#Start
Moon of Pisces. Day 5. The time when bells toll 15 times
After their morning classes with the governess, Lord Alberto's three daughters left to the courtyard.
The usual courtyard.
Day after day, Maria, Alicia and Lucia, the three together left for the courtyard.
"Turns out I'll be the one playing the harp at the party once again.
I'm looking forward to it."
"If it's you, sister, it should be a breeze!
And here I am, an useless girl who does nothing but climb trees"
The two of them started laughing together.
But Lucia was alone, looking up at the clouds.
"Hold up, Baron!
How could a stray dog turn out this big!"
Cart's pet dog came running above the lawn.
"Your body is such a frail one, Alicia, please refrain from doing anything dangerous."
However, Alicia was a 16-year-old that loved climbing trees.
"This ain't dangerous at all, look,
if I reach that branch, I could go much higher!"
"Oh, oooh,
Ah! I'm gonna faaall!
That was close."
Lucia was scared of ghosts and high places.
And the one she was most anxious about...
"It will only get dangerous from there, please come down!
I'll be scolded if you don't!"
A servant, son of Edy the gardener, The 14-year-old Cart Grohl.
"I wonder where Lucia went by herself......
Don't you think that girl's been weird lately?"
"She says she's growing flowers recently.
What a weird thing to start doing"
At that time, Lucia was alone in a corner of the courtyard.
There she took care of a miniature garden.
"It finally looks like a garden.
Phew.
I wonder what Cart would say about this"
"Is there something wrong, Lucia?"
Maria always worried about Lucia.
"You like that dog?
Do you want me to fetch it?"
Said Alicia, overbearingly.
"No, that's not it! It's nothing" !"
(No, no, he's a servant!
He'll be in trouble if father ever knows about it"
"Or if I could confide my feelings,
And go together to a faraway city......)
1. Confide{Newline}2. Try to talk{Newline}3. A bit hasty, isn't it?
"This is awful!
Who'd let this dirty dog inside the courtyard!"
Said Alicia, who was calmed by Alicia whenever she's angered by something.
"Alicia, isn't that a bit much?
Birds and dogs are free to be in the courtyard"
Lucia adored Maria's kindness.
(Hmph, Alicia has such a bad temper.
It was so cruel to call Baron dirty!"
......
I'm so fed up with this.
It would be lovely if could pass time growing flowers with Cart)
(But I shouldn't put this into words......
What would I say to the fiancé that father chose for me?)
1. Face Alicia{Newline}2. Think it over again
"That kid is bringing dogs to the courtyard again!
I have to tell father about this for once!
Alicia was irritable today as well.
"Alicia, why are you being like that?
Don't dogs just do as they please?"
"She's right! Alicia always goes too far"
(It's looking just like Cart's garden!
I wish Alicia would go somewhere else!
......
But would Cart understand......?
What would I do if he thought me and Alicia were the same......?)
1. Stick up for Cart{Newline}2. Confide to Maria{Newline}3. Kiss me warm if you understand...
"Cart Grohl!
Hold up my butt!"
Said Alicia, showing no reserves whatsover.
"Oh, my! So shameless!"
Maria was a refined little lady.
And Lucia was always being manipulated.
(Father will start suspecting any time now,
I shouldn't show any odd behaviour.
If I just wait, without a doubt will come a chance to ascertain his feelings.
I won't do anything imprudent until then.
Do you understand?
That I am myself?)
1. But the feelings won't stop～～{Newline}2. Yes, I won't do anything rash
(Whaaat??
What is that about?!?
She told him to lift her butt!?
Oh, my Cart,
You don't need to answer her command....
What would I do, if father knew about this game we amuse ourselves with......?)
1. Yell at Alicia{Newline}2. I'll hold it up myself{Newline}3. Aaaaaaaaah
"Cart!  Climb up here too!
If not, someone might get hurt!"
Said Alicia, coercive as always.
"Stop, Alicia! It's enough"
The eldest Maria watched over the two sisters.
Lucia was the only one left flustered.
(Why, why, whyyy!??
Why does even Cart have to go along??
......
And what words would they exchange up there, with the wind at the treetops silencing them, so the words won't reach us down here!? ......)
(Oh, my Cart,
don't go to Alicia's side!)
1. Stop Cart{Newline}2. Yell at Alicia{Newline}3. Climb up the tree too
"Shut up! Cart Grohl!
Do you understand orders?!"
Said the ever prideful Alicia.
"I'll tell father, Alicia!"
"That's right! I'll expose you and your tree climbing habit"
Lucia always imitated Maria.
(Alicia really hates Cart.
She's giving him filthy orders all the time.
But what if Alicia...
(Drives Cart out of the castle)
What would happen if I requested to father......)
(Oh, my Cart,
I would go with you.
I won't let you be alone......)
1. Try and confide to Cart{Newline}2. Hold Cart's hand{Newline}3. Plunge into Cart's chest
"That kid seems to be avoiding us, I wonder what's up with that"
"That kid has been like that since young"
Maria worries about Lucia's aspect, but Alicia doesn't.
"No, that's not it.
She's just thinking too much, that girl..."
"It would be nice if I weren't noblety,
and had born instead the daughter of a gardener......
......
That's it!
I had a great idea!"
(I'll run away from home!
Then I'll pretend to be a town girl, and come back here to be employed!
As an apprentice gardener!)
1. I can do it!{Newline}2. This is just gibberish......{Newline}3. I'll get to it right away!
"Oh, if it isn't lady Lucia"
"Ah, good afternoon, Edy"
"Excuse me,
I didn't mean to startle you.
......What? This is......?"
"This is, uuh, a garden I'm taking care of.
Hehe"
Edy lost words for a moment, and showed a expression of confusion in his eyes.
"These flowers are your doing, miss?"
"Yes, that's right.
What do you think? About my flowers......"
Edy once again stood in silence digesting the words, and carefully examined the flowers and soil.
