like that.
She’s been working very hard for me ever since we met, and she’s always watching out for me, and having fun investigating and studying things.
“…I don’t really think about that sort of thing, but I do have someone in mind.”
“Eh? Who?”
I’m surprised to hear.
I never got that impression from her. I thought she might like hearing about that sort of thing from other people, but…
Who is Miss Lan interested in? I think it’s probably someone I know…
I stay quiet and stare at her.
“…It’s a secret. I will tell you if it goes well. I don’t want things to be awkward.”
“I see. Then I’ll look forward to it.”
I say, and she smiles.
I’m glad Miss Lan has someone she likes. Sometimes love doesn’t go well, but I think she should tell that person.
Love comes in different shapes, so learning about that is fun.
I’ll ask other people about it too, but I need to be careful, because some people might not want to talk about that.
Should I ask Mister Shuongalve too? He’s in the special position of being the ruler of a country, so what’s love like for him? And Mister Delaigal too. And Alice.
Now that I’m thinking about it that way, I’m having lots of fun.
—The girl and the king writing to each other – Part three
(The miko talks with the educator about love, and decides to ask other people.)
