"I assume you remember it now, right?"
After I finished recalling, Zechs-sama spoke to me.
I then nodded my head and asked again.
"But, what's the connection between what you said then and this complaint?"
The complaint stated that a certain aristocrat was pickpocketed while passing through the Foranada territory. According to the complaint, the facts were confirmed through an investigation, and the assailant was executed on the spot by the victim aristocrat.
While disturbing, it wasn't a particularly unusual incident. It was sad, but it was quite possible for beggars to run amok and mess with the wrong person. It was perfectly acceptable for the noble to cut down the beggar on the spot.
If there was a problem, it was that the assailant, the thief, was a young child.
"Wait, don't tell me…"
I had a bad feeling about it. Given what Zechs-sama had told me to remember and this complaint, I could only come to one conclusion.
I couldn't accept it—or, more accurately, I don't want to.
However, Zechs-sama mercilessly slapped me with the reality of the situation.
"The thief who was executed was the little girl that Shion overlooked."
"......"
I couldn't say anything, because the merciless truth left me aghast.
At that time, that little girl had promised me that she would never steal again.
While I was dumbfounded about it, Zechs-sama spoke loudly.
"I didn't bother to mention it at the time, but the girl was an expert in pickpocketing. She was trained so well that she could rob Shion, who's a spy, of her wallet without being noticed. She was just a town girl, but the fact that she had that level of skill was proof that she had done it that many times. Someone who had stolen things so many times would not wash their hands after just one mistake. You must bring them to justice and thoroughly teach them that stealing equals evil if you want them to change their ways."
"But why didn't you tell me…"
If he saw through the little girl's apology was a lie, he could've pointed it out to me.
Even though I understood that it was disrespectful, I muttered in a somewhat reproachful tone.
Then, he replied without hesitation.
"That was Shion's choice. Of course, if you had asked me for advice, I would have given it, but you made your decision on your own. I only respected your opinion."
"....."
He's right; it was my decision to overlook it, and It was my decision not to ask Zechs-sama for his opinion, even though I could have asked for it. That's why I have no reason to blame him for the results that did not meet my expectations.
I couldn't say anything back to his harsh words.
An awkward silence fell.
After a while, Zechs-sam opened his mouth.
"The reason I told you this is because I want you to overcome that kind of naivety. I also wanted him to know the reality of what being soft can lead to….I believe that the Shion I know will be able to overcome that weakness."
His voice was full of warmth as he spoke, and I deeply felt his trust and affection.
However, I didn't reply well because my mind was still a mess. I couldn't think of the right words.
That's why—I know it was an excuse to say that. Still, those words kept coming out of my mouth.
"Is being soft a bad thing?"
It was a thought that had been nagging at the bottom of my heart for a long time, ever since it had been pointed out to me in the past.
Is it truly wrong to be lenient toward others? Certainly, as in this case, it could lead to unwanted results. However, I was thinking that there were times when I could save someone.
I locked my gaze on Zechs-sama.
In contrast, he fixed his gaze on me.
Our gazes crossed, and the curtain of silence fell again.
A few seconds passed. Suddenly, Zechs-sama let out a voice as if he had understood. After that, he nodded his head repeatedly, saying, "I see, I understand."
"I understand what Shion's thinking. Kindness sometimes saves people, and that is right."
"Then—"
I was about to say that there was no need to fix it.
—But I wasn't given a chance to say it. The first thing that happened was that Zechs-sama put a word in his mouth before I could say anything else.
"I have one correction to make on that. Being soft and kind are two different things."
"Soft and Kind…?"
I tilted my head.
That was a word that was not even said to me by the head (father). I ruminated over the words in my head, trying to figure out what he meant to say.
However, no matter how much time I spent, I couldn't quite understand the meaning of what Zechs-sama was saying.
When I admitted this, he let out a small sigh.
"I don't dislike your soft attitude, but I still think you need to get over it for the future. I know you have a lot of questions, but you have to find the answers yourself."
Beyond that, Zechs-sama never broached the subject again. As he declared, I would have to find the answers himself.
The difference between soft and kind. It wasn't a play on words, but a clear difference exists.
— — —
—I have yet to find the answer to this day.