𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔
(6)
That evening, the masked girl mustered her courage and made a suggestion.
ㅤ
“I’d like to invite the cleaner who beautified this castle to dine with us and express our gratitude.”
“But, Your Highness.”
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Rayza seemed slightly perplexed but responded as expected.
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“Cleaners, they are magicians, wizards. In society, they are considered lowly beings. It’s not appropriate for someone like Your Highness to speak or meet with them. What if something were to happen to you?”
“Rayza.”
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The girl’s voice lowered a bit.
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“I saw him from the window. He worked tirelessly in dangerous places, rejuvenating this dilapidated castle. Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that exactly.”
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As if to rally herself, the girl clenched her fists tightly.
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“Status and rank are meaningless to me now. This isn’t a royal palace, and you are the only one who serves me.”
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The girl pleaded with the silent Rayza.
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“Please, Rayza. He’s given me courage.”
“Courage?”
“Yes, to face any situation without faltering, to focus solely on one’s duties, his dedication. . . . . .”
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While it was a somewhat unnatural way of speaking when thought about calmly, Rayza was compelled to consider it in the back of his mind.
The girl was the princess of this country, detested simply for her existence. Rayza wasn’t informed about the details, but the mask she wore and her current circumstances were proof of that.
She is said to be only ten years old. Typically, at her age, she should be busy preparing for her debut in the social world. Yet, this girl is confined to a decaying old castle on the frontier, living quietly.
Indeed, she was a pitiable girl.
Rayza had served this girl for nearly a year, but he had never seen her so actively trying to accomplish something.
She had a docile and quiet nature, often gazing out of the window in her free time. Her fleeting presence, as if merging with the atmosphere of the old castle, was overturned.
Rayza didn’t think this change would have a positive impact on the girl. For someone in a hopeless position to harbor hope can even be cruel. If one doesn’t hope from the beginning, they won’t get hurt.
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“Understood.”
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But Rayza agreed.
It was a balance of her objective judgment about her duty, pity for the girl, and some degree of trust in the cleaner named Luo. If it weren’t for the impulsive request, she probably wouldn’t have approved.
It was merely a whim.
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“Thank you, Rayza.”
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The girl smiled, genuinely pleased. Even though she wore a mask, her underlying beauty was slightly visible.
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“I’ll also join the meal. Please refrain from making any careless remarks.”
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The desperate plea of the young girl and Rayza’s capricious concession, in the end, were in vain.
Just before bedtime, a four-horse high-speed carriage arrived at Akkare Castle. It was a messenger from the capital. On urgent business, they were to summon the young girl to the capital. Both the messenger and the horses were exhausted, but they intended to leave Akkare Castle for the capital the next morning. Apparently, they were acting on an imperial command from the king.
Upon hearing the circumstances, the young girl appealed for at least some mealtime. However, the situation had already exceeded Rayza’s discretion. It was clear that a significant decision regarding the young girl had been made in the capital. Moreover, Rayza, being a maidservant, was busy packing and had no time to prepare for a banquet.
The next morning, the carriage hurriedly departed from Akkare Castle, carrying the two.
As soon as they left the castle gates, the young girl leaned out of the carriage window.
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“Princess, it’s dangerous!”
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The person the young girl was looking for was above the main gate.
Sitting cross-legged, looking in her direction.
I’m sorry.
Slowly moving his lips, the boy waved to her.
Luo had shown her such a wonderful world, but she couldn’t give anything in return. Moreover, she couldn’t even tell him her real name.
It’s frustrating. And, I’m sorry.
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“Luo!”
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The agonized scream of the young girl was drowned out by the loud hoofbeats.
The silhouette of the boy blurred with tears and disappeared.
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◇
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“. . . . . .Peppoko, she’s gone.”
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Luo, on top of the castle wall, sighed unusually.
Although he wasn’t good at dealing with kids who said unexpected things, Luo knew that if he took the courage to talk, they could understand each other.
So, they talked.
The girl in the mask was pleased with even trivial things, and she taught Luo literature he didn’t know. He didn’t quite understand the content, but her voice was very beautiful.
For some reason, it seemed the young girl couldn’t leave the castle.
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“I wanted to show her more.”
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Still sitting cross-legged on the castle wall, Luo looked back.
The beautifully renovated castle felt meaningless without her.
Nevertheless, business is business.
Luo had received a completion notice from Rayza. Now all he had to do was return to the city of Arche and report to Knox at the Bureau of Magic.
The carriage, which had been prepaid, came to pick him up as scheduled at Mido Village. Finding a travel carriage in the town of Lokka was challenging, but the staff at the carriage station kindly guided him.
Honestly, he was relieved. For Luo, this trip had been quite an adventure.
After following the same route as on the way there, Luo was able to safely return to the city of Arche.
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