The Wolf Lord's Lady

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an olive-green hat. Perhaps it was because I was bored that I became fixated on it.

I was thrilled to be surrounded by such magnificent jewels. However, I did not let myself be completely enthralled by it as much as my mother and grandmother.

Furthermore, I’ve already made a decision on which one I’ll be getting. Probably it’s because I have a different set of conditions and criteria for choosing jewelry, but I am always the first to complete my shopping.

After taking a glance at both my mother and grandmother, I could see that they will be taking much more time since their focus wasn’t towards anything else other than jewelry.

Since I have been sitting still and proper like a good child would all this time, no one had their attention towards my presence. Both mother and grandmother did look at me from time to time, and the shopkeeper would smile at me. Then, I would return the smile with one. Despite this, they don’t always check up on me.

Once I’m sure that I was out of their sight, I went to chase after the hat which caught my attention earlier. It must have belonged to a young child because it looked quite small for an adult to be wearing it.

I barely had the opportunity to interact with children or those of my age. Due to the fear of being rude towards a noble, people rarely bring their own children for their work with us, let alone bring young children. Not just children of my age or those that were slightly older than me, it’s because we’re still children, it’s unavoidable for us to be a bit mischievous and to have a few cute mistakes. And yet, there were almost no children around me.

Truthfully, I also wanted to have friends. I’m already 13 years old. As written in a novel that I had begged my parents to buy for me -when you reached 13, there will be more things that you can’t share with your family but you can with your friends. And now, even though I have a future partner, I don’t have any friends. 𝙛𝐫e𝚎wℯ𝗯𝒏𝗼ѵ𝙚l.𝒄o𝚖

Quietly, I managed to slip away.

The only time I have ever been alone, without any of my family members and servants, was only back in the mansion. However, for that day, I wanted to do it. That is because I was sure that it was a one-time opportunity. I had thought that it would be nice to talk to someone, who for once, doesn’t need to be screened through by my family.

Hence, I sneaked out from the shop and, with my unsteady steps – went after the olive-green hat wearer.

For this jewelry shop, they don’t have any ornaments available in stock. Instead, they will keep their jewels at hand, where it is to be sent to a factory located right behind the shop for the craftsmen to polish them into the ornaments that we see in the shop. The side alley street that leads out of the shop is also leading towards the said factory. Due to the high value of the goods in the factory, there were two men standing guard. However, when I asked directly if they could let me pass through, they told me that they would turn a blind eye to it only for a moment.

As I advanced further down the road, I saw the entrance to the factory. But, I did not enter there. That’s because I saw the olive green that I’m chasing slip into the path between some buildings.

“Good day to you.”

The person was crouched in between the stacks of crates and barrels. The moment the person heard me, he looked up in surprise and froze momentarily. The person had a small and thin yet slightly plump body – which resembled close to the body I had a few years younger when I was a child.

The boy adjusted his hat lower than one would normally.

“Is there something you need…? This is not a proper place for a noble lady to come by.”

I expected that response from him. That was what people would usually say to me whenever I talk to them at places I don’t typically go to.

“Please forgive me for talking to you so abruptly. I glimpsed upon your hat at the shop. I don’t know why, but I had this feeling of wanting to talk to you. If you don’t mind, I would be very happy if I could have a little chat with you.”

I got anxious thinking that he would refuse the idea of talking with me. At that moment, I saw him open his mouth slightly – being a little surprised. After a few moments of silence passed, he readjusted the hat that he lowered earlier. There, I saw a few strands of his silver hair peeped out from his hat.

That was how he and I met. A boy from that capital whose name I didn’t know, a face I didn’t know and met only once.

“Dragon?”

Jasmine’s curious voice brought me back to my senses. The moment I realized it, all eyes were on me for my response. The three children were staring at me with wonder, but only Kaid and Fennell didn’t laugh nor seemed confused. They were looking at me with painfully quiet eyes.

I have to say something – that was what I had thought. But words wouldn’t come out of my mouth. My feelings kept slipping down my throat and got stuck in my chest. I couldn’t utter a single word.

Therefore, I ended up saying a different thing.

“I’m afraid I got it wrong. I apologize for taking up so much of your time. Kaid, I think we should head back soon. Caron would get upset if we stay out too late”

“If My Lady wishes so.”

