Lola’s Soliloquy
Translated by: ME
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*****
---You could never possibly understand, Wellmy, even to the extent of a sliver of a fingernail, just how much you saved me.
After losing my mother and falling into the depths of despair, I think I was quite precocious compared to other children my age. To be honest, I never really liked being called "brilliant." It was simply that I had to grow up faster than everyone else.
Mother knew that her time was short.
And yet, it was you who restored a sense of carefree, bright, and childlike joy to me.
Your vermilion eyes, filled with curiosity, darting about busily. Your platinum blonde hair, shimmering faintly when caught in the sunlight. You would frolic about and pull me by the hand. And then, looking at me with a smile so full of affection and genuine happiness, you would shower me with praise: 「My beautiful sister,」 「My sister I'm so proud of,」 「My kind sister.」
It was you who was the angelic little girl, Wellmy.
The reason I didn't find the loss of my mother as unbearable as I might have was surely because you were there by my side.
What was truly painful was the moment I could no longer be with you. When those people who called themselves our parents stole my mother's necklace and gave it to you... I was so sad. But more than that, I was worried about the stunned look on your face and the wound dealt to your soft heart.
Listen, Wellmy.
I noticed everything. And it was unbearably painful. Every time you tried to do something for my sake... it hurt to see the sadness in your eyes, even as you maintained an innocent expression and made such biting suggestions.
(Please, don't push yourself so hard. I'm fine.)
The harder you worked, the more you learned to wear a mask—and more than anything, it was agonizing to realize I could no longer see your true smile. It was worse than the hunger from skipped meals. Worse than the corporal punishment for my mistakes.
It was far worse than the fact that Earl Ernest was trying to kill me. Every time I caught a glimpse of your shadow—the girl trying to protect me while acting so villainous on the surface—it broke my heart.
The first time I saw your bright smile again was when your engagement to Irvine was annulled. But the first time I saw your true smile was when I was about to depart for Lord Eides's side.
I felt as though I were being torn apart, having to escape alone while being unable to save you. I accepted it only because I knew it was your heartfelt wish. Had it been otherwise, I would never have left your side, even for a moment, regardless of what means I had to use.
You know, Wellmy... at first, I intended to use Leo.
When we met in the back garden, I planned to surprise him, pique his interest... and then make him fall in love with you so I could pull you away from Irvine. Or perhaps I would use him to draw sympathy and regain even a fraction of my beauty, just so Irvine would notice.
After all, you were using your feminine charms on someone you loathed, doing things you never wanted to do, all for my sake. I felt I couldn't let you be the only one playing dirty.
But I realized almost immediately that I couldn't go through with that plan. Leo was someone who looked at me for who I truly was. And I don't just mean my violet eyes. He looked past the skin you made me wear for my protection and gazed at me.
He was a person with a beautiful heart. Just like you, Wellmy.
And so, he reached out his hand to me.
I was weak. I became terrified that if I used a man like him, and if you ever realized it, you would be so sad—you would be disillusioned with me.
I worried that my hesitation had delayed your rescue, and I agonized over whether I was doing the right thing. I only managed to persevere because you were there, Wellmy.
I don't possess the talent or the kindness that everyone praises me for. You, Wellmy—you who can take all the strength you have and turn it into action to help others—you are surely the far superior person.
Still, I summoned every ounce of my courage to beg Leo and the others, 「Please, help me save Wellmy.」 But it wasn't easy to move immediately.
I couldn't even respond to the feelings Leo confessed to me. I was drawn to him as well, but I hated the thought of immersing myself in my own happiness while you were still mired in misfortune.
That is why—I decided to make use of your plan.
On the day of the debutante ball, I realized you were drawn to Lord Eides. I thought to myself, 「You're probably going to try and send me to him.」
Because... if you were going to entrust me, someone you cherish so dearly, to someone... then that person had to be someone who would love the wonderful Wellmy more than anyone else. Someone whom Wellmy could love more than anyone else.
My dearest Wellmy. I resolved then and there: if we are to be happy, we will be happy together. Just as you loved me, I loved you too.
I am so truly glad the day has come where the two of us can laugh together like this.
Recalling the words of my lovely little sister who had just seen me off at the entrance, I walked toward the gate.
