studiobondurri Chapter 48
Chapter 48
The phrase hanging around the mansion where Sylvia lived was widely known to the public as Astra’s family motto.
Those who repay both kindness and grudges with more than what they received.
It wasn’t just mere words; Astra acted accordingly, causing people to naturally show kindness towards the high elves bearing that name and to be careful not to earn their wrath.
Sylvia had always hated those words hanging on the walls with a passion.
‘Disgusting people. Do they really think it won’t be obvious if they’re full of expectations to receive something in return for what they give?’
People who approached her not out of pure goodwill, but because they wanted something.
She thought that all her wounds from such behavior were entirely due to that family motto.
However, recently, every time Sylvia looked at the framed words, she found herself feeling something different than before.
A red-haired girl who approached her first and showed her goodwill.
A girl who always made macarons for her by hand just because they were friends, expecting nothing in return.
The macarons she made were nothing compared to those sold at the school cafeteria.
But for Sylvia, the macarons made by her were something precious beyond just a snack, so she didn’t care about their taste or appearance at all.
Actually, she found that the imperfect taste and shape were proof that the girl had worked hard on a treat that was difficult to make, only thinking of her, and she started to find her own taste shifting towards those.
She loved the imperfections, and she was delighted by the sincerity.
And Sylvia wanted to repay that kindness.
‘Lady Scarlet said it’s fine not to reciprocate...’
Astra never forgets a favor.
*
During the weekend, after finishing her elemental training, Sylvia stepped out onto the street just to get some fresh air.
“Miss, there’s a dinner gathering scheduled for two hours from now, so you need to wrap up your walk within 30 minutes.”
“Got it. I’ll make sure not to be late for dinner, so could you please keep it quiet during my walk?”
It would have been so much better without the attendant incessantly nagging behind her.
Sylvia secretly grumbled as she slowly walked down the street.
She repeatedly smiled and waved her hand at passersby who recognized her when she spotted a decorative shop.
Since she already had plenty of decorative items received as gifts at home, Sylvia was about to pass by the shop, but her steps suddenly stopped upon seeing the sign that read “Friendship Rings.”
‘Friendship rings, what a wonderful ring to that word.’
At that moment, Sylvia envisioned Scarlett smiling together while wearing identical rings.
Just the thought made her lips twitch into a smile.
The attendant, perhaps unable to imagine that the noble high elf she served would enter such a shop, hesitated, allowing Sylvia to enter as if enchanted.
“May I see the friendship rings?”
“...Ah, yes! The friendship rings, right? Please come this way and have a look!”
The shop assistant, who had never imagined that a well-known noble elf would come here, was startled by Sylvia’s words and quickly showed her the display.
Glancing over the display, Sylvia’s eyes landed on a ring embedded with a red jewel in its center.
The color reminded her of her dear friend, and that alone was more than enough to please her.
Noticing where Sylvia’s gaze was focused, the shop assistant explained about the ring.
“The red jewel of this ring is a garnet, the birthstone of January. It symbolizes true friendship. Isn’t it perfect for a friendship ring?”
Sylvia’s desire to buy the ring surged with the shop assistant’s explanation.
‘A red stone symbolizing true friendship. Finding this ring while being friends with Scarlett must surely be fate!’
Since entering the Aegis Academy of her own accord, Sylvia’s schedule had become much more hectic, and she brooded over her situation.
She was nothing more than a symbol meant to announce that Astra was still alive.
Although she carried the title of heiress, most decisions were made by the elders of her family, leaving her as a mere puppet to their desires.
She resented the position that prevented her from visiting her friend in the hospital.
‘Will I ever find the time over the weekend...’
Caressing the ring tucked close to her heart, Sylvia endured each day.
*
On Friday, there was a commotion.
Scarlett, who should have been at the hospital, showed up at school, albeit late.
Even though she had been reported as seriously injured, she seemed to be completely healed, her expression not appearing bad, and her body looked fine.
Sylvia felt relieved by this fact but then began to berate herself.
How could she call herself a friend when she hadn’t visited her friend even once before her discharge?
“I’m sorry for not being able to visit you...”
As she apologized, Sylvia pulled out the ring she had kept close to her heart.
She wanted to repay the kindness she had received until now,
She hoped for forgiveness for not having visited,
She wished her friend, who had suffered through her injury, would rejoice.
With these feelings in mind, she reached out to place the ring onto her finger as she had imagined doing when purchasing it.
Yet the moment Sylvia had been eagerly anticipating slipped away like a mirage.
“...Huh?”
In her frozen gaze of confusion, she saw Scarlett removing something from her left arm.
Then, what should have been visible was no longer there.
The arm that represented friendship was gone from her.
Her feelings could no longer reach Scarlett.
“I’m sorry, Sylvia...”
Scarlett said this to Sylvia, who was frozen, suffocated by guilt.
Sylvia couldn’t understand why Scarlett was apologizing to her.
Don’t apologize.
I’m the one who’s at fault.
For preparing this as a gift.
I thought you’d be happy when receiving it.
I never meant to make you make that face.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry.
I’m sorry for hurting you again.
She wanted to say all that, and she should have, but
Choked by immense sadness, unable to speak a word,
Sylvia cried.