Don’t Run Away
Albert who caught Felice who was running away desperately apologized to the sulking her.
“I’m sorry. I said something that hurt your feelings. Hey Feli, this expression of yours is also cute, but please fix your mood… okay?”
“I’m not angry or anything. Rather than that, where have you been?”
(She’s definitely angry.)
“I was called by Bernardo and Carlotta.”
“Why?”
“… Let’s go to your room before talking.”
“… Okay.”
Felice abided by the serious Albert while feeling uneasy.
After moving to the room and sitting on the bed, Albert began talking.
“The reason I was called over was that Bernardo and Carlotta have spotted that woman.”
“That woman?”
“Yeah. The one who was at that mansion… the Head Maid.”
“… Ah… Head… Maid… hyu!”
“Feli!?”
Hearing about the Head Maid, Felice started hyperventilating, so Albert rubbed her back in panic.
“Huu… hyuu-…”
“It’s fine, Feli! I have caught that woman already! I won’t let her touch you!”
Hearing Albert’s words, Felice’s breathing gradually calmed and a short while later, her hyperventilation was calmed.
“Al… I’m sorry. Even though I thought that I was already fine.”
“There’s no way you are fine. During the day… you felt an unpleasant gaze on you, no?”
“Yeah. Was it that person?”
“Correct. The people who assaulted this place were her companions.”
“I… caused everyone trouble.”
“No one is thinking that. I will now go talk with Tousama and others about the measures to take from now on.”
“Measures?”
Albert told his idea of catching the Head Maid participating in the auction.
“With this method, we will be able to catch that woman legally. We cannot let those guys know of your situation. But… after this, the possibility of those guys knowing of your existence is not zero anymore.”
“Got it. Al… I don’t want to lose. I met you and got a family. I made friends. I have teachers. I… don’t want it to get snatched from me again. That’s why… I want to meet her.”
“Feli…”
“The current me is being protected by you and the people around me. But, I cannot change the blood of the Bailey family flowing within me. I don’t want to run from that. One day, when I have to face them, I want to stand proud.”
“And you want to see that woman because of that? That woman has not changed. She will only hurt you. Seeing that happen in front of me, I don’t have the confidence to endure.”
“Yeah. That’s why… I will go alone.”
“I won’t let that happen! If you want to see her no matter what, then it will be together with me!”
“Al!”
“This talk is over. I’m going to speak with Tousama and others.”
“Wait!”
Ignoring Felice, Albert transferred away.
Felice who was left behind muttered to herself with seemingly sad eyes.
“I won’t be able to become strong like this. I don’t want to turn into a spoilt child who is dependant on others… Al.”
Albert who transferred to Claude and others squatted in bewilderement.
Seeing him like that, Claude got down to his knees and spoke to him.
“What’s the matter, Al? Did something happen with Feli?” (Claude)
“… Why is it about Feli?” (Albert)
“The only reason for you to become like this is when it concerns Felice, no?” (Evan)
“Stop it, Evan.” (Lewis)
“Ouch! Owowow! Stop it, Lewis!” (Claude)
Lewis has pinched Claude’s cheek while sending a glare towards Evan. He then spoke to Albert.
“Don’t mind the fools, tell us what’s going on.” (Lewis)
“Actually——”
Claude and others who heard Albert’s story couldn’t believe what they heard.
