n

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nWhen they heard that I was going out for lunch with Seian, my father responded,

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n“I think he’s going there…”

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nHe didn’t say anything about the location and the name of the store.

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n‘But even if I asked where, he didn’t tell me.’

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nThe name of the store wasn’t written in Seian’s letter, so I had no choice but to remain curious about it until today.

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n“Haha! Aslan still remembered it.”

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nSeian, who heard my father’s words, laughed as he walked faster.

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nThere was a sense of longing in that low laugh.

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nSeian, who was silent for a moment as if recalling something, opened his mouth in a soft voice.

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n“Umm… That’s where my sister introduced me to Aslan.”

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n“Father?”

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n“Yes. I’ve actually seen him from afar before, but I don’t have a connection with Aslan.”

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nHe was seven at that time. It was when he was quite young, anyway. My ears pricked up and focused on Seian’s words.

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nI won’t hear anything like this from my father.

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n“Ah, we’ve arrived. Shall we go ahead and talk about the rest later?”

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nFollowing Seian’s guidance, We arrived at a restaurant, a quiet place where anyone would feel the passage of time.

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nFor a moment, I was disappointed by the story that was cut off, and I nodded quickly at Seian’s words.

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n“It’s nice.”

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nWe opened the dark brown door and entered the store.

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n“Welcome! Have you made a reservation?”

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n“Yes.”

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nSeian nodded at the waiter’s words and held out a small paper card from his arms.

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n‘Wow. It seems that everything here is operated by a reservation.’

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nThe employee who took the paper Seian had handed out carefully looked at it and then nodded.

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n“I’ve checked. There are two of you, so please follow me this way.”

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nSeian and I moved in with the guidance of the employee. We were guided to a sunny window seat.

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n“Please ring the bell when you’re ready to order!”

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nThe limited-looking employee left the place leaving those words.

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nWhile looking at the menu for a while, Seian and I chose two suitable lunch menus and two drinks to accompany it.

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n“Your order has been confirmed. Then please wait a moment!”

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nI looked at the employee who filled out the order and left, then turned my gaze back to Seian.

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nSeian looked around the inside of the store slowly for a moment.

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n“I don’t think it’s changed much here.”

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nThen he murmured to himself with a small laugh. Perhaps he was reminded of a time when he had been here before.

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nCome to think of it, Seian must have a very good memory, too.

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n‘I see, he still remembers what happened when he was seven years old.’

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n“Marquis.”

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n“Yes?”

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n“You said you first met my father here.”

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nSeian nodded his head in response to my question.

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n“Yes, I don’t remember clearly because I was young, but I do remember that Aslan was kind to me.”

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nI could imagine my father standing in front of a seven-year-old boy. Even now, while my father, he would have had a much younger face than him.

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n“Pfft. For some reason, I can imagine the expression on my father’s face. He must have been at a loss for what to do at first. Of course, his face won’t show it.”

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nSeian’s eyes widened at my playful words, and then he smiled and nodded his head.

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n“Yeah. I think so. I remember hearing my sister telling me that Aslan didn’t know how to treat a small child.”

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n“Ahaha. My father doesn’t even have any brothers.”

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nAs I listened to Seian’s story a little more, the finished dish was quickly placed in front of us.

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nI ordered the main dish with steak, and Seian ordered the main dish with seafood.

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nWe started eating slowly and left the restaurant after a little more than an hour.

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nIt was because we spent more time talking than eating.

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n“Thank you for bringing me here today, Marquis.”

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n“No, I’m more thankful that you came with me.”

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nWith a soft smile, Seian arranged my messy hair.

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nAfter leaving the restaurant, we walked along the street for a while.

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nIt must have been a little over ten minutes. We came back to the location where the carriage was left earlier and stopped in front of it.

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n“Hmm. Should I go home now?”

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nSeian’s small muttering and expression gives off something of a regret feeling. Sometimes, Seian was visibly cautious around me.

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nIt was like those times he always says he’s thankful for something as trivial as today or looking at me for nothing.

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nI watched Seian for a while and then put my arm in his arm, who was gently staring at me. If Seian treats me cautiously, I should approach him first.

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n“Marquis, since we also ate, shall we go eat dessert this time?”

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n“Oh, huh?”

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n“Dessert. The marquis bought me lunch, so I’ll treat you to dessert. What do you think?”

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n“I… I’d like it.”

