Founding Day Festival - First Day (2)
Stars glittered across a sky that had darkened with the setting sun.
It was a sight rarely seen in the world he had once called home.
"What are you staring at so blankly? Come on, let's keep moving."
"Ah. My apologies."
At Milia's words, Schwarz turned his head and, seizing a gap between the passing carriages, crossed the road.
"Do you like looking at the stars that much? There's nothing special about them."
"Mm… how should I put it…"
In the world he had come from, simply seeing the stars had been a difficult thing. Of course he could not reveal that truth, so Schwarz let out a low hum and let the sentence trail away.
"When I look at the stars in the night sky, doesn't it make you feel somehow… peaceful?"
"I don't know. I can't really say."
To her—someone born of this world—stars were simply stars. Whenever she looked up, there they were: clusters of light shining in their fixed places. She had never once grown sentimental over them, never thought deeply about them at all. For her, gazing at a star-strewn night sky was little different from drawing a breath of air simply to keep living.
How am I supposed to explain this…
Turning the thought over as they walked, Schwarz soon found himself standing before the hotel that served as their lodging.
And then—
"I have been waiting for you."
"You are…"
A man standing at the hotel entrance bowed his head in greeting. The moment Milia saw his face, her eyes went round. If her memory served, he was one of the attendants who had accompanied Andrea at the immigration office.
"Please call me Fabio."
"So… what brings you here?"
The man who had introduced himself as Fabio spoke toward Milia, and she let the question trail off uncertainly.
"The Councilor wishes to see the two of you."
"Ugh…!"
At Fabio's answer, Milia made a low sound of dismay—soft enough that he would not hear—and pulled a distinctly sour face. In the Riel Coalition, the standing of the 8-Man Council was equal to that of a king. Meeting the leader of a nation was never going to be comfortable; anything less would have been strange. And he was Elis's maternal grandfather, no less. Which meant, put another way, that every word and gesture of hers would find its way to Elis's ears.
"Would you wait just a moment? We've only just returned from being out, so I think we'll need a little time to prepare before we can properly meet the Councilor."
"Understood. I shall wait here until your preparations are complete."
"Th-there's no need to go that far…"
Milia answered in a flustered voice, but Fabio merely took up a post to one side of the hotel entrance with a calm expression, as though he were simply doing his duty.
"No sense of moderation at all…"
"He is only carrying out his own work."
To fulfill one's master's command no matter what—that was the attitude a servant ought to hold. Knowing this, Schwarz could understand Fabio's feelings to some degree. It also meant Fabio's loyalty toward Andrea ran deep.
"Haa… Let's get ready quickly. If we keep the Councilor waiting, I'll be the one in an awkward position."
"Yes, My Lady."
Milia let out a short sigh as though her head already ached, then started walking. Schwarz nodded toward her and followed her into the hotel.
Not far from the plaza where the hotel stood lay a street that carried much the same air as the noble district in northern Barenberg. Along the neatly kept thoroughfare moved people dressed in splendid, expensive clothes.
And then—
"This is the place. Please go in."
Fabio stopped before a building whose exterior alone made it clear it was anything but ordinary, then stepped inside. What met their eyes once they entered was an interior so lavish that "extravagant" was the only word that would do.
"These are the Councilor's guests."
"Yes. I shall show you to your seats."
Fabio spoke to a clerk who had been bowing in silence; the clerk answered and led the way upstairs.
"This way."
Fabio followed, and Milia and Schwarz climbed the stairs after him.
A short while later, the clerk—having skipped an entire floor—arrived at the very top and bowed to Fabio before the door that opened directly off the staircase. Fabio approached the door and carefully raised a hand to knock.
"Councilor. It is Fabio."
The next moment a soft click sounded, the door opened, and a vast hall with a large table set in its center came into view.
And then—
"Welcome, Lady Valentine. And Schwarz."
"Good evening, Councilor."
Andrea rose from his seat with a bright smile, as though greeting welcome guests. Milia answered by lifting the hem of her skirt in a formal curtsy; Schwarz offered a light bow of the head in place of words.
"Please, sit first."
At Andrea's invitation, Milia approached the table unhurriedly and took her seat…
"Young Schwarz, will you not sit as well?"
Andrea asked with a puzzled look, noticing Schwarz standing at a respectful distance in perfect posture.
"I am grateful, but I must decline. I am on duty at present."
Strictly speaking, this entire situation could be considered part of Milia's duties. In such circumstances it was unthinkable for a servant to sit at the same table as his mistress. Schwarz bowed politely toward Andrea and made his refusal clear.
"You have an excellent attendant."
"You flatter me. You yourself keep a fine attendant of your own, Councilor."
"Fabio is indeed a splendid fellow."