“Al, I understand your feelings but you should have yielded to Feli’s feelings there.” (Claude)
“Why? That would would have——” (Albert)
“Claude knows that too. Say, Albert, what do you want Felice to do?” (Evan)
“What, you ask… I don’t understand what you are saying, Evan.” (Albert)
“What I meant is, do you want Felice to be pampered and dependant upon you? Do you want her to be a human that can’t think and act for herself?” (Evan)
“Of course not! Feli won’t become like that.” (Albert)
“Indeed. Feli won’t become like that. But you see, Albert, if people get used to being provided for like that, they will start taking it as a natural thing to happen.” (Claude)
“Because Felice understands that, she’s acting in a way that wouldn’t make her become like that.” (Lewis)
“I just…” (Albert)
“Ahh~ stop being so irresolute! It’s making me mad! She certainly might get hurt if you listen to her wish, but you just have to support her after that!” (Evan)
“Evan.” (Albert)
“It’s as Evan said. Rely on us too. We are a family after all.” (Claude)
“Tousama.” (Albert)
“Of course, you can rely on us as well. You guys are our pupils and friends, all right?” (Lewis)
“Lewis… I got it. I will speak with Feli. But before that, will it be fine to catch her as a participant of the auction?” (Albert)
“Some adjustments are needed first. But, leave that to us. You go talk with Feli.” (Lewis)
“Thanks.” (Albert)
When Albert returned to the room, he didn’t see Felice but an imposingly smiling Samantha instead.
Seeing her unusual state, Albert took a step back.
“You returned earlier than I thought. Even though I planned to wait for you until you came back.”
“Ka, Kaasama? Ummm… where is Feli?”
“Feli is in my room.”
“I, is that so?”
“Albert.”
“Yes.”
“Looking at you, you seem to have reflected on your actions so I won’t say anything. Felice tired herself out from crying and fell asleep. If you want to talk then leave it for tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes… thank you, Kaasama.”
“No need to thank me. You guys are my precious family. Rather than that, if you are feeling lonely, how about going to Miguel or Nathan?”
“Can’t I go to Feli? I want to apologize to her when she wakes up.”
“Can’t be helped. I will rest next door. You better not wake her up.”
“Okay.”
Having received permission from Samantha, Albert was able to sleep together with Felice.
And then, the next morning, Felice who saw Albert sleeping next to her as usual shed tears.
“Felice, I am sorry about yesterday. I was worked up and said something horrible. I’m truly sorry.”
“Al… sniff… are you not angry anymore?”
“I’m not. That was my fault for not hearing out your feelings. Let’s talk one more time?”
“Yeah. You see——”
Hearing Felice’s story, Albert accepted her proposal.
The relieved Albert was being looked at with sympathetic gazes of Katie and others, so he asked for the reason as he felt uncomfortable.
“Say, why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something?”
“”””No, nothing in particular.””””
He looked at Miguel and others after Shelly and others averted their gazes, but each and every one of them was acting suspicious, so Albert squinted his eyes.
“What is it? Tell me quickly… please… Adam… -sama.” (Albert)
“W, whwhwhy me! Rather, get used to the honorifics already!” (Adam)
“Don’t go off topic… say it… please.” (Albert)
“Al, I recognize your effort, but…” (Miguel)
“I understand. Everyone has their physiological difficulties.” (Dylan)
“That’s so true~” (Nathan)
“… What do you mean by that? Are you saying that I am physiologically hopeless?” (Adam)
“I see. So my elder brothers and Dylan-sama are in cahoots. Hmm~” (Albert)
“Al, why does it sound so natural when you address Dylan-sama? Is it a personal virtue?” (Felice)
The faces of Shelly and others cramped when they heard the mutter of Felice who was watching the conversation of Albert and others.
((((Isn’t this child quite cruel too!?)))) (Shelly, Katie, Monet, Rousseau)
Adam has apparently heard that mutter too as he shed tears in silence.
“Whoa!? What’s the matter, Adam-sama? Are you hurting somewhere?”
((((She’s not aware of what she said!?))))
“… Yeah… my heart is aching.”
“Heart? It would be serious if you are ill!” (Felice)
“It’s fine, Feli. That pain will be quickly resolved if only he talks honestly.” (Albert)
“is that so? Then, quickly speak up, Adam-sama!” (Felice)
Pressed by the innocence of Felice, Adam who had no place to escape said what he told Shelly and others.
After he finished talking, Albert endured with a pulsing vein on his forehead.
