“Absolutely not! For a maid who can’t even properly dress me, this is natural!”
As I walked toward the voice, I saw the familiar appearance of a young girl whipping a maid .
She had bright blonde hair and determined eyes .
There was no mistaking it, I had found Claire-sama .
Then that would mean that this was the François mansion after all .
However, Claire-sama appeared quite young .
What was going…?
As I tilt my head, Claire-sama’s punishment escalated .
With an innocent smile, she continued to whip the maid repeatedly .
“Please forgive her, Claire-sama! This girl only recently came to our residence . I ask that you please show mercy as she still lacks experience . ”
“I won’t! My maids must be absolutely perfect . I’m offering to train her myself, so be grateful! Ohーhohoho!”
Though she only had the strength of a child, a whip was still very capable of inflicting pain .
Multiple welts had formed on the skin of the maid being punished, it was difficult to just stand and watch as she cowered in fear, crying .
It appears that what I was witnessing was Claire-sama’s past .
We were currently at the point where Claire-sama was most egoistic―the period before her mother, Miria-sama, had died in an accident .
However, it appeared this wasn’t a mere recollection . Our surroundings came off as very finely decorated .
As a whole, everything seemed especially vibrant and extravagant, as though symbolizing Claire-sama’s selfish ego itself .
“Claire-sama . ”
I attempted to call out to Claire-sama, but my voice did not reach her .
Similar to the other maids, it seemed I could only look on as a bystander .
“Claire! You’re bullying the maids again!”
A woman very closely resembling Claire-sama entered the room and raised her voice .
“Mommy… but, this maid is inexperienced, so I…”
It appeared this woman was indeed Miria-sama .
As though her previous selfish outburst had been a lie, Claire-sama now stood dejected .
“I don’t want to hear any excuses . Don’t I always tell you? As a noble, you must conduct yourself in a manner that commoners can respect . Apologize to her . ”
“B-but…”
“Apologize . ”
“Hck… I’m sorry . ”
It appeared that not even Claire-sama could overcome Miria-sama, she gave a meek apology .
Accompanied by an older maid, the maid who was just released from her punishment left the room .
“Miria, are you not being a tad too strict on Claire?”
“Daddy!”
Claire-sama rushed to hug the man―Dor-sama in his younger days―who had entered the room as the maids left .
“It’s because you always spoil Claire that her selfishness has gone this far! Claire needs to learn the traits vital to a lady―”
“Now, now, isn’t that enough? Claire, we’ve received some strawberries . Would you eat them?”
“I will!”
“Dear! Claire too! Really… you’re both hopeless . ”
This was a scene from the times where Claire-sama still knew nothing but happiness .
The period where she still firmly believed, without any doubts, that the world revolved around her .
However, this happiness would come to a sudden end .
◆◇◆◇◆
The setting changed .
My surroundings were void of any color, completely monochrome .
It appeared that the location had shifted from the François mansion to a graveyard as well .
“Thou, Miria François . Thou have been called to the side of our exalted―”
Someone who resembled a priest appeared to be reciting something .
All of the people who had gathered in the area were dressed in black .
It appeared they were in their mourning dress .
Claire-sama too wore a black dress as she gazed blankly at the casket .
Her pupils no longer contained the innocent glimmer that they just previously held .
“How pitiful… Claire-sama is but four years old . ”
“It appears that it may not be a simple accident . Marquis Achard staged…”
“Shh… Though it’s hardly a secret, it’s not something that should be said thoughtlessly . ”
It appeared the gossip of the nobles in attendance could not reach Claire-sama’s ears either .
The day Miria-sama and Dor-sama had gotten in an accident, was the very same day as Claire-sama’s fourth birthday .
Though the two had meant to celebrate Claire-sama’s birthday with her, a rival noble had called them out and the accident had occurred on their way home .
It’s claimed to have been a premeditated murder .
On that day, Claire-sama had gotten into an argument with Miria-sama . She was upset that they wouldn’t be able to celebrate together, and before getting the chance to apologize, they were separated by death .
“Claire-sama…”
By Claire-sama’s side was a young Lene .
Lene was holding Claire-sama’s hand .