"......
Those are good.
However, instead of getting your hands dirty, please leave it to me and my son"
1. I want to grow them myself{Newline}2. If it's Cart, I'll let him{Newline}3. Are my flowers really that bad?
While Lucia was distracted taking care of flowers, Alicia's voice could be heard from afar.
"Lucia! What are you up to!?
You'll be late for afternoon class!"
"Right!
I'll be going right away!!"
"We'll see each other tomorrow, my flowers"
As she stood up and turned around, there was Cart a few steps away.
At that moment her chest throbbed loudly, and she couldn't move.
Cart didn't seem to particularly notice her, as he walked back in the direction of his shed.
Then he vanished from her field of view.
(Oh, what should I do!
I don't think I'm embarrassed by the thought of showing Cart my flowers no more.
But it would be so weird to ask him to see them,
though I raised them just so I could show)
1. Call him out{Newline}2. Keep it to yourself{Newline}3. Check the flowers once again
(So, Cart......)
(What is it, miss?)
(So I'm a miss, huh......)
(If you need me to do any work, please, feel free to ask)
(No! ......
It's not work......)
"......
Aaah!
I'm looking like such a fool.
But I'll give up.
Father has already chosen a fiancé for me anyway.
I'm fine as long as I can meet him, my Cart)
(I should talk to my sisters about this.
They always gives me advice)
1. Talk to Maria{Newline}2. Talk to Alicia{Newline}3. Do nothing
"......
That's for the best.
I'm just being selfish after all.
I'd get one big scolding if father knew about this.
I'm fine as long as I can see him, my Cart)
(That's right, it's a bit hasty.
I have a fiancé after all.
I might just be too emotional,
and I don't really know......
if he feels anything for me......)
"......
I only get sad thinking about Cart.
I'll give up, nonetheless.
Things will only get awkward this way)
Just as soon as she started opening her mouth, Alicia called out for Lucia.
"Lucia's always just repeating over and over her sister's opinion
It's a bit embarrassing to see you like that"
1. Read Maria's expression{Newline}2. Talk back, it's whatever
"It's nothing like that!
Stop making up things! Let's make a break"
"Look at this, imitating her sister again!
You're always just doing as father and mother say, imitating her sister and giving airs!"
Lucia couldn't answer back.
She had never won at arguments.
(We both were born from the same parents, received our education from the same teacher, yet we're so different......)
Perhaps......There are some secrets concerning one of our births......
That is, I mean......)
1. Alicia was adopted......{Newline}2. I was adopted......
"......
As if......
That couldn't be, right......?
Though I can't think of it in any other way)
(Oh, if I weren't a noble or anything like that, just a town-girl, who one day will be visited by her real parents......)
(Should they express their gratitude for them raising their girls......?
Lucia......
No, keep calling me miss for now.
Would you exchange your well-off life you have until now,
to lead a difficult one with your mother and father?)
(No, mother, this is God's Providence.
Besides, I just now have a dream of being a town-girl......
......
As if......
This is hopeless)
(Mm, I want to stick up for him, but what could I say to help?)
1. It's not Cart's fault!{Newline}2. I apologize for Cart{Newline}3. Don't be mean to my Cart!
(Aaaaaa, I can't say something like that!
There's no way I could)
"Uuh, Maria...."
"Oh, you're being unusually meek, what's up with that?"
1. I think I'm in love{Newline}2. There's someone I can't help liking
"So......
I want you to teach me the harp later......"
"Huh,
so you finally decided to get over your handicap.
That's fine, come to my room after the afternoon classes!"
Thus omitting words, may even my true feelings be lost of sight.
"Stupid Alicia!!"
Lucia ran off towards the castle.
And the two sisters left behind looked at each other's faces in confusion.
"She's hot-headed, after all"
Muttered Alicia, ignoring her own shortcomings.
Maria looked at the direction Lucia left, doing nothing but showing uneasiness on her face.
"Stop with this already!"
Lucia shouted at Alicia
1. You're bothering Cart!{Newline}2. What do you mean 'lift my butt'?!{Newline}3. You're stupid!
"Asking a gentlemen to hold your butt!
That's extremely improper!"
Lucia started crying, holding her face with both hands, and bolted towards the castle.
"I'll help you!"
Lucia jumped inbetween them.
Cart saw an opening, hid behind Lucia and hurriedly walked away.
Then sounded Maria's deep voice.
"Both of you, stop with the dangerous games.
I'll tell father about it"
(Oh God!!
Even I, who don't climb trees!?)
As she turned around and looked at Maria, she saw her eyes glaring at Alicia.
Lucia tried to read Maria's face for a second, wondering if she should apologize, or make an excuse, even.
"At last, I'll introduce the characters
The protagonist is Lucia Sheen, that's me
And the target of my unrequited love, Cart Grohl
The gentle eldest sister, Maria Sheen
The coarse elder sister, Alicia Sheen
The strict father, Alberto Sheen
Cart's father, the gardener Edy Grohl
The small extra, Ramonz Martin
And......
Baron,
the doggie, today as white as ever
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah......!"
When Cart was finished being yelled at, he lent a hand on the tree climbing.
Lucia stood still, covering her face.
(Father will scold you for this!)
She repeated inside her chest as if it were a cursing spell.
(That's it! I'll stop it!)
She thought,
but the weight of her feelings piled on her heart only, not turning into words.
"Cart, come back here"
Maria's voice could be heard.
Cart lowered his head a number of times before going back to work, while Alicia sulked.
For a short while after that, Lucia fluttered without being able to keep Cart out of her head.
"Stop with this already!"
Lucia shouted at Alicia
1. You're bothering Cart!{Newline}2. Refrain from doing anything dangerous!{Newline}3. Run away
"Refrain from doing anything dangerous!"
Maria looked after Lucia, too subtlely for Lucia to understand.
