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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…

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