The contents of the story book rattled everyone in the room, it wasn't expected by any of them that it would be such a grim story.
While Several thoughts were going through the three, along with even some of the visitors. Two were the ones with most of the interesting thoughts.
Arthur was thinking deeply with a frown, hand to chin and utterly focused.
This was a relic of the past? No, I guess it's more like a record.
He was trying to analyze the content of the book deeply, he was reflecting on what he had read out loud to the others, wanting to get a flash of understanding while doing so.
Mercelle...she has a mysterious background doesn't she? Memory loss...didn't mark also have the same backstory?
To be honest they seem like a fated couple.
Father and daughter duo.
Arthur corrected him exasperatedly.
Though Argus only laughed mockingly at him.
Yeah right, I only speak the truth you know? These are your honest thoughts.
Whatever...
Arthur shook his head and tried to Re-Focus.
I don't know who the Author is...is it a fake? I mean...it isn't out of the ordinary for someone to make up tales of legendary figures, if it was so then it was quite the well-written one.
He hadn't dismissed the book as false but he didn't truly believe it either, the possibility of it being fake was far too big to be negligible.
But as he was pondering on the thought, a sudden voice called out to him.
???:"Arthur Dear...did you say Ray Alove?"
It was none other than Ramiel, her voice seemed Anxious as he asked.
Ramiel looked distressed.
Why Is she so stressed?...the book is kinda grim I guess.
Arthur:"Yeah, the Author is Ray Alove."
He picked the book up and showed the name at the end of the book that read 'Ray Alove'.
Ramiel's eyes moved down and Reread the same lines for half a minute.
Then Suddenly, Ramiel's voice increased in volume.
Ramiel:"Ray!? Him!?"
Arthur:"Huh?."
...The second person was Ramiel.
^^^~~^^^~~^^^
Arthur:"Do you...Know him?"
Arthur asked in an excited manner, his words were a strange quiet and also strong mannered.
Ramiel nodded her head excessively.
Aren't you a bit too old to be acting that way ma'am? Then again she is still very beautiful, you can't really think she is old.
Ramiel:"I don't just know him! He was the best man for my Wedding!"
Arthur:"Wait what!?"
This wasn't something that Arthur expected.
If she knew him...
Arthur:"Can you...tell me anything you know about him?"
Although he was very excited at first he was quite tame when he asked her.
He did want to know more about the Author but he also didn't want to be rude. That was because...the last sentences in the book were quite alarming.
Arthur:"Ramiel?"
Ramiel hadn't registered what Arthur had been saying after answering his first question.
She had taken the book in her Arms to hug it affectionately, there was a sad smile on her face as tears began to well up in her eyes.
Ah...
Ah...
That had proven Arthur correct. The Author of 'The Thornless Rose' had already killed himself.
Arthur bowed his head, still on the seat with his hands on the knees.
Arthur:"I'm sorry. I was inconsiderate."
Arthur didn't think he had an excuse, The Author has explicitly confessed that he was going to commit Suicide.
In response to his Apology, Ramiel could only sniffle a bit before running a finger across her eyes to remove the tears and say.
Ramiel:"It's okay, I guess I have to thank you for giving me this. I'm sure my husband would be very grateful and happy at finding another momento to keep for his best friend."
Arthur then thought for a moment before asking.
Arthur:"if you don't mind, can I ask who your husband is."
He wanted to ask his name so that he could try and meet him without bothering Ramiel.
As the man, from what Ramiel said, was Ray Alove's best friend. He could learn a lot more from him then her.
Ramiel's Smile deepened as she then spoke.
Ramiel:"He's name is Rall. Rall Mahena."
Arthur:"Eh? Rall? As in the old man with Green hair?"
Arthur suddenly realised that he had called Rall an old man, then as he was about apologize Ramiel burst out into laughter.
Ramiel:" Yeah it is that old green moss! Honestly. You had no idea how much of an Emo he was back then! I-If it wasn't for Alove that moss head would have taken way too long to open up."
She was laughing heartily as she spoke.
Then she seemed to have gained a realization as she covered her mouth with her hand and coughed into it.
Ramiel:" *Cough* Excuse me."
Raz:"...Your Showing your true side Grandma."
Raz spoke softly from the side.
Arthur was a bit impressed that Raz hadn't become sick in the stomach, he was actually faring far better than he expected.
Quite the tough kid, he'll probably be a good thinker in the future with that sort of strong mentality.
