—Oh? You usually stay for longer.—The priest asked.
—Yes, I have an errand to run today.—Mell respond.—Thank you for your time, as always. Would you like the book back some time next week?
—Next week, or the week after.—The priest says.—Hold onto it as long as you'd like.
—But surely there are others who want to use it?—Mell was concerned about it.
—None as sharp as you, Mell.—The priest reassured the boy.—Put yourself in my shoes, and you'll understand. I want to give you any advantage you can get.
—Ahaha…—A small smile appeared on Mell's face.
—On, do you not believe me?
—No, I believe you, Father.—His expression returned to normal.—And I mean to do whatever I can not to disappoint you…
—That's the spirit. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm proud to have you as my pupil.—The priest seemed honest.—Ah yes, and Mell—do consider what we were talking about.
—Going to university?
—Indeed. If you do, I can introduce you to some accomplished instructors. There is very little left for me to teach you, and I believe you would make a fine priest.
—I…—The boy didn't know what to say.
—It's an honorable thing, Mell, to devote yourself to the service of our Lord.
—...I'll give it some thought.—He finally responded after a small silence.—If you'll excuse me, then. I'll see you again.
—Our doors are always open.
—Farewell.—The boy disappeared from the Church afterwards.
"Whether it's in the service of God… or the service of the Church… it is an honorable profession. But theology… I wouldn't mind attending university, but I'm not sure… I'd kind of like to do something different… something more befitting of the times. As for what, though, I'm stumped. But I need to make up my mind soon… If I drag my feet for too long even my father is liable to grow impatient. Mercy me…"—Mell thought to himself outside.
—Young sire…—The beggar asked the boy.—Blessed young sire, alms… Alms for the poor…
—...Ah.—Mell didn't know what to say.
"This beggar… If I'm not mistaken… he's been outside the church since last week?"—Mell looked at the beggar.
—Alsm…—The beggar continued
"The way he shakes his head… I can get a glimpse of his forehead under his hood. He's completely bald…"—Mell continued to think about the man.
—Buy yourself some bread with this.
—Aaah….—The beggar was dead honest.—Thank you. Thank you very much. May Lord bless your soul.
—Thanks.—The boy said simply.
"The Lord…"—Mell thinks about the beggar's words for some time, until the boy's gaze darts to the side.—"Oh no! Nellie's going to be cross if I don't hurry home… Curses, and it looks like it's going to rain."—That was Mell's last thought until he disappeared out of view.
Master. Master? Oh, thank goodness. You appear to have a firm grasp on your consciousness.
I was afraid you had accidentally let go of my hand. Hehehe…
Now, Master, this is the period of time I truly wished to show you. The boy reading in the rose garden was now a fine young man.
Nonetheless, he still bore the same gentle eyes as before, and he would from time to time show remnants of that innocent young boy.
He was, in his mind, still making the transition into adulthood, I suspect.
Mell frequently visited the church—on Sundays to participate in Mass, of course, but more often to be tutored by the priest.
In addition, he also attended a private school run by an eminent marquis.
Though it was not a "school" where students had desks and sat in rows.
They studied at the marquis's estate. Secondary and higher education was not the same as it is today.
And Mell was considering university.
The priest wanted to recruit him to the Church, but Mell was having difficulty deciding what he should do.
That he had such a choice is envious, is it not?
—Good afternoon. I'm here to pick up my order. Is it ready?—Mell asked.
—Aye, ready and waitin', Young Master Rhodes!
—Oh, don't call me "Young Master," please.—Mell said with a small smile.
—I beg yer pardon. Cannae seem t' get me head outta past. Yer order's right here, sir.
Mell had stopped at a jewelry store in the center of town on his way back from the church.
The building was both a workshop and storefront, and the nobles of the area were deeply fond of the master's wares.
He was so skilled even the royal family had commissioned work from him.
As a matter of fact, the wooden sign out front was engraved with a replica of a piece of his jewelry said to be on display in the place.
As artistry flourished in this Golden Age, the number of ships selling luxurious items, such as jewelry, rose in kind. However, the clientèle of these shops comprised a very narrow range of people.
—May I have a look?
—Of course, of course!
—Good, it came out just as I hoped.—Mell stated after a small silence.—Splendid work.
—Heh heh heh. Cannae afford to disappoint a loyal customer like yerself.
—An admirable work ethic. I'm sure she'll love it.
