“…lightly…?”
What was held in Reina’s hand was a 100,000 Theon bill. She didn’t think this was enough money for a light snack… She glanced towards the street vendor. The stall owner raised the corners of her mouth, as if she was worried that Reina might buy something with that money, but her complexion was pale. In the end she put 100,000 Theon into her purse and took out her own money.
While contemplating what to call Estelle, she decided to omit all titles today, as she thought the title ‘Miss’ would stand out. Anyway, she thought it wouldn’t matter anyway since the Duke, who was her master, let her call him Damian.
“Guys, let’s eat something here and wait for Damian.”
“Huh!”
“Okay~!”
From the moment the children settled down near the stall, their eyes were glued to the various animal-shaped icing cookies sold there.
“How much is it?”
“It’s 200 Theon each. But if you buy ten, we’re giving one as a bonus.”
“Oh my, is that so?”
But she didn’t think she could eat them all even if there were eleven, so Reina decided to only buy one for each person. Estelle chose a rabbit-shaped cookie, and Bonita chose a squirrel-shaped cookie. As Reina looked at it, she thought to herself, why did they both choose an animal that looked exactly like them?
“Mom, don’t you eat?”
“That’s right, don’t you eat it?”
The children were already munching on the ears of the animal cookies and looking at Reina. Reina took out 400 Theon and looked at the bright eyes of the children.
“…”
“There’s a cookie that looks like you here.”
She didn’t miss the opportunity and the vendor smiled and took out a cookie shaped like a pink flower.
“…Uh, um…”
Reina wasn’t particularly tempted, but because of the children’s anxious eyes and because it was a good day, she decided not to refuse. In the end, Reina bought her share of cookies and just stood there. By the time the children had almost finished eating the cookies, a man in a fancy uniform was hurriedly making his way through the crowd in the distance, looking around.
‘Is there something urgent going on with that person?’
As she continued fiddling with the cookie in her hand and contemplating whether to eat it or not, the man turned his head in the direction where Reina was and ran towards her with wide eyes.
“…lady! You are right, ma’am!”
“…b-yes?”
Even if it was only in street stalls that people were called madam as a member of the merchant, there was no reason for someone like this to be called madam. He held Raina’s hand with an earnest expression, as if he had met his savior.
“Oh, come quickly! Your daughters, too! The elders are waiting!”
“Excuse me…”
Reina wished someone could explain the situation. The children were also frightened, holding on to the hem of Reina’s skirt and staring at her.
“I can’t just follow someone I don’t know who they are.”
“O…!”
The man then says, Oops! He said and released her hand that was holding her.
“I was in a hurry so I committed rudeness. My name is Sein, and I am the owner of Seinbel Theater Company, which spreads God’s story to various places. I am the second Shane.”
“…”
“An elderly man came in and rented the entire current play. He said he came to watch it comfortably with his family.”
“Yes?”
Both Reina and the two children looked at the troupe with their mouths wide open. What was that person saying now? At the same time, she realized what Damian had disappeared to do. Before the three could come to their senses, they were led into the tent by the troupe employees who followed the troupe leader.
Just one person was in that vast place. Even from a distance, a noble-looking man was sitting with his legs crossed arrogantly. He looked at the empty stage with a bored expression and turned his head when he heard the sound of people arriving.
“…wha.”
“D-Damian? What’s going on?”
“Does it make sense to wait in the cold when I need to show my daughter the play?”
It made no sense at all. Estelle was from a certain family. The Duke twitched his eyebrows.
‘If that’s the case, couldn’t we have invited the troupe to the mansion from the beginning?’
Reina’s quarrelsome girl side came to mind, but she held back. Estelle looked at the empty auditorium. The child asked, pulling Damian’s clothes.
“…So, the people outside can’t come in until they finish watching the play?”
“That’s right. So you’ll be able to see it more comfortably.”
