CH 91

“We didn’t go out of our way to start an armed revolution just because of this guy’s manipulation, we had our own reasons.”

While you couldn’t really claim that Arla had a beautiful voice, it was still able to draw people in. That was similar to what my father possessed―a natural charisma.

“The damned nobles never once even considered our well being. People actually died of starvation! Regardless of how we got here, those two right there are here representing the nobles, yeah? Well, there’s something we call responsibility, and don’t you think it’s time they own up?”

Unlike Salas, Arla had nothing to feel guilty about. I felt that it would be difficult to counter the points she made.

And, more than that―

“The aristocracy should just GET OUTTA HERE!”

“KILL THE NOBLES!”

“Glory to the revolution!

Arla’s words had once again ignited the flame of the revolution within the people. Rei was doing her best to shout above the crowd and call for their attention, but it didn’t seem that any of them were willing to lend their ears. But then,

♪ー

Within the cacophony of the crowd, one silent but audible sound reverberated. At first, it seemed as though that sound too would be drowned out, but just like a wave recedes before returning with more force, the sound steadily but surely overwrote the clamor. The source of the sound was Sein-sama’s harp.

“People of Bauer. Just one chance is fine, could you listen to what this girl has to say?”

His deep baritone had already taken on the characteristics of a true king. The people―and even Arla herself, sank to silence, ready to listen.

“Rei Taylor, speak.”

“Right. Your Majesty, I truly appreciate that you’ve made this opportunity for me.”

Thanking King Sein, Rei once again called out to the people

“My beloved fellow citizens, may I ask what it is you wish for?”

Her words began gently, steadily. I could tell that she chose her words carefully, and that she put the utmost attention to her tone and body language as well.

“Did you wish to kill the nobles? No, I don’t think that was it. A peaceful and stable lifestyle… Isn’t that what you earnestly desire?”

I could see hesitation once again spread among the people. It was undeniable that many were still vehemently antagonistic, but little by little, there were more who genuinely considered what Rei had to say.

“Until now, Dor-sama and Claire-sama are the ones who truly strived for our peace and safety. Do you really intend to kill them?”

“We, the people―!”

“Please, don’t erase yourself by using, ‘The People’, like that…! What’s your name?”

When Rei asked for the man’s name, the man who just shouted fell silent.

“How about you? The one who was about to toss a stone? Or you? Right next to them?”

“Urk…”

“What I want to hear is what each and every one of you thinks. Each and every one of you has their own name, and has walked their own path. Do you, as an individual, truly want to kill Dor-sama and Claire-sama, here and now?

This time, no one seemed to object. Rei’s words made excellent use of the human psyche. By asking what each of their individual names were, Rei aimed to remove them from the mob mentality they had been absorbed into.

“There absolutely are many nobles who never cared to even look back at us commoners. However, I can assure you that these two are different.”

It was clear that the commoners were listening, and I knew why―

“If we really were to execute these two here and now, would you be able to take pride in that? Would you be able to proudly tell your children what you’ve done? Could you really hold your chest high and say, with confidence, that this revolution was just?”

Because I was the one who taught her how to talk this way.

“Claire-sama! You’re not off the hook either!”

Surprised that she had turned the focus of her speech to me, I’m sure that I was stunned.

“Think about it! Let’s say Bauer once again becomes peaceful and everyone’s able to live happily… If you die here Claire-sama, just who is going to restore Dor-sama’s honor after he sacrificed himself to bring about that peace!?”

“T-That’s…”

She struck me where it hurt. I had never even imagined that Rei would one day come down on me like this, leaving me at a loss for words.

“Does being a noble mean that you must die for another’s crimes despite that you, yourself, hadn’t done anything wrong!? Is dying a dog’s death what a noble’s pride is about!?”

“Wait, Rei. Please, listen to what I have to say―”

“Honestly, to hell with dying for something of a moment’s pride and honor! Instead, you should live, even just a moment longer, for me!!”

“… But, I…”

I thought that as a noble, it was simply my fate to die here for the sake of the commoners. To allow the curtain to fall on the era of our aristocracy. However―

“Even just this once! Let me be selfish, you DUMMY!!!”

Hearing Rei shout at me like this for the first time, I felt my heart tremble.

“D-Dummy… You…”

“Dummyy! Claire-sama, you dummyyy! Waaaaah!!!”

“R-Rei…”

Rei was… crying. Yes, that Rei. She had always been almost annoyingly calm and collected, no matter the situation, almost always making a fool out of me. That Rei was now in absolute shambles, sobbing. Watching as the tears messily streamed down her cheeks, I could no longer contain myself.

Just what is it that I’m doing here, Claire François? The love of my life is crying right in front of me, don’t I see that? What use am I if I hesitate at a time like this. Are my arms just logs? What is it that I need to do, here and now?

―I must rush over and wipe the tears of my beloved!!!

“You know… If you’re gonna have your little lover’s quarrel, do it somewhere else.”

