"Kwak! Let go of this! Can't you let go?!"
The leader, who was struggling, was eventually caught by two security guards and dragged away. The boy who was riding on the carriage, clinging to the window, stared at the scene with wide eyes. Not only the boy, but also the girl with the snake around her neck, the child in the acrobat's costume, and others who seemed to be working in the circus also watched with bated breath.
"T-T-let this go! We were just doing what we were told!"
The leader's subordinates who had been watching the children, including the boy, to prevent them from running away, were also taken away one by one. The greatest circus on earth ended before it could even open.
"S-Seriously, can we really leave like this? I still haven't paid my ransom to the leader..."
The boy, who was crouching inside the carriage as if hiding his body, spoke with an anxious expression. I got on the boy's level and spoke with emphasis.
"You don't owe anyone anything. You can't buy people with money in the first place. Slavery was banned by imperial law long ago."
The boy's eyes widened in disbelief at my words, and after a moment he cautiously looked at me.
"Uh... Then what about Lena and Romi? Don't they have to pay the ransom?"
They seemed to be colleagues who worked together at the circus. I nodded with a faint smile.
"Of course. All the children rescued from the circus are supposed to go to the Heigenberg Orphanage."
"Huh?"
The boy was startled.
"Orphanage? It's really hard to get in there, and even if you do get in, the director just beats you with a whip...!"
"Did the director say that?"
"Yes!"
It seemed like he had made up that lie so that the children. wouldn't have illusions about the orphanage. I let out a small sigh and said.
"That's not true at all. If you're worried, you can go see your friends whenever the music school is on vacation. The music school isn't too far from here."
The boy seemed relieved at my words, but then he started fidgeting and rolled his eyes before saying,
"But really... can I go to a music school or something?"
"Yes. I promised you. I'll take responsibility for you so that you can graduate."
"..."
"In return, you have to study hard. And rest hard when you rest. That's the only condition I have."
Tears soon welled up in the boy's eyes, dazed.
"I'll really work hard. So I'll become great like the composer who created <Summer Forest Banquet>!"
"... I think it would be okay to aim for an even greater artist."
"Huh? He's the best composer I know! I'm just a kid who hasn't learned anything, but I've worked in the circus for a long time and I've heard a lot of music. Of all of them, <Summer Forest Banquet> isn't one of them!"
The boy's eyes, which had been sobbing just a moment ago, were now sparkling as if they were filled with starlight. I couldn't help but awkwardly smile and say,
"Yes. I really hope that you achieve your dream."
"Thank you!"
The boy laughed brightly and shouted...
'When will it be a good time to tell him about my true identity?'
I thought to myself as I quietly smiled. It was strange. Seeing the boy smile made me feel as if I was being comforted. To be exact, my childhood self.
"You just have a slightly sensitive ear, so you have a talent for copying sounds exactly. If you train yourself, even a monkey can do it, so don't be so cocky!"
What came to mind was Edward's voice, which I had heard every day when I was young. I used to be intimidated by those words, but now I was helping a child who had been cowering at the same words.
My heart was filled with indescribable complex emotions. I wanted to feel more. These emotions. Discovering and supporting children with musical talents who had been buried was something my grandfather enjoyed the most in his life.
'Is he addicted to these emotions? Was that why he worked so hard?'
If so, now I could finally completely understand his feelings. As I watched the carriage leaving with the boy, I quietly muttered.
"The music school in the capital is a three-year program, so when he graduates, he will be only twelve."
"Of course."
Twelve years old. Isn't that the age when he absorbs everything like a sponge?
As if I were drawing a picture in my head, plans for the future came to mind.
"I think it would be better to have him learn the continental common language for three years as well. Then, after graduating from music school, I can get him into Ende Art Academy right away."
With that kind of talent, I was sure that he could get first place in Ende, which was full of talented students. Then, as an artist, he would have a smooth road ahead of him. After that, I would help him hold a recital in his name, and then...
As I was planning one thing after another, I heard laughter from the side. I looked around with wide eyes.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Just because you seem like a pretty extreme parent."
