Volume 4 Chapter 10 Part 1 (2/2)
「–––– About that.」
I was at a loss for words on how should I answer that question. However, it lasted for only but a moment. I then looked at the Governess straight in the eyes and opened my mouth, intending to come clean with everything.
「I am terribly sorry, but I’m afraid that I have no news to report in the matter at hand.」
The Governess’ hazel-shaped eyes sway in apparent confusion. She never said anything to me, but I could see it from her gestures that she was clearly upset. She bites her lip and casts her gaze down.
「We only manage to establish that the magical mechanisms within the ruins are something connected with the idea of “rejuvenation”. The only thing we have left is to crack the code of the ancient magical language and hope that there is a way out there to let my husband go back to normal.」
Last night the man told me that it would be ideal if the magic hadn’t affected his memory. If his memory wasn’t affected by magic, he could have easily develop a spell that would allow him to age his physical body back to his proper age. However, there was a condition here. If his memories were indeed affected by magic, the only way to bring them back would be to reverse-engineer the original curse to counteract its effects. My head was starting to hurt just from remembering all this.
I hold back a sigh of frustration and take another sip of the tea. It was frustrating to not be able to bring any good news, but after a moment the Governess’ face returned to normal.
「–––– I’m sorry. I know that it is hard on you as well, Filmina-dono. I don’t want to blame you for something that is not your fault.」
「No. Your reaction is only natural, Leticiela-sama. After all, you have your position and social standing to consider.」
I say that while bowing down my head. Clearly troubled, the Governess looked at me as if she wanted to say: “Please raise your head! It’s my fault to begin with, since something like that happened to you while you were visiting my territory!”. When I rose my face to meet hers, the Governess looked really distressed.
「Umm, about that wound on your forehead……」
「Ah, umm, this is……」
It was the wound that I received after one of the islanders threw a stone at me. I’ve managed to keep it hidden under my bangs, since there was this rather unsightly scab right there when the blood finally stopped spilling from my forehead. Thanks to the fast and correct treatment, it won’t leave a scar, fortunately. Although it wasn’t that big of a deal, the Governess bowed her head to me in apology.
「I’ve heard all about it from that Juri boy. I am terribly sorry for that situation to have happened.」
「Please, there’s no need for you to apologize, Leticiela-sama……」
「I know that it may very well be asking for the impossible, but please try to understand and forgive the islanders. Here, black hair is a symbol of fear. Trust me, I know that all too well.」
After she said that, the Governess started to tell me her story. I think that black color would suit her hair nicely, but it was sadly forbidden on this island. The Governess said that she had faced persecution because of that ever since she was a small child.
「The strange thing was, no matter how hard I was trying to dye it, it always went back to its original color after one night. And the more I tried to hide it, the more hostile my surroundings were becoming.」
The Governess laughed and then proceeded to tell me how her parents died in an accident at the sea when she was only sixteen. Right after that she had to assume the seat of the Governor.
I knew I had to say something but I didn’t know what to say. The amount of pain and suffering this woman had to go through in her life must have been immeasurable.
Whether or not she noticed that, the Governess continues on.
「But, there were also people who supported me all this time. That is why I can be right here right now.」
Her current smile was different from everything I had seen from her up until now. It was full of happiness and pride. I couldn’t help myself that my expression also changed to a much more relaxed and happy one.
「Whoever that person was, you must have really cherished them, Leticiela-sama.」
Hearing my words, the expression on the Governess’ face became somewhat shy.
「Yes, that’s right. I loved that person more than anyone in this world.」
The Governess smiled in an impressive but also lovely way. Just who was the man who managed to captivate the heart of a woman like that? I couldn’t stop thinking about things like that, which was yet again making me feel like an old woman.