"If you're going to climb trees, do it alone"
Maria took Lucia by the hand a led her inside.
Lucia shed a few tears.
(So,
I climbed up,
and Cart came up too, called by Alicia,
I sat on a side of a tree branch,
and Cart who came after also sat on that branch...)
She was wrapping her mind around that, when....
"Is it okay for Cart to be that close together?"
Said Maria with a low voice.
1. He can be with me{Newline}2. It's nothing like that{Newline}3. ......
(That's it! I'll confide to him!
There's nothing else I can do!
......
But what will I confide?
That I want to raise flowers with him?)
(No, no, this must not be!
(The love of two～～
So set apart～～
Will take at last～～
The lovers' whole～～
Lives themselves～～)
And so went that famous song, right?)
(Or rather if I took Cart's hand, and ran away like that......
Right
I might not come back home, but......
But I won't regret it......
That is...
Regret him...)
"If he's driven out of here, for sure he'll die somewhere!!"
A servant, son of Edy the gardener, The 14-year-old Cart Grohl.
There's a difficult social barrier to cross between him and Lucia.
But her chest won't stop fluttering she thinks about him.
(Oh, my Cart,
I can't take this noble life any more!
It's hard to breathe inside these chambers.
You, who live in this vast world, must know about so many flowers, birds and animals that I do not)
So was elating Lucia about her condition when Cart was called by Edy and left.
And thus continued secret the love she held.
(There's always freshly baked bread if I go to the kitchen,
maybe I should take some.
But there's no way I can ask Hanna to prepare me a change of clothes....
I can pack them in my trunk at night......
......?
Huh,
where is the trunk, I wonder?)
(Fine!
I can carry 4 or so pieces of clothing on my hands.
Maybe I'll keep just the bread!
Let's start with that!)
(That's right,
it's not like I could ever do it until now.
It's so cruel that we'd be torn apart like this,
just because of status)
(But, Alicia is leaving this place as well in 2 years, I should take to her for a bit.
There's no way I'm staying here forever...
Even though...... I like it here......
And I like Cart too......)
As Lucia stood up abruptly, she saw a figure from the corner of her eye.
1. Is somebody there?{Newline}2. Turn around slowly{Newline}3. Don't mind it
Lucia was filled with determination, and went to the back gate.
Even though she knew the obvious result would be having herself told to go back, after trying to persuade the guard with some excuses.
"It's fine.
I want to grow the flowers"
Edy stared at the dirt in his hands. 
"If that is what you wish, little lady.
Sorry my rudeness, but would you mind me asking once again?"
"So, you want to grow the flowers all by yourself?"
1. What do you think of it?{Newline}2. Is that bad?
"Well, that is, I......"
Cart's name was stuck in her throat.
"No, no, it's fine.
I am very proud as a gardener to have a lady helping my growing the flowers"
Edy took back his words as he saw her earnest expression.
Taking her into consideration, Edy started talking about all kinds of flowers.
Edy was going to be reprimanded later for leaving his tools on the courtyard,
but Lucia was just enjoying her early-afternoon, ignorant of such thing.
"So my flowers are no good after all?"
Even the obstinate Edy was troubled by those words.
"What do you mean? Those are fine flowers.
 They're unparalleled
flowers of thoughtless beauty."
Taking her into consideration, Edy started talking about all kinds of flowers.
However, Lucia felt a bit sad at that moment.
"... ... ...
No, no, no,
I simply cannot say it!"
(Take a deep breath.
I'll tell him once I've calmed down.
So don't go away yet, Cart.
Until I open my eyes,
be right there, my Cart)
"......
That's it, I'm giving up.
After all, my flowers haven't bloomed beautifully yet to show other people.
......
But when they do bloom, at that time,
I'll want to show them to that person,
but I hope I can do it......)
Lucia, 13 years old. Her heart and body still tightly closed as a flower bud...... It was an early day of summer.
(Hey, my little flowers!
Give me your strength!
What do you think of being shown to Cart?
Do you think he'll call you pretty?
Or will he think of you as dull?
Hey!
My little flowers!)
Albert's voice was heard following a knock.
"Are you awake still?
Go to sleep at once.
You're being late for your classes too often,
don't you think you're playing around too much?
"Okaaay! I'm going already!
......
Maybe he already knows about it!......
Father would never forgive me......"
"So, Maria,
my sister......"
"What is it?
Is anything bothering you?"
"Well, I......
......Ah (sigh)
No, it's nothing"
"So, Alicia,
my sister......"
"You only call me sister when you need something.
So you want that dog, after all?
"......
......Ah (sigh)
No, it's nothing"
"Look at her, looking for her sister again!
Don't go asking her to back you up!"
1. I'm not!{Newline}2. You're a bully!{Newline}3. Hit her
"I'm not!"
"Liar!!"
"I'm not lying!"
"Big liar!!"
1. I actually did{Newline}2. I only acted liked I did
"You're a bully!"
"You two, stop wasting your time with such petty fights"
"Ha! Us two, she said.
One of them is you, but I wonder who is the other one.
I thought Lucia was fighting alone!"
She was truly fed up with Alicia's comebacks.
"!!!
!!!!
!!!!!"
Lucia's face reddened as she stood up, clenching her trembling fist.
But she didn't know what to do after that, which only filled her with frustration.
Lucia didn't talk back.
Lucia, in not being upfront with her feelings,
in some way resembled Alicia, after all.
Lucia looked up to Maria's face, seeking approval.
But the loving and respectful sister only threw her a cold look back.
Alicia also seemed to want to say something, but their quarrel was ended by Maria's command.
"......"
Her feelings weren't sorted well enough to say Cart's name.
Lucia swallowed her words.
"So......
That is......"
Alicia finally came down, as Lucia was at a loss for words to respond.
Without even facing Maria, Alicia went directly in front of Cart.
"If you don't talk back and obediently do as I say,
I'll see with father as to give you work inside.