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nSeian hesitated for a moment at my question, but then bowed his head and accepted my offer.

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nI smiled at the sight and slowly moved along with Seian.

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n“Where are we going?”

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n“Hmm. This is the place my brother told me last time, there’s a cafe with delicious desserts.”

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n‘What’s the name of it again? Claire Ciel…’

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n“I think the name was Claire Ciel.”

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n“Really? I’ve never heard of that name.”

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nSeian, who seemed to be thinking about what I said for a while, shook his head, saying, “I really don’t know.”

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n“Well, you’ve been away from the capital for a long time. I guess that’s what happened after that.”

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n“That’s possible.”

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nSeian affirmed my story with a soft voice.

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n“Actually, I’ve only been there twice.”

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n“I see.”

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n“Oh, but it was delicious, so you don’t have to worry!”

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n“Haha, I wasn’t worried about that. Anywhere you take me is fine.”

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nWhen he quickly added, Seiann smiled low and blinked his eyes beautifully. I stared blankly at Seian’s face for a moment.

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n‘…He resembles Serbia as I’ve seen in a portrait.’

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nIt was because his face, with his eyes curled smiling brightly, resembled Serbia in the portrait that my father had showed me

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n“I’ve only seen her in a portrait, but I think his eyes look a lot like her.”

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nEspecially the corners of their eyes when they smile.

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nSeian told me I looked like Serbia, but I don’t think so when I stare at him. Everytime I recall Serbia, which I had imagined as a story I’ve heard from my father quite a long time ago.

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nThen, picturing my father and Seian standing next to her.

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n“…I want to see her at least once.”

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nWhen I thought of that, a small laugh came out without realizing it.

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n“Marquis.”

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n“Yes?”

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nSeian’s hair was gently swaying in the wind as he answered my call.

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n“It’s nothing.”

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nI stared at his rustling hair for a moment, then shook my head.

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nSeian’s purple eyes looking at me had a sense of wonder, but I looked forward and gently pulled his arm.

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nIt was embarrassing to say that I just wanted to see those sweet purple eyes.

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nI might be able to say it later, after quite some time has passed.

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n✿

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nAfter eating dessert at the cafe, the sun above my head had gradually receded.

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nThe carriage followed the path to my house.

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n“I had a great time today.”

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nSeian, who took me to the front door of the mansion, still looks regretful.

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n“I had a lot of fun, too.”

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nI laughed softly at Seian. In my arms, there was a bouquet of flowers that I had received from Seian earlier.

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nThe flowers that were nicely placed in the carriage still boasted a fresh appearance.

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n“…And thank you so much for this flower. I’ll decorate this in my room beautifully.”

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nIf I ask Mary, she’d give me a pretty vase for such beautiful flowers.

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n“I can bring you more if you like.”

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nThen I burst out laughing at Seian’s answer that came out automatically. It seemed to be the characteristics of the three men who wanted to do anything I liked.

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nOf course, the other two are my father and Aaron.

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n“Then show me the garden of the Vicente house next time. I think that would be better.”

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nSeian, who had widened his eyes at my words, nodded his head.

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n“I’ll keep the garden open at any time.”

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n“Oh, really? Then I might go there every day.”

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n“You can come every day.”

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nSeian replied with a serious expression to my playful remarks.

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nThud!

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nThen the front door, where I was standing behind, made a heavy noise. I turned around slightly startled, but the large door remained closed without a single gap.

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n“What is it?”

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nI turned my head again, wondering if I had heard something wrong, and saw Seian with an awkward smile.

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n“What’s going on? Suddenly, your expression…?”

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nWhen I asked worriedly, Seian glanced behind me for a moment, then shook his head with a smirk as if lost in the wind.

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n“Nothing.”

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n‘It’s nothing he says…’

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n“More than that, hurry up and go in. I think there’s someone who’s waiting.”

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nI blinked silently at his vague words. What do you mean, a person who’s waiting all of a sudden?

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n“Then I’ll go.”

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n“Oh, yes! Get home safe, Marquis!”

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nI regained my senses at Seian’s goodbye and waved his hand.

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nSeian, who kept looking back, got into the carriage, and I turned around after watching him leave.

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nWhen I gently buried my face in a bouquet of flowers, the scent of flowers still lingered.

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n“It smells really good. Should I keep one of them dried?”

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nMumbling like that, I opened the front door.

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n“Father?”

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nTo be more specific, the door opened before I could touch it…

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