The Saintess in the Birdcage Knew Love, and Then She Fell Into Madness - Chapter 12: How to Go Outside

Chapter 12: How to Go Outside

“Hmm…” 

“Is something wrong?” 

“No, it’s just me… Huh?”

I was lost in thought about Aria-san and the mysterious phenomenon that occurred between us.

I heard a familiar voice from behind and shook my head in disbelief as I realized who it was.

“…”

Slowly turning around, I found Lyza-sama standing there.

Realizing it was indeed her, I immediately straightened my posture, but then I noticed Philia-sama standing further back… Wait, am I dreaming or something?

“There’s no need to be so formal. Really, why does everyone, except for family, act so stiff around me?”

Well, you are a princess, I thought to myself. Compared to other nobles or royals, they really do care about the people and are kind, which is probably why they even bother to talk to someone like me.

“Philia, this is the young man I had a little chat with, Laurent-kun… from the Bless family.”

“I am aware. After all, isn’t it natural to know everyone who is in the castle?”

“Huh? I wasn’t aware of that.”

“It’s alright. You’re just a bit oblivious, Onee-sama.”

Philia-sama joked, causing a vein to pop on Lyza-sama’s forehead.

I feared a quarrel might erupt, but Philia-sama quickly bowed her head and left, leaving Lyza-sama alone, visibly trying to contain her anger.

“That sister of mine… Oh, I apologize for showing you such an unsightly side of me.”

“No, it’s… it’s okay.”

Well, it was refreshing to see such an expression on her face, one I had never seen before.

I felt a bit anxious as Philia-sama walked away, wondering if she would be alright on her own. However, my worries were soon alleviated when I saw a guard knight join her.

“As the second son of the Bless family and their son, I wonder why you… Well, that’s irrelevant. There is one thing I want to say to you—thank you, Laurent-kun, for your great service in security.”

“Yes!” 

I replied, slightly taken aback by her intense shift from seriousness to a more casual demeanor.

She’s quite intense in switching between serious and casual modes… But, I guess she must be curious about my family circumstances… It’s not common for nobility to take on a soldier’s duties unless they’re struggling financially… And considering the prosperity of my family, my lifestyle must seem quite odd to her.

“Well, there’s a lot going on. At home, I’m sort of…”

“Everyone has their own way of living. Sure, ability is important, but I think what truly defines a person is their character. You were admirable when you tried to protect the child from that wyvern’s fireball.”

“…”

“Haha, are you blushing?”

I didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or surprised…

Having a conversation with Lyza-sama was a rare occurrence, but she soon had to leave for work. I was relieved that I wasn’t being stared at oddly by everyone around.

“However…”

Yet, when I’m alone, my thoughts inevitably drift to Aria-san.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Laurent!”

“Ah, you’re here.”

After that, I was about to head back to the barracks with Luke, but then I overheard this conversation.

“Did you notice that the magic shield was acting strangely today too?”

“You saw it too? Really, what was that all about?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…”

I decided to approach the knights who were talking to hear more. They were faces I hadn’t seen before but seemed amiable enough to share without hesitation.

What I heard was about the time when the anomaly in the magical shield occurred… and it coincided exactly with when Aria-san had gone outside.

“…”

“Hey, you’ve been lost in thought a lot lately, huh?”

I couldn’t help but ponder over it. 

Aria-san can’t go outside normally… but somehow, when she holds my hand, she’s able to, and if we let go outside, she’s transported back to her room.

(And if she goes outside, does that mean the barrier can’t be maintained…?)

　If this hypothesis is correct …… really can’t Aria-san get out?

If this hypothesis is correct… is it really impossible for Aria-san to leave?

The barrier that protects us is like a prison to Aria-san… Well, she doesn’t see it that way, so maybe it’s not a prison… But it’s too early to make any judgments.

“…”

Without saying anything, I just looked up at the sky.

The barrier created by Aria-san, which enveloped the kingdom just like always, made me wonder… If it were ever to break, could Aria-san finally go outside?

Thinking such dangerous thoughts, I shook my head in dismay.

“But… the look of joy on Aria-san’s face when she saw the outside, the disappointment when we had to return to her room, the regret in her eyes even as she was getting scolded by me… I just can’t forget those expressions.”

I spent a while pondering if there was any way to show Aria-san more of the outside world… but, as expected, I couldn’t come up with an answer, no matter how hard I thought.

“The outside world… it was beautiful, right? If only I could walk in it with Laurent-kun… it would surely be fun. If that were the case, no matter what happens, no matter what we face, I could always be by his side.”