It will do you good to throw away those dirty clothes!"
After saying that, she threw a scornful look at Maria, and left in the direction of the castle.
Lucia was engulfed by a hazy, inexplicable feeling,
and with a pout started digging the soft ground up to the tip with her shoes.
"Is somebody there?"
She said with a voice too silent to be heard.
Then, Cart peeked his head above the brushwood and answered.
"Excuse me,
I was just passing by......"
An angel started ringing a bell in her chest.
She saw Cart's figure moving in her direction with a shovel in hand.
In that instant, the plan Lucia had devised in her head turned completely blank.
She felt as if she were above the clouds.
"Uh, I......"
The words leaked out of her mouth
made Cart turn around, as he was turning his back to run away.
Lucia, fighting her downward gazing timidity, finally asked.
"How much water should I give the flowers a day?"
"The way you're doing......
It is fine, you're doing well, don't you worry"
After having said that, Cart bowed and left.
Unable to follow Cart with her eyes as he left, she remained still with a vacant expression.
"So, how is it......?"
"Ah, this is good work"
Lucia felt better and started asking many things about flowers, until time passed and came the time for her classes.
(So, Cart......
Do you think I'm weird for being this nervous?
These emotions, I wonder if father would pull us apart if he ever found out about them.
It would be so fine if we could just talk, maybe just hold hands, but I lack the confidence......
Look at me, just crying all the time......)
"I shouldn't grow them here?"
Edy shook his head flustered.
"Ah, no, sorry for my awkward words.
I was just surprised by your abilities"
Lucia felt glad, and spent her time in front of her garden until it was time for classes.
The eldest daughter, Maria, is 17 years old.
"Looks like I'll be playing the harp at the concert.
It's my first time, so I'm a bit nervous"
The second daughter, Alicia, is 16 years old, a girl of coarse wordings.
"I'm sure you'll do fine, sister!
You're always so great at teaching us"
And the youngest child, Lucia, is 13 years old.
"But there will be a lot of people there, right?
Agh! Only thinking about it makes me nervous"
And the one who Lucia fancied the most......
"Hold up, Baron! Don't run on the lawn!
I'll be the one taking the fall for it!"
Edy and his child seemed to be arguing over something, but at the end Edy left and Cart walked up to Lucia.
Cart gently asked a number of things.
Lucia covered her face with both hands, and did nothing other than nod.
Here is the courtyard of Khus Castle.
After their morning classes with the governess, Lord Alberto's three daughters left to the courtyard.
Alicia had a sulky look that day.
"It's so weird to see that expression on your face, Alicia"
"It's not your business, so leave me alone!"
Alicia was in a really bad mood.
Both Lucia and Maria remained silent, enticed.
"Father promised he'd take me to the opera,
but it looks like he won't keep that promise tonight either!"
Alicia always talked openly.
Lucia was never promised something like that.
"Good weather we're having.
The morning fog is so clear already"
"You're always such an early bird, sister.
I didn't even know there was fog this morning!"
"Oh, is that right?
I can't choose but not wake up early sometimes"
"Ah!"
Suddenly taken by a strong wind, Lucia's hat went flying away.
Riding the winds, it weaved its way into the birch woods,
and disappeared in no time.
They were meant to show up as the three of them, but that today Lucia was alone.
"Alicia had to say in bed because of a fever,
and Maria is busy as a retinue......
It's a little lonesome to be by myself, 
but why is my chest rushing like this, I wonder?"
The second daughter, Alicia, had been frail since young, and often had to stay in bed.
Lucia walked alone, lost in thought.
As if regretting the plateau's short summer, the little birds chirped quickly.
Beyond the birch forest there's a pond, and if you cross the herbary next to it, there is a vast primitive forest.
"I understand what you mean.
But......"
Maria explained the family's state of affairs.
But Alicia wouldn't comprehend.
"Father's always telling me to keep my promises, but he's never keeping his to me!"
Alicia's selfishness got to Lucia's nerves, and so cut into the conversation. 
"He never even made me any promise......"
"And what would be that about?
He doesn't even know you exist!"
Alicia kept attacking Lucia, who was already starting to cower.
Lucia shed a faint teardrop.
1. I'll ask father to go to the opera too!{Newline}2. I'm not selfish like that{Newline}3. Right, I'll go with Cart...
"!!"
Alicia stumbled on something.
It was the shovel Cart was using.
"That deadhead, leaving his tools around......
I ought to give him a scolding"
Maria was rolling her eyes as usual, but not Lucia.
"I'll be careful!"
"Ah, aah!
Wait up, sister!"
1. Follow her{Newline}2. Panic
While Lucia was panicking, Alicia went by herself.
(Aah, Alicia snapped～)
Even knowing how out of depth her depth and reserved she was, she knew it wasn't going to change.
"Is anything wrong, little ladies?"
Edy's voice was heard from behind.
"Hello, nice weather we're having, huh?"
Maria was the first to greet him.
The other 2 then followed the greetings and explained Alicia's ill humor.
"What a pitiful thing"
Said Edy, tho which answered Maria.
"That kid is spoiled, that's all.
When she thinks of Cart......"
"No, no, that's nonsense,
you think I'm crazy, huh"
Looking pensive, Edy asked Lucia.
"Miss Lucia, what is making you feel uncomfortable?"
1. I'm not{Newline}2. I want to tell someone I like them{Newline}3. Poor Cart
"You're so stupid, Lucia!!"
In no time, Alicia went running after the flying hat.
"Alicia! You shouldn't run!
Your fever will come back!"
Alicia stopped on her feet, and faced in Lucia's direction.
"It flew into Heath's resting place!
Aren't you coming?
1. No running though, let's walk there{Newline}2. I'll look for it, so you stay here{Newline}3. Have Edy fetch the hat for you
It was Edy who showed up.
Lucia's chest started audibly beating as she closed her eyes.