Arla’s voice returned me to my senses. When I looked in her direction, she had a complicated expression as though she had just eaten something bitter.

“Hey, someone come and take this girl away.”

“No! Never! I’ll never leave Claire-sama’s side ever again! If Claire-sama is going to die, then I will too!”

“W-Wait, Rei―!”

“Ah, goodness! Alright, alright, I get it already so shut up already and stop crying. It doesn’t look like we’ll be executing anyone anyway.”

“… Eh?”

“Just take a look.”

In response to my confusion, Arla pointed toward the people.

“Well… I guess we won’t have to worry about the nobles torturing us anymore.”

“I uhm, Claire-sama actually saved me once.”

“Me too. The noble I served was a bad guy, and when I lost my job, Claire-sama is the one who connected me to my next one―”

The flow of the conversation had changed. Arla cut the rope that tied my hands and with a distant look, continued.

“The people have begun to think for themselves. From now on, I doubt they’d need me to rein them in and lead them around either.”

“Arla…”

“I’ve brought down the aristocracy and achieved my goal. It’s not my place to worry about what comes next. We don’t need to kill all the nobles, I mean most of them will die if left to care for themselves anyway.”

Arla went on to say we may even see the old nobility beg or borrow money from commoners. She gave a hearty laugh, pleased by the thought.

“Alright, just go. The curtain opens on our new era, you shouldn’t welcome it looking so glum.”

With that, I dragged Rei, who was still a sobbing mess, with my and left the trial.

◆◇◆◇◆

“… Good grief, you know, you’re really so…”

I dragged Rei to a nearby park and made her kneel on the grass there. Rei didn’t seem to be happy with the situation, but not that I cared.

“You’ve caused so much trouble for so many people… Do you even feel the least bit remorseful about that?”

“U-, uhm… Claire-sama? Considering the flow of events here, shouldn’t you be thanking me for what I’ve done, and apologizing to me…?”

“Just what nonsense is that!”

“Uhm, right, it was nothing!”

“Really Rei, you’re always just so reckless―”

And so, I began lecturing Rei. Of course, I only did this because I was too embarrassed to tell her how I really felt. In truth, I really just wanted to hug her, and as soon as possible.

This wasn’t all about Rei either. The fact that everyone gathered together like that for my sake… Truly made me so happy that I could barely hold it back. If it weren’t for my pride as a noble, the thought that I had to keep myself together before Rei, I’m sure that I’d already have curled up in a ball to cry as well.

“… Don’t be so harsh on her, Claire.”

“Sein-sama…! No… I mean, Your Majesty.”

The one who put a pause to my antics as I tried to bluff my way out of my own embarrassment was His Majesty Sein.

“Do you no longer need to attend the trial?”

“… Well, considering all that happened… It’s been put on hold. Originally the trial was only something Salas put out as a way to make an example out of the two of you.”

His Majesty stated that the new government hadn’t ever really cared for it. At that time, as though Rei had just remembered, she spoke up.

“Right, Your Majesty, I almost forgot to thank you for what you did earlier.”

“… For what?”

“Your harp. It was very impressive.”

“Yes, it really was. It really got everyone’s attention.”

“… That wasn’t anything that warrants such praise. I just do it as a distraction.”

Despite his wonderful technique, to His Majesty, his skill in the harp wasn’t something that he saw value in.

“Who was it that taught you how to play the harp?”

“… My mother. When she was still alive, while she was bedridden.”

“Oh, I see. Ah then―”

As though struck by epiphany, Rei put her hands together and said,

“Your Majesty, you’re still loved by your mother even now.”

Sein-sama’s eyes opened wide. As I wondered what might be the matter, tears suddenly began to flow from Sein-sama’s eyes.

“Y-, Your Majesty!?”

“K-King Sein, what’s the matter!?”

“… It’s nothing. It’s nothing, just―”

―I see, so my mother had always remained by my side.

Those words escaped his mouth as though he was just talking to himself, reflecting on their significance. This was the man whom I had always admired. Now that I had fallen in love with Rei, it was clear to me that my feelings for him had never gone past that admiration. However, that I saw him as someone precious to me hadn’t changed. It relieved me to see a bandage applied to a scar he’d carried for so long.

“…”

My father stood a short distance away. With an expression that held lingering regrets, but at the same time held relief, he watched over us. Looks like I’ve survived yet again―I could almost hear him saying that. I understood how he felt, but I was sure that we had survived for a reason. There was meaning behind all of this.

“Rei, Claire, you both did great. Just as I’d expect from the two of you.”

“Claire-sama, it’s been a while!”

“Onee-sama! And Lene too!”

Having been able to reunite with people who I never thought I’d meet again, I felt happiness well up from the bottom of my heart. Perhaps Lene felt the same way, as we hugged each other tight, I saw a sparkle in her eyes. As a result, I felt myself tearing up as well.

“Feeling jealous, Rei? In that case, just say the word and I’ll prepare our wed―”

“No.”

“Thought you’d say that.”

