Chapter 48 (1/2)

I nodded gently at the young knight’s remarks. I felt I would not be of any help if I hung around here anyway. Although my father didn’t like it, he reluctantly let me take a walk, telling me I should not go too far.

As soon as I was away from the mud, I was amazed at the great scenery. Had there always been a place like this near here? I didn’t know that. The golden field that unfolded endlessly under the clear blue sky was so beautiful. There was a golden wave trembling in the wind.

While watching the wild flowers dancing in the field, I asked Carsein, who was following me silently, “The scenery here is very good. right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for the knights who are working hard to get the carriage out of the mud. But I think I would feel very sorry if I passed by without seeing this.”

“You bet.”

“You have never seen a landscape like this, Carsein?”

“Nope.”

Carried away with the beautiful scenery, I asked various stuff before stopping suddenly.

Carsein replied very shortly to my questions, which I thought was very strange.

It looked like he was lost in thought, so I quietly shut my mouth not to disturb him.

I walked through the field, silently observing the scenery.

“Aristia?”

“Huh?”

I walked a few steps ahead when he suddenly called me.

The boy standing in the golden waves was looking at me. His red hair was dishevelled by the wind. As his hair was so beautiful, I looked at him in joy.

“Well, hummm…” He could not easily open his mouth with hesitation.

I looked at the boy curiously as he kept silent for long. Why was he acting strangely, starting yesterday?

“Carsein, what’s up?”

“Well… Oh yeah. I think you had something to say to me, right?”

“Huh? Was that what you mean? Well, I would like to stop practicing fencing for the time being. How about a couple of times per month? Is that okay?”

“Okay, I got it.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No, I like it. Actually, I also need more time for my own practice.”

I thought he would get angry with me, but he, unexpectedly, accepted my offer.

Still I felt a bit uneasy. I felt a bit relieved that he wasn’t hurt, but on the other hand, I was a little sorry, thinking to myself, ‘Don’t do this, Aristia. It’s true that his practice time was shortened because he had to coach you, right? As a friend, you shouldn’t be in the way if you can’t help him.’

“By the way, Aristia.”

“Huh?”

“Well… ”

After he hesitated for some time, he was about to open his mouth when somebody called me.

‘Dang it!’ I said I told them I was coming and turned, but Carsein shut his mouth.

When I asked him repeatedly what he wanted to say to me, he never answered.

As he was so adamant, I just gave up and walked away. I felt a bit sorry for that.

Because of the unexpected accident, we arrived at the capital a little later than expected.