Since Kaid had said it that way, I could only give a wry smile.

What do you expect me to say to him? What should I say to him? He had dutifully held onto a promise that was made 19 years ago, a promise that could never be fulfilled ever since my death fifteen years ago. Since he managed to start his own business at such a young age, he should have abandoned such worthless promises and kept them in the past – leaving it to disappear on its own.

What can I even say? To the person who, while continuing on his business with a nameless shop, managed to fulfill his promise that he had said in a child’s voice that he would make something for me. Furthermore, I’m no longer the daughter of the former Laius’s lord that he had exchanged his promise with who didn’t manage to see it through, who had got punished for her own sins. What right can I say to him? I can’t apologize, repent nor praise him. I can’t say anything.

Plus, I can’t tell him straight out that I’m the daughter of the former Lord of Laius. No matter how sincere he may be, I cannot tell him that – to the person whom I met only once. The “Ornamental Flower of Laius” has now become the abomination of Laius. It is an existence that would become the seed that brings upon disturbances to Laius once again. It’s impossible to tell such a thing to the person that I met for one time only.

Even if it is a person who had kept a promise made to someone that you’ve met only once for a very long, long time.

I’m aware that the ornamental flower of Laius can no longer be anything but a misfortune for someone else.

“Such a shame.”

“I couldn’t get it at all.”

“I don’t know the answer either.”

The three of them looked into the box with a dejected expression pasted on their face and, once again witnessed the wonderful blue reflected into their eyes.

“Do the both of you stop by this town once again when we’re heading back?”

“Erm… I don’t know… Samua, do you happen to know?”

“What makes you think I would know? I’m new to this just like yourself! M-Master!”

Being shown a flustered expression, Kaid thought for a moment and shrugged his shoulders.

“At this stage, all I can say is, it depends. Sorry.”

“It’s not that big of an issue, Sir… Thank you for your answer.”

After a polite reply and a thank you, Namon turned around to face Jasmine and Samua.

“Even if you can’t stop by on your way home. I hope you’ll come by some other time! You guys are so funny!”

“Yes! You’re right! Samua is funny!!”

“At that time, I’ll make sure to bring you some souvenirs! Also, he did mention, “you guys,”. That includes you! And, you’re quite funny yourself Namon!”

Namon, who was caught in Jasmine and Samua’s lively banter looked slightly surprised but smiled happily.

“Yeah! Then it’s a promise! I’m looking forward to the souvenirs! Next time, I’ll make sure to create something that the Master will approve and put it in the shop!”

“Oh my. That’s quite exciting! It’s a promise!” f𝓇𝘦e𝑤𝘦𝚋𝒏૦ѵℯ𝒍.c𝐨𝒎

“All right. You have my word! Good luck.”

There’s nothing more dazzling than a promise to a child that was made so simply and naturally.

I’m sure that the thought of not being able to fulfill their promise never came through their mind. I wonder how great it would be to have the brightness in you with the straightforward belief in tomorrow.

That day, I did not resist the death that I was given. I turned my back and refused to take the hand of which I knew was my salvation. I did not think that what I had done then was a mistake. My death was Laius’s peace. With my death, the night that had covered Laius in darkness finally dawned.

However, I did not accept death only for the sake of Laius’s peace. I threw it away. I threw away my life, my redemption, and all the emotions that made me cry out.

As a result, I threw away a lot of promises.

The promise I made to Kaid for going to Korchia, the promise I made to Caron for a reunion, the promise I made to Fennell to give a name, everything. Even so, there are still people who still carried me onto their shoulders, cried for me, protected me ever so earnestly even though I threw away the promises I’ve made so innocently, ignorantly, and arrogantly.

I wanted to shout out to all the people who claimed to only be able to live in the shadows and bear that thought within themselves that they should get rid of it! I wanted to scream out that they don’t need to have it, that it shouldn’t let it overshadow their own lives. But why won’t anything throw it away?

I couldn’t figure out what Fennell was thinking as he was still staring at me.

“It was an honor to be able to witness such a prestigious product… Thank you very much. I wish you all the best and a flourishing future. Please take care of yourself.”

I clasped my hands together and bowed my head deeply. Then, I heard him mutter above me,

“…You too…”

“Well then, we will excuse ourselves.”

From the edge of my sight, I saw the unclosed blue promise was still glowing so beautifully.