As she watched over her with a concerned gaze, she seemed like Claire-sama’s older sister .
“Okay Claire, say goodbye to your mother . ”
“…”
Though Dor-sama urged her, Claire-sama simply stood there expressionless .
Painfully averting his gaze, Dor-sama signaled the Church staff so they could bury the casket .
Once Miria-sama’s casket was in place, dirt was piled on, burying it .
“No… Noo…oo… . !”
Claire-sama, who had been blankly watching the proceedings, suddenly bolted forward and clung to the casket .
“Don’t put dirt over my mother! You’ll make my mother all dirty!”
“Claire…”
“Mother is just sleeping! I’m sure she’ll wake up! I mean I… I…”
As her whole body shook, Claire-sama screamed .
“I still haven’t gotten a chance to say sorry!”
◆◇◆◇◆
The setting changed once more .
My surroundings were still monochrome .
It seemed we were back at a noble’s mansion, but I had no recollection of this one .
Claire-sama was alone, crouching down low, she pulled her knees into her chest .
She looked like a very well made doll .
Knock knock, the sound came from the door .
Claire-sama gave no reaction .
There was another knock .
Claire-sama didn’t react this time either .
“Oh, so you were here after all . ”
The one who came in was a young boy .
No, a young girl with a boyish appearance―it was Manaria-sama during her childhood .
Though Claire-sama momentarily looked up to send an annoyed glance, she quickly returned to her previous position . Head downcast, hugging her knees .
“You’ve really walled yourself off . Well considering what happened, I get it . However, Claire . You can’t stay like that . If you’re like that, the late Miria-sama won’t be able to find peace, even in heaven . ”
“My mother…?”
“That’s right . Miria-sama has continued to watch over you from above . If you continue to mope about like that, I think Miria-sama would be sad, don’t you?”
“But… but, I… to my mother… something so horrible…”
Claire-sama’s face contorted .
Large teardrops spilled from her eyes .
Though Manaria-sama showed a moment’s hesitation, she quickly put on a smile .
“Oh you who are so angelic, no one blames you . Of course, not your mother in heaven either . ”
“Is that true…?”
“Of course . I guarantee it . ”
“…”
Claire-sama lifted her face .
For the first time, Claire-sama became aware of the prince-like girl who stood before her .
“Ah, you finally looked my way, frail maiden . Here at this moment, I vow to protect thou .
“That’s… from Amour’s poem…”
“To be expected of your vast knowledge . Who was it that taught you that?”
“My mother…”
“That’s right . Don’t you see? Miria-sama certainly lives within you . ”
“!”
Claire-sama’s face perked up in realization .
At the same time, the surrounding scenery regained some of its color .
It would appear that this was the scenery of Claire-sama’s heart after all .
“Now Claire, stand up . I’ll remain by your side so if something sad happens, I’ll make sure to protect you . ”
“…”
Claire-sama gave a quick nod as her cheeks flushed .
Though this scene was a frustrating one for me to watch, if Manaria-sama had not been here at this time, I don’t know what would’ve become of Claire-sama .
I should thank Manaria-sama when I get the chance .
“How should I address you?”
“Fufu, let’s save that for the next time that we meet . By that time, you’ll become a princess with a lovely smile for me, won’t you?”
“… Of course!”
Having wiped her tears, Claire-sama gave a smile like that of a blooming flower .
After that, the scenery within Claire-sama’s heart continued to show a variety of settings .
Returning to the François residence, it showed the period where she took her selfishness to their limits .
Then, entering the academy kindergarten, she formed her own clique and continued her heinous ways .
During elementary and middle school, Claire-sama continued to act as she desired .
However, the scenery within her heart had always seemed to lack color .
Even though Claire-sama’s selfishness raged on, between everything, boredom would flash onto her face .
Even though she was surrounded by many friends, she’d feel a lingering loneliness .
Unable to do anything but watch over her, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated,
And then, the morning of the high school enrollment ceremony had finally come .
If things played out as they should, this would have been the morning we met―but instead, a fissure formed within this imagined world .
What started off as minute cracks steadily spread, permeating everything .
Without the ability to do anything myself, I could only watch as the cracks spread .