The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 100
Chapter 100: The fat aristocrat eavesdrops
Children have an excellent sense of smell, especially when it comes to interesting things.
Mitrof and Canule, who were rare visitors, were popular among the children, and even after meals, they were constantly being invited to play.
The children reluctantly returned to their rooms after Saffron and the older nuns reminded them.
While Canule delivered the sleeping children to their respective rooms, Mitrof went to find Grace to say goodbye before their departure.
As he approached the door leading to the kitchen, he heard Grace’s stern voice.
Mitrof stopped his hand from touching the door. The old door was poorly constructed, causing a gap to form. The light from the lit candle inside leaked out thinly, extending to Mitrof’s feet.
“…I…understand…I don’t…Mitrof…but…”
“…even so…your…”
It seemed that Lattier was Grace’s conversation partner. Although he knew it was not a good idea to eavesdrop, when he heard his name mentioned, he couldn’t help but be curious.
Mitrof hesitated about whether he should leave or not, but he couldn’t resist his curiosity and leaned in to listen. He could clearly hear Grace’s voice.
“I appreciate your concern, sister, but I want to work as an adventurer—that way, I can stay in this city—and the pay is not bad either—I can also help the children—what’s the problem with that?”
“I’m worried about you, Grace—don’t worry about this church, me, or the village—this is about your life.”
Mitrof held his breath.
“I have never been to the labyrinth—but there are many former adventurers in our church who have lost friends in the labyrinth and have suffered irreparable injuries. Hey, do you really want to be an adventurer in the labyrinth? Is that your will?”
“My will? Yes, it is—it is my will.”
“Grace, you are a very serious child—that’s why I am worried. It’s an admirable thought to repay favors received, but there’s no need to risk your life just because of that. Mitrof-san understands that.”
“Mitrof never said to do that—it was my own decision.”
“Yes, Mitrof-san has not said that—he did not ask you to come.”
“… What do you mean, sister?”
“Does Mitrof have the power and resolve to protect you?”
Lattier’s rigid voice reached Mitrof’s heart through his ears. Thud. His heartbeat could be heard loudly.
“I don’t expect him to protect me—sister, we are a party—we need to help each other.”
“That’s true, but do you really know him? For elves, it’s only been a short time, like a leaf has passed… How can you think you understand the essence of being human? You’re entrusting your life to someone like that. Only in a real crisis can you understand someone’s true nature. How can you be sure he won’t run away when your life is in danger? How can he prove he has the power to protect you?”
Mitrof turned his ears away, holding his breath and paying attention to his footsteps as he returned to the hallway.
Lattier’s words filled his head, repeated over and over.
“Mitrof-sama, sorry for the wait.”
Meeting Canule, who had returned from the children’s room, Mitrof smiled instantly.
“…Canule. Good work. It’s getting late—let’s go home.”
Although feeling some discomfort with his cheerfulness, Canule nodded.
“Then, let’s greet Grace-sama.”
“I took care of it earlier—now, well, it seems like they’re having an important conversation—It would be rude to interrupt them.”
“I see… If you say so.”
With Canule tilting her head, Mitrof left the church.
On the way back, relying on the moonlight, Mitrof remained silent. He remembered Lattier’s words in his head. He tried to make excuses or come up with a retort. He listed words he couldn’t say to his face, expressing his emotions. But in the end, he nodded in agreement, admitting that what Lattier said was indeed true.
——Only in a real crisis can you understand someone’s true nature. How can you be sure he won’t run away when your life is in danger? How can he prove he has the power to protect you?”
There were countless words Mitrof could retort to Lattier’s statement, but he could only say them to himself.
How many words can he confidently say to Lattier, who worries about her beloved sister’s safety?
Lattier doesn’t know Mitrof. What matters to her is Grace, and her safety is what worries her. Lattier’s anxiety is due to the lack of trust in Mitrof as a person.
What kind of person is Mitrof?
That is the question Lattier is concerned about.
Can Mitrof confidently say that he will not run away in the event of a crisis involving Grace?
Unconsciously, Mitrof’s left hand searched for his waist. There was nothing there now. The scabbard alone was in his room, and the blade was left behind in the guardian’s room.
‘If Blanc Manje had not been there to assist, would I have been able to come back alive after fighting with the goat-skullhead-oldwoman? If Grace had been there, would I have been able to protect her?’
‘I don’t know.’
“I don’t know my true nature.”
Mitrof muttered quietly.
‘Am I not a person who runs away?’
Without finding an answer to his self-questioning, Mitrof fell silent and walked along.
Walking behind him, Canule observed Mitrof’s behavior.
She wondered if she should ask what was troubling him. His behavior was clearly abnormal. Mitrof did not even have his usual thrusting sword with him, and his movements were occasionally awkward.
There was no doubt that something had happened, but Canule felt a little sad that Mitrof could not confide in her. However, she had learned from her mother that men were like that. Moreover, Mitrof was originally born into a noble family. It was said that such men kept their thoughts to themselves.
Asking rudely may interfere with Mitrof’s pride as a man, so she decided it would be better to remain silent.
Canule nodded inwardly and closed the distance with Mitrof’s stride.