Ch. 4: A Different Side
The day after I'd gone to observe a trial…
Camilo, who had come to get me and show me around, was guiding me through the facility used as a station for the guards.
OO: "There are so many fine chapels."
Then, a grandiose bell rang out from the belfry and I looked up as I spoke.
Camilo: "It's for the sinners who want to repent, even if it's just a small thing, so they come here and face their sins."
OO: "Seeing a chapel as grand as this would make me want to come repent right away."
I said as much, then Camilo suddenly seized both of my arms and examined me with a deadly serious expression.
Camilo: "You haven't…committed some sin, have you?"
OO: "N-no…it was just a for instance."
Camilo: "I-I see…"
After expressing his relief, Camilo realized he was holding my arms and immediately pulled his hands away.
Camilo: "I'm sorry. I just panicked."
Camilo turned away in embarrassment.
[CHOICE]
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I'm sorry for saying that (SUN)
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You didn't do anything wrong (MOON)
OO: "You think so…?"
Camilo: "Yes…you're safe."
As he looked right at me, I felt my heart pounding.
At that time, a passerby called out to Camilo.
Camilo: "One of my subordinates."
He whispered, and I bowed.
I thought he would pass by with just a nod in greeting, but Camilo approached his subordinate…
Camilo?
Camilo stood in front of his subordinate and placed his hands on their attire.
Camilo: "…your cuff is in disarray."
It seemed like Camilo was straightening his subordinate's clothes.
It's good that he takes care of people.
The subordinate was bewildered at Camilo's sudden approach, then relaxed as he fixed the cuff.
Subordinate: "Thank you very much, Lord Camilo!"
He smiled and expressed his thanks, then spoke cheerfully to Camilo.
Subordinate: "Lord Camilo, I see you're with someone quite beautiful. Is she your girlfriend? Must be nice. I'm so jealous."
OO: "Uh…um."
I felt my face heat up at his teasing, and I reflexively put my hands over my cheeks.
Camilo: "Hey."
Camilo's voice was intense as he rebuked his subordinate and turned an angry look at him.
Camilo: "She is my benefactor. Don't be impolite."
Camilo glanced at me, then glared at his subordinate…
Subordinate: "M-my apologies. Please enjoy your stay."
He said only that then was gone in an instant.
Camilo: "I'm sorry. I've been careless in my subordinate's training.
OO: "Please, don't worry about it."
Camilo: "I am worried about it. I wanted you to see the good parts of this country, but I'm not very good at showing them to you. I don't want to give you even the slightest unpleasant memory about this place."
His expression was serious, and his eyes so sincere that they seemed to look straight through me.
My heart started pounding loudly, as if that gaze of his pierced through to my heart.
OO: "I am too…I'm sorry for saying something like that."
Camilo: "Though really, a pure girl like you committing a crime is unthinkable."
I felt my cheeks turn red as he called me pure.
OO: "You didn't do anything wrong."
Camilo: "OO, you have such a pure heart, there's no way you'd commit a crime."
His tone was so firm that I could tell that he spoke from the heart.