Parents. My heart dropped to the bottom at those words. I blankly looked back at Dante.
"What's wrong?"
I wondered if he knew something, but judging from his calm expression, I thought he had just accidentally mentioned the word 'parents'.
"Oh, no. No. Nothing."
I shook my head, but a sharp voice came.
"Ugh, I don't want that!"
I turned to where the sound came from. A seemingly harmonious couple was trying out clothes for their boy in front of a children's clothing store.
"Oh my, why? It's perfect for my son?"
"I hate pink! The kids tease me!"
"Oh my, it looks so cute and adorable to mommy?"
"Dad thinks so too."
"I'm not cute! I'm cool and brave!"
I saw the parents secretly suppress their laughter at the child's shout. Those passing by also smiled once in a while. I couldn't take my eyes off the scene.
"Ariana?"
"...Your Highness."
I moved my lips slightly.
"Huh?"
My lips trembled slightly and moved on their own. Feeling my heart pounding wildly, I finally managed to utter the words.
"What if... Your Highness and I had a child?"
"What?"
Dante's eyes widened.
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded uncontrollably. I looked up at Dante, holding my breath, and stopped for a moment. Was I being so nervous that my vision was playing tricks on me?
Dante's expression seemed to stiffen strangely.
"..."
After staring at me silently for a while, he finally opened his mouth.
"... Well."
Ah.
My heart sank to the tips of my toes at his indifferent voice.
"I'd much rather be alone with you."
I stared blankly at Dante. The words he had said were disintegrating into words and not registering properly in my mind. I stammered.
"... It's okay if we don't have children? But then the heir to the family line..."
"There are plenty of people in the collateral line who can take over the family line. It doesn't have to be my biological child."
Dante cut me off.
"So you don't have to worry about that, Ariana."
My head felt dizzy as if I had been hit in the back of the head by his confident tone. It was a definite answer that left no room for interpretation. He glanced at his watch blankly and spoke in a slightly more urgent tone.
"Well, now that we've gotten past the unexpected event, let's go back to our original destination... Ariana?"
As I lowered my head, Dante cut me off and made a panicked voice. I lowered my head and continued.
"Excuse me, Duke. Can I have a moment alone?"
"What?"
"Just a moment. I need time to gather my thoughts... Just a moment."
"Ariana."
Dante said in a firm voice.
"What's going on?"
I bit my lips tightly. I didn't want to let him see my eyes well up with tears. I had even less confidence to face Dante in this state of mind.
Just then, I saw a parade approaching with a loud noise. It was accompanied by an incomparably larger crowd than before. I hesitated for a moment and quickly tried to hide myself in the crowd.
"Ariana!"
Dante shouted in a panicked voice at my sudden action. I felt sorry for Dante, but I needed some time alone, even if it was just for a moment. I didn't want to show my messed up face.
Dante grabbed my wrist as I tried to blend in with the crowd.
"Where are you going in this situation? It's dangerous!"
I bit my lower lip, unable to do anything as I was held by Dante. Confusing emotions were tangled in my head.
'Well, Dante didn't have a very comfortable childhood.'
I heard that people like that often end up not wanting children.
'Yeah. I was too focused on myself. Maybe having a child was a gift to me. Maybe it was an unwanted by-product to Dante...'
I hugged my stomach and thought absentmindedly.
'Will you become an unwelcome child?'
The next moment, I looked down at my stomach in surprise.
'I'm sorry, baby. I felt sorry that I had even thought that way for a moment.'
I took a deep breath and hugged my stomach tighter.
'You will never become an unwelcome child.'
At least for me. Let's make up our minds. What we had to do became a little clearer.
'... Okay. Let's not run away. Let's not run away. Let's not be afraid.'
That's what we've done so many times so far. Face it straight. Let's get this out of the way. And, if Dante really doesn't want children...
That was the moment I thought that.
"Ariana. Please."
A strong force grabbed my shoulders.
"Tell me what you're thinking... "
I slowly raised my head. As soon as Dante turned me around and saw my face, he was speechless.
"... You cried."
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