Chapter 113
The Future Chief’s Pride (2)
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I wonder if there was any man whose heart could not be moved by the unfolding scene in front of me .
Ever since I was born, this was the first time I truly felt my heart pounding .
In this secluded village, I had counted the ever-increasing number of graves, one by one .
Anyone who would take a trip to the outside world, regardless of how much they tried to avoid attention, would be hunted down for our goods like a rare animal .
Once, a child had died before I could arrive at a village because the road was obstructed .
As a pile of gold was handed to me that day, I was asked, “Would this be enough?”
I lamented my own powerlessness .
All I could do was apologise for the lives that I couldn’t save . I couldn’t even change the will of one villager . Miracle clan my ass . Does it look like someone as pathetic as me has the power of miracles?
Instead of honour, what was left in my chest were only feelings of guilt and disgust . I was being crushed as I walked this path all by myself .
I eventually lost sight of my pride .
But it was right here in my heart all along . As long as I have the desire to save someone, I will never lose my place as a Kua .
It was you, Marie . It was you who taught me that .
What do you call this feeling that sprouted in my chest, I wonder?
It was a mysterious feeling; I felt like cheering and crying as it welled up inside me . The world began to regain its colour as if it was being reborn .
The scenes and sights that I had taken for granted before were now becoming very dear to me .
Marie .
I’m so glad that I’ve met you .
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The quietness spread once again .
It wasn’t because of any negativity or malice, though . Instead, some were heartbroken, and some were puzzled as Rolf stepped forward and revealed his face to the crowd .
It was only one small step, but it was so much more .
During the time when no one else dared to move, this action alone was the same as stepping into an unknown land . His small frame seemed to have grown by a little bit too .
“Sure . ”
With that short reply, Rolf lifted a corner of his mouth and burst into a laugh .
“I’ll follow you . A brat like me might not be that useful, but I’ll help in any way I can . Just ask me anything . ”
“…Huh?”
A creaking voice seemed to escape Marie’s lips .
The one most surprised might not be the villagers, but Marie herself .
Rolf deepened his smile even further when he saw Marie’s reaction, and with a rare, unimaginable, but dignified expression, he put one hand across his chest and gave a deep bow .
“I swear my loyalty to you, Your Highness . ”
The once serene surroundings suddenly exploded .
“Hey, Rolf! What nonsense are you spouting!?”
“Don’t say words like that so easily . ”
“I’m telling you! Shut up!”
Rolf was being held down by his parents on each side . But even when his mother smacked him on the head and his father got him around the collar, Rolf wasn’t giving up that easily .
“No! I won’t shut up! She could’ve fooled us by declaring herself as the Goddess . She could’ve even ordered us as a princess . But she didn’t do any of that . Just to protect our pride, she even lowered her head for us! It’s clear as day she was trying to talk to us on equal grounds as a fellow human being . What more does she need to do to prove her sincerity!?”
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“…”
Rolf’s parents stopped moving .
The people around him looked at him with faces surprise and admiration, but no one uttered a single word . That’s because the issue wasn’t something so straightforward that we could immediately agree to it, nor was the problem something like a rotten kid’s prank that we could easily ignore .
Rolf’s words carried weight .
In response to Marie’s wish, he gave an answer that was so adult and sincere it was hard to think it came from the village’s number one brat . There was no easy way to deny it .
“M-Me… Me too!”
Lily was next to raise her hand .
Though she stuttered a bit .
“I too, would like to follow her, if you’d let me . ”
Lily stared straight into Marie’s eyes as she held back her tears .
The fact that she couldn’t speak her heart was probably frustrating, so she clasped both hands on her chest and strongly shook her head . The tears that she had been holding back before flowed out and reflected the morning light . It sparkled as bright as her eyes .
“No, even if I’m not allowed, I want to go, so please take me with you! I’d like to proudly call myself a pharmacist and lead my own life like you do . I want to grow with you, Marie!”
“Lily…”
Marie started to choke on her words once Lily gave a resolute reply .
Parting the crowd, Marie rushed over to where Lily was and embraced her with full force . Lily was surprised, but that emotion was quickly replaced with joy . Finally, a smile suitable for a girl her age .
As the two hugged each other tightly, the crowd’s expressions softened .
“Isn’t the response you’re giving to Lily a bit different from the one you showed me?!”
“Well, there’s a teeny tiny difference in the everyday behaviour between the both of you . ” Rolf’s father then added, ‘I’m sure of it!’ as he ruffled up his son’s hair .
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“There’s no difference!”
“For you to be speaking to Marie like Lily does is a pipe dream . How about you work on your manners first, you shitty brat!”
“Shut it!”
Laughter broke out from everywhere and the atmosphere became lighter .
Lily and Marie looked at each other before laughing along with everyone . It was a natural and peaceful spectacle . However, we would never know what would happen instead had she chosen to deceive the clan .
It’s like a miracle .
The question was either to be divided or destroyed . In any case, both of them had a grim future . But Marie came down and took care of everything in one fell swoop .
“This is like a miracle come true . ”
My father, who appeared next to me before I even noticed, said those words out loud as if he had read my mind .
“Our clan has always been conservative by nature . Many people are against change . That’s why I had to take a more forceful approach . I believed it was the only way . But that was a mistake on my part . It seems that I looked down too much on both the princess and our clan, huh . ”
In a bitter voice, Father muttered quietly as if mocking himself .
But that wry smile only lasted a few seconds before he headed towards Marie .
“Your Highness . ”
Marie stared back at Father and tensed up .
She let go of Lily and turned towards him, waiting for him to continue . Instead, Father suddenly lowered his head .
“C-Chief?”
“To force you to play a role that would damage your pride, bowing my head alone is nowhere near enough to atone for my sins . But if anything, please accept this apology of mine . I’m truly sorry to have involved you in this incident . ”
Marie got impatient and lowered her brows, then slowly shook her head .
“…There’s no need to apologise . After all, I could only stay true to my heart in the end . ”
“And albeit a little unexpected, you ultimately chose the right path . ”
“Eh?”
Marie’s surprise was shown on her face .
Father looked up and stared straight into Marie’s eyes .
“I won’t say that everyone here is readily willing to swear allegiance to you, and I cannot give any decisions on behalf of the clan without setting up a proper meeting first . But we are still doctors . If there is a sick person in need, we will be there . ”
“Then…!”
In response to Marie’s expectant look, Father let out a little smile .
‘Yes,‘ his low voice was filled with so much warmth even I hadn’t heard before .
“I will do my best to repay you for respecting us as who we are . ”
Hearing Father’s words, Marie turned to Lily .
The two were so happy they hugged each other again . It was such a lovely scene that I caught myself tearing up .
Thank you very much, my dearest Lord .
You didn’t give up on us . You held strong and gave us the fairytale-like ending we wished for . Thank you .
I am truly glad that I’ve met you .