Chapter 17 (2/2)

And so, the promised day finally arrived

Since I never go out bywith me My older brother by one year with beautiful black hair and black eyes would always defend ave off a very reliable feeling

And so I gathered up all e and visited the Claes reet us had rather shocked expressions I was already accustomed to this, but……

The courage that I had suth Maybe, I’ll only be teased…… While I aiting anxiously in the guest room, she appeared

Katarina was breathing hard, and it seemed as if she had hurried toanything

I wondered again if she invited me only because she wanted to tease me Maybe it was a mistake to have co what to say, reeted Katarina first

“Thank you very oes out by herself, I a her today I’m her older brother, Nico”

At hearing my brother’s words Katarina finally responded

“Thank you verymy invitation My name is Katarina Claes”

Thank you very …… Maybe it wasn’t a joke at lad to have come here

“I’ed to be in your care”

My brother introduced hiain Then, she froze up I wonder why……

I orried about the co

“……Uh, Katarina-sama”

“Ahh, Sophia-sa If it’s alright with you, let’s continue from where we left off last time”

While she said so, Katarina urged me over to a table prepared with sweets and tea

Although I started off very anxious, after actually talking with Katarina for so able to chat with someone about the books I loved for the first time like this, was like a dream come true

Then, the drea before I even noticed, and my family servant raised her voice and said that “it’s tio now”

And then when I stood up to leave, I heard Katarina’s voice i me

“You really do have such beautiful hair May I touch it just a little?”

“……Eh!?”

My face beca…… There’s no way that this disgusting white hair can be considered beautiful……

Before I realized it, I asked the question that had been bothering me all this time since I met Katarina

“Katarina-sausted by the way I look?”

Whenever I go out, people would look at

“……Hair like an old person’s and eyes as red as blood…… Everyone says I’ and a cursed child……”

There’s nothing beautiful aboutexistence……

“Saying you’re cursed… What on earth?”

Katarina was ly shocked

“It’s just slander…… It’s merely abusive rumors spread by those jealous of father’s achievements”

My brother’s voice sounded very cold My gentle fa for me like this……

“……Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that the way I a”

I always received a lot of verbal abuse for my albino appearance It’s always been like this Why did I have to be born like this…… I want to have been born as pretty as Sophia from the story

“But, I think you’re pretty though……”

Katarinaabout? I just stared at Katarina

“I think, that Sophia-sama’s silken white hair, and eyes that sparkle like rubies are very beautiful in my opinion”

Katarina was s at me as she said so

Silken white hair, and eyes that sparkle like rubies I wonder if she’s really talking about ht blue eyes didn’t see

She’s the person that helpedthe tea party just like an ally of justice She’s a girl like the Emerald Princess from the story

“As such, I’ll be very happy if you could continue coht with you, won’t you be friends with me?”

Katarina held htly

“One day, a wonderful friend who understands Sophia will definitely appear” I never really believed those words that my family told me After all, such a person shouldn’t exist……

Such a person, even though I thought they wouldn’t exist –

Everyone looks at e looks – for someone to say that I’m beautiful, and even to want to be friends with me –

My hands were trehtly, and was s so happily

Is this all just a drea confused in the horse-drawn carriage on the way back,smile that I hardly ever see

“I’lad that you made a friend”

Friend…… I always thought such a thing was impossible That’s why I always spent ination

But, in truth I really, really wanted a friend I’ve always, always been wanting one

I remembered hoarm Katarina’s hands were, and her happy smile

I had alanted a friend, and had finally obtained one after having given up on it already

And then, after that, while visiting the Claes mansion, I made friends with the twin princes, Katarina’s brother Keith, and Katarina’s friend Mary

I had always been alone in my room, but my world suddenly became much wider

Katarina’s friend Mary said this to me

“Not long ago, I was always filled with self-loathing…… I hated this brown hair and these brown eyes of mine”

I was very surprised She was just like Katarina, a very respectable lady, I can’t see any reason why Mary would hate herself…… And I couldn’t believe that she would hate such beautiful hair and eyes……

“But, after Katarina-sama told me over and over that she thinks I’m wonderful, that she likes me, that I’m really cute…… Now I don’t hate myself anymore I’ve also come to like this hair and these eyes of mine That’s why, Sophia will surely be fine as well”

Mary said so while looking at me

nobody that gathers here in this

And, Katarina is always saying, that h everyone always thought I looked disgusting…… Katarina was praising me from the bottom of her heart

One day, I’ll be able to love myself just like Mary does…… I wonder if one day this albino appearance of mine will become accepted……

I don’t knoill come in the future But, now I’ht even come

“Thank you very much”

I said thank you to Mary Then, she se me

“But, I definitely won’t hand Katarina-sama over to you~”

I had always thought it would be best for e…… But, I was able to fly out into the world and discover so much more than that