Chapter 57: Day of Blessings
"Is there anything I can do to repay you for such a lovely brooch?"
Walking shoulder-to-shoulder through the dimly lit alley as dusk settled, Ledah, who had finally regained her composure, earnestly spoke.
In response, I suggested, "Well then, how about you teach me reading and writing..."
"Reading and writing, yes! I had borrowed a book from you, I need to return it, but..."
Now that she mentioned it, she had borrowed a book from me. And she seemed reluctant to let me see her house.
For some reason, as we walked side by side, I felt the urge to reveal everything about myself to Ledah. From dying in an accident in my original world, being given strange skills, becoming a slave for that reason, and even being forced to fight in a labyrinth.
I hadn't considered how much she would understand or if my communication skills were up to the task at that moment. I just wanted her to hear me out.
Ledah mostly remained quiet, just nodding occasionally. Yet, somehow, it felt like she understood my story better than anyone since I arrived in this world.
Then, with a troubled expression, she said, "I also wish you could know about me, Shiro-san..."
Leading me into a dimly lit back alley, she continued.
Continuing down the alley, past a shabby tavern and what seemed to be the brothel Greon had mentioned, there were two or three women dressed in flashy colors, emitting a distinctive aura, standing there.
One of them seemed to call out to us, but Ledah averted her gaze and hurriedly led me past the other side of the street.
As we ventured further into the back alley, we came across what seemed like a burnt-out building, perhaps from a fire, and a row of dilapidated huts, dark and gloomy.
Could this be a slum?
Seeing me standing in awe, Ledah paused momentarily.
Then, she softly invited, "Please, come in," leading me to a ramshackle hut that one wouldn't think was inhabited even during the daytime. She slid aside a crooked board that covered the entrance and we entered. My mind remained numb as I followed behind.
Inside the dimly lit hut, where not even a single candle was present, moonlight seeped through a window or gap in the back. It was a faint light, as only a few days had passed since the new moon.
From the depths of the hut, a childish voice lisped, "Mommy?"
"Sorry for being late, sweetie. You were a good girl..."
Ledah's voice, unlike any I had heard before, held a gentle, motherly tone as she hugged the child and softly sang to her.
Soon, the child's restless voice grew quiet, and I could hear the sound of her peaceful breathing.
"Please, have a seat," Ledah said gently to me as I stood by the entrance.
"Or perhaps you'll be on your way? Seeing this situation..."
"Ledah-san..."
"This is who I am. Is it alright for you to 'see' me like this?"
It was at that moment that I realized I had never used the "Identify" skill on Ledah. In fact, I had purposely avoided it.
With that in mind, I said, "Thank you, Ledah-san. And I'm sorry."
Ledah let out a sigh and looked down, as if bracing herself for something.
"You know, I'm not very perceptive, so I probably made you feel uncomfortable or upset. I'm sorry!"
Ledah tilted her head in confusion.
"...So, um, well, or maybe not, I'm not sure, but... I think I like you, Ledah-san. No, it's not just 'think,' I do!"
By the end, I wasn't even sure what I was saying.
But before I knew it, I was holding Ledah, or perhaps she was holding me, on the creaky floor of the small, dim room with the sleeping child beside us, enveloped in darkness.
***
Ledah once served as a court lady in the Earl's household back in Douras. She had even been in charge of looking after a young Carenna before she was placed in the temple.
Gradually recognized for her intelligence, she began assisting as a secretary of sorts in her teenage years, contributing to financial planning and industrial development within the domain. She even engaged in these matters. Eventually, she caught the eye of a young knight, married him, and left her position as a court lady.
However, around that time, the Earl's family started to decline rapidly. Failing to subdue the labyrinth, they lost their territory and eventually even the Earl himself fell in battle, leading to their downfall.
Furthermore, her promising husband turned out to be a pleasure-seeking man who cared not for fidelity when it came to women.
By the time Carenna was brought back from the temple and fell from grace, Ledah's husband had either abandoned the Earl's family or was driven away due to unavoidable circumstances. Ledah believed the latter, but in any case, he disappeared one day without a trace.
With a growing belly, Ledah found it hard to work and there was no one willing to help her, the disgraced wife of a fallen knight. She sold her belongings to survive, but as her daughter was born and their struggles increased, she eventually resorted to selling herself.
However, this only led to her being targeted by the head of the Douros' prostitutes. Unable to stay in the city any longer, she fled to Sktari, following the path of her former master's family.
I remained speechless.
"Please, look at me, please see me," Ledah said to me the next day as we awoke entwined in a single blanket. It was nearly noon.
