Side Story 3
After a brief silence, Mana, clearly quite flustered, struck her daughter’s shoulder hard.
“You too! Why are you suddenly saying such random things?”
She looked at Kisa and Seyard while hastily adding a few more words.
“Bella, don’t mind it too much. You too, Duke. This child has some quirky aspects. She’s so curious that she throws out strange questions all day long.”
“Ow! Why are you hitting me?”
Daisy protested to her mother while rubbing her shoulder, looking aggrieved.
“I was just curious since Mr. Gale is originally from this country too, so I asked while we were here. It’s not like I said anything strange…”
“Daisy!”
“And Sister Bella was friendly with him when she was at our house too. Right, Sister?”
Please just be quiet. Mana, whispering this while trying to cover her daughter’s mouth, looked like she wanted to cry.
“Mana, I’m fine, so don’t be too hard on Daisy.”
“But…”
“I’m really okay. It’s nothing significant.”
Upon hearing this, Mana calmed down for the moment, but seemed inwardly uncomfortable.
Beside her, who was restlessly watching the Duke and his wife’s reactions, Daisy peacefully ate cookies and quickly shook off the scolding she’d received from her mother.
‘Honestly, the atmosphere became more awkward because of Mana acting unnaturally rather than because of Daisy…’
Kisa fidgeted with her teacup unnecessarily while glancing at Seyard sitting beside her.
He was drinking tea silently, just as usual. In other words, as was typically the case, it was impossible to guess his inner thoughts.
But how could she not know? The fact that a man named Gale was definitely not a welcome presence to him.
“Wherever he may be, I hope he’s always happy and healthy. That’s all that matters.”
The last image of Gale she had seen revived in a corner of her mind.
The person who had shown quiet affection until the very moment they parted at Matera port.
He had accepted Kisa’s decision to go with Seyard with surprising composure.
For Kisa, even if she had received criticism mixed with curses, she would have had nothing to say in response, but Gale had shown remarkably no such signs.
It was just groundless speculation, but perhaps he had somewhat anticipated that things would turn out this way.
In any case, that was the end of her direct encounters with Gale.
Contrary to innocent Daisy’s thoughts, Kisa had not bothered to seek him out after returning to Sorbi.
She could naturally understand that it would be of no help to either of them.
Of course, that didn’t mean she had completely erased him from her mind. Though she didn’t show it, Kisa had consistently maintained contact with Manoa, keeping an interest in his circumstances.
“Gale is doing well. He works so diligently that we even promoted him recently. It was an unprecedented rapid promotion in our trading company, so there’s been a lot of talk around, but everyone seems convinced.”
She was still a member of the group Kisa belonged to, and they often exchanged letters.
Moreover, like her loyal subordinate, she showed no criticism even upon seeing Kisa’s return. As if she didn’t mind, provided that the seat beside Seyard was the answer Kisa had found at the end of her not-so-short journey.
“With employees like Gale who work so diligently, our Manoa Trading Company can be said to be smooth sailing itself this year.”
So there’s no need to worry. Her gentle eyes seemed to say so.
She had immediately recognized Kisa’s concern about whether Gale and Manoa Trading Company might face any disadvantages for helping with Kisa’s escape.
‘Seyard kept the promise he made with me before leaving Matera.’
It didn’t seem like something Manoa had said just to reassure Kisa. In reality, Manoa Trading Company continued its successful course that attracted public attention.
Since there was no particular reason for her to lie, Gale must also really be doing well.
‘Well… it’s something a child said without knowing better, and Seyard probably doesn’t think much of it either.’
Even while thinking this, Kisa somehow felt her throat parching with tension.
Why was that? Was she still afraid of him, or was it unpleasant that he was conscious of Gale?
She hoped Seyard’s mood wouldn’t be spoiled by such matters on this pleasant day.
She was about to open her mouth, thinking it would be better to quickly turn the conversation topic to something brighter.
“Kisa probably hasn’t met that person recently.”
Due to Seyard speaking first, Kisa could only blink for a moment. She could only realize a few seconds later that “that person” was a term referring to Gale.
“Ah, that’s right. Actually, the last time I saw him was in Matera the year before last. Since then, I’ve spent most of my time in the territory, and Mr. Gale has been busy in his own way, so there was no opportunity to meet.”
Kisa somewhat belatedly provided an answer to the question Daisy had expressed earlier.
“Perhaps regarding Mr. Gale, you know better than I do, Daisy.”
