Chapter 37

Breaking Free from the Past

The parasol floated in midair, held by no one.
Stunned into silence, I stared, and His Highness Lian gave a wry smile.

“You didn’t know, did you, Lady Felicia? This is called a Parasol Stone, an essential item for noble ladies. It stands upright without being held.”

“…Is that also one of the Five Elemental Magics?”

I asked, dumbfounded, and His Highness Lian nodded in response.

“A blend of Wood and Wind magic. It was invented about fifty years ago. …Here.”

He gently maneuvered the parasol toward me.
It was likely controlled by magic.

(I still don’t quite understand this ‘magic’ thing…)

In this state, I couldn’t even prove I was the daughter of the Frenzel Ducal House, let alone demonstrate magic.
It only added to my suspiciousness.

Feeling my inadequacy and helplessness, I grabbed the parasol’s handle with a pang of discomfort.
At the end of the handle was the crystal-like stone from earlier.
No, the parasol must extend from it.

…I could feel the progress of civilization.

As I thought this wistfully, His Highness Lian looked up at the sky and said:

“The sun’s already setting, but even so, early summer rays are strong.”

“Thank you. …In Tsoabella, pale skin was a symbol of beauty. I’ve always been careful about the sun… Oh, yes. Some ladies even resorted to bloodletting to achieve fairer skin. Because of that, it wasn’t uncommon for women to faint from anemia at parties—”

…What am I even talking about?

I’d veered off into a tangent.
His Highness Lian must be so confused.

I cleared my throat, trying to change the subject.

(Why did His Highness Lian invite me again?)

Right, to continue our earlier conversation.

(Where did we leave off…)

As I tried to recall, His Highness Lian spoke.

“That was… five hundred years ago, about Tsoabella’s high society, right? It’s fascinating. Please, tell me more.”

His voice brimmed with curiosity.

Looking up, I saw his eyes sparkling with excitement.

(…Right! He’s deeply interested in magical studies, which is why he’s been trying to break the Tower of Grief’s seal for years.)

With that intellectual curiosity, he’s bound to be intrigued by the history of this country from five hundred years ago.
I forced a strained smile, trying to cover up.

“Yes, that’s right, but… um, you came to continue our earlier conversation, didn’t you?”

Managing to steer the topic back, he nodded, looking startled.

“Yes. Earlier, an urgent matter interrupted us, so we left things unfinished. …There’s a gazebo ahead. Let’s talk there. Lady Felicia, your hand.”

His Highness Lian extended his hand to me.
He was offering to escort me.

As expected of royalty.
His movements were practiced and elegant.

As per etiquette, I placed my hand on his.

Suddenly—I remembered Felix-sama.

The capital and castle structure here are completely different from Tsoabella’s. Yet, I couldn’t help but recall.
Beyond the garden, near the gazebo Felix-sama once took me to, stood—a magnolia tree.

“As queen, I want you to support your sister… who will become the second consort.”

At that moment, a strong gust of wind blew.
The trees swayed, their branches rustling.

My hair fluttered, and I instinctively held it down.
After the strong wind passed, His Highness Lian gave a wry smile.

“That was quite a breeze. A spring storm, perhaps? …Lady Felicia, of all the seasons, I love spring the most.”

I looked up at him as he casually said this.
Our eyes met, and he smiled.

“Spring is the season of budding. I can’t help but feel something new might happen. You know how they say, ‘Spring is the season of encounters’?”

“—”

“…I suppose that’s a bit too romantic, even for me.”

His wry smile snapped me out of my thoughts.

Memories swirled together.
I recalled that scene.

The gazebo, with white magnolia petals fluttering.
A white petal floating in my tea.

No one listened to me.
No, they didn’t even want to listen.

Everyone was consumed with their own concerns.
Everyone prioritized themselves.

They tried to move me like a pawn, never considering I had feelings.

I’m not a doll.
I’m me—

“…Lady Felicia?”

Called by His Highness Lian, I found myself smiling faintly.

“…You’re right, spring is a wonderful season. I love what you said.”

“Eh…”

His eyes widened slightly.
I continued quietly.

“…Until now, I hated spring the most. …It’s the season when my sister and my fiancé met.”

I know I shouldn’t stay trapped in the past.
I don’t want to be consumed by bitter feelings every time spring comes.

But even so, those scenes, conversations, and emotions from that time come rushing back, unbidden.

Yet, I realized that can’t be all there is.

Because spring feels so wonderful.
The warm sunlight is bright, the breeze gentle, the sky vibrant.

My stagnant emotions don’t belong here.

The garden trees had already shed their flowers, their fresh greenery vivid.

Bathed in the evening sun, they seemed to herald the end of spring, tinged with a slight bittersweetness.

“…Thank you. Because of you, I think I can love spring again.”

I’m not a doll.
I’m a living person with emotions.
I have a mind that thinks.

I decided to live my life—so I must.

“Instead of being bound by the past, look to the future. …That’s wonderful.”

I can’t stay trapped forever.
The past is the past—I need to let it go.
Because life is long.

Smiling at His Highness Lian, who helped me realize this, I felt clear, refreshed, and invigorated.
After a brief silence, he returned a smile.

“…Is that so? Then, I’m glad.”

At some point, we’d both stopped walking.
Without a word, we began moving again.

—This time, I didn’t think of magnolia flowers or that scene.