The Liddo woman and a number of others looked quite moved as they watched the exchange. They had no idea how to interact with nobles, so they must have been surprised to see Toor Deen talk with her so naturally.
“Heh, you sure are bold. But I guess that’s expected, considering you asked to come here to our settlement and all,” Geol Zaza said with a grin. He wasn’t at all hesitant to speak to Lefreya for a completely different reason.
“My.” Lefreya’s eyes widened slightly as she looked up at him. “Geol Zaza, why are you standing back there?”
“I’m just watching over these chefs from my subordinate clans as they work. The Deen and Liddo fall under the Zaza.”
“Ah, I see... Toor Deen can make such splendid treats, and you did very well in the Genos swordsmanship tournament, so the Zaza clans must be no less formidable than the Ruu.”
Geol Zaza snorted, “Hmph,” in response to Lefreya’s words. “My performance was nothing to brag about. Lost partway through. Shin Ruu there is the one you should be complimenting. He won the whole thing.”
Lefreya’s gaze shifted that way casually, though I noticed her shoulders trembling a bit. Shin Ruu was eating chatchi mochi beside me, and he was staring at Lefreya and Sanjura with a terribly calm expression. Meanwhile, Lala Ruu was standing next to him with a decidedly uncalm look shining in her blue eyes.
“I remember you. I believe we spoke at the tea party last year, didn’t we, Shin Ruu?”
“Yes, I recall that as well.”
Lefreya’s elegant eyebrows drooped in a way that looked rather pained as she stepped toward Shin Ruu. “I have been hoping to speak with you again, Shin Ruu. Do you perhaps still hold anger toward Sanjura?”
“No, I hold no anger. I believe I told you last time we spoke that no person of the forest’s edge would continue to treat someone as a criminal after they have atoned for their crimes.”
“However, you said that you would not forget Sanjura’s betrayal for as long as you live. It is entirely my fault that he committed such a crime.”
“Lefreya,” Sanjura said in a low voice, a pained look showing on his face too. “My crime is, my own. I am the one, who betrayed Asuta, and the people, of the forest’s edge. No one else, can shoulder that burden.”
“That’s not true. If I had not given you the order to bring Asuta back to the manor—” Lefreya started to object.
But then, Shin Ruu interjected, “Hold on. What exactly are the two of you arguing about? We already made peace, so there shouldn’t be anything left to worry about.”
“But the anger you felt was far stronger than any of your comrades’ when Asuta was abducted right in front of you, correct? Even after we made peace, I cannot imagine such anger vanishing that easily.”
“The one who was the angriest wasn’t me, but Ai Fa, as a member of Asuta’s family. I was simply furious at myself for failing to protect Asuta.”
Ai Fa had the same perfectly calm look in her eyes as always as she observed their exchange.
Shin Ruu sounded just as calm as her as he continued, “I could not forgive my own weakness after you defeated me, Sanjura. But afterward, I trained myself like mad, and decided to look at my failure as a trial placed in my path.”
“But—”
“Lefreya, you grew into the person you are now because you overcame the trial of losing your father, correct? Then you should be able to understand what I am saying. It may not be possible to find joy in past misfortune, but if we choose to see such things as trials that are essential to our growth, then we can regard them with emotions other than rage and sadness, wouldn’t you agree?” Shin Ruu said, smiling faintly. “A great deal of time has passed since then, and I have no trouble thinking that way now, so I would like for you to form proper bonds with the people of the forest’s edge while never forgetting the frustration you feel because of your past mistakes.”
“Very well... But the lady there beside you is glaring at us the way one would look at an enemy.”
Shin Ruu shot a questioning look over at Lala Ruu, only for her to turn away with a “Hmph!”
Turning slightly red, Shin Ruu brushed aside his long dark-brown bangs. “Lala Ruu...is just worried that I may still be upset. I once made quite a pathetic display of myself because of this.”
“Understood. You have my thanks, Shin Ruu. Both Sanjura and I will never forget your words as we strive to live properly from now on.”
Lefreya’s chestnut-colored hair swayed as she bowed her head, and Sanjura closed his eyes and did the same. Jiza Ruu, who was standing behind the two of them and off to the side a bit, gave Shin Ruu a very satisfied look.
“Hmph, what a crass display to put on when you’re right in the middle of a banquet. As guests of the Ruu, you should just enjoy the festivities,” Geol Zaza cheerfully chimed in, finally clearing away the heavy feeling lingering in the air. All the people around us seemed to pull themselves back together, with some of them starting to reach for more dessert, and Shin Ruu urged Lala Ruu along. The two of them soon vanished into the crowd.
“I’m glad that you and Sanjura were able to come to an understanding with Shin Ruu, Lefreya,” I whispered.
Lefreya gave me a rather listless look. “I knew that he was one of the Ruu, so I should have spoken to him before the banquet. I seem to have gone and caused trouble for everyone again, haven’t I?”
“It’s no trouble at all. If anything, that’s the kind of conversation that should help deepen our bonds the most, don’t you think?”
Lefreya suddenly pouted childishly, looking very much her age.
“So you insist on speaking formally with me even now? I cannot imagine such a thing is necessary without other nobles watching.”
“Huh? I mean, I suppose you may be right, but you’re still the countess of Turan, Lefreya.”
“The majority of the men from the forest’s edge do not change their tone when talking to nobles in any context, though. Your manner of speaking feels rather distant.”
I did feel a bit awkward about speaking with a twelve-year-old girl like Lefreya so formally.
“In that case, I guess I’ll try to talk normally around you... But I’d still like to speak politely when other nobles are watching.”
“I do not mind that. After all, I must act appropriately as the head of my house on such occasions,” Lefreya replied, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction. And then her gaze turned toward Ai Fa, who was standing behind me like my shadow. “Ah, are you angry with Sanjura, perhaps? If so, allow me to apologize once more.”
“There is no need to apologize further after making peace. As long as you live your lives properly, I will make no complaint against you,” Ai Fa replied solemnly.
“Thank you,” Lefreya said, bowing her head. Sanjura placed a hand to his chest and bowed as well.
“So, have the two of you still not made a full loop around the plaza yet?” Ai Fa asked. “I figured you would have made it back to your original seats some time ago.”
“It would be a shame to return so quickly, wouldn’t it? After all, I won’t be able to walk around again for a while once I take a seat,” Lefreya said, looking back up with her usual dauntless demeanor restored. “I intend to take as long as possible to finish my lap around the plaza. I need to talk to as many people as I can to make it worth having come all this way.”
“I see. That’s a really great attitude,” I stated earnestly, and Lefreya gave a small sigh.