The abused merchant’s daughter – 56 | Sousaku – 創作

Chapter 2, Episode 10: A Secret Talk


　Today, we visited Claire's shop to watch her make sweets.
On the table, Claire was kneading the dough for the sweets.
　I'm watching the dough being made next to Claire.
　Claire is a magician.
　Claire's bread and cakes are delicious.
　Soft and fluffy.
　Crispy and moist.
　Sometimes crunchy, sometimes squishy.
　The sweets served at the temple are delicious, but Claire's sweets are even more delicious.
　That's why I decided to gift them to Lars-sama and the others as well.
　I made an order for bread from Claire to be distributed to the people at the temple.
　Claire has a special little kitchen all to herself.
　She said she was making it separately from the shop.
　So I was watching Claire make bread next to me.　

"You really love Farne-sama, don't you, Riese-chan?"
　
　I was asked this while she was kneading the dough.
　Farne-sama and the store manager, Sasha-san, were talking a little way off.
　I smiled, glad at Claire's comment.

"Yup! I really love him!!”

　Farne-sama is a very, very important person who helps and takes care of me.
　Claire's face turned red for a moment, and after thinking for a while, she spoke.

"By any chance…… Are you lovers?”

"Lovers?”

"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm wrong.
　It doesn't seem like you are siblings, and it's not normal for someone to be escorted by a priest.
　So, I wondered if you're lovers?"

　Claire asked, but what does that mean?
　I'm not a noble. Oh, but Farne-sama told me not to tell anyone that I'm a saint.
　What should I do? What should I do? How should I respond?

"Hmm. If you love someone, are they your lover?
　I love Farne-sama!”

"Hmm, if both persons like each other, then they’re lovers, right?
　But you need to confess your feelings so they are conveyed."

"Then I'll confess my love to Farne-sama next time!”

　I said it with a smile.

"I envy you for being like that, Riese-chan."

　She replied with a sigh.

"Why? Why?”

"I have someone I like too, but I'm too embarrassed to say it."

"Is that so? Is that so? Even though you like him?”

"It's because I like him. What if I end up getting turned down?
　That's why I think you're amazing, Riese-chan, being so true to your feelings."

"What do you mean by turned down? What is it? What is it?”

　I leaned forward to ask, and Claire looked at me strangely.

"Well, being told that they don't like you, and being kept at a distance?
　In some cases, you may never see each other again."

"Kept at a distance!? Not see them anymore!?”

　No way! No way! No way! I don't want to be without Farne-sama every day!
　If he leaves me, I'll be alone again, won't I?

"Ummm. It depends on the person, but I think that's generally the case.”

　I can't see Farne-sama every day!?
　Will he stop patting me on the head and smiling when he says “good morning”?
　Won't he come and call me “It's time for dinner, Riese”?
　Will the two of us be unable to eat our meals together?

　Then, will I have to eat the food alone?
　
　The food no longer has pebbles or tastes like mud, it's really delicious now.
　But. It's even more delicious with Farne-sama.
　When I say it's delicious, he smiles, and when I get messy while putting food in my mouth, he wipes it off.

　He teaches me every day.
　Farne-sama's lap is Riese's special seat.
　I sit on his lap and he teaches me things.
　
　The history of the Saints, the history of Kardiana.
　From the country's origins to the name of the king.
　I'm a saint, so I have to remember a lot of things.
　I can remember all this because I'm with Farne-sama.

　Even when I go to bed, he says “good night” and strokes my head.
　That's going to disappear.

　No, no, no.
　I don't want to say goodbye to Farne-sama after I've worked so hard to keep my memory.

"No way! No way! I want to stay with Farne-sama forever!”

"Yeah. Me too. I can't ask the person I like because I want to keep our relationship as it is."

"I understand! I understand! Me too, I'm not going to ask Farne-sama!”

　I took Claire's hand and nodded my head.

"Did you call for me?”

　Farne-sama came over because he thought there was something wrong.

"No. No, that's not it. It's nothing!”
"R-right. It's a secret between girls, right, Riese?”
"Yup! Yes! A secret talk! A secret talk!”

　Farne-sama and Sasha-san looked at each other in wonder at my and Claire's attitude.
　I have to keep the secret of my confession hidden from Farne-sama!