—Such a kind lad, Young Master. M' boy back home could do well t' learn a thing or two from ya. Every man ought to show women some cordiality. Comin' home to a cold fireplace is a sad thing indeed! Hah hah hah!
—Again… please don't call me "Young Master."—Mell corrected again.
—My apologies!
—I'll take this and be on my way, then.
—Good day! If ya find yerself in need of aught else, just let me know. I can make any jewelry ya ask for. Come to me, and yet sweetheart's day'll be sure as made! And I guarantee the two of ya will have all sorts o' fun when ya give it to her!
—P-please, I don't have a sweetheart…—Mell mutters with a tiny blush.
—Huh, well, that's a surprise. I'm sure many girls are vying for yer hand too, Young— Mister Rhodes. A fine family, good looks. charming! And yer future's all but—
—I-I'll be on my way, then! I'm in a bit of a hurry!—The boy proclaimed with a mild fluster.
—Good day! Come by again anytime!
"…Goodness. Haaaah… Maybe I'll say I want to study abroad or something… Patient as my father may be, that would certainly anger him. I can hear it now… "You're wasting your God-given talents, boy!" I could renounce my name and rank, go somewhere far away… Heh, that sounds like the kind of plan Nellie would come up with."—Mell thought to himself outside, before continuing his walk.
As he drew closer to the mansion, the rich fragrance of roses grew more prominent. Over time, this distinctive scent had led visitors to refer to the house as "Rose Manor."
It was also probably a play on the flaxen-haired family's last name, "Rhodes," which you heard the owner of the jewelry store say just moments earlier.
The mansion looked quite different than it does now, no? No thickets of ivy covering the walls, and no rotten, broken doors to be found.
I wonder what the Rhodes family would think if they saw the house in its present, tragic condition.
The sight of their abundantly blooming roses—a veritable symbol of prosperity—long since withered and turned into soil.
My apologies. I got a little sentinel there.
Let us forget, for a moment, about our own time.
"I supposed I stayed out a little too long. Oh well, the sun still shines high in the sky, I'm sure it's—"—Mell's thoughts crumbled instantly as he felt his sister jumpscared him out of the rose bushes.
—Mmph!—Only what the boy could mutter at the moment.
—Dearest, dearest Mell! What took you so long?! Where ever have you been?! I've been waiting for-e-ver!—She was hugging her brother from the back.
—N-Nellie?! You're not in the house?!
—Nope!—Her answer was simple.—You were taking so long I decided to wait by the gate. But you didn't even notice me! At all! Is that any way to treat a lady?! All that studying's got your head stuck up in the clouds.
—No, it hasn't, really… Also… you're heavy. Could you please get off my back?
—Heavy?!—The girl stood up anyway.—I've been gradually reducing the amount of sweets I eat—and I love sweets—to maintain my figure for a new dress, and you call me heavy?!
—Er— I didn't catch that. Were you saying a tongue-twister?
—You're such a dimwit, Mell! Jerk! Blockhead! Weakling!—She seemed genuinely offended.
"And obnoxious to boot… What ever happened to the delightful little girl who was once my sister? She'd probably throw a fit if I said that out loud."—Mell looked at his sister.
—Should you really be outside, Nellie? You are the star of today's event.
—It's fine.—She smiled.—They can call it a birthday party, but I know it's just about fraternizing. It's obvious what Father's true motives are. He'll be gathering a bunch of boys from good families to look for someone to marry me off to. Ugh! I have no interest in that at all!—She was honest about it.
—Don't be like that, Nellie.—Mell reassured with a smile.—They're all for you. At least enjoy what you can of the party.
—Grr…—She gritted her teeth.—I guess! And besides, it's not completely terrible! Look at this, dearest Mell!—A bright smile appeared on her face.—What do you think?
—What do I think…—A pause.—about what?
—About… what? MELL…—She muttered slowly, clearly not happy about her brother's perception.—My new dress! It arrived! I'm wearing it! Now could you not notice?!—She was clearly offended by it.
—I-I did notice it was something I hadn't seen before, but you have so many dresses, Nellie, so…—Mell tried to defend himself.
—But this is the dress I had made just for today!—Her expression then softened.—Look at the colors. They're so pretty! It's the work of a renowned dyer! And this belt is just lovely! You see how it comes together to form a butterfly?
—O-ooh…—Mell didn't know what to say here.
—Oh, I'm just absolutely in love with it!—She seemed to actually loved her dress this much.—I think I'll be wearing this dress for a while to come! So, tell me, what do you think? Does it look good on me?
