Chapter 216: Estelle is Smiling (7)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 216: Estelle is Smiling (7)[R-18]
After the long conversation with her uncle ended, Estelle and I were left alone in her room.
“....”
“....”
It was because of Estelle’s request for me to stay by her side just a little longer until she could organize her thoughts.
“I’m glad, Estelle. Getting to meet your family again... truly, congratulations.”
I tried to speak as brightly as possible, but my voice came out more muffled than I expected.
“...Yes, it’s great. But... it still doesn't feel real. It was so sudden... I never imagined my uncle would be alive.”
Estelle answered with a dazed expression, seemingly still in a state of confusion.
“Still, it’s like a miracle. Meeting family you thought was dead.”
Since I had no family of my own, I could somewhat guess how Estelle felt. Even though I had received an overwhelming amount of love and care from the Marigold family... there were times I still missed the family whose faces I didn't even know.
How much more so for Estelle, who had grown up being loved by her parents? How painful must it have been for a child like her to lose her entire family in an instant?
“...Ian.”
“Yeah.”
Estelle called my name in a voice that was far weaker than usual.
“...What... should I do? ...Ian, what do you want me to do?”
It was a desperate voice, like a lost child asking for directions. My mouth felt as gritty as if I’d swallowed a handful of sand.
‘I don’t want you to go.’
In truth, I didn't want to let Estelle go. This was my honest, selfish heart. But I couldn't bring myself to utter those words. If the words I spoke now swayed Estelle even a little... and if she made the wrong choice because of it, I would live the rest of my life in guilt.
“....”
“....”
Though Estelle was slowly regaining her senses, hadn't I felt the pace becoming increasingly sluggish? Moreover, during the previous ‘treatment,’ I felt that just as I had barely managed to scale a high wall, a sort of ‘membrane’ was now blocking the path ahead.
Clench—
I tightened my grip on my folded fists. It would be ideal if I could luckily discover the true nature of that ‘membrane’ and tear it apart in one go so Estelle could fully regain her senses... but what if I never figured it out?
No, even if I did figure it out, what if my current abilities offered no way to remove it? Then Estelle would have to live the rest of her life without her senses.
Furthermore, I was feeling an impatience that even I could recognize.
‘What if one day, in a fit of desperation, I lose my reason and try to force my way through the ‘membrane,’ leaving Estelle with an irreversible wound?’
The mere thought was horrifying.
On the other hand, the method proposed by Estelle’s uncle had a clear timeframe of ‘three years.’ While three years was by no means a short time... it was clearly a much more realistic option compared to what I could offer.
‘...In the end, I’m just a classmate to Estelle.’
I couldn't let her waste her precious life and opportunities just because of my selfish greed to keep her by my side a little longer. I couldn't do that.
Ultimately, the answer I had to give Estelle was already decided.
“I think...”
It was at the very moment I managed to open my mouth.
Pop—! Boom! Crackle!
The sound of fireworks drifted in from the distance. It was the start of the display that signaled the end of the Summer Festival.
Turn—
As if by unspoken agreement, Estelle and I turned our gaze toward the window at the same time.
“....”
“....”
For a long time, we watched the fireworks together in silence.
Bang! Boom! Pop!
Against the backdrop of the dark night sky, colorful sparks burst forth, lingering as afterimages before vanishing repeatedly. Like a short, fleeting dream on a midsummer night.
“...Ian.”
As the brilliant fireworks display neared its end, Estelle called out to me.
“Yeah?”
“...Could you come a little closer?”
As I cautiously approached, Estelle’s characteristic faint scent of powder tickled the tip of my nose.
Slowly—
Estelle slowly raised her hand and gently stroked my cheek.
“...I had so much fun today. Thank you so much for going along with my forced compliance. I was so happy... I’ll never forget it for as long as I live.”
Estelle’s eyes, reflecting the lingering glow of the fireworks that had adorned the night sky, looked so beautiful and yet so sad...
“But... now that the Summer Festival is over... it’s time to go back. You’ve been held back by me for too long.”
Estelle’s voice was as small as a whisper. Yet, that voice felt much louder to me than the sound of the fireworks from moments ago.
“...Estelle.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry.”
Estelle said with a faint smile.
“I won’t just leave like that without saying goodbye to you.”
“...Yeah. Estelle.”
“Goodbye, Ian. Thank you... so much for today.”
