Chapter 156 Past Memories 2 Chapters in 1 (1/2)
For one moment, Rhode thought that his eyes were playing tricks on him until he pinched his palm to confirm that this wasn't a dream. Looking at the girl, Rhode held his breath and closed his eyes. After a while, he finally calmed himself down and walked towards the little girl slowly. He bent down to her eye level and looked at her carefully.
Facing Rhode's actions, the little girl seemed a little startled. Both of her hands gripped the teacup tightly but, she didn't seem like she wanted to escape. Instead, when Rhode was examining her, she returned his gaze curiously at this young and unfamiliar man. She was equally doubtful as to why this person had the exact same face as hers.
”Hi there, young lady. I am Rhode Alander. Can you tell me your name?”
Rhode's tone was incredibly gentle. Even his usual cold expression seemed to have disappeared.
Upon noticing this expression of Rhode's, the three maidens widened their eyes in disbelief. After spending so much time with Rhode, this was the first time he'd revealed such an expression. A far cry from the feeling of an icy cold, sturdy, yet reliable Rhode from before.
But right now, the atmosphere surrounding Rhode seemed to be very warm and gentle. Just like the first rays of light from the morning sun, unconditionally embracing anything with comfort and warmth. If Rhode previously gave others an impression of ”Cold as ice”, then right now they would have treated her as the gentle, beautiful and kind princess. (TL: Yes, it's princess, not prince) To complete this fairytale-esque scene, maybe a fully armored knight should appear and kneel down on the spot while presenting his long sword to show his passion and loyalty.
”No wonder he was always expressionless…”
Looking at this scene, Marlene, Lize and Anne started having many different thoughts. Under normal circumstances, Rhode could easily be mistaken as a female. Although as a man, gentleness may not be the only thing that they lack. But, when a handsome man reveals his gentle side, compared to a beautiful man showing his tender side, the sensation is entirely different.
(ED: Handsome referring to masculine men; while beautiful refers to 'Bishoujo' looking men with feminine features.)
If a handsome man's gentle smile could make those maidens go completely crazy, then the smile that Rhode had on his face could make anyone let go of all fears and safely dive right into the warmth within.
Of course, from a bystander point of view, this scene looked exactly like a conversation between a pair of sisters.
”…”
Probably attracted by Rhode's tone and expression, the little girl dropped her guard. She raised her head slightly and opened her tiny lips, attempting to say something. But she as if remembered something terrible, she quickly shut her mouth.
”Don't worry.”
Noticing the little girl's expression, Rhode smiled and touched her hair.
”You don't have to be afraid of cursing me. It's not your fault. Trust me, you wouldn't curse anyone. Talk to me. Tell me your name. Okay?”
”… Christie…”
The little girl dropped her shoulders and lifted her face. She said softly while looking right at Rhode.
”You have a nice name.”
After hearing the little girl's answer, Rhode gently nodded.
”So, Christie, I hope you can stay here for the time being to have some food and drinks. You can have a good sleep later, and once you've woken up the next day, I have something important to tell you… is that okay?”
”… Okay…”
Christie slightly nodded. Rhode didn't say much after receiving her answer. He just smiled and rubbed the little girl's head gently. Just when Rhode was about to stand up and walk away, the little girl reached out to the corner of his clothes. She tugged lightly and raised her head. Deep within, her achromatic eyes were filled with care and expectations that probably the little girl didn't know it herself.
”… Name…”
”Hmm?”
”… Can you say it again… your name…”
Hearing the little girl's question, Rhode was surprised and once again revealed his smile.
”Sure. I am Rhode Alander. Call me Rhode will do.”
”… Rhode…”
The little girl soft repeated this name. As if receiving a precious treasure, she wanted to keep it deep within her memories. After a moment, the little girl revealed a beautiful wholehearted smile ---- A smile that signified receiving the most precious prize in the world.
”Hu…”
After exiting the room, Rhode quickly kept his smile and returned to his usual cold self. Marlene and Anne felt that it was a pity…
Afterwards, Rhode left Christie with Lize. Afterall, the maiden was a Cleric and when it comes to caring for others, she's very reliable. In order not to disturb the patient, Marlene and Anne chose to leave even though they wanted to stay. They knew that more people might cause messy situations, so they left in the end.
But the doubts in their mind didn't disappear.
”Leader. What relationship do you have with the little girl?”
Anne couldn't hold it any longer and ask out of curiosity.
”We shouldn't be related at all.”
Rhode frowned upon hearing Anne and quickly made up an answer.
But this answer didn't satisfy both of them.
”But… Both of you look so alike…”
Marlene used a more subtle term. In fact, it was an understatement to call them 'similar'. Especially when both of them stood face to face, no matter how everyone saw it, Christie was just a Rhode that was ten years younger. To say that both of them have no relations, not even Marlene would believe that. Although, logically speaking , Rhode who originated from the Northern Mountains shouldn't have any relationship with this small village within the Paphield Region, but the existence of Christie didn't support this logic at all.
”Just as the saying goes. In this world, there will be at least three people who look exactly like you. So it isn't weird.”
Rhode seemed to be very calm.
”… Could it be Leader's long lost sister?”
Anne asked, but she didn't notice that it caused Rhode's expression to darken slightly when her question reminded him of his past.
”… I do indeed have a sister. But it is a pity; she wasn't lost.”
”Leader, you have a sister?”
Hearing this, the curious Anne spoke a little louder. Even Marlene started focusing on the conversation as Rhode had never mentioned his personal life before.
”That's right. If she's still alive, then maybe…”
”Ah…”
Rhode shrugged his shoulders. Although he didn't continue, but both of them understood his words and started to quieten… the atmosphere turned awkward suddenly. Rhode stared at the scenery out of the window with his hands behind his back. Anne and Marlene didn't know what to say. After a moment, Anne bit the bullet and clapped her hands and said.
”Lea-Leader must have loved his sister.”
”No, it's the opposite.”
To their surprise was, Rhode straightforwardly shook his head and interrupted Anne.
”To be honest, I hated her from the start.”
”Eh?”
Anne and Marlene were surprised.
”Wh-Why?”
Marlene couldn't hold it anymore. Although she had been taught not to invade other's privacy, this maiden felt that his answer was too strange.
But Rhode didn't reply immediately. Instead, he raised his head, glanced at the maidens and turned back to the window.
”… Have both of you seen twins before?” Rhode said with slight melancholy in his voice.
”Eh? Twins… Yes.”
”Anne had seen a few times too…”
Rhode kept surprising them again and again. Marlene and Anne almost couldn't keep up the pace.
”Normally between twins, many sisters or brothers look similar. However, if its a male and a female, they might look alike, but it can't possibly be exactly identical… Right?”
”This… As you said, it's actually true…”
Marlene seemed to have understood something. As for Anne, she looked around left and right, full of confusion.
Rhode nodded and said, ”This is a normal situation. I wouldn't mention the specific principles because you wouldn't understand. All in all, you just need to know that usually twins who looked alike basically are the same gender. But for twins with different gender, their looks will never be the same ---- this is based on a general theory. Whereas my sister and I are just freaks that are an exception to that theory.