Chapter 3: Part 6
Three days later, Sateriasis and Gumina decided to meet up in town.
Because of the harem, Sateriasis didn’t want them to see each other at his mansion. And as for the Gla.s.sred home――he had no desire to meet Gumina at a place where the marquis would be watching either. While he was thinking about it, Gumina suggested they have their date in the town of Lasand.
According to her, the two of them slipped out of their respective homes and played in town. If they took a stroll through town like back then, he might remember something, that sort of thing.
However, Marquis Gla.s.sred wouldn’t allow them to walk the town alone without an escort. While Saterasis had already gone strolling completely by himself, he didn’t argue it very strongly since he’d be going together with Gumina.
So as a compromise, an attendant would accompany them on their date as a bodyguard, one of the Gla.s.sred family’s servants.
“It’s been a long time, Duke Venomania. I’m Carol Shields. While I’ll try not to interfere with the two of you, please treat me well.”
When she lowered her head, her glossy red hair, tied back, drooped in the front. She looked somewhat unreliable as an escort with her slender body, but also seemed confident in her martial skills in her own way.
“Do you…… remember me?”
As she said so, Sateriasis tried hard to search his memories.
Somehow, she was a familiar face.
“Certainly…… always with Gumina…… the redhead……”
“Yes, yes! I’m that redheaded Carol. I’ve served as Lady Gumina’s chamberlain for three years now.”
Carol’s face was beaming.
“That’s right…… Certainly, yes. I am in your hands then, Carol.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Carol replied cheerfully. That liveliness felt lovely to Sateriasis. While he involuntarily flirted with her on the spot, Gumina was there with them so he corrected himself.
“Well, let’s get going, Sati.”
Gumina’s tone was completely different from when they met in the mansion.
(Sati…… yes. She called me that)
Since that sounded nostalgic, that was surely right. Back at the mansion, she was mindful of Marquis Gla.s.sred and their chamberlains’ watchful eyes, hence her honorifics.
This was different from then, but Gumina was wearing a white dress today, too.
(Yes, Gumina’s always been like that. White dresses were her favorite)
The avenue in the Lasaland maintown called “Workshop Street” was filled with artisan shops. Although Lasand’s market was where people were bustling about at any given time, Workshop Street also wouldn’t lose steam.
Furnishings such as furniture and tableware necessary for everyday life; adornments and artworks; various things were made there, some sold at the market while others were placed on horse-drawn wagons and exported to other nations.
The high-pitched sound of a hammer striking iron, the sound of sparks heard flying from the kiln, the angry voice of a master somewhere…… it all became a jumble; Worskhop Street had been engulfed in the hustle and bustle.
Before coming there, Sateriasis and Gumina didn’t converse much. She made small talk and silly stories from beginning to end, Carol constantly behind them taking note, so Sateriasis couldn’t come out and talk to her despite having a mountain of things to ask.
They came to Workshop Street because Gumina suggested it.
“I don’t think this is a suitable place for a date.”
Sateriasis meekly told her that. But at the same time, it was true being there somehow brought a nostalgic feeling to mind.
“Don’t you remember, Sati? We would always play here. Though the craftsmen would yell that we “hindered” them.”
An elderly man encamped on the street corner was drawing a picture. When Gumina saw this, she rushed over to him and spoke.
“h.e.l.lo there, Mister.”
“Oh, lil Missie. It’s been a long time. That man over there…… that the young master of the Duke family?”
Sateriasis and Carol went over to the painter as well.
Gumina looked over at his canvas.
“Are you painting Workshop Street today?”
“That’s right. But, I’m not gonna be selling it. I’ve only ever drawn portraits and wanted to do a landscape every once in a while.”
Gumina removed her face from the canvas and look at Sateriasis’ own.
“I liked looking at this old man’s pictures like this. You’d have a good look at the Gine workshop. You got really angry when I said, “A boy who likes stuff like doll workshops’s weird.””
“I see…… that might’ve been the case.”
Though he said that, it didn’t strike enough of a chord with Sateriasis.
(I liked dolls…… was that so?)
Gumina then looked toward the empty west with listless eyes. It was the direction of Sateriasis’ mansion.
“And then…… he’d always be peering at the blacksmiths.”
The painter heard Gumina’s words and slightly lowered his eyes while continuing to draw his picture on the canvas, a lonely face resonating.
“I heard that he died. You kids, all three of you, were such good friends……”
“Wait a minute.”
Sateriasis grabbed Gumina by her right wrist.
“Who are you talking about? Who’s he?”
Hearing it, Gumina’s face was genuinely surprised.
“It can’t be…… even him…… you even forgotten about Cheri?”
“Cheri? …… Who’s that――“
Gumina suddenly pushed Sateriasis into a back alley and, after one glare at Carol, entered after him. Sensing the alarming air Gumina gave off, Carol didn’t care to give chase.
“Hey, what in the world――“
Gumina jumped into the chest of the surprised Sateriasis and whispered to him.
“Cheri’s…… Cherubim, is your…… older brother.”