The Saintess in the Birdcage Knew Love, and Then She Fell Into Madness - Chapter 07: The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 07: The Calm Before the Storm

I always believed that, despite everything, I truly worked hard in the past. 

“Hah… Hah… Not yet! I can still do this!”

“Sigh, I had wanted to be in charge of Dugares-sama…”

Neither my brothers nor my private tutors had much expectation of me. 

I often wondered, if only my parents had been on my side in such an environment, what kind of person would I have become? Perhaps I wouldn’t have changed much, but there’s also a chance that I would have turned into an arrogant, trashy person, thinking too highly of myself just because I had mother and father by my side.

“My son can’t handle it, so educate him however you like.”

“He can’t be like Dugares or Liam, right?”

I had always known I wasn’t expected to amount to much… but hearing it said aloud didn’t break me as much as I thought it would. Instead, it was more of an acceptance that this is just how things are.

Ultimately, there are limits to what a person can do. While continuously striving for unattainable heights has its own charm, I had given up because I was acutely aware of my own limits. With that resignation, I became who I am today.

“Laurent-kun, is there anything troubling you?” 

“Laurent-sama, is there anything you need assistance with?”

Upon reflection, Niall-san and Besti-san, my brothers’ fiancées, had always been kind to me. I considered revealing my brothers’ hidden sides to them, but because of their kindness, I wished to leave them with beautiful memories.

Both my brothers were really attached to their fiancées, in a good way.

“Is it really so, Laurent-sama? Magic is about sensing the breath of the world. Even those who cannot use magic can feel it… Are you saying you can’t even feel that? The external magical power that is said to be perceivable even by infants… If that’s the case, the word ‘incompetent’ doesn’t even begin to describe you.”

Sigh… I should stop reminiscing about the past. It’s definitely because I saw my brother yesterday on my way home… A day has passed since then, and it’s not like me to dwell on things.

“Well, I’ve already bought it.”

I’ve already bought the sweets I planned to take to Aria-san today. The only worry now is whether she will like them or even eat them, but they are reputed to be delicious, so it should be fine.

Then, I head towards the castle and reach my usual spot.

“Alright.”

Just like yesterday, I knock before entering. However, I instinctively lifted the bag containing the sweets… and it turns out to be the right decision, as I’m suddenly embraced in a warm, happy hug.

“Welcome, Laurent-kun.”

“Thank you, Aria-san.”

Um… what’s with this sudden hug?

Although I’m puzzled and embarrassed by the unexpected embrace, it reminds me of how my mother used to hug me.

Bittersweet? Sad? No way, it’s just a fleeting memory.

“Again…” 

“Huh?” 

“Looking at your face… it pains my heart.”

Aria-san had a somewhat pained expression on her face.

Why… why such a look? I wanted to ask her, but she seemed intrigued by the paper bag I was holding, her gaze fixed on it.

Feeling thankful for her concern, I quickly took out what I had bought.

“This is food from outside. Sweets… Do you know about them?”

“Sweet things, yes. Of course, I know… but why?”

“I bought them for you. You said you don’t need to eat, Aria-san, but… I’m sorry, I thought it would be a waste not to.”

“For me… you bought this?”

“Yes.” 

I hesitantly pulled out a popular sweet among women. It was a pie made with a fruit called Jinleo, something I sometimes eat myself because it’s really delicious.

“This is… sweet, isn’t it?”

“…”

I was incredibly nervous at that moment. 

Aria-san kept her gaze fixed on the Jinleo pie, then looked back at me.

“My first meal… may I have it?” 

“Of course. Oh, and there are drinks too.” 

“Drinks!”

It seemed like drinks were also a first for her.

Aria-san was nervous about her first meal, but once she took a bite, she couldn’t stop. 

“Delicious… it’s so delicious, Laurent-kun!” 

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Hmm… watching her like this, she really has a heartwarming smile. 

After we both finished our meal, all I could think was how delicious it was, but Aria-san said something that touched me. 

“Meeting Laurent-kun and getting to know things like this… for the first time, I feel glad to have been born. My mission isn’t overshadowed… it’s not, but I’m truly happy to have met you.”

“…Me too.”

I couldn’t quite understand why I was placed in such a high position, but I was definitely happy about this encounter. 

That’s right… since it’s a moment like this, maybe I should ask Aria-san about various things. 

“Aria-san, is it okay if I ask about your age?”

“Age… technically, it’s been twenty years since I became self-aware.”

“I thought it would be around that.”

“Anything else?” 

“There are tons of things I want to ask… but, I have work, after all.”

“…Right. You have work to do.”

Aria-san lowered her head. I could tell her demeanor was due to the sadness of me leaving, and understanding this made me stumble over my words. 

“From now on, every day… well, aside from holidays, I’ll make sure to visit whenever I can.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Is that alright with you?” 

“Not at all! You must… you must definitely come!”

“Yes!”

It’s not like I didn’t enjoy the way I was living before. But making a promise to meet someone, and the joy that comes with it, I never knew it could be this fulfilling.

“Laurent-kun, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Something you want to ask?” 

Aria-san nodded and continued. 

“Yesterday… Did anything happen to you?”

“Eh?”

“…I didn’t understand it myself. I had a bad premonition… My heart felt tight, as if something was going to happen… It was the first time I felt like that… And at that moment, I thought of you, Laurent-kun.” 

“…”

That was… I wasn’t sure if it was due to her sharp intuition, but I didn’t want to worry Aria-san, so I answered with a smile.

“Nothing happened. I just met my brother and his fiancée after a long time.” 

“Is that so… I see.”

Still, Aria-san seemed to have been expressive since the first time we met, but now, I felt that even more clearly. The thought of continuing to see her expressions filled me with excitement. I looked forward to meeting Aria-san again tomorrow.

However, the next day… a sudden emergency arose as numerous monsters went berserk and approached the royal capital. Despite the barrier formed by Aria-san, I, along with Luke and others, were inevitably pulled into a different task.