Pleased by Andrea's praise of Schwarz, Milia answered with a faint smile; Andrea, equally pleased, let out a warm laugh.
While Andrea and Milia exchanged courtesies—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A knock sounded, the door opened, and a clerk entered pushing a cart laden with food. Approaching the table, the clerk set everything out with swift, precise movements; in less than a minute the place settings were complete. Schwarz let out a quiet sound of admiration that never quite left his throat.
"What will you have to drink?"
"My usual, if you please. And you, Lady Valentine?"
"Hmm… I'm not very familiar with the wines of this region. Is there anything you might recommend?"
"…!!"
The moment Milia spoke those words after a low hum, Schwarz flinched and stared at her. He knew all too well what happened when she drank.
What is she thinking…
Cold sweat trickled down his spine as he watched her. Whether she noticed his thoughts or not, Milia continued her conversation with Andrea.
"For red wine, the islands of Milleni and Benenia are famous. For white, the wine of Sicilia Island is well regarded. If the alcohol is a concern, there is also non-alcoholic champagne—choose freely."
"Hmm… I'll take the non-alcoholic champagne. I promised Schwarz I wouldn't drink at gatherings where I meet people."
Milia nodded as she spoke, handed the menu back to the clerk, and directed a faint smile at Schwarz that no one else would notice.
Honestly. Playing tricks even in a place like this…
Schwarz wanted to scold her sharply, but given the setting he pushed the feeling down into a corner of his chest and let out a short breath of relief.
"Hahaha! Young Schwarz grows more and more to my liking!"
Meanwhile Andrea turned a hearty laugh toward Schwarz, who answered with a light bow of the head.
"So then—has your journey through our Coalition been to your liking?"
"It's a wonderful city. We've seen many things we never could in the Elianos Kingdom."
"I am glad to hear it. I hope you will continue to make many fine memories."
Andrea nodded with a kindly smile of reassurance; Milia answered with a light nod of her own.
At the same moment another knock sounded, and carts laden with food began to roll in.
"Our chatter has gone on rather long. You must be hungry—let us eat first and think afterward."
"Yes. Then, without further ado…"
Answering Andrea as he picked up his utensils, Milia began her meal as well.
The two of them spent nearly a full hour at the table.
"I hope it was to your taste."
"It was an excellent meal. Good enough that it wouldn't lose to the establishments in Barenberg."
"Haha. I'm relieved to hear it. This is one of my regular places—I was a little worried it might not suit you."
Andrea laughed heartily at Milia as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. If there was one thing she had learned about him during the meal, it was that, despite his imposing air, his personality was closer to that of a friendly neighborhood uncle. The Wagner family—his house—was responsible for public order within the Coalition. One might have expected a stern, rigid atmosphere, yet the old saying held true: never judge by appearances alone.
"Incidentally, I never imagined such a thing would happen… So those children are staying in your rooms at present?"
"Yes. If possible, I would like to find a place where they can stay properly…"
After all, Milia and Schwarz were foreigners. Sooner or later they would have to return to the Elianos Kingdom—to the Valentine Countship—and when that happened the children would once again be left on the streets. To prevent that, whether it meant an orphanage or an adoptive home, they needed to find somewhere the children could remain.
"Hmm… That field is not under my purview, but I should be able to find a way. Do not worry on that account. Before you leave, Lady Valentine, I will give you a satisfactory answer."
"Thank you, Councilor."
Milia bowed her head toward Wagner as he hummed thoughtfully…
"Then let us rise. Thank you for making time in the midst of your busy schedule, young lady of Valentine."
"It is I who should thank you for arranging such a splendid occasion, Councilor."
After the exchange of parting words, Milia rose from her seat and started toward the exit.
"Whew… That was exhausting."
"You worked hard."
Speaking those words to the sighing Milia, Schwarz smoothed the lines of her clothes.
"Nnnngh!! I want to flop onto a soft bed and roll around right now."
"If you flop down and roll around right after a meal, you'll put on weight."
"You—really!!"
She swung her fists at his teasing remark, but Schwarz simply dodged them and let out a light laugh.
Just then—
"Make way! This is urgent!!"
A large carriage packed with people thundered past them down the street, accompanied by a frantic shout.
"The fire brigade? What's going on?"
"Looks like there's a fire somewhere."
Murmuring voices rose around them as Milia and Schwarz peered in the direction the carriage had gone, tilting their heads. In that same moment a tremendous explosion rang out; people nearby screamed, and beyond the buildings a red glow and leaping flames came into view.
"Wait a moment… that direction is…"
"Toward the hotel…"
The two of them muttered the words almost as one, looked at each other, and then broke into a desperate run toward the hotel.