『Say, Sister... please be happy with Leo.』
『And what about you, Wellmy? Are you happy now?』
After stealing a glance up at Eides standing beside her with those vermilion eyes, my sweet Wellmy gave a firm nod.
It will be alright now, I'm sure. Lord Eides accomplished the task of stripping away your mask in the blink of an eye—something I was never able to do. Your eye for people is unerring, Wellmy. I am so relieved that you found someone I can safely entrust you to.
Leo was waiting at the gate and waved to me. I moved close to his side and... it was a bit unladylike, but I embraced him of my own accord.
「I-Iola?」
I smiled up at the man I loved as he called my name, looking flustered with his cheeks flushed red.
『To me as well... you will always be my precious sister.』
The words you said to me through your tears made me so happy. Relief, which I had suppressed in front of Wellmy, finally overflowed as tears ran down my cheeks.
「W-what's wrong? Did something happen?」
「Yes... Leo?」
「Yes?」
「Wellmy... she gave us her blessing.」
When I told him that, Leo blinked several times. It was a habit of his whenever he was a bit confused. Once the meaning sank in, a massive grin spread across his face and he pulled me into a tight embrace.
「...Really?! Iola!」
「Yes.」
Wellmy told me, 『Please be happy with Leo.』
「I'm sorry for making you wait.」
「It's only been four years. It wasn't that long.」
「It's plenty long enough. ...Thank you, Leo.」
I had told Leo everything. I asked him that if he were willing to wait, to please wait until Wellmy was happy. He kept that promise.
We moved into the carriage and sat side-by-side, holding hands, as I spoke to him.
「Say, Leo.」
「What is it?」
「Even if His Majesty approves of us, I'm sure many people will say I'm not a fitting match for you.」
I am the daughter of a former Earl's house, a Countess of a house destined to be dissolved. On top of that, I am a young lady who has already had one engagement annulled. It is an engagement with no backing and no benefit to the royal family. It is exactly as the King told Leo: the result of 「getting carried away with a fleeting romance.」 The voices claiming I am unfit to be the Crown Princess will surely be loud.
「...You don't intend to lose, do you? Because I certainly don't.」
His words, showing he understood my feelings perfectly, made me break into a smile.
「Indeed. That's why... I intend to accept Lord Eides's invitation.」
Eides had offered me a position not in the Ministry of Magic, but in the International Magic Research Institute—a multinational organization primarily funded by the House of Marquis Ormirage. He is strictly keeping the promise he made to Wellmy. He has prepared a place where I can make the most of the talent heaven bestowed upon me—a talent just slightly better than most.
「He says that if I join and produce results, I will be awarded a High-Ranking International Mage Certification, which is equivalent to a Magus title.」
To be precise, the plan was to use that to build my prestige so he could write letters of recommendation for me to be adopted into a distinguished house of Marquess rank or higher that desired both magical power and a connection to the Royal Family.
「...Won't that take quite a bit of time?」
「Actually, it seems my graduation thesis on magic-drain reduction has been recognized by the academic society... If I use the things I was quietly testing in the salon, I should be able to put it into practical use very quickly.」
The people who participated in that academy salon were all exceptionally talented and of high character. There are many results I've achieved that I haven't made public yet, which wouldn't have been possible without those fruitful discussions. An illusion magic that reproduces effects similar to ancient magical artifacts is one of them.
The place and the people were provided by Leo and Wellmy. Since they were the ones who hand-picked them, it's only natural they would be excellent.
「I really can't thank everyone enough...」
As for distribution channels and production, if we can secure the cooperation of the House of Marquis Ormirage and Carla’s family, the system will be more than just worry-free—it will be rock solid.
「I think it would speed things up if everyone agreed to hand over part of the intellectual property rights to the Lionel Royal Family, but...」
「None of the guys in that salon would ever insist on those rights. Besides, you were the one leading the whole thing, weren't you?」
「Do you really think so...?」
Because my father always stole the credit for everything I did, I don't really understand that side of things. My friends often told me I had 「low self-esteem,」 but I never really felt it.
「It's fine. You should just do whatever you think is right. My job is to handle the things you can't do, Iola.」
『Let's use our authority while we've got it,』 he said with a laugh.
I nodded and leaned against him just a little bit.
Just like Wellmy, I'm sure you don't understand either, Leo.
(Just how much you saved me.)
*****
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