204 Another Story: Wolf Girl Kingdom Walk (7) (1/2)

The tea ceremony after Al arrived was initially tight, but his stepfather and stepmother actively spoke to Al and exchanged words with him.

At the end of the tea party, I think Al was able to talk to his stepfathers with a gentle expression.

”Acrylic, will you give me some time?

”Al?”

”There's something I need to do outside. I want you to go out with me.”

After the tea party was over, Al invited me after breaking up with his stepfathers.

There was no reason to refuse, so I understand. Then we went outside the royal castle in a discreet outfit.

Al, what can I do for you?

”Ah... I really had to go first.”

……

Al's expression, which he said to me, was somehow steep and nervous. What the hell does Al have to be nervous about?

We walked out of the royal castle, but Al wasn't headed for the castle town, it was a section lined with luxurious houses.

”Where are we?

”This is a parcel with a noble mansion. This is where we're going.”

Al keeps going deeper. It's not as vibrant as a castle town, and the scenery continues like a beautiful arrangement.

Even in the same city, the air in the castle town is completely different. I think that the difference between the status of a civilian and that of a nobleman also appears in the place where he lives.

Al was silent all along the way. We can't say a word to Al as if he's thinking about something, and we keep walking toward our destination.

By the time the sun set and the sky was dyed at sunset, it had reached the place Al was aiming for.

It was lined up with countless lined stones. There are no signs of people and they are not vibrant. I think it's kind of a lonely place.

”Al... what is this place?

This is a cemetery.

”Cemetery?”

”... they call it a grave to mourn the dead. This is where the tombs are gathered, so that the dead can sleep quietly.”

”... Tomb”

In Al's description, I somehow try to understand the concept of a grave. For us who bring life back to the forest, the forest itself is like a tomb. But it is also a place where life can live at the same time.

But this cemetery is where life is cut off. That's why I feel kind of lonely.

Al stepped into the cemetery and proceeded slowly. Even though flowers are decorated here, it's not as touching as it was in the courtyard.

I think it's beautiful, but after all, the thought of loneliness comes first because the signs of life are thin here. Rather, the loneliness makes these flowers seem like comfort.

After passing through the lined graves, Al came to the place where the large gravestones were placed. It was even more distant from other graves.

”This tomb is huge.”

”... ahh. Originally, graves were one for each person, or one for family and blood. This tomb is different.”

”... no?

”This tomb is bigger than anything else because it was mourned by the people I killed. More people sleep here than in any other grave.”

”... Al killed you?

Al remained nervous, but somewhere he looked lonely and spicy. If the wind blows, you'll fall, and you won't be able to keep an eye on Al, who looks as if he's about to fall.

”When I tried to take over this country, the people who tried to help me slept here. They are traitors to this country. Some of them were executed together. Many of them were not allowed to mourn in their own graves those who said that they were avenged by the country. But the dead are the dead. You don't have to be angry when you die, and you don't have to curse the living. That is why the tomb was built. This is called a monument.”

”Consolation Monument...”

So, this tomb sleeps the people Al killed... is it a symbol of Al's sins?

Al gets one step closer to such a grave and stands before it. I lowered my head on one knee with my hands in front of my chest.

”I don't think I deserve to go to the flowers.... but I'm here to apologize for the confusion I caused you.”

Al raised his face with his knees down. While looking up at the consolation monument, Al continued his words to repent.

”I despised myself that I was not the king's vessel and that I had no power to change anything. That weakness has caused me to lose my mind and to think about using you all. Such a weak royal family has bewildered you. Of course, there are some disgusting things you've raised yourself. But now I think paying for it is what the royal family wants.”

The wind blows. Al's back, which remained on his knees, was unreliable and looked very small.

”Your death was caused by a weak royal family named me. As a man who was supposed to be master, he was about to lose his mind. I must bear your death. To keep you from dying. Otherwise, your deaths will remain only a sin of treason against the king of this country. I don't think that mockery can calm you down.”

After that, Al drips his head again. Keeping your hands on your chest, squeeze one of your free hands and put your fists on the ground.

”... I'm really sorry. I won't ask you to forgive me. But please stand tall so I can wash your carelessness. I want you to see it in the afterlife. I will come to you anyway. I will not forget you. I will not let your sacrifice go to waste while I live on it.”

Al dedicates words that are bloody heavy and full of regret to his grave.

Then raise your face slowly. I want to see Al's face and stand next to him. Al looked at me, but smiled a little troubled before turning back to the monument.

”... Maurice”

Al calls someone's name. The voice was filled with regret, and Al's expression was filled with loneliness.

”I hated you.”

I wondered if the words he vomited were words Al couldn't say to Maurice.

”... as much as I hated myself, I neglected you. You're a typical disgusting aristocrat, and you've been dealing with your older sister so much that you don't want to hear about her. But you were worth it.... what did you think of me? Was it the same as me?

I know Al won't answer, but I spin words like I'm asking for answers.