Chapter 265: CH 264

Feb 22 2021

When I came to, I was in some mansion.

No, straining my eyes I realized that it was familiar.

This is probably…

“Please forgive me! Please forgive me! Claire-sama!”

“Absolutely not! For a maid who can’t even properly dress me, this is natural!”

As I walked toward the voice, I saw the familiar appearance of a young girl whipping a maid.

She had bright blonde hair and determined eyes.

There was no mistaking it, I had found Claire-sama.

Then that would mean that this was the François mansion after all.

However, Claire-sama appeared quite young.

What was going…?

As I tilt my head, Claire-sama’s punishment escalated.

With an innocent smile, she continued to whip the maid repeatedly.

“Please forgive her, Claire-sama! This girl only recently came to our residence. I ask that you please show mercy as she still lacks experience.”

“I won’t! My maids must be absolutely perfect. I’m offering to train her myself, so be grateful! Ohーhohoho!”

Though she only had the strength of a child, a whip was still very capable of inflicting pain.

Multiple welts had formed on the skin of the maid being punished, it was difficult to just stand and watch as she cowered in fear, crying.

It appears that what I was witnessing was Claire-sama’s past.

We were currently at the point where Claire-sama was most egoistic―the period before her mother, Miria-sama, had died in an accident.

However, it appeared this wasn’t a mere recollection. Our surroundings came off as very finely decorated.

As a whole, everything seemed especially vibrant and extravagant, as though symbolizing Claire-sama’s selfish ego itself.

“Claire-sama.”

I attempted to call out to Claire-sama, but my voice did not reach her.

Similar to the other maids, it seemed I could only look on as a bystander.

“Claire! You’re bullying the maids again!”

A woman very closely resembling Claire-sama entered the room and raised her voice.

“Mommy… but, this maid is inexperienced, so I…”

It appeared this woman was indeed Miria-sama.

As though her previous selfish outburst had been a lie, Claire-sama now stood dejected.

“I don’t want to hear any excuses. Don’t I always tell you? As a noble, you must conduct yourself in a manner that commoners can respect. Apologize to her.”

“B-but…”

“Apologize.”

“Hck… I’m sorry.”

It appeared that not even Claire-sama could overcome Miria-sama, she gave a meek apology.

Accompanied by an older maid, the maid who was just released from her punishment left the room.

“Miria, are you not being a tad too strict on Claire?”

“Daddy!”

Claire-sama rushed to hug the man―Dor-sama in his younger days―who had entered the room as the maids left.

“It’s because you always spoil Claire that her selfishness has gone this far! Claire needs to learn the traits vital to a lady―”

“Now, now, isn’t that enough? Claire, we’ve received some strawberries. Would you eat them?”

“I will!”

“Dear! Claire too! Really… you’re both hopeless.”

This was a scene from the times where Claire-sama still knew nothing but happiness.

The period where she still firmly believed, without any doubts, that the world revolved around her.

However, this happiness would come to a sudden end.

◆◇◆◇◆

The setting changed.

My surroundings were void of any color, completely monochrome.

It appeared that the location had shifted from the François mansion to a graveyard as well.

“Thou, Miria François. Thou have been called to the side of our exalted―”

Someone who resembled a priest appeared to be reciting something.

All of the people who had gathered in the area were dressed in black.

It appeared they were in their mourning dress.

Her pupils no longer contained the innocent glimmer that they just previously held.

“How pitiful… Claire-sama is but four years old.”

“It appears that it may not be a simple accident. Marquis Achard staged…”

“Shh… Though it’s hardly a secret, it’s not something that should be said thoughtlessly.”

It appeared the gossip of the nobles in attendance could not reach Claire-sama’s ears either.

The day Miria-sama and Dor-sama had gotten in an accident, was the very same day as Claire-sama’s fourth birthday.

Though the two had meant to celebrate Claire-sama’s birthday with her, a rival noble had called them out and the accident had occurred on their way home.

It’s claimed to have been a premeditated murder.

On that day, Claire-sama had gotten into an argument with Miria-sama. She was upset that they wouldn’t be able to celebrate together, and before getting the chance to apologize, they were separated by death.

