It has been a week since I returned to the Aldis estate. At the breakfast table, my brother said,
Lilia, I can spare a little ti today, so I think Ill go into town to do so shopping, would you like to co?
Lilia thought for a mont about what she should do. Its not that she had other plans, but theres nothing in particular that she needed to go shopping for.
By the way, whats the reason for that, brother? Is it sothing you have to go to in person?
Im glad you asked!
My brother, Cross, stands up.
Next to Lilia, who rolled her eyes, Tina sighed, as if she knew what was going on.
I had a good blacksmith here the other day and ordered a new sword! Hes supposed to deliver it today so Im looking forward to it!
Cross had a long history of talking about swords, thats why I avoid talking about them as much as possible, but I didnt expect that the reason for his shopping would be swords. The war was a long ti ago, and now we are at peace, but he is so curious.
Tina, you seed to know about it, but when did you find out?
What? Oh.We had tea together a couple of tis, and thats when I heard about.
Oh.
I thought she was only invited by my mother and Theo, but apparently she had been invited by my brother as well.
Lilia, its, uh, its
Leave her alone.
Cross is still talking about sothing I dont understand. Everyone in the family had experienced this at one ti or another, so there was nothing surprising about it, and they finished their al rather unconcernedly. My father was already on his way to work.
Its a waste of ti to hang out with you. Ill go study.
Are you sure you want to go?
When Lilia urged her, Tina followed, although she was confused.
According to the servants who were still there, they had been talking for more than an hour even after the family had disappeared. For so reason, I respected her a little more than I should have.
Sakura wanted to accompany my brother on his shopping trip.
After lunch Lilia was taken by her brother to the carriage. Only a few rchants who have passed a special exam are allowed to open stores around the mansions of senior nobles. Therefore, if she wanted to go shopping, she would have to leave the house for a while. Because of this, the area lined with the residences of senior nobles is always quiet.
The area lined with stores was naturally bustling with activity. Many people were coming and going, and rchants were shouting. Many high-ranking aristocrats dont like the noise and dont co here to shop, but so of them like to. The people of Aldis, with the exception of Lilia, were also fond of shopping, and now Lilia could be said to be one of them.
Leaving the carriage at the designated royal grounds, Lilia and her brother entered the city.
You dont have ti to co with shopping, do you? You can go around as you like. Ill et you in the carriage in two hours.
And with that, he left Lilia behind.
LWhat was the point of coming with him?
S Co on, lets go shopping too. Im sure there are so delicious sweets here.
LWe cant buy much here, as expected.
Lilia took a glance at her brother as he left, and turned to the section that sold the most food.
The stares of those around and the whispering voices, wherever I go, they always follow . This is not just my imagination, but sothing that cos from my past actions.
When I look around, my eyes et many peoples, and they look away. So of them are talking behind my back, and so of them are whispering it so that I cant hear them.
SLilia. Are you okay?
At Sakuras caring voice, Lilia nodded with a hard expression.
LIm fine. Thank you.
STake it easy, okay?
Even though I could only hear her voice, it was very reassuring to know that Sakura was always by my side. If I was alone, I would have run away without a doubt.
SI was hoping your brother would be with us.
LI cant believe just a sword can change him like that. I wonder whats good about it.
SI agree. I dont understand.
While exchanging light words with Sakura, I suddenly beca interested in a stall that ca into view and headed towards it. It was a small stall selling fruits.
SWhat do you want?
LStrawberries! Tangerines! Apples! Sothing sweet!
SThen lemon.
LWhy?
Laughing at the joke, I picked up the basket of strawberries. As I looked up to speak to the stall owner, my eyes t with an elderly man with a drawn-out expression.
Are you? Aldis?
I dont understand what youre asking.
Oh! Excuse , are you Liliane Aldis?
At the old mans question, Lilia furrowed her brow and looked at her surroundings again. As usual, most of the people look away as soon as their eyes et Lilias, but even so, there is sothing a little different about them. They dont look away because theyre afraid of Lilia, but because theyre aware that shes watching them.
I am indeed Liliane.
When I answered the old man that, his eyes widened and then he quickly bowed his head.
Im very sorry about this! You see, I didnt notice that since you werent wearing any makeup. Please forgive .!
Lilias eyes flashed at the old mans attitude. She hasnt done anything to him so why was he acting like that?
SIts a daily occurrence. Not recently, but before.
LOh, so thats whatis for. Well, I cant help it.
There were still only a few people who recognized Lilia.
I thought I knew that, but when they showed it in their attitude, it made uncomfortable and even sad. I thought I had done my best, but it seed I still hadnt done enough.
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