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Aldo had brought me to Daluane, and I was immediately confined to this room—a separate annex from the main Claudel House manor. I hadn't been allowed outside since.
— "For better or worse, you are my daughter. As one who carries noble blood, you will fulfill your duty."
— "You’ve grown to look just like that thieving cat. Get yourself to the Empire at once. This is atonement for how you people defiled the prestigious Claudel House. Surely, it’s an honor to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the people?"
The words my father and mother had spit at me since my arrival still cast a heavy shadow over my heart.
My mother, in particular, came here almost every day just to hurl heartless insults.
It was frustrating.
I couldn't forgive her for saying such horrible things, not just to me, but even about the mother who actually gave birth to me.
I had become an explorer. I had grown stronger.
I thought that now, I would finally be able to voice my own opinions to my mother without being intimidated.
—Or so I thought.
However, when I actually stood before her, I lacked the courage.
Just as when I was a child, I could do nothing but endure it silently until she grew bored and left.
In the end, I realized then that I hadn't changed at all.
I was still that same small, powerless girl, unable to change anything on my own.
If the safety of the territory's citizens could be bought with a worthless life like mine, I suppose even I would consider it a bargain.
As I always did, I looked up at the night sky through the window.
When I casually reached my hand out toward the moon, it was hidden by clouds at the worst possible moment, and the darkness of the night deepened.
It felt like a reflection of my own heart...
Come to think of it, it had been about three days since Selma’s last telepathy.
Well, after I ignored her for so long, it was only natural for her to be fed up with me.
I was no longer an explorer; I was to be married off to the Empire, an enemy nation.
Even if I could meet my sister, I knew I would only end up whining to her.
If I did that, I would only be a burden.
In that case, as painful as it was, it was better if I didn't see her at all.
However, in her last message, my sister told me, "I will definitely save you."
Perhaps she knew about my current situation and was moving in her own way.
(Ahaha... Even though I ignored her because I didn't want to be a burden, here I am, indulging in such self-serving fantasies...)
I truly grew to hate my own wretchedness.
But, if—just if—things were as my delusions suggested—
"I wonder if something happened to her...?"
The realization that Selma might be in a situation where she couldn't use her telepathy caused a voice of concern to leak from my mouth.
"—Selma is fine. She’s sleeping off her exhaustion right now, but her life isn’t in danger."
"...Eh?"
A familiar voice reached me from behind. I whirled around in shock.
This room was locked from the outside, and the windows were fixed into the walls.
There was no one else in this room besides me, and no one should have been able to enter.
When I looked toward the voice, I couldn't see the figure clearly; he was blended into the night.
Even so, even without seeing his face, I knew who it was.
There was no way I could ever mistake that voice.
"............Orun?"
Even though he was hidden in the darkness, I could tell that Orun's expression had softened into a gentle smile when he heard my name.
"It's been a while. I didn't expect to run into you in Daluane. I know you’re probably not 'doing well,' but I’m glad to see you’re safe."
I was the one who didn't expect to see him here.
Why was Orun in Daluane?
Only my father, my mother, and Aldo should have known where I was being kept.
I could hardly believe those three would tell anyone else about this place.
"Why is... Orun here...?"
"The Labyrinth conquests in the other regions finished the other day. I came to Daluane to report to Princess Lucila."
Ah, I see.
Orun was conquering the Labyrinths at the Princess's request.
It was only natural to report the completion to his client.
...I felt ashamed of myself for thinking, even for a moment, that he might have come here because he was worried about me.
"I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point."
When Orun spoke again, the atmosphere surrounding him shifted. He was serious now.
"I've already heard about the engagement. I only have one thing to ask you. Sophie, do you want to marry Viscount Emelt? Tell me how you really feel."
...I see.
Orun had come at this time as an executive of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.
I had come here without saying a word to the clan.
That was definitely dishonest of me.
"...First, I'm sorry for coming to Daluane without any contact with the clan. As for the answer to your question... I have already made my peace."
"...Your peace?"
"Yes. I’ve resolved to quit being an explorer and marry into the house of Viscount Emelt. Therefore, I will be withdrawing from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky. I'm sorry it had to end like this. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
While desperately holding back the tears that threatened to spill, I bowed my head.
A heavy silence followed. When I timidly looked up at Orun, his expression remained hidden in the shadows.
Unable to bear the quiet, I spoke again.
"This is the duty of one born into the Claudel House. If I marry Viscount Emelt, the lives of the citizens won't be in danger. Don't you think it's a cheap price if the safety of the entire territory can be bought with just my body? That's why I'm going to marry him."
"...I see."
Perhaps my resolve had reached him, as Orun gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
...With this, it was a final parting from Orun and the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.
My path was already—
"And?"
"...Eh?"
Just as I thought my time as an explorer had ended, an unexpected response came from Orun, causing me to let out a dumbfounded sound.
"I told you before, didn't I? What I want to hear are your feelings."
"I-I told you, for the sake of the citizens—"
"I heard that you intend to accept the marriage proposal to protect the people. But is that what you truly desire? To put it more simply: if the safety of the citizens were secured even if you didn't marry him, would you still want to accept this deal?"
Orun's words threw my heart into turmoil.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him to save me.
But I couldn't.
As a daughter of a noble, I wasn't allowed to run away from my responsibilities.
"T-That's... but it's a fact that the Empire has the means to cause a Labyrinth Stampede! My feelings are trivial compared to the lives of the people! This is my duty as a daughter of the Claudel House, born as a noble!"
"...At least to me, Sophie’s feelings are more important than the lives of people I’ve never met."
"!"
"If Sophie were truly satisfied with this situation from the bottom of her heart, I wouldn't say another word about it. —So, this is the last time I'll ask. Are you 'Sophia'? Or are you 'Sophie'? Which one is it?"
The weight of his voice increased yet another level.
He was asking if I chose to be the "daughter of the Count Claudel House" or an "explorer of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
"I... I am... Sophi—......"
If I were to say "I am Sophia" here, this conversation would end.
I only had to say one more syllable, yet I couldn't weave that final sound. Instead of a voice, tears spilled out.
"Last year, when I became your Master, I told you guys, didn't I? I said, 'I will always be on your side.'"
As I remained choked up, Orun continued.
"That's something I will never go back on, no matter what happens. Absolutely. If there is something threatening what you desire, I don't care if it's a noble or a country—I won't hesitate to make them my enemy. So, let me hear your honest feelings."
Orun's kind words broke through the dam I had built.
I had no strength left to act tough.
"I... I want to be... 'Sophie'...! I want to keep being an explorer with you, and Carol, and Log, and Big Sis Ruu! I still want to be with my sister! I don't want to marry a stranger! Help me... please help me, Orun...!"
My emotions collapsed. While sobbing, I begged Orun for help, reaching out my trembling hand.
Orun gently grasped it.
"—Yeah, leave it to me. I’ll settle things with your father before the day is over. I’m going to cut through everything binding you. Just wait a little longer."
As Orun made his promise, the moonlight broke through the clouds, illuminating his face clearly.
His expression was every bit as kind as I had imagined it would be.
"Yes... I'll be waiting...!"