Alicia took the hat, and after a while Lucia raised her head.
After confirming Edy wasn't around, she started to feel a little pathetic for having to calm herself down.
"Nooooooooooo!
My haaaaaaat!
Lucia stumbled on the tree's roots and almost fell over.
Alicia's laughter could be heard from her back.
"Lucia is so stupid, even her hat had enough of her and flew away!"
Lucia turned halfway back to her direction, and talked back to Alicia.
1. I'm not stupid!{Newline}2. It was the wind!{Newline}3. And who cares if I am!
(Ah, this throbbing feeling!
This feeling I can't tell anyone!
How do I even explain this!??
Yes, that first time I dance with Rif at the party,
that time father first introduced him,
if I grade that feeling, say, a 100...
That's right, this feeling is......)
"Aah!
It flew away in the direction of the pond!"
"Aah, I wonder if it fell into the pond.
You are so unlucky, after all"
Alicia was mean as always.
"Ugh......
Let's us three walk to the pond.
And you two are going to behave"
The three of them walked to the pond.
When they could see the pond entirely, suddenly Alicia started laughing.
"What is it, Alicia?"
"Look at that, Lucia"
Alicia was pointing to the hat floating on the water's surface.
"Just like I said! Poor Lucia!
1. I'll pick it up!{Newline}2. There's nothing I can do{Newline}3. I'll call someone!
After some time, they reached the area between the Soothsayer and Lion ponds.
Next to the pond there is a roofed bench they call Heath's resting place.
Nearby is Edy's tool shed, where he and his son often had tea together.
Up in the sky birds were singing, and the wind was shaking tree branches softly.
1. Take a nap on the bench{Newline}2. Read a book on the bench{Newline}3. Go to Edy's shed
(Maybe a 200?
Oh, my Cart,
why do you do this to my heart!?
What would I do, if this throbbing
went up to a 300, or a 500,
maybe even to a 1000!?
Oh, my Cart,
why were you born a gardener?
And why was I born a noble?
After some time, they got to the herbary.
"That person is this place's lady, so stop barking like this!"
It wasn't Cart who Baron was following.
"Hello
Nice to meet you"
"I am truly sorry for him.
I'm Ramonz, the manager here.
I take care of Baron when Cart is working around the castle"
"Ha!, Baron,
you're white today as ever"
"Ah, milady, you'll get your dress dirty......"
1. Play with baron{Newline}2. Rest a while{Newline}3. There is no time, go back
(I almost forgot about taking care of the garden!)
Lucia came near a flower bed of her own personal miniature garden.
Even from a distance, she could know her red and blue flowers were growing healthy and strong.
And then, she started talking to the flowers as usual.
"My little flowers, you seem to be doing well"
In that moment, Edy's voice reverberated.
"Well now, I'll offer you an explanation!
Even though I'm worth only half of a man, well!,
explain it to the lady, now!"
As Lucia turned around, Cart showed up as if being squeezed out.
At the back was Edy, with arms crossed.
So Cart talked to the perplexed Lucia.
"You see, I was looking after that garden......
The condition of the soil, the quantity of water, everything......"
1. Feel disappointed{Newline}2. You were helping me raise them!{Newline}3. Edy has nothing to do with this!!
"Well! I'll ask to go to the opera with you"
"No, not together! Go on a different day than me!"
Alicia wasn't very tolerant.
Maria was half shocked.
"If you two want to go to the opera that much, how about you come with Sebastian and me? I'll ask father"
"No, not like that!"
Alicia went running away.
Lucia felt as if she had done something bad, when she looked up to her sister's face,
but Maria's gaze was averted.
"I'm not that selfish, you know!"
Alicia's open hand jumped to Lucia's face.
"You don't even know how selfish you are yourself, so stop talking about me!!"
Large drops of tears started falling from Lucia's eyes.
Alicia swallowed her words and went running away.
Lucia wiped her tears, alternating from her left to right hands.
Maria came to tell her something, but her tears hadn't stopped falling since then.
She was very rarely called selfish, but wasn't she after all, looking from her point of view?
Lucia didn't know what Alicia was mad about.
"Right! Me and Cart......
She didn't mean to say it out loud, but the words escaped from her mouth.
"Lucia, you can go hang out with Cart if you want to......
You two are around the same age......"
Maria chose her words and began to talk.
"Well, only for studying.
If you can understand me, that is...
I can ask father too if you want to accompany when they ride horses or go hunting..."
Maria said, slightly perplexed.
Lucia turned red to her ears after hearing that.
"Stop! It's nothing like that!"
"Why are you here too!?"
Alicia talked harshly to Lucia.
"Wow, Alicia, you're always so harsh with the things you say"
"Are you trying to monitor me?
Younger sisters shouldn't be this cheeky!!
I'll dispatch Cart to the mines!"
The two of them reached the shed while arguing.
"We're here. What now?"
"Hold on, Alicia......"
1. Bring Alicia back with you{Newline}2. Watch from a distance{Newline}3. What do you mean, dispatching to the mines?!
"This is bad, let's go home.
We should tell it through Sebastian.
It's no good doing things like this"
She was a little puzzled as to why Alicia came all the way there.
"Fine, fine!
Okay, I'll do it for you!
Don't forget about this!"
Alicia dropped the shovel carelessly and went back.
Lucia stood in place, looking at Edy's shed and her sister's back alternately.
"Aaaah, what am I trying to do!?
Stupid, stupid!
Ah, sister! Don't go back by yourself!"
"I'll keep my distance"
Alicia had a slightly off-beat expression.
Lucia was watching from a short distance away, but at the end there seemed to be no one at the shed, so Alicia dropped the shovel and left.
"Aaaah, wait～
I'll go back with you～"
Having said that, she couldn't bring back her feelings from the front of the shed as she followed her sister.
"What is that about dispatching to mines?!"
"Kids like you are always so noisy!"