***Lady Ana Selma***
*Human*
*Female*
*Age: 25*
*Merchant Level 1*
**Skills**
*Personal Appraisal (Novice)*
*Mathematics (Level 2)*
*Commerce (Level 1)*
*Agriculture (Level 1)*
*Negotiation (Level 2)*
*Riding (Level 1)*
*Service (Level 2)*
*Culinary Arts (Level 1)*
*Enchantment (Level 1)*
*Seduction (Level 2)*
"Seduction (Level 2)." It was like a brand pressed upon Leda, who had to live as a prostitute.
And numerous skills that showcased her versatility seemed to lament the years that had gone unrewarded.
Suddenly, there was a sound resembling an explosion in the distance.
"Firecrackers, perhaps?"
They exist in this world too.
"It's unusual, isn't it? The first time since coming to this town."
And then, I remembered.
To celebrate the completion of the labyrinth subjugation, there was going to be a feast during the day, with drinks served by the soldiers. I felt like I had heard it from someone in the barracks before heading out to the town yesterday.
Upon conveying this, Leda expressed her desire to sell flowers.
Indeed, it seemed like a good idea. Pretty flowers would likely sell better for a celebration than usual.
However, during normal days, she would attend to tasks like laundry and taking care of a three-year-old girl.
"Would you like to come along? I'll accompany you and stay a bit away, so I won't disturb your flower-selling. Maybe if you see me around, it'll bring you some comfort, Leda-san..."
And so, just like that, we stepped into the festive atmosphere of the town, resembling a couple with a child.
Leda went to a familiar place outside the town wall to purchase flowers, while I took the opportunity to feed a girl named Dina the skewers Leda brought back yesterday and changed her into a single change of clothes.
"Mister, where's Mommy?"
When asked, I corrected myself, saying, "Wait with your big brother."
In the central square of Suctari, soldiers were carrying barrels of alcohol, and there were food stalls, vegetable stands, and even secondhand clothing stalls.
There seemed to be so many residents, it was hard to believe.
Within that crowd, we strolled along a street slightly removed from the center. Leda, with her delicate smile that made her appear no older than twenty, sold flowers, while I pretended to watch street performers with Dina on my shoulders, making sure I could catch a glimpse of her mother.
For someone who had always been the one saying, "Down with the lovey-dovey couples," I found myself on the receiving end of that sentiment.
Leda happily told us that she had sold as much in a short time as she would usually sell in ten days. She bought us elan water and steamed buns.
Eventually, Dina began pretending to row a boat in my arms, so the three of us headed back to our makeshift cabin. Even the ramshackle cabin looked somewhat decent compared to last night.
Leda took out the sword and picture book I had entrusted to her from under the floor and handed them to me. It was then that I mustered the courage to say this.
"Leda-san, they've asked me if I want to become a government official here. Would you... want to live together with me?"
Until yesterday, I had been thinking that I'd leave here as soon as I was free, to search for my potential and possibilities. But there's no rule saying that everyone reborn into a different world has to be the protagonist of an adventure.
Raising a child with a woman here, living peaceful days, might be an option. After all, it's a life that's already ended once.
"I'm sorry."
Lost in my thoughts, I almost couldn't comprehend her reply at first.
"Sorry. I'm really happy, but I can't be with you."
"Huh..."
In a corner of my heart, I thought there was no way I'd be rejected in this situation.
"My husband hasn't died, nor have we divorced..."
"Even if he's alive, he might be with someone else..."
"Sorry. He might be a worthless man who's bad with money and is overly fond of women, but he's a kind person. I can't forget him... No matter how many times I try to be with someone else..."
Leda, who had proven herself to be intelligent and quick-witted, seemed to lose her rationality when it came to her husband. I don't quite understand it, but I've heard that there are women who fall for hopeless men and can't escape. Is this one of those cases? Or maybe it's because, unlike me, an unreliable half-DT, I can't compare to someone experienced in certain things at night?
"Also, for a young man like Shirou to say he loves an older woman like me, it's just for now. It's only because of my 'enchantment' or some skill like that."
"That's not true!"
"No. Besides, I can't rely on a man and live off of him anymore. This might be my true feelings. Even though I can't forget him, and even though I'm living by selling myself... I have my pride. So please... don't pity me."
Pity... I see. Maybe I had deluded myself into thinking I was a hero somewhere.
Rescuing an unfortunate woman, feeling sympathy like that, and looking down on them as if I'm doing something noble. Wasn't that attitude only possible for someone like me, a former DT who had been aimlessly studying and was of no use to society?
But these feelings...
"However, I was happy. Truly happy. I love you too, Shirou-san. So..."
Leda kissed me. It was a sweet and passionate kiss.
"Just this is enough."
A ceramic brooch swayed on her chest.
I felt like our hearts had connected, but it seemed that I had still not truly established a bond with Leda. After all, I hadn't understood her essence.
I only realized it just now.
I had been rejected.