Ch. 4: The Condition of the Slums, and His Hand
We arrived in town, and Edmond immediately began his investigation.
Edmond: "This area is still beautiful, it hasn't changed."
Minister: "Indeed. However if you take one step further, you're on route to the more deteriorated part of the slums."
Edmond: "Practically."
Minister: "The deterioration is quite severe."
Edmond: "The papers for the building please."
Minister: "Yes My Lord."
As Edmond looked over the documents, the people of the town started to gather at a distance and watch us.
Edmond speaks as if he doesn't really do these inspections…I wonder if it's strange that he's here.
At that time, I heard someone shout angrily.
Man: "You think this is free!?"
W-what the!?
I turned towards the voice and…-
I saw a small boy, frightened, and surrounded by a group of grown men.
That's…
Boy: "Hey Miss, gimme a cookie please!"
The boy from before…!?
OO: "Excuse me! What's going on here?"
Without thinking, I moved to stand in the way of the men to protect the boy.
Man: "Move it lady. We caught this kid trying to steal our things."
OO: "Eh…-"
Boy: "…I-I'm sorry…"
Unable to bear it, I held the boy tightly as his shoulders shook with his apology.
OO: "…I'm sorry. I offer my apology as well. Please, forgive the boy."
I deeply bowed my head to the men.
Boy: "Miss…"
Man: "I ain't gonna forgive him just like that! If you get in our way…-"
The man approached us and raised his fist overhead when…-
Townsperson: "Hey! Knock it off! Don't go fighting a woman and a child!"
Townsperson: "That's right. They even apologized. Just forgive them."
In an uproar, the people of the slums came rushing to our aid, raising their voices one after another at the men.
Man: "…tch!"
The men hesitated for a moment, but finally left.
Boy: "Hey miss…thanks."
The boy had finally stopped shaking, and I let him go. He gave me a weak smile.
OO: "No problem…and you won't steal again right?"
Boy: "Yeah…I'm sorry."
I said my farewell to the boy after he apologized, and went back to where Edmond was but…
OO: "Huh?"
I don't see Edmond anywhere…
Boy: "Hey miss, are you lost?"
OO: "Y-yeah…seems so."
Townsperson: "Prince Edmond? I just saw him over that way carrying on his inspection."
The people who had saved us kindly told me where to go.
OO: "Thank you so much!"
Such nice people…
I said my thanks to the people and walked in the direction of where Edmond should be.
I had only been walking a little while when…-
OO: "…!"
The men from before stood impassively before me, blocking the way.
OO: "Y-you're…"
Man: "You were with Prince Edmond before."
Man: "Bet you're a pretty important person…so, why don't you come with us?"
I felt myself freeze up as I looked into their dull, staring eyes.
No, I'm scared…!
At that time…-
Edmond: "What are you doing over there!?"
Edmond, the very person I had just been looking for, appeared gallantly with a host of castle soldiers.
Slum Man: "…damn."
The men fled immediately, and Edmond's face relaxed in relief.
However, after a brief moment…
Edmond: "…! Where did you go off to!?"
Edmond rushed over to me and tightly gripped my shoulders.
Edmond: "Didn't I tell you not to leave my side?"
OO: "…I'm sorry."
Edmond: "I told you, you must stay with me no matter what."
[CHOICE]
-
I'm alright (SUN)
-
I was scared (MOON)
Edmond: "…as I thought, I shouldn't have brought you here."
OO: "Eh…?"
Edmond: "It would have been awful if something had happened, like you'd been kidnapped."
Edmond hung his head, his soft hair hiding his face in shadow.
[CHOICE]
-
The people in the slums were nice (SUN)
-
You're right (MOON)
Edmond: "I'm sorry for getting so gloomy. Let's go back to the castle."
OO: "Ah…"
Edmond firmly grasped my hand and began walking.
There was no sign of his usual kind and gentle hand…-
His hand held mine tightly, as if desperately trying to hold onto a myriad of emotions.
OO: "You're right…"
Remembering how scared I had been, I hugged myself.
Edmond: "I was thoughtless."
Edmond's face twisted in regret.
OO: "Yes…I was scared."
Edmond: "No…I'm sorry. I took my eyes off you."
Edmond smiled kindly at me, though it didn't touch his eyes.
OO: "I-I'm alright."
Edmond: "You clearly aren't…you're shaking."
Edmond placed his hands on my back, trying to comfort me.
OO: "Edmond…but there were a lot of nice people in the slums too."
Edmond: "…"
OO: "Edmond…?"
I instinctively peered into his face as he stood with his head hung in silence…