The Duke spoke proudly, but Estelle’s expression actually worsened. He didn’t know what to do about Estelle’s darkened complexion. He raised his head and looked at Reina.
Reina thought that she had often seen the Duke’s human side lately. She walked up to Damian and whispered quietly enough for the child not to hear.
“It’s because she feel sorry for the people waiting outside.”
“…Why?”
“People outside are taking their time waiting, and there are seats here, but the master, Mr. Damian, rented out the entire place, making them wait even longer.”
Damian was lost in thought for a while, perhaps not understanding Estelle’s intentions. Then he spoke to the theater company.
“Fill the seats with children, mainly those who brought young children.”
“…b-yes!”
“No… wait.”
He touched the corner of his mouth and changed his words.
“Let’s invite the children in the daycare as well.”
“Now?”
“Yes, right now.”
“…”
“I’ll pay twice as much as I paid earlier.”
“Oh, okay! I’ll go get the kids right now!”
She didn’t know how much money Damian paid earlier, but Reina didn’t want to know the amount. She felt like if she found out, she would be crossing a river from which she could never return. Not knowing Reina’s speed, he confidently took the children to the best seat and sat down.
“Is it okay to do this?”
Damian asked Estelle. Estelle hesitated and nodded. The child’s cheeks were red, perhaps because of the cold. Reina hesitated and sat down next to Bonita.
“…master.”
“I told you to call me by my name.”
“Because no one is listening here.”
“…okay.”
Reina decided to muster up the courage to ask what she wanted to ask earlier.
“What on earth did you tell the theater company about our relationship?”
“I just didn’t say anything.”
“Is that so?”
“I said we were all coming out to show my daughter a play. I gave him money and told him to bring a woman who was looking after two children at a nearby street stall.”
“…okay.”
He definitely didn’t say things like “wife” or “Reina is my family.” She was just guessing after listening to Damian’s explanation, which was a bit lacking in the troupe. Before long, the troupe that had hastily invited the children from the orphanage started preparing for the play. Perhaps because there was some free time from the beginning, the first performance was able to open on time.
“…then.”
The tent became dark, and a magician belonging to the troupe showed off his beautiful magic. The children were amazed with their eyes sparkling at the beautiful magic they were seeing for the first time. It wasn’t just Bonita and Estelle. Many children from the orphanage forgot to keep their mouths shut and watched the beautiful performance begin. Reina smiled, finding it both funny and endearing that all the other children had the same expression on her face.
“…What are you looking at like that?”
At that time, Damian tilted his head and whispered to Reina. Reina whipped her head around for an answer, but Damian was closer than she expected, and her eyes widened in surprise.
“…Well, it’s just… kids are cute.”
As it was dark, their voices were as soft as the wind blowing over the blades of grass in the middle of the night.
“…”
“You gave the kids a nice gift.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Still.”
Damian felt embarrassed for no reason and restored his upper body to its original state. Looking at him like that, Reina smiled softly and whispered softly.
“Damian is like Santa Claus.”
“…?”
“By the way, would you like to eat this?”
Reina broke the flower-shaped cookie she was holding in half and handed the larger one to Damian. He was fiddling with the cute cookie in his hand and remembered what Reina had just said.
‘Santa Claus.’
It was a being that did not exist not only in the Aizen Empire, but also in this world. Damian looked at Reina, who compared himself to an unknown being. She had already turned her head and was looking at the performance with the children. Somehow she seemed as excited as the little children, and somehow Damian thought he would never forget this moment.
* * *
The performance opened with ‘Bendision saw the first child born on earth, and he couldn’t help but fall in love.’ The play was composed of stories about the birth of a star.
Long ago, when there were no gods, there was a drought in the world. Many people starved to death. In that deep, deep despair, a child prayed.
“God, God, please hear my prayer. Please take care of everyone.”
But God did not answer.
The child prayed again.
“God, God, please hear my prayer. Please save everyone. I will give you everything you want.”
At that time, an appearance like a holy light appeared.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on October, 21.
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