Gripping the doorknob, I looked back at Estelle one last time and spoke.
“Goodnight, Estelle. ...I’ll see you again.”
“...Yes, Ian. See you again.”
I forced my heavy feet to move, though they felt like they were glued to the floor.
Step, step—
Because I felt that if I stayed by Estelle’s side any longer... I might accidentally tell her not to leave.
“....”
Left alone in the room after Ian departed, Estelle stared blankly out the window for a while. Was it because the sparks that lit up the night sky had vanished, or because the warmth that had been beside her was gone? The night sky felt exceptionally dark and lonely today.
Knock, knock—
“Young Lady! May I come in for a moment, if it’s alright?”
“Yes... come in, Frederica.”
The door opened, and Frederica entered the room with a bright smile spread across her face. Her eyes were still swollen and puffy, but her expression was filled with a joy that looked as if she had gained the whole world.
“Oh my goodness! Young Lady! What in the world is happening! To think Master Jeffrey was alive! Now you won’t be lonely anymore, Young Lady! And they even found a way to make you walk again! It’s truly... hic... truly wonderful!”
Frederica held Estelle’s hands, chattering away in her excitement.
“Yes... Frederica. I’m... very happy too.”
“But Young Lady, why do you look like that? On such a happy day. Is something bothering you?”
At Frederica’s worried question, Estelle slowly shook her head.
“Frederica, do you remember me saying I had something I wanted to tell you before we went to the festival?”
“Huh? Ah... yes! Of course I remember! I was dying of curiosity wondering what could be so important that you were acting so serious! But surely you’re overwhelmed right now with the news about Master Jeffrey? We can talk about that later, slowly...”
“No... I think I have to say it now.”
At Estelle’s serious tone, Frederica cautiously approached, knelt on the floor, and met her eyes.
“...What is it, Young Lady?”
“Actually... I was planning to leave after this Summer Festival ended.”
Estelle didn't hesitate any longer and poured out the words she had kept buried in her heart.
“...Pardon? Young Lady? What do you mean? Le-leave? To where?”
“Somewhere far away, where no one knows me. ...Because I thought that was best for everyone. If I stayed here out of my own selfishness, everyone would... become unhappy.”
...Because I am a cursed child.
Estelle couldn't bring herself to say those final words to Frederica.
“Wh-what are you talking about! Young Lady! You were having such foolish thoughts?! How many times have I told you! You haven't done anything wrong!!”
Disappointment, anger, and sadness all flickered in Frederica’s eyes at once.
“...Calm down, Frederica.”
“No! I can’t calm down! Young Lady! No! Estelle! Why do you always try to sacrifice yourself! What’s wrong with being a little selfish!! Humans are selfish animals by nature!! Do you think everyone in the world is kind and noble just because you’ve been cooped up in this mansion? They’re not! Everyone is struggling and clawing just to satisfy their own greed!”
Hot tears streamed incessantly from Frederica’s eyes as her scream, bordering on a desperate cry, filled the room.
“...So! Sob! Estelle, too! If you want to demand forced compliance, then do it! If you want to complain, then complain! It’s okay to do that! Hic...! ...I’ll accept all of it! So please... stop... suffering... all alone...”
“Yes... I’m sorry, Frederica. And thank you... for getting so angry for my sake... But I’m really okay now. Because I felt that miracles do exist... because I have family again. ...So, I’m going to try to be brave, too.”
“Hic... sob...? What do you mean by that, Young Lady?”
Frederica looked at Estelle with a bewildered expression, her eyes still brimming with tears.
“...I’m not leaving to run away anymore. I’m leaving so that I can return. So, Frederica? ...Can I ask for one bit of forced compliance, just like you said?”
Squeeze—
Estelle hugged Frederica’s waist and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Frederica... until I can walk back into this Empire on my own two feet... won’t you stay with me? I’m trying to be brave, but... as I thought... being alone is a little scary.”
Frederica couldn't say anything for a moment, simply staring at Estelle through her tears. Only after a long while did she finally answer in a trembling voice.
“...Honestly, what would our Young Lady do without me... Sigh! Hic...! ...Since you’re demanding such forced compliance, I have no choice! How could I possibly refuse?”
Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Frederica answered with her usual bright smile.
“Yes, Young Lady. I will gladly accept your forced compliance. I will be with you anywhere, for as long as it takes.”