Chapter 174
14. The Girl Who Loved Humans
"Come to think of it, tomorrow is the Foundation Festival."
This was what Hildegard said in an excited voice during mealtime at House Hamelsvoort. As if anticipating the Festival, both her cheeks were flushed red, and her voice carried excitement.
"Come to think of it, you’ve never been to a proper Foundation Festival."
"Yes, since I was born after August ascended to the throne..."
Realizing Hildegard was younger than he thought, Walter looked at her with unfamiliar eyes. Then, recalling his old memories, he slowly opened his mouth.
"I remember seeing the Foundation Festival when I was very young. I remember the capital being decorated splendidly, and there being lots of food in the streets. Of course, our parents didn’t let us eat it, saying it was poor quality food that only commoners ate."
"Wow..."
"And in some lives, I became Emperor, but time reversed again before I could welcome the Foundation Festival."
Walter raised the corner of his mouth crookedly as if telling an amusing story.
"There were several lives where someone other than August took the throne, but my life ended before holding the Foundation Festival in all of them. Even for me, seeing a proper Foundation Festival was long ago. Perhaps more than a hundred years?"
Because he spoke including the time he experienced due to divine punishment, Hildegard’s face became slightly pale. It was a story that felt eerie to her no matter how many times she heard it.