How about you go to the mines too!?
Just chill already!"
Alicia was hysterical as ever.
"Ah, I don't know!
We could go to the mines, anywhere, together!"
"We feel no discomfort at all, with father providing everything for us"
Edy answered cheerfully.
The same or us gardeners, the master provides us everything we may be in need of, so we lack nothing"
Alicia seemed to want to disagree, but Maria cut in front of her.
Lucia had the happiness of being loved by her father deep in her chest.
"That's right.
I'm still just a kid, after all.
Without father, I couldn't do anything"
"I want to tell someone I like them"
Those words spilled from Lucia's mouth, making her face completely red.
"It's improper for girls to tell things like that, you know!"
Alicia imitated Lucia's way of speaking.
"It's the best feeling when my heart flutters and prances around my chest!"
Edy returned to work with a smile on his face.
In trying to find the meaning of those words, Lucia started thinking to herself.
"Poor Cart......"
"Nonsense, that half-man isn't old enough to want anything yet"
Edy shook his head in disapproval, as Alicia was filled with mischief,
"By poor Cart, she means she likes him!"
Lucia was a little perplexed, but after hearing that she reddened completely.
"That's not it ! Not it at all"!
Seeing the two back to cheerful conversation, Edy silently stepped away.
"That's really not it, enough already......"
"Fine, fine, I get it I'm going already.
You don't need to repeat it all the time!"
They arrived at Heath's resting place while arguing, where Alicia broke into a run.
"I like it here.
Oh look, those are delphiniums,
and gazanias, mollies, alliums......"
Alicia seemed to lose interest in looking for the hat.
Lucia sat on the bench as well.
After talking to Alicia for a while,
a boy came walking their way, holding the hat that had flown away.
Her chest started galloping like a horse.
"I'll look for it, so you stay here, sister"
Said Lucia, which was followed by Alicia's hysterical scream.
"Don't tell me what to do!
I'll go look, and you stay here"
I won't run, so let me do as I like!"
Said Alicia, who vanished in the shades of trees.
Suddenly she looked up to Maria's face, covering her face with both hands.
"What is it, sister......?"
Maria did nothing but twist her head to the side.
Lucia was fed up with the constant quarreling.
"Edy can go get the hat for us"
"Right! I'll go ask him"
Said Alicia, who vanished in the shades of trees.
Lucia quietly followed behind, when Alicia reached Heath's resting place.
And there showed up Cart, holding the hat that had flown away.
He went right next to Alicia and handed it over to her.
Lucia watched from a distance, trembling and unable to move.
"I'm not stupid......!
Aaah, aaaah,
aaaaaahhhhhh!!"
Lucia lost her balance, falling to the ground.
The two sisters came running to her.
"Ouch......"
"This is what happens when you're not careful!
Let's go ask Edy about the hat.
Let's go right away!"
By her dullness and stupidity
Lucia seemed to have had injured herself a little, but Alicia's giggling kept her from making any complaints.
"It was the wind! I'm not a dunce!"
As Lucia chased after the hat, a familiar voice came to her ears.
"Is something wrong, miss!?
If I can help you with it, by all means, please tell me"
The owner of the voice was Cart, in the corner of her eye.
1. Pretend to not have heard it{Newline}2. Stop moving
"And who cares if I am!"
Lucia ran off, paying no mind.
She walked around for a while looking for the hat, unable to find it in the end.
Dripping with sweat and emotionally drained, she heard her sister's voice calling.
"Lucia! We found it!"
She was told Cart had found the hat and brought it back.
Having heard that, Lucia felt down and bad.
How unlucky of Lucia! Nothing ever goes as she plans!
"I'm not giving up!
I'll go get it!"
Lucia held up the hem of her dress and stepped a foot in the water.
"Stop that!
Don't you think that's improper?"
Maria dissuaded her, but Lucia didn't seem to give up.
"I'll give you my hat!
I have one just like that"
Lucia agreed reluctantly,
but the idea of being asked a favor in return in the future
made her feel sick.
"Well, there's nothing I can do!
And that was my favorite one......"
So was saying Lucia, when Cart went into the pond and retrieved her the hat......
Or so she imagined it to happen.
"Ugh......
This is bad!......
No matter what I do, after all......"
"That hat was getting too small for you anyway, you'd have to buy a new one eventually"
Said Maria in an attempt of comforting her.
However those words were in vain as she stared at the water's surface, with her thoughts drifting to Cart.
"Let's have someone go and get it!"
The scenario of Cart going into the pond and fetching the hat came to her mind.
"Lucia, are you serious about that?"
"Ah!!"
Asked Maria, seeing right through her.
"No!
That's not it!
It was just a slip of the tongue!"
Lucia shook her head, taking back her words.
Alicia looked tired with her arms folded.
"Sorry, I'm so dumb I come up with that kind of thing"
She muttered as she faced the pond.
"I think I'm getting sleepy"
Lucia wandered over to the bench and laid down on her side.
How much time had passed, I wonder?
When Lucia opened her eyes, Cart was standing at her side.
He started laughing loudly as she stood up startled.
"Hahahaha!
You were looking so defenseless,
I was considering snatching you away!"
Lucia blushed.
1. That was so rude of you!{Newline}2. And where would you take me?{Newline}3. Do it! Do it!
"I'll get some reading done for the afternoon class"
Lucia sat on the bench to read a book.
After a while, Cart happened to pass by the pond.
Their eyes met for an instant, but without thinking she lowered her gaze away.
After a while she rose her face from the book, but unexpectedly there was Cart in front of her.
"Take this,
since you like flowers......"
Cart gave to Lucia a necklace made of various flowers.
It was pretty, with white and pink flowers alternated.
"Ah yes, I wonder how Edy is doing～～,
as if!～～
It's all about Cart, after all～～"
Lucia went towards Edy's shed.
"You came from really far away.
