Chapter 43 : Chapter 43
Volume 2, Chapter 12. Ilo’s Memories
In the end, unable to endure Ilo’s pestering any longer, Leticia had no choice but to temporarily abandon her secret observation and learning, and instead walk off with Ilo.
Of course, the threat “If you don’t come with me, I’ll tell others you were spying here” played no small part in Ilo’s success.
So Leticia had no choice but to drag away this powder keg.
Anyway, with the help of Tranquil Incense, she had already learned about as much as she could for now. What she needed next was practice and experience. Spending a little time observing this curious little girl wasn’t such a bad choice.
But still...
Watching Ilo hopping and running around at her side, Leticia couldn’t help but say: “I feel like you’re different from the people here.”
“Hm?”
Hearing Leticia’s words, Ilo turned her head. “What do you mean?”
“No, never mind.”
She immediately wanted to change the subject. Leticia didn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble in this limited time, or draw unwanted attention. “Just saying.”
“Oh... I think I get what you mean!”
Circling around Leticia with a bright grin, Ilo’s smile might not have been entirely from the heart, but it was certainly the kind that made people feel at ease. “Stano means—why am I not like the other children, helping my family at this time of day, right?”
“...Mm.”
Because of her loose tongue, had she just triggered a side quest...?
Thinking this, Leticia only mumbled a vague acknowledgment.
“Well, Stano, you’re from outside. It’s normal you don’t know.”
Ilo’s smile carried not a trace of shadow. “It’s because there’s nothing I need to help with. Or rather, I’m the one who needs help.”
“Is that so...”
“Eh, eh, eh, why don’t you ask me why?”
Ilo cried out in surprise, her pure-lake-like eyes flashing with curiosity. “Normally, people would ask ‘why’ at this point, wouldn’t they?”
“I don’t want to. Is that strange?”
“Uh...”
Now it was Ilo’s turn to be dumbfounded. Thinking for a while, her braided pigtails bouncing, she muttered, “But you asked earlier!”
Huh?
Leticia slowly formed a question mark. “Getting mad out of embarrassment?”
For a moment, she couldn’t understand the odd logic behind this. But even if she did, Leticia probably wouldn’t care.
“Of course not!”
Ilo huffed. “Why would I be angry? You’re the one who asked me first.”
“Ah... yes yes, fine, fine.”
Her tone was perfunctory. “Then let’s say I asked. You tell me then.”
“Hmph... suddenly I don’t feel like saying it.”
Ilo puffed out her cheeks. “But, if you beg me, maybe I’ll be merciful and tell you something.”
“Forget it.”
Expressionless, Leticia turned away. “If you really have nothing to do, I suggest you daze by the river and watch the clouds. Time passes quickly that way. I have things to do, so I won’t waste time with you.”
“No, wait! Really, are you even a man? You’re so boring!”
Ilo ran over and grabbed Leticia’s hand. “Those other guys, if I just act a little and shed a few tears, they immediately give in. But why are you like this? You’re no fun at all! Fine, I’ll just tell you, okay?”
Those “other guys” of yours probably have some special preferences if they stop to listen to you...
Leticia muttered inwardly, pulling her hand free and putting on a look of impatience. “You really are unusually noisy.”
“Hmph...”
Glancing at her own hand, Ilo shook it with visible distaste before slowly speaking. “It’s not that I want to be like this. I’ve just long gotten used to it...”
“My father was a traveling merchant. My mother was a prostitute. They met far away. I don’t know if it was like in those love stories, where such a chance encounter led them to fall in love, but anyway, I was born from that.”
“Originally, my parents lived in a small city called Lenna, and that’s where I was born—so my mother said. But because of hardship, they had to leave that city and return to my father’s hometown. That’s here—this village, simply called Ado by the villagers.”
“In the earliest memories I have, though our life was tough, it wasn’t unbearable. The villagers looked at me and my mother strangely, but deep down they were good people. At that time, though my father was quiet, he still smiled. He worked hard, always busy for the family. But then, well...”
Ilo suddenly asked: “Stano, do you know this saying... Hmm... when you see the light of hope, don’t forget the darkness lurking at its feet. I think that’s how it goes. My mother told me once.”
“Never heard of it...”
Leticia could answer responsibly—she had never heard it. After all, she had only just recently learned to write, and all her references had been Church texts. She hadn’t read much. “What does it mean?”
“Ah, my mother said it was something a Church general once said. Basically it means that besides beauty in life, there’s always darkness.”
Actually, it was something a knight commander of the Church had said. Its true meaning was to remind believers to guard their hearts while following the Lord, and not let demons take advantage.
But Ilo’s mother clearly misunderstood, and thus skewed Ilo’s understanding as well.
Even Leticia’s mind wandered elsewhere.
Fortune and misfortune lean upon each other...
Leticia nodded. “I see. And then?”
“Then my mother died.”
...That turn was both abrupt and yet completely expected...
Ilo smiled faintly. “My mother’s body was never strong. Given her work before, though she luckily hadn’t caught any disease, her health had long been exhausted. Not long after, she passed away.”
“My condolences.”
“It’s fine, it’s been a long time.”
The child was still smiling. “But ever since then, my father has changed. No more smiles, and he didn’t like staying home anymore.”
Too shaken by grief? But he still had a daughter. Why such a change?
Frowning slightly, Leticia felt there was something very strange within this family.