Don't you wanna recruit him?
Recruit?
Arthur was taken aback by that suggestion but decided to respond.
Let's think about that later.
Yeah, I think we need to be more thoughtful. Though you are kind of a sick bastard to be thinking about child labor so early.
I didn't! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO GAVE ME THE IDEA!
.....
Yeah...I know shut up, your my subconscious ashhdjeje....
He was grumbling nosense within his mind angered by his inability to gain another victory against Argus as Ramiel spoke up again.
Ramiel:"Ah, can we take the book? I know you bought it so it's okay if you don't want to-"
Arthur:"No No No! It's your late friend's work. I don't have the right to keep it."
Arthur suddenly cut her off and reassured her.
Arthur:"I would actually be very happy if you two have it. Infact Uncle Rall was a real help in guiding me here."
Ramiel:"You call him Uncle?...oh yes. Thank you very much dear, your a kind soul."
Ramiel looked slightly upwards in thought before looking back at Arthur once more.
Ramiel:"You should also call me Auntie Ramiel from now on dear! You don't know how much this soon-to-be momento means to us. You can come to us for anything!"
She cheerfully spoke with a smile.
Raz:"So I'm not welcome?"
Ramiel:"No No dear Raz, you were already family for a while now, besides don't you want to be my grandson-in-law?"
Ramiel teased Raz in such a manner, leaving Raz in a flustered and blushing mess.
Seeing the both, Arthur smiled.
Arthur:"Just let me read it some time when I need it. Is that alright Aunt Ramiel?"
Ramiel turned towards Author and clapped her hands softly, the sound was rather comforting to hear and wasn't crisp.
There was a bright smile on her face.
Ramiel.:"Of course! Ah~ You called me Aunt so quickly! What a good child you are!"
He could only chuckle at her Enthusiasm.
Wow...she might look young...actually that'd be a big factor, by her being a grandma, she is probably close to at least 400+ years old, she should be more old looking. But not only does she look younger than she should, she also acts young....
He thought over his pondering, thinking a bit more about what she talks about instead of how she sounds or speaks.
Then with a slight smirk towards Ramiel's warm smile he thought again.
...You're Actually still an old Grandma huh? Aunt Ramiel? You just have a young spirit at being way too active.
Lampooning inwardly he tried to gain her attention.
Arthur:"Aunt Ramiel?"
Ramiel, who was looking at the contents of the book turned towards him with a good smile still on her face as she made a small tilt of the head to the right.
Ramiel:"What is it, dear?"
Arthur:"Ah...yeah, as I said before can you tell me more details about Ray and perhaps about Lagandra itself?"
He was slightly taken aback by how she spoke. It had reminded him of his mother.
Hm...I don't think you should really think much about her as mom. Mom's not dead after all.
.........
Arthur didn't say anything to Argus's words. It's not like Argus wasn't aware of his thoughts. He only had that thought for a moment and wasn't even serious....
.....
Yeah.
Ramiel was in a thoughtful expression and when she was about to speak, but before she could say anything another voice intruded.
???:"What type of weirdo talk are you guys having here? The patients were asking weird things about Some Mercelle and stuff. They looked rather perturbed."
Selera had come with a plate, Several tea cups and a tea vase on it as she had the plate in her hands.
After saying that she poured out tea for everyone and placed the tea cups on the table where the cards were still left in a fray.
Oh yeah, the cards are still all over the place.
Selera sat down next to Raz who began to complain about having to drink tea, but he only got a slight knock on the head by Selera as she told him that tea is good for the health. Making him begrudgingly drink the tea while saying how bad it is.
Arthur Chuckled at the sight.
Arthur:"We were talking about this book."
He pointed at the book in Ramiel's hand and continued.
Arthur:"It has the story of a person named Mercelle who, I guess was a legend of the past country of this village's Ancestors.Oh, it was also written by a close friend of Aunt Ramiel."
After learning that the Author was someone that is friends with Ramiel and Rall, Arthur got a level of Authentication for the book. It was true that the Author had done exactly what he said at the end after all. So it has a bit more authenticity to it.
Besides that he was about to clear any doubts he had.
Arthur waited for Selera to say something but she only said okay then stayed silent afterwards, drinking her warm tea.
After seeing that she didn't say anything else he then asked Ramiel to Continue.
Ramiel:"Well...I guess I can tell you somethings, but I can't be sure if they would be of help."
Arthur:"Anything's fine."
Ramiel:"...Okay dear."