Are you all by yourself?"
She passed by Edy in front of the shed.
"Yes, my sister is feeling ill......
What about you, Edy......?"
"Ah, must be the fever once again......
Also, Cart is sleeping inside the shed"
"Is he sleeping alone?"
"He's the first to get up, having to keep Heath's place clean has its toll on his schedule"
"Baron! Come!!"
When called, Baron wagged his tail and came to Lucia.
He ran, rolled on the grass, and licked her face when she held him.
"Stop it, I'll be in trouble if I get dirty!"
However, Baron paid it no mind.
"Hmph! Aren't you a little rascal, Baron!
Is your master actually just as much of a rascal as you are!?
I wish father would get mad at me, and drive me out of the castle just like the other maids!"
Yelling loudly made her feel slightly better.
"Umph!"
Lucia sat on that same spot and Baron came running to her.
"Ah, little lady, your dress will get dirty!"
"It's fine,
I don't mind it, Mr. Ramonz!"
Lucia held up Baron.
"I like you, Baron! I like you a lot!
Always be by my side! Don't go away!"
Even as she held Baron, the contents of her heart were always the same.
She didn't forget him for a second even.
Wishing to forget the anxieties of her love, she held Baron even stronger.
"Well then, is Edy and everyone working in the castle at the moment?"
"Probably, yes"
"Right, I'll go together! Baron!"
Even when she pretended to break into a run, Baron didn't follow her.
"He must know he'll be bullied by Alicia if he goes over there!"
Lucia took a glance at Ramonz' face.
He responded with a forced stiff smile.
Lucia always imagined everyone around her ought to hate Alicia, but Ramonz had no reason to say a bad thing about the girl.
"Is that so?
And I believed I was growing them myself all along......"
"I'm terribly sorry you feel disappointed, but to think this guy here
put himself to work, weird hopes
and all......"
"I'm sorry, I thought you'd be glad......"
"Thank you, Cart......"
Lucia's spoke quietly, but her confusing feelings wouldn't be dispelled.
The feeling of her confidence crumbling, after she thought able to do anything.
"Is that true!?"
Lucia sprung up in joy.
But words failed to come out when she saw Cart's face.
"Thanks, Cart!
I'm so happy!"
Cart was also a bit flustered.
Edy took Cart by the ear and led him in the direction of the brushwood.
Scolding could be heard, but she was in some sort of dream-like state of mind.
"You have nothing to do with this!"
He pushed Edy's back with both hands and kept away from the small garden.
"Ah, little lady, I......,
I mean, that brat......"
Lucia kept pushing Edy with teary eyes.
Seeing that, Cart came to beg for forgiveness.
"If it makes you upset, little lady, we might not stay here any longer!
Please, forgive me, it was my fault"
Lucia refused bluntly,
"I'm not upset, leave me alone!!"
So she yelled, and tears followed right after.
Lucia pretended to not have heard.
But she couldn't help worrying about Cart, as her chest rushed restlessly.
She pretended to be looking for it for a while, when suddenly she felt something being placed on her head from behind.
As she turned around, there was Cart.
"Here, it's your hat......
Though it looks like it got a bit dirty......"
Lucia froze in stupor.
Cart also couldn't say anything, with eyes fixed on her face.
"Thank you.
It's a very important hat to me"
Before she knew it, she was running away before finishing speaking.
Her heart was light as a plume.
She remembered an old song, to which she tried to hum,
but the love song was just repeating itself.
As Lucia stood still, Cart asked once again from her back.
"Could it be you're looking for something?"
"......Yes,
my hat......"
So she answered, but when she turned around Cart's figure had turned smaller.
While she was wondering what she would say when Cart showed up with her hat in hand,
she rested her back on the handrail of the bridge to Heath's place
and observed the families of ducks floating on the lake.
"That's so rude of you!"
"I'm sorry!
I ended up fooling around a bit!
Please, let it be a secret!
Don't tell master about it!!"
1. No way! You should know your place!{Newline}2. Fine, but......
"No way! You should know your place!"
She treated him harshly in her stupor.
Cart instantly lowered himself and his head to Lucia several times.
Lucia was speechless, perplexed only.
But at the same time she was restraining herself, drowning in love, to not cry.
"Fine, but......"
Cart muttered as she began to speak.
"I want us to have many more secrets"
Lucia was at a loss for words.
1. Yes{Newline}2. What's with all this familiarity!?
"Yes, let's have secrets"
After those words were squeezed out, the two of them remained in silence.
The familiar singing of the birds was unusually clear, as if transporting her thoughts far away.
"No way, don't talk as if we were close to each other.
My father knows everything that happens.
And I don't want to be seen like that......"
Lucia couldn't choose any more words to say.
Their bodies stiffened until they couldn't see each other's faces.
"And where would you take me?!"
To which Cart answered in a quiet voice,
"To the town where my mother lives......"
After saying that, he seemed to have words stuck in his throat.
And so had Lucia, trying to control her innocent love inside her chest.
"............"
"Sorry!
I shouldn't have said that!"
Cart wedged himself in that moment of hesitation.
Lucia forced herself to put on a smile.
Then, until he turned around and ran away,
the two of them stared at each other, searching for words.
"Thank you"
When Lucia thanked him, Cart put one of his knees on the ground, and lowered his head intensely.
Lucia softly put her right hand forward, which he held to kiss.
But in that instant Lucia blushed, making her turn away as she covered her face.
"Sorry! That's improper of me!"
"No, I'm the one who got carried away!"
"It's my fault. I'm sorry"
Lucia desperately tried to control her heartbeat.
They mutually lowered their heads in apologies.
Cart started laughing, to which Lucia soon followed with their eyes locked......
Then, as their entwined glazes dissolved, the two of them simultaneously looked down.
Lucia abruptly stopped her feet returning to the castle, and asked.
"How about you offer me a cup of tea?"
