Chapter 9, A Little Girl, Talking About Separation

Translator: Lizz

 

The three of them finally arrived at the town just before the fortress. 

 

The two who had never traveled before thought this was normal, but Edward was scared because everything was going too smoothly.

 

There were no more towns until the fortress. Meaning, this was the end of the journey for two of them, except for Sylvia. 

 

Gina initially planned to make this her final destination, thinking she wouldn’t be pursued any further. However, she had come to find it hard to part ways with Sylvia and Edward. 

 

She felt sympathy for the little girl traveling alone and had become attached to her.

 

Moreover, although it was calculating of her, she thought that if she could work in the fortress, even if they found her, it would be impossible for them to take her back.

 

She didn’t think she had that much value… But if she were taken back, she would be confined and forced to work until she died.

 

Shivering at the thought, Gina glanced at Sylvia.

 

Edward was also thinking about the future.

 

Even if the fortress was managed by the Duke’s men, it would be possible to demand money under the pretext of ‘escorting this far’, or to talk his way into the fortress, steal valuables, and disappear. …The possibility that someone was managing the fortress was close to zero though, given that they gave it to such a small child and let her set off alone.

 

In that case, the possibility of valuable items being in the fortress was also unlikely. It was best to part ways here. Thanks to Sylvia, the journey had been almost without loss, and it was fairly enjoyable, so not making any money up to this point was balanced out.

 

Moreover, this town was quite prosperous, so he should be able to earn something here.

 

…Yes, that was what his brain thought. But his heart didn’t follow.

 

Edward, too, had been moved by Sylvia.

 

Sylvia was so different from girls of the same age that it was not excessive to guess that she had been in a ‘distorted environment’.

 

He thought the reason she hardly showed any expression was because there were hardly any people around her.

 

What particularly bothered him was the lack of a smile. He wanted to make her smile. That was what he had come to think.

 

Sylvia, with a vague expression, looked at the two who were staring blankly at her, then turned to face them.

 

“What will you two do from now on?”

 

The two, suddenly jolted from their thoughts, were flustered.

 

“Uh… well…”

 

“Yeah, um…”

 

When they responded ambiguously, Sylvia’s face became expressionless.

 

“I, will go to the fortress. I will live in the fortress.”

 

Sylvia said firmly, leaving the two speechless.

 

Seeing them like that, Sylvia bowed her head.

 

“Thank you for coming with me this far.”

 

After saying that, she lifted her head, turned on her heel with an expressionless face, and started walking.

 

“Wait. Since we’re here, let’s stay overnight. I’ll cover the cost…”

 

“I am going.”

 

Interrupting Edward’s words, Sylvia said without turning back, continuing to walk.

 

The livestock also followed her without looking back.

 

“—Wait!”

 

Gina shouted as she ran and stood in front of Sylvia, bowing her head.

 

“I’m actually looking for a job! If possible, I hope to work in a safe place where no one can easily interfere! If it’s alright, could you hire me at the fortress?”

 

Sylvia was so taken aback that she gaped.

 

Edward was also stunned, but after scratching his head and saying ‘Guess I’m late to the party’, he knelt before Sylvia.

 

“I used to be a royal guard. Although I haven’t trained recently, I still have some confidence in my skills. Lady Sylvia the Generous, I humbly ask for your mercy and request that you hire me as well… What do you think?”

 

After finishing, Edward looked up at Sylvia and saw that she was more surprised than he had ever seen.

 

Edward couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

 

Gina also looked up at Sylvia and burst out laughing as well.

 

“…Why are you laughing?”

 

Sylvia asked, and Gina, trying to suppress her laughter, replied.

 

“Because… you were more surprised than I’ve ever seen.”

 

“Your eyes looked like they were about to pop out!”

 

When Edward said that, Sylvia blinked and rubbed her eyes.

 

Gina stopped her hand.

 

“Hey, Lady Sylvia, you shouldn’t rub your eyes.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Sylvia nodded and asked hesitantly.

 

“…There’s no one at the fortress, you know?”

 

“We know.” 

 

They both answered in unison.

 

After a brief silence, Sylvia spoke again.

 

“I don’t know if I can pay you.”

 

“Let’s think about it after we get there. We haven’t seen it yet.”

 

“Exactly. A commoner would never be able to get into a fortress in their lifetime. We can explore it, and if it doesn’t work out, we can come back here and live together.”

 

Gina excitedly agreed with Edward’s suggestion.

 

“Agreed!”

 

Sylvia looked at the two in confusion, but gradually began to smile.

 

Seeing her expression, the two were surprised.

 

–It was the first time they had seen Sylvia smile.

 

It made her look her age, and very cute.

 

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