"As you may now know, I am the youngest daughter of the Melanargia family…"
According to Mel, this name belonged to one of the twelve great noble families of Promenia.
Only three of these families exist in each region, and of course, the kingdom of Melanargia is based in the Garmen region.
Mel paused for a moment to analyze my face, testing whether I was able to follow her words comprehensively.
I nodded for her to continue.
"Being raised in an upper-class environment–where the chain of hierarchy begins far beneath us–can have its… advantages." She didn't seem to be bragging.
In fact, I could sense a deep sadness hidden within her eyes, something that you wouldn't expect a former slave like me to understand.
"We live a life of luxury, where we are taught several different things from a young age: politics, swordsmanship, social etiquette, and so on. However, no one ever teaches you how to make friends, how to bond with others, and what life is really like on the outside."
The sadness seemed to be much more visible at this point.
"I hated it there." She clenched her fists. "It felt like I was a prisoner in a world that I never even chose to be a part of…"
This caused Mel to grow distant from her family and become very isolated, and it only grew worse when they found out about her "gift".
She must be talking about her Birthcard, I assumed.
"Seeking freedom from that lifestyle, I fled the kingdom to embark on my own adventure. That's why I want to become a Collector." There was a bright glimmer in her eyes, emphasizing the resolve that culminated through her words. "I want to see new things and meet new people. In the end… simply being a princess is far too lonesome."
The clear sincerity behind her soft tone made her words sound very authentic.
"Wolf, I can see it within you as well... You too share the same loneliness that I bear, as though you have been searching for something all your life." Although her intuition wasn't far off, I decided to remain silent. "Please, form a party with me, just you and I. Then we can perhaps find what we are both seeking… together."
I was now sensing a hint of insanity in her tone, which catalyzed my urge to withdraw.
The second she reached her naked hand out toward me, I knew I couldn't meet her expectations.
"I'm sorry, Mel, but I'm already planning to form a party with Larg and the others."
"Oh..." A devastated look appeared on her face momentarily as though all her hopes and dreams had just been crushed under an enormous boulder.
"I–I understand… I am still nothing but a stranger to you, after all."
While retracting her hand, an optimistic smile crept its way into her dull expression.
"Right," she said, "from henceforth, I shall dedicate myself to making a better impression, then perhaps you may eventually change your mind."
It appeared as though she had discovered a new conviction through me.
This is quite unfortunate, I started to realize.
"Mister Loman, please proceed with the necessary information before the licensing procedure."
"R-right, let's get started," Larg cleared his throat and began to educate us both on everything we needed to know as Collectors.
…
<
Although it would seem like I was running aimlessly, I always knew where I would end up.
I finally came to a stop once I saw it.
I almost didn't recognize it at first.
It's much smaller than I remember, I thought.
"This where you used to live?" That stupid voice belonged to Snapper.
For some reason I knew he would chase me all the way down here, but I didn't bother to stop him.
"Yeah… it's pretty small, huh?" I replied, making sure he couldn't see my face as I wiped away the remaining tears.
"Looks just like mine, and we had to fit five of us in there."
"You have siblings?"
"Had… They're all dead now." I turned to see his face, curious as to what kind of expression he was making while talking so bluntly.
I discovered there was a vast nothingness within his gray eyes as though the world–from his point of view–seemed pointless and bleak.
"Sorry." I felt obligated to say that to him, on behalf of the Seraphoxes.
"... That's my line."
"What?"
He positioned himself beside me, looking forward into the distance.
"I had no one else to blame, you know." His voice sounded oddly mature–it felt slightly unnerving. "I felt like I had to take it out on you since you're a part of their race. But as I got to know you, I realized you were nothing like the ones who took my family away from me. If anything, you're starting to be more like the opposite of that."
"The opposite, huh?"
I took a moment to process what he said, and once I understood, I started to feel my face burn with embarrassment.
I began to walk toward the place I used to call home: a small dilapidated cottage house that sat atop a small green hill surrounded by a variety of dead plants.
I stopped by the large tree that I had planted several years ago, and marveled at its growth while feeling a sense of vanity.
I sat against it–it's cylindrical body of thick bark, thinking about how much my mother would have loved it.
Snapper approached, and sat on the opposite side of the tree.
We couldn't see each other, but our voices could definitely be heard.
"Snapper," I said, my voice quivering as the tears resumed their journey.
"Yeah?"
"... Thank you."
I didn't really understand what exactly it was I was thanking him for. Whether it was for helping us escape the village, or bringing me back to my old home, or keeping me company at my lowest.
Maybe I was grateful for all of these things.
"You're welcome, Amber."
We sat in the shade of that big tree, saying nothing as the wind and time drifted by, like the fleeting grip on childhood one wishes could forever last.
I only wish I remained on that grass for much longer.
If only I knew that it would become the most peaceful moment in my entire existence...
Even though I would eventually come to regret it, nonetheless.