Showing signs of slight distress, Edy showed Lucia around the shed.
Cart slept on the couch.
"Please, don't tell the master that you had tea in here,
let's keep it a secret"
Edy left the two of them and returned to work.
Lucia was alone, staring at her toes being covered in dirt as she lost herself in thought.
"Ah, little lady......
You, in a place like this......
You should clean up......"
Cart woke up.
"It's fine, the dress will be dirty by the end of the party anyhow.
Or I could also stay here forever......"
"Could I have some tea as well?"
Lucia nodded slightly.
She thought as if she were in a dream.
They faced each other across the table, when awkwardly a conversation started.
"What kind of conversation do you have during meals in the castle?"
"Hmmm, I don't talk very much.
My sister Alicia just talks to herself!"
"Are there parties every night?"
"I'd run away if that were the case.
Parties are fun, but very tiring.
And very lonely"
"......Royalty's weird, huh"
"Ah, sorry, it was weird of me to say that"
"Hmph, it's okay, I've given it up anyway"
"Give up???
Is nobility a thing you can give up?"
At that point Lucia couldn't speak further, pouting her lips.
She felt somewhat irritated.
(So much happened today.
Right, my Cart......?
What should I do?
I want to reach you, but you're so far away......
My heart can't take it!)
(Day in, day out, you and your mother still in those fields so far away,
and so I must pray to this unkind God of us for all eternity......
What should I do?)
(But this ends today.
I don't want to bother you no more,
and there's no way I could betray my mother, my father, my sisters, my dear family)
Lucia, 13 years old. It was an afternoon of a summer day, embracing her with tender sunlight.
(So this is it.
Goodbye, my Cart,
goodbye......)
Holding the cup to her lips, said Lucia as she watched Cart with upturned eyes.
"I like how dirt smells......"
"Little lady......
You smell sweet, like a flower"
As Cart said that, he placed his hand in the table and bent himself forward, bringing his face near to Lucia's.
And then, Cart stood silent.
And so did Lucia.
How could she live outside of the Castle? Her anxiety drowned out the foreboding kiss.
Cart sat silently on the chair, resting the cup on his both hands.
Endearment and anxiety growing in their chests.
And the mutual feelings.
That day I woke up with the sound of rain outside the window.
It was still dark, and the singing of the birds still scarce.
The mood I woke up in perhaps went along with my feelings.
After glaring at the rain falling outside for a while, I stood up in front of the closet.
Packing my things, by Cart's side, going anywhere far away......
To go to the countryside somewhere, be farmers or whatever......
If we only managed to be employed as live-ins, at least we wouldn't die of hunger.
1. Anyways, forget that.{Newline}2. I'll go to the end, even if I die.
"There's no way I could do that.
If by any chance anything happened between us, the blame would fall on Cart..."
Lucia put her thoughts, which had kept her up the last night, away in the closet as a conclusion.
Then she returned to her bed, and fell sound asleep.
Lucia held her bag to the chest, curbing the loud palpitations.
She closed the door behind her, and ran to the seemingly empty house's entrance.
She opened the door, and slide her body into the rain's white fog, aware of the cold air inside her throat.
She ran helding the bag above her read.
Cart must have already been up, doing the cleaning of Heath's resting place.
She wasn't sure how she would speak to Cart, but her chest was filled with a most sincere love.
Then, she could see Heath's resting place.
As expected, there was Cart aswell.
Lucia rushed over to him out of breath.
"Little miss, what are you doing?"
With the same energy built from the run, she plunged into Cart's chest.
"I can't get married to the man my father chose for me!"
The silently falling rain turned into a white mist, engulfing their bodies.
Lucia's sobbing had Cart in bewilderment.
Incapable of making her own feelings into words, Lucia did nothing but keep crying.
The white mist concealed their figures.
The short time faltered until the Maids started looking for Lucia.
Lucia, 13 years old, finally managed to speak her feelings, even if just a little bit.
And this story ends here.
What words did Cart say?
What did they do after?
Those are things left unwritten.
It serves the purpose of ending the story in its most beautiful scene.
I didn't want to write a tragedy.
The several hardships that awaited them both,
the revolution,
Alicia's illness,
are all things to be left out of these pages......
(I've had enough,
I feel like I finally can see myself.
I think I could forget you,
if I closed my eyes and opened them again.
So even for a bit, let me stay loving you......)
Chapter 8
Portrait of the 7th Lord, Albert Sheen, and his family
Chapter 7
The third daughter, Lucia
From the registers of the Khus Castle, region of Enavia
It was a peaceful summer in the Khus Castle, when days kept repeating themselves.
"Good morning Lucia, good mood, huh?"
The one responsible for waking up Lucia and Alicia was the maid Hanna, but that morning they were awaken by Alberto.
Lucia adored her father, but she had a bad feeling about that.
"Good morning, father......
Is there anything special happening today?"
"Lucia, I've told Alicia already,
but I've decided to send you two off to Rasa for schooling"
"Rasa......?
Could Rasa be......"
Rasa was a town many days away by coach.
If she went to school in such a place, perhaps she would never meet Cart again.
"No! I can't! It's too sudden!"
"Ah, you decide if you're going or not, Lucia,
think of it by yourself.
I've talked to your mother and Sebastian,
but it's my duty to raise you into a fine lady to send into the world.
The same for the maids Layla and Eva, even Cart thinks so. I must care for you.
Do you understand?"
(Could it be that father knows about my heart's inclination towards Cart?)
Without thinking, Lucia covered her face with both hands.
"I expect your answer for the dinner after tomorrow, so do think well."
Having said that, Albert left the room and closed the door.
Lucia, 13 years old
Embracing her love's awakening, she continued to cry on her bed.
But if I keep acting like this......
Maybe Cart will be bothered if I keep acting like a crybaby.
1. It's fine, everything will be all right.{Newline}2. Regret, with the future uncertain
And here ends this story.
