After I finished talking to my father, I told Laura what I was waiting for.
Laura's face, which seemed serious, grew brighter and brighter, and ended up saying this to me with a bouncing energetic voice.
"You made up!
"I don't know if we'll make up."
I guess that starts now. We're going to fill a ten-year gap over the years, little by little.
"I guess it feels like I've decided to make an effort to make it up to you."
"Great! Really!"
Laura was as happy as she was about herself.
Laura's family was very close. That's normal for Laura - you know it's a happy thing.
That's why he was heartbroken by my plight, which he wasn't.
"... So Laura, I need to talk to you"
"What is it?
"I decided to go on a journey."
"Journey?"
"I thought I'd take a look around the land of Luminous during my summer vacation. I grew up... wanting to know more about the territory I'm going to inherit."
"I think that's a good idea!
"... Would Laura come with me if you wanted? Of course, I went back to the village -"
"I'm coming with you!
Instead of eating, Laura replied.
"I want to see it too! Mr. Alberto's home!
"Right. I'm glad you said that."
That was a heartfelt word.
Going on a journey - yes, when I told my father, it was not my journey alone but my journey with Laura that floated behind my brain.
Laura and I have been together for a long time.
There was something uncomfortable about Laura not lying down.
"Let's leave tomorrow. Enjoy the rich Marquis life by the end of the day because it will be just a journey of poverty."
"It's okay! Because you can sleep under the house or in the grassland!
Laura said such gutsy words.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
"It's Road Bank."
That said, Sebastian put a cloth bag full of gold coins in front of me so loud that it sounded like 'Gacha'.
... I'm in suite everywhere on a poor journey.
The next day, Sebastian visited me as I was preparing to leave in my room, and this is where he took out his greeting as well.
"... that's an amazing amount"
"This is a farewell (shenzhen) from your husband. Look closely at Luminous territory."
... Don't feel overprotective because you care too much for me...
"I just can't get this much"
In my time alone, I went to Wangdu myself to buy groceries. The sense of money is close to the civilian population.
"Alberto, you have a duty to receive"
"Huh?"
"You are the trace of the Marquis of Luminous. You can't just die in the wild."
"... and too many..."
I didn't really care, but I decided to take it. It would just be a push question if you refused anyway.
"And bring this one too"
Then Sebastian put it in front of me with a single board (that was there).
The plate is engraved with a family crest of luminous.
I know this too. I had it too before they kicked me out of the house.
I am a man of that aristocratic house - something that proves so.
It seems easy to counterfeit if you're just carving a family crest, but it incorporates a mechanism for appraisal by witchcraft, so you'll find out as soon as you look into it. Besides, a follow-up investigation awaits if you don't remember because when presented, a report enters the noble house.
Death penalty if you find out it's a forgery.
It is so heavy to deceive the name of the great aristocracy that the country needs.
"If you run out of Road Bank, please present it to the administrative department in the Territory. I will pay you extra."
"... I don't think it's going to be enough, but I'll take this"
I received the engraved plank of the crest.
"Are we done?
"Yes, that's all they told me to give it to you"
After a short time, Sebastian continued the conversation.
"Not from your husband, but from me, but I have one question for you"
"What?
"Alumni - it's about you, Laura."
"You mean Laura?
"Yes. She's just a friend - do you have any corrections to that explanation?
"... sorry. I don't know what you're talking about.
"Then let me rephrase it."
Sebastian kept staring me in the eye.
"Would you be a lover?
... what?
... is!?
Bang! and I slapped the table and roughed up my voice.
"That's not true!
Then he calmed down immediately and rushed to bow his head to Sebastian.
"I'm sorry... I'm so excited..."
"I don't mind. I have a sense of disrespect."
Sebastian said without changing a single complexion.
"I'm really just your alumni - is that understanding going to make you okay?
"Oh, that's fine. I'm really, really just a friend."
Me and Laura were lonely. I had a difficult past to talk to.
So we swore to each other.
Trying to be friends all the time.
Trying to help and believe in each other no matter what.
If that's how we relate, it's nothing but 'friends'.
"Really... I understand that"
"Why bother asking me that?
"Alberto is the heir to the Luminous family."
That's what they said, and I finally understood. What Sebastian is trying to say.
As I wait for my words to penetrate me, between them, then Sebastian continues his words.
"Needless to say, our primary priority is the preservation of pedigree. I mean, having kids. You have to be careful who you marry and choose the right person for the Marquis blood."
That's all Sebastian said.
Here's what I mean when I say otherwise.
Laura, who is a civilian, can never be dealt with.
"If you're a friend, you won't have a problem. Please note that there is no further relationship. Soon Alberto will introduce you to the right person."
With that said, Sebastian left the room in a courtesy.
Being alone, I realized that my heart was filled with emotions I didn't really understand.
I also thought this would be anger, but I felt different. Because the truth is, me and Laura are friends and nothing but friends.
"Don't socialize"
"No, we're really friends"
We just had that conversation. There are no angry elements.
It's supposed to be...
For some reason, I had more and more uncomfortable feelings in my chest.
What does this mean?
I leave my journey unannounced and head to the front door.
A gray-haired girl stood at the end of a large hall with her luggage under her feet. She waved at me once when she saw me.
"Alberto. Oh, yeah! It's late. Whoa!
Bright face, with a bright voice.
You called my name.
At that moment...
It was like a cloudy sky. My heart cleared like a summer sky.
"You kept me waiting, Laura"
I stood in front of Laura.
"What's wrong with you? They didn't float, did they?
"No, it's nothing. It's no big deal."
I shook my head.
"... Laura. Me and you are friends, aren't we?
"Huh? We're friends, right? Isn't that obvious! You're a weird Mr. Alberto!
That's what Laura laughed at.
Naturally, that's what we promised.
I guess Laura wants that too.
Friends.
That's right. Nothing's wrong.
Me and Laura are friends - we'll always be together.
Someday there will be a lady next to me who is there, but still my friendship with Laura will not waver.
But the idea wasn't enough.
I couldn't convince my heart.
The obsession doesn't go away.
Someone besides Laura shows up next to me - I can't imagine that.
You should be next to me.
I shook my head.
You don't have to think about it. My relationship with Laura is my friend.
"All right, let's go on a journey, Laura!
"Yes!"
We pushed open the door to the Luminous family.