(Who is sleepwalking at the night and transferring outside to eat weird mushrooms and to bring weird creatures back?) (Albert)
(I mean, it cannot be helped, right! It would be too strange for a child to go outside so late at night!) (Adam)
(Even so, there’s a better way to explain!) (Albert)
(That was the first thing that came to my mind! Sorry!) (Adam)
(Kuh… I got it. I will thank you for once.) (Albert)
The others who watched the two’s silent exchange were feeling ominous, but they continued eating their breakfast without saying anything.
Two days later, when Miguel and others took a day off from school to join in on Felice and Albert’s training, a notice from the palace arrived.
The notice told that the kidnapped people were safely rescued, thus Shelly and others went to the Adventurer’s Guild.
Accompanied by Gai, Felice and Albert transferred to the palace.
Claude was waiting for them in his office.
“You came. Are you really all right with this, Feli?” (Claude)
“Yes. Please let me do it.” (Felice)
“Got it. Then, I will accompany you as planned. Al, Gai, you two stay here.” (Claude)
“Yeah.” (Albert)
“Roger.” (Gai)
Guided by Claude, Felice arrived in front of a certain room in a dungeon.
“She’s in here. She’s being restricted with a magic tool so she can’t use her magic or skills, but still, make sure to be careful.” (Claude)
“Understood. Thank you, Otousama.” (Felice)
Leaving Claude behind, Felice entered the room by herself.
Then, she has faced her.
“Why… why are you here!” (Amalia)
“Long time no see, Bailey family’s Head Maid, Amalia-san. This place reminds me of that place.” (Felice)
“Answer my question!” (Amalia)
“The reason I am here, is it? That’s because I asked to meet you.” (Felice)
“How are you alive! You were supposed to die in the magic tool experiment!” (Amalia)
“That’s because I escaped. I have no obligation to tell you the method, so I won’t tell. The reason I wanted to see you is that I wanted to thank you.” (Felice)
“Thank me? What nonsense are you spouting!” (Amalia)
“I… the current me is here only thanks to you. After leaving that place, I was named and I was able to gain a family as well. I made friends too… I even have someone special by my side.” (Felice)
“Fuh… there’s no way a jinx like you has something like that. That’s right, I was caught because of you. And because of you, the beasts have escaped! Because of you, the present has run away! That’s surely it! Do you know just how much that person has suffered after that? You should have been disposed of the moment you were born!” (Amalia)
“But, I am here. No matter what you think, what you say, I live here. I have found my happiness here. Therefore… I will fight anyone who tries to steal it from me. Farewell, Amalia-san.” (Felice)
“Stop right there! Let me out of here!” (Amalia)
Felice left the room without turning back.
She was hugged tightly by Claude who was waiting outside, so he started walking after she buried her face into his shoulder.
After returning to the office, Claude lowered her down so she was immediately hugged by Albert.
Gai also watcher her anxiously.
“Are you okay, Feli?” (Albert)
“Yup. I’m fine. I was able to say what I wanted to say, so I feel refreshed.” (Felice)
Just as the three felt relieved from seeing Felice’s beaming smile, Felice held her chest.
“Ouch…”
“Feli? Does it hurt!? Did something happen to you, after all!?” (Albert)
“That’s not it… I just felt some stinging. Let’s take a look at the Adventurer’s Guild.” (Felice)
“Wouldn’t it be better to have it looked at?” (Gai)
“I’m really fine, Gai. Thank you.” (Felice)
“… Shall we go then?” (Albert)
“Yeah. Thank you for today, Otousama.” (Felice)
“Don’t mind it. Be careful.” (Claude)
“”Yesss~”” (Felice & Albert)
“Leave them to me.” (Gai)
Felice and the rest waved their hands to Claude as they transferred away.
The guild was bustling with many people, so nobody noticed the three who appeared all of sudden.
After confirming that Miguel and others were warmly watching over the crying Shelly who was able to reunite with her family, Felice and the two returned to the mansion.
Since that day, Felice strived to train harder and grew up.