“Claire-sama…”

By Claire-sama’s side was a young Lene.

Lene was holding Claire-sama’s hand.

As she watched over her with a concerned gaze, she seemed like Claire-sama’s older sister.

“Okay Claire, say goodbye to your mother.”

“…”

Though Dor-sama urged her, Claire-sama simply stood there expressionless.

Painfully averting his gaze, Dor-sama signaled the Church staff so they could bury the casket.

Once Miria-sama’s casket was in place, dirt was piled on, burying it.

“No… Noo…oo….!”

Claire-sama, who had been blankly watching the proceedings, suddenly bolted forward and clung to the casket.

“Don’t put dirt over my mother! You’ll make my mother all dirty!”

“Claire…”

“Mother is just sleeping! I’m sure she’ll wake up! I mean I… I…”

As her whole body shook, Claire-sama screamed.

“I still haven’t gotten a chance to say sorry!”

◆◇◆◇◆

The setting changed once more.

My surroundings were still monochrome.

It seemed we were back at a noble’s mansion, but I had no recollection of this one.

Claire-sama was alone, crouching down low, she pulled her knees into her chest.

She looked like a very well made doll.

Knock knock, the sound came from the door.

Claire-sama gave no reaction.

There was another knock.

Claire-sama didn’t react this time either.

“Oh, so you were here after all.”

The one who came in was a young boy.

No, a young girl with a boyish appearance―it was Manaria-sama during her childhood.

Though Claire-sama momentarily looked up to send an annoyed glance, she quickly returned to her previous position. Head downcast, hugging her knees.

“You’ve really walled yourself off. Well considering what happened, I get it. However, Claire. You can’t stay like that. If you’re like that, the late Miria-sama won’t be able to find peace, even in heaven.”

“My mother…?”

“That’s right. Miria-sama has continued to watch over you from above. If you continue to mope about like that, I think Miria-sama would be sad, don’t you?”

“But… but, I… to my mother… something so horrible…”

Claire-sama’s face contorted.

Large teardrops spilled from her eyes.

Though Manaria-sama showed a moment’s hesitation, she quickly put on a smile.

“Oh you who are so angelic, no one blames you. Of course, not your mother in heaven either.”

“Is that true…?”

“Of course. I guarantee it.”

“…”

Claire-sama lifted her face.

For the first time, Claire-sama became aware of the prince-like girl who stood before her.

“Ah, you finally looked my way, frail maiden. Here at this moment, I vow to protect thou.

“That’s… from Amour’s poem…”

Claire-sama’s face perked up in realization.

At the same time, the surrounding scenery regained some of its color.

It would appear that this was the scenery of Claire-sama’s heart after all.

“Now Claire, stand up. I’ll remain by your side so if something sad happens, I’ll make sure to protect you.”

“…”

Claire-sama gave a quick nod as her cheeks flushed.

Though this scene was a frustrating one for me to watch, if Manaria-sama had not been here at this time, I don’t know what would’ve become of Claire-sama.

I should thank Manaria-sama when I get the chance.

“How should I address you?”

“Fufu, let’s save that for the next time that we meet. By that time, you’ll become a princess with a lovely smile for me, won’t you?”

“… Of course!”

Having wiped her tears, Claire-sama gave a smile like that of a blooming flower.

After that, the scenery within Claire-sama’s heart continued to show a variety of settings.

Returning to the François residence, it showed the period where she took her selfishness to their limits.

Then, entering the academy kindergarten, she formed her own clique and continued her heinous ways.

During elementary and middle school, Claire-sama continued to act as she desired.

However, the scenery within her heart had always seemed to lack color.

Even though Claire-sama’s selfishness raged on, between everything, boredom would flash onto her face.

Even though she was surrounded by many friends, she’d feel a lingering loneliness.

Unable to do anything but watch over her, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated,

And then, the morning of the high school enrollment ceremony had finally come.

If things played out as they should, this would have been the morning we met―but instead, a fissure formed within this imagined world.

What started off as minute cracks steadily spread, permeating everything.

Without the ability to do anything myself, I could only watch as the cracks spread.