Chapter 4 (1/2)

The Seven Year Old Carol’s Love

I was told that the first time I met Wilhelm-sama was around the time when I had yet to gain awareness of my surroundings.

Originally, in those days my Grandfather was Duke Ambrose, and Wilhelm-sama was an acquaintance he met from school. Because of that, Grandfather would invite him to his house, and there were times they ate together.

Being the Knight Captain, Wilhelm-sama had been sent on many expeditions, been on many battlefields, and I’d also heard of those previous recognition of services. I’d also heard that he was my Grandfather’s friend, and I also understood that.

The Wilhelm-sama of those days was a head taller than my Grandfather, and was more than twice the width. Additionally, he bore scars all over his body, and was a person who had an overall stern impression. It was to the extent that it was feasible that if a normal child stood across from Wilhelm-sama, they would run away.

But during that time when I was young, towards the Wilhelm-sama who had come to our house often to eat, I was aware that I didn’t find it hard to deal with him. Quite the opposite, those robust arms of his would catch me and hold me in the air, and I would make a ruckus going “kya kya!” I’ll say it myself, I was a tomboy. The past Wilhelm-sama didn’t mention it, but I wonder if he’d been concerned about it.

A tomboy――Yes, I was too much of a tomboy.

Born as a duke’s daughter, it was a life of being taught by private tutors and learning various things daily. But I was unable to bear it, and my eyes were always drawn away, stolen by the scenery of outside of our manor. If I exited the manor, there would usually be a group of children playing, and I would blend myself into the crowd.

That day as well, I was playing with a group of children like always.

「Hey you. If you’re done for today, do you have anything else to do?」

「No, not particularly.」

「Then come with me for a bit. They said they have some business with you.」

So I was told by the young boy who held the leader position of the children.

I didn’t quite understand his words, but I only thought it was strange for somebody to have business with me, and accepted it to that degree. I was around 7 years old in those days. Having such business with a mere child, if thought of normally, there was no way that could be true, but I didn’t realize it.

Being led by the boy, we came to the edge of the royal capital.

Where the slum quarters were, so to speak.

「Um, what sort of business do they have with me……」

「Just shut up and follow me.」

「……Ok.」

Led by the boy, we arrived deep into the slums.

There――Much older than the boy, there were five adult men gathered.

Without exception, they all had something vaguely vulgar about their faces.

As if they were licking me all over, they directed an appraising gaze towards me.

Out of instinctual fear, I hid behind the boy’s back.

「Well ain’t she pretty. If she weren’t a kid from the Ambrose family, I’d sell her to a slave dealer and make some good money.」

「Ain’t that fine? Just get the ransom first and then sell her off. Wha~t, if her luck is good she’ll meet some people. At a brothel, that is!」

「Hey brat, your job here is done. Leave that girl behind and scram.」

Evidently, I was in a pinch.

No matter how I thought of it, it certainly wasn’t a friendly behavior, and the things they were saying were all disturbing. No matter how I decided to process those words from before, they could only be kidnappers.

While thinking “hii” in my thoughts, I raised my voice without intending to and screamed.

「Ah, for the time being, block her mouth. Hey, how much are we going to demand from that duke’s house?」

「Wa-wait a minute!　I kept my end of the deal!　My sister……!」

「Haaah?　We’ve already sold your sister a long time ago. Get lost. Unless you want to be sold too.」

Laughing “s.h.i.+ s.h.i.+” towards the boy’s words, the robbers waved their hands at him.

To those cruel words, as if he’d lost his soul, the boy hung his head. What scoundrels these men were. Being deceived by their words, he was probably ordered to bring me here.

And they didn’t keep their promise――They probably had no intention to.

「W-what do you intend to do with me……」

「What, you say, naa?」

「Ahh, even though she’s a brat she’s a beauty, should we do her at least once?」

「If we do her sales price will go down. She’ll fetch a nice price for those perverts who like brats and can’t endure it.」

No matter how I thought about it, I wouldn’t come out of this situation alive.

I’m so scared, I can’t bear it.

Somebody, save me.

Please, someone――。