—Yeah, uh… it does.—The boy finally responded.—It's pretty.
—Hehehe!—She seemed pretty amused with his opinion and herself.
"In some ways, I guess she is still a delightful little girl."—Mell was looking at the bright face of his sister.
—Oh, dearest Mell, I loooove you!—With a huge smile, she jumped at him.
—Whoa! Don't jump on me like that. Ah!
—Oh my, you dropped something.
—Wait— Hold on! No! You can't have that yet!
—Is it a present?!
—G-Give it back! I was going to give that to you later!
—I knew it! It's for me! And just what could it be?!
—H— Hey, don't open it!
—What's the big deal? It's going to be mine soon anyway, isn't it?—As she gets a chance to observe insight.—Ooooh! I love it! A rose necklace! And this design… It's from the jeweler the royal uses! Oh, my dearest Mell…You had this made just for me!
—Oh, jeez…—Mell doesn't seem happy about it.—It defeats the purpose if you open it before the party.
—Happiness is always better sooner rather than later, Mell!—Her brother's concern seemed oblivious to her.—I think I'll put it on right away. There. How does it look?
—It look lovely.—He was honest.
—Mmmmnh, my prince is still the sweetest in all the land.—She nearly squealed from happiness.
—D-Don't make such weird noises.
—Oh, but why not?—She seemed pretty fine with it.—A prince always knows exactly what his princess wants. And this princess wanted some rose jewelry to go with her new dress. Understand? Hehehe.
—Jeez, I sure don't have it easy playing your prince, Nellie.—He seemed amused despite himself.—It might be about time you found a new one.
—A prince is a prince because you can't just find one standing on the stress corner. If you want to retire, dearest Mell, you're going to have to wait another ten years.
—That's a long time…—He tried to look actually concerned.
—Or, if you find yourself a new princess!
—I-I'm not so… Hmm….—He looked flustered, not being able to mutter a word.
—Hehe. You're about as romantic as a rock, dearest Mell.—She couldn't helped by teased him.—But worry not, your adorable sister will always be your princess. What more could you want?
—Are you really allowed to be the judge of that?
—I mean more to you than any other girl in the world, do I not? Then that makes me your perfect princess!
—H-Hahaha…—Mell laughed at that.
—Heeey!—Nellie seemed offended by it.—What was with that "laugh and it'll all be over soon" laugh?! You're always telling me I mean more than anyone to you.
—Yes, you do.—He reassured.—More than anyone in the world, my beloved baby sister.
—Hehehe.—She seemed amused with herself.—I'll take good care of the necklace! Thank you, my dearest Mell.
—Well… if you're happy with it, then so am I. You're very welcome.—He said with a small smile.—Now, back into the house with you. Can't have a party without the guest of honor. Do you know if anyone is here yet?
—Mmm, nope. I imagine they'll be here soon, though. Were you down at the church again today, Mell?
—Yeah. There was something I didn't know how to translate, so I went to look it up.
—Wow, so diligent.—She says with a small mock.—I can't say I really like the priest there, personally.
—Actually… I kind of the same way.—Mell simply agreed.
—What? Really?! Why?—Nellie seemed actually surprised.
—Well, you know. I have my reasons.—He seemed uneasy to explain it.
—Mmm.—She though seemed amused with his response.—Hehe. So even you don't always like the priest, huh? Let's skip Mass on Sunday, then! We can go play—
—No skipping church.—He was serious about that.
As grew the brother, so too did the sister. That day, Nellie would be turning fourteen. And Mell, three years her senior, was seventeen.
You saw it with your own eyes, so you know just how much she has changed. She was always a cute little girl, and she grew into an even more beautiful young woman.
Though she was only fourteen, she was well on her way to becoming a fine lady.
As for her character, well…
Hehehe. But a girl like that has her own charms, would you not say?
Drifting down the river of time, the two siblings matured into healthy young adults, but the core of their relationships did not change in the slightest.
Nellie was very much attached to her brother, and as much as Mell complained, he still cared deeply for his sister.
Around the time the sun had begun to set, carriages started to lining up outside as well-dressed aristocrats made their way into the house.
As Nellie had suspected, the majority of them were boys.
—Yes, I understand.—An unknown voice said.—You don't need to say anything more. Rose Manor, right? Okay, we'll go together. Me, alone? No, please, don't make me… The inhabitants of Rose Manor… are surely living quiet contented lives. And I'm sure they don't remember a thing….