Happy that Kisa and Seyard hadn’t ignored her question, Daisy excitedly opened her mouth.
“That would be right. Mister came to our house not long ago too. But whether it was because of the promotion, he’s really gotten busier, so he comes less frequently than before.”
Watching her daughter’s face quickly change from smiling to sullen, Mana raised the corners of her mouth with an “oh my.”
“Why, are you worried you’ll receive fewer gifts from Mr. Gale in the future?”
“Hey, what do you take me for, Mom! I’m just disappointed that opportunities to meet with Mister have decreased!”
Before long, the awkwardness had completely disappeared, and the warm energy of a spring day enveloped them.
Turning her head to look at the seat beside her, Kisa was able to meet Seyard’s gaze.
He responded to Kisa’s eyes with a faint smile not much different from before. If there was any difference, it was that now she felt she could understand his inner thoughts.
“Really, thank you for inviting us like this.”
In the late evening, Kisa sat side by side with Mana on the bed in the bedroom prepared for guests, having a conversation.
Daisy was sleeping soundly, even snoring, in another bed positioned right next to them.
“Look at her. She was so happy that she ran around everywhere all day, and after filling her belly, she just collapsed completely.”
“Fortunately, it seems the mansion tour was fun.”
“Well, for kids, every corner of such a grand mansion is a new world to explore. She rummaged around like she was treasure hunting, not like she was looking for something, so I was embarrassed.”
“It’s childlike and cute.”
“Oh my, if she were cute just once more, she’d rummage through this entire city.”
Mana said this while chuckling, but her expression darkened before long.
“Earlier… I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to explain to the child, so I think I spoke too simply.”
After returning to Sorbi, Kisa had sent Mana a letter through Manoa Trading Company outlining the general circumstances.
That she had been Duke Hillan’s fiancée, that problems arose before the wedding so she fled, and that she saw hope in him and returned.
Since she didn’t want to hide it from her, she confessed as truthfully as possible.
Though she must have been somewhat surprised by the contents, Mana had responded warmly to Kisa’s letter.
“Daisy just thinks that Bella suddenly went on a trip and Mr. Gale was simply a friend who served as a guide. That’s why she mentioned Mr. Gale there without any particular thought.”
Because she was such a person, she was now also thoughtfully worrying about the other party’s position.
“There’s nothing particularly wrong with that. Though what Mr. Gale did for me was much greater than guiding.”
Kisa stretched out her arm to gently stroke Mana’s rough hand.
“It’s really okay. As you saw, he doesn’t mind it at all either.”
“If that’s the case, then it’s fortunate…”
“Um, but.”
After hesitating for a moment, Kisa moved her lips again.
“How is Mr. Gale doing? I’ve only heard news but haven’t seen him.”
“Mr. Gale? Well, he seems busy but he’s doing well. He seems to have some new project he’s working on, so he’s going around here and there with colleagues.”
“I see.”
She could clearly picture him performing his assigned work faithfully and passionately.
“That’s really good to hear.”
As she had seen in Matera before, he had reliable colleagues and Manoa Trading Company as well.
‘I was worried he might be having a hard time just because of one woman. I’m really full of conceit.’
If fate allows, she hoped to see him again someday. Then she’d like to talk about Mana and Daisy’s stories while smiling at each other.
“By the way, this is a bit embarrassing.”
At Mana’s sudden words, Kisa looked at her and tilted her head.
“What’s embarrassing?”
“Well, I was babbling about how well Bella and Mr. Gale suited each other. Trying to set you two up. Thinking about it now, I’m ashamed.”
“Oh, that was when you didn’t know the circumstances—”
“If I had known Bella was so lovey-dovey with her husband, I would never have done that.”
“Pardon?”
At that bewildered reaction, Mana asked back, “Aren’t you?”
“Looking at you earlier, that’s how it seemed. That’s why I thought the problem that arose before marriage had been resolved very well.”
“Seyard and I… looked lovey-dovey?”
“Yes, to my eyes. It’s not like young people these days who show it openly, but it looked like newlyweds in love. The way you exchanged glances was also affectionate.”
Had they appeared that way to others’ eyes? For some inexplicable reason, her heart tickled with an emotion that was difficult to express precisely.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Kisa scratched her cheek and muttered.
“This might sound strange, but I’ve never thought about our marriage in that way, so it’s a bit awkward.”
“What? Then how did you think about it? You’re married, had a child, and it’s been over a year.”
“Hmm…”
“What was this past year like for you to say that?”
Mana’s question brought back memories of the past.