Volume 01 Side Story 05 - Side Story 5 Important Things are Invisible (1/2)

Volume 01 Side Story 5: Important Things are Invisible

There was a simple bed in a room, Rene recognised the woman lying on top and rushed over to her.

“Mum…!”

It was a Roma woman who looked worn out, and even the inexperienced me could recognise that she was ill. She raised her eyes when she heard the child’s voice and tried to smile to reassure him.

It was a sight that even touched the heartstrings of my memories.

Rene looked at his mother and did his best not to cry. Then, he began to speak, “I…”

“I met a Southlynd knight. He has the same blue eyes as me and it a handsome knight. I thought he was my dad.”

“Rene…”

“The knight told me an old story. It was a story about a boy with blue eyes and a Princess. The Princess taught the boy a spell to dispel the curse his mum was under. He said 『Important things are invisible』.”

He’s talking about 『Star Travellers』. Mother also read that to me when I was little but was it about a blue-eyed boy and a Princess?

The story somehow tinkles my memories. I feel like I had this conversation with someone a long time ago…

Rene wiped the tears in his eyes with his sleeves once and eagerly smiled at his mother.

“Mum, you told me the story about the dancer and the Southlynd knight because I always ask about dad, right? … I actually know. Dad is… he actually isn’t anywhere anymore.”

His mother worried about him as his eyes shook, and Rene tightly grasped his mother’s hand with his small one.

“The knight said that I can’t lose sight of my precious things. That’s why I won’t run away from the truth like in 『Star Travellers』. Because I’m a Roma with the blood of Thistle Star who continue to pursue the truth.”

Oh my, I feel like I’ve reached the answer to the question I’ve had for a long time.

Rene’s mother hugged him lovingly. I also remembered my mother, who had passed away, and my chest grew warm.

His Highness gently called, “Rene,” and smiled warmly at the mother and child who had turned around.

“A new policy was passed about 10 days ago in Southlynd. It’s a free medical institution with doctors and pharmacists for low-income people. It’s operated by the kingdom, so their techniques and skills are guaranteed. It was set up so people like you Romas could use it freely without any problems.”

“Really…!?” Rene asked as his eyes sparkled, and Paolo looked surprised. His Highness nodded firmly, and I was surprised and filled with joy.

His Highness continued to say something outrageous, “It’s run by the kingdom, but the name of the person in charge is Elianna Bernstein. You might still be suspicious because you were threatened by a noble, but can you believe in Elli?”

Excuse me?

“Your Highness… Mm, what the heck are you talking about?”

“Mm, about the hospital.”

No, that’s not what I’m asking.

His Highness grinned at the puzzled me.

“Because you’re the one who proposed the idea. You don’t have to do anything at the hospital, but please remember that you’re the person in charge. When I talked to the Roma chief before, Thistle Star also seemed interested in the hospital, so I hope they will use their wisdom to work on medical research.”

I didn’t know what to ask and just kept on opening and closing my mouth. His Highness smiled and told me that we talked about this a long time ago.

I continued to read books at the library, and one day His Highness asked a question. 『Why do you like books that much, Elianna?』

I broke out in a cold sweat because I didn’t know what would happen if I answered because of my bloodline or because there’s a book over there. I raised my face from the book, thought a little and moved my sight to the bookshelves.

『I’m looking for mother,』I said.

『… Your mother?』

『Yes… My mother passed away three years ago. I have few memories of her. So, I read books that mother loved, and think about what parts mother liked. And… for example, if I read a book about war, I can wonder about what mother thought and what the person who wrote this thought of this book. And, I believe that the people who die in war are unfortunate when I read war books. I think it hurts to get hurt. I wouldn’t want it to happen to me. That’s how I talk to the person who wrote the book and mother.』I said as I gently stroked the cover of the book I was reading.

『And at that time, I searched, wondering if there really wasn’t a way to cure mother’s illness. So, just like how there is a library for books, I wish there is a library for doctor’s.』

『Doctor’s library?』His Highness asked in surprise, and I turned my eyes back to my book.

『I heard that the knowledge and skills of doctors and pharmacies are very precious. But, apparently, books were also precious a long time ago. I’m sure the people of that time couldn’t believe that there would be libraries one day… In the same way, if you have a library of valuable doctors, then they might be able to find cures for difficult diseases, and like my house, there might be less people who would have to grieve about losing their mothers… That’s what I think.』

His Highness was surprised at me again because my thoughts were completely different from his.

He was only relieved that his mother’s illness had been cured, and his feelings were only diverted to problems right in front of him. However, I can come up with a different idea, and think of the feelings of those who are sad as well. I was also aware of how narrow my vision was.

“Such a…”

Isn’t he exaggerating? I backed away. His Highness smiled, shook his head, and gently squeezed our joined hands.

“I was captivated by Elli, who could come up with ideas I can’t and sympathise with people who are hurt and sad. It took almost ten years to gather and nurture capable people with medical knowledge, but I’ve finally done it. It’s a doctor library, Elli.”