Despite being rejected yet again, Rodd-sama was roaring with laughter. His cheerful and optimistic demeanor hadn’t changed in the slightest. I was sure that he’d continue to forge his own path, never yielding or giving in.

“Rei-san… Claire-sama…”

“Lily-sama.”

Former Cardinal Lily approached us with both arms held securely by the soldiers who had arrested her.

“I just wanted to… Apologize.”

“No, please, Lily-sama, you haven’t done anything wrong.”

“That’s right, all of the responsibility falls on Salas.”

Alter, the second personality within her was something that Salas had created. In a sense, Cardinal Lily was the victim here.

“You may say that, but there’s no way that the things Lily has done should be forgiven. Lily will await the judgment of the people.”

She appeared firm in her resolve. In that case, what I should offer her was not an half-hearted consolation, but rather,

“Very well. In that case, make sure that you atone.”

“Claire-sama, you don’t have to be so―”

“Then, once you’ve repented and atoned, make sure that you come back to us. We’ll always be here waiting for you.”

“―!”

In response to my words, Cardinal Lily began to cry.

“Thank you so much, Claire-sama. One day, let’s fight over Rei-san again.”

With that, Cardinal Lily was taken away. I didn’t know her crimes would be judged, but I wished for the best.

“But damn, we really have quite the group here, huh.”

Rodd-sama looked at the people gathered here and whistled. Now that he mentioned it, this really was quite the group. Three members of Bauan royalty, Manaria-sama, Lene and Lambert-sama, and even Misha had come.

“That’s very true. Claire-sama and Rei, you both really are blessed with connections.”

“No Misha, that’s not quite it.”

Yuu-sama gently corrected Misha’s emotional remark.

“Everyone gathered here has been saved by Rei and Claire in some way. Everything that Claire and Rei have done until now, has finally taken shape in this way.”

Yuu-sama’s words entered deep within my heart. Mother, are you watching? Ever since I met Rei, we’ve been able to do so much together. There were times where I forgot myself in what I was doing, and was perhaps too reckless, but even I, who had always been so selfish… Have been able to make so many friends.

“Hey, Rei, go on! Didn’t you have something to say to Claire now that you’ve reunited?”

As Onee-sama seemed to be teasing Rei about something, I was pushed from behind. I took a few steps forward to regain balance, and before I knew it, I was right in front of Rei. Rei seemed to be embarrassed about something.

“Ah… Erm… Claire-sama?”

“W-What is it?”

“No… Uhm, actually it’s nothing…”

“How indecisive… If there’s something you want to say to me, just say it.”

You never know if a day might come where you’ll have regretted not saying it… As I urged Rei on with those words, they were actually directed toward me as well. After all, I had only just barely survived. There were certainly words that I needed to convey to her as well.

“Claire-sama!”

“Alright, so what is it?”

As I once again took a curt tone to hide my embarrassment, Rei held onto my shoulders with her hands.

“Please, would you marry me!”

It took quite some time before my brain could even process the meaning behind the words that Rei had just said. Then, the moment I understood, I couldn’t stop myself from going bright red. The people around us whistled and cheered us on.

“J-, j-just what are you saying, here, and in public! The proper etiquette is to wait for the right time, and the right mood when we’re alone…!?”

Having never considered she might propose to me, I didn’t know how I should react. But really, it was all so simple. All I needed to do was say yes and nod, that was enough. But even now, I still couldn’t bring myself to be honest with my feelings.

“Oh, so that’s what I need to do? In that case, give me a redo!”

“S-Sure? Just this once, I’ll make an exception and allow it.”

“No, not that.”

“Eh?”

Even as I remained confused and embarrassed, Rei pulled me close and took my lips. For the second time in our brief exchange, my brain ceased function. Everyone around us fell silent.

“I really hated that our first kiss had to go how it did.”

Rei spoke with a playful smile, as though to say she had finally gotten revenge.

“G… G-, goodness! You’re… really, truly, utterly, so…! Rei, you’re just so Rei. Your head is just so Rei, really…!”

“My name’s suddenly become an adjective!?”

As I returned to my senses, I realized that I was repeatedly hitting Rei one hand after the other in a frenzy. Rei looked at me with a face as though she understood, so she just stood there accepting it all. This… Even though… She’s just Rei!

“… If you don’t make me happy, I’ll never forgive you.”

“””… Eh?”””

Rei’s voice, and the voices of those around us overlapped.

“L-Like I said, if you don’t make me happy, I’ll never forgive you!!”

“…”

“W-What, come on, say something…”

After just another breath, everyone around us exploded in celebration. Embarrassed, I couldn’t look anyone in the eye. It was then that Rei took my hand and made a run for it.

“Where are we going!?”

“Somewhere, anywhere! I’m sure that we can go anywhere… If we’re together!”

The future. That was something that I had long given up on. You could say that, to me, it was like a blank canvas. From now on, I suppose that I will be drawing on that canvas. However, there was one thing that I could be sure of.

As I drew on that canvas, Rei would always be right there by my side.

Translator Note: The damn love birds…