Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093092581245166/episodes/16818622173530180228
Then, the four of them left the mansion, guided by the butler. When the mansion was no longer visible, Celes stopped alone.
“…I’m sorry. I’ve involved everyone in my family’s affairs.”
Saying that, Celes bowed deeply. Celes’ body was still trembling.
Seeing Celes like that, Carla was the first to speak.
“It’s terrible, isn’t it? Everyone says they want to help each other, but Celes is the only one who’s really trying.”
“I thought that since she was born into a noble family, she could do anything better than us, but now I understand. It seems she’s been through a lot.”
Lepios also looked at Celes’ mansion with disbelief, then sighed softly. Hearing their words, Celes’ eyes filled with tears.
Seeing Celes like that, Sol wanted to reassure her even more, so he held her hand and looked gently into her face.
“I agree with you two. Maybe it’s because we’re family, but I think it’s wrong for Celes to carry this burden alone.”
When Sol said that, Celes relaxed her shoulders as if relieved, and tears fell from her eyes.
“I thought people would say it was cruel to abandon my family…”
“You’ve already done enough to help your family. You don’t have to try any harder.”
When Sol said that, Celes couldn’t stop crying. Sol handed her a handkerchief and patted her on the back. Sol thought that Celes, being such a serious person, probably felt more guilty than he could imagine. From an outsider’s perspective, he thought she could be a little more selfish, but Celes was probably afraid that she would become a terrible person who betrayed her family.
“Celes, you were worried that you were a cold person, but from my perspective, nothing has changed even after hearing about this incident. You are kind, serious, and have a strong sense of justice, and you try too hard to do everything on your own. That’s why I want to take on more of the burden that Celes is carrying.”
“I see… Thank you, Sol… No one has ever said anything like that to me before… It’s because you’re like that that I…”
Celes hugged Sol tightly. Then she wiped away her tears and straightened her back. She looked not only at Sol, but also at Lepios and Carla.
“Thank you all. We need to find a place to camp where the two of you can go. Or should we stay at an inn? I’ll pay for it. I’m sorry for putting you all in this situation after staying at your homes.”
“Don’t worry about it! Camping or an inn, either is fine! It’ll be fun with just the four of us!”
Carla smiled at Celes’ words. Seeing Carla’s smile, Celes also smiled.
The four of them headed for the inn in Dinen. On the way, they were approached by several townspeople. Celes’ parents must have told them that their lives would improve if Celes returned home. The townspeople all looked at Celes with eyes full of expectation.
Every time someone spoke to them, Celes bowed her head and asked them to be patient a little longer. Every time Sol saw this, his heart ached, wanting to do something to help.
“By the way, did you spend the money on anything? As far as I can see, you haven’t been spending it extravagantly, have you?”
When they arrived at the inn, Lepios asked Celes. Indeed, the money should have been enough to help the people of the province, and it should have been a considerable amount.
“I hired an excellent person to manage the province’s finances. They should be arriving next month. For now, I gave them a year’s worth of salary and a little extra to help with the accounts, making sure my family didn’t spend it. In the end, they should be able to manage everything, including my own salary. I was actually planning to do it myself, but… I’m a little tired…”
“…Did you do the same before you left on your journey?”
“Yes, all along. I thought it would save money. But I think it’s better to rely on a professional. I found them through the government, so they’re trustworthy and have authority if anything happens. My parents and sister are more likely to listen to a third party than my opinion. When I was managing things, there were times when they wouldn’t listen to me…”
“I see…”
Hearing Celes’ words, even Lepios looked at Celes with concern. Sol also remembered Dineen from the original story. Was it thanks to Celes’ desperate efforts that Dineen regained its vitality after the ending of the original story?
Sol didn’t understand why Celes’ actions had changed from the original story. However, for Sol, it was a welcome change.
Should I ask her why she changed? That’s what Sol thought.
“Come to think of it, Celes’s father was only angry at Sol, right?”
Carla asked that question.
“Eh, ah, that…”
“Come to think of it, the pocket on your waist…”
It was when Sol glanced at the charm Celes had given him in his waist pocket.
“Um…! Maybe Sol was wearing something I embroidered, so he misunderstood something…!”
“Eh, is this handmade by Celes!?”
He remembered being delighted with his first gift from Celes, but he never thought it was handmade. Certainly, Celes was not only good at cooking but also at sewing, and Celes’ mother had said earlier that she was mending her family’s clothes. However, the embroidery on the gift he received was so beautiful that he didn’t think it was handmade by Celes.
Lepios, who was watching next to him, opened his mouth with a slightly repulsed look on his face.
“Come to think of it, noblewomen…”
“Lepios! Wait! Don’t say any more…”
Celes’ face turned bright red as she hurriedly covered Lepios’ mouth. Then she looked at Sol anxiously.
“Sol…! Oh, I’ll tell you later…! So for now, just pretend you don’t know anything and haven’t heard anything…!”
“I understand… I understand!”
Sol had no idea what she meant, but when Celes said it so desperately, he had no choice but to nod.
Sol looked at the charm Celes had given him again. He was genuinely happy that it was handmade by Celes and that it seemed to contain her feelings.
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