CHAPTER 10 - Lorelei's Tears Dissolve Into the Lake

[yumemory]

[Location: Lakeside town main road]

The bride and the groom passed by in front of us. Even though our eyes met, he didn’t give any apparent reaction, and continued walking with his bride.

Arthur: It appears that Sir Figaro erased the chief’s son’s memory of the strange fish. 

Akira: His memory? But why…?

Figaro: None other than for his own future.

Snow: That is the most wise. What that human holds for the strange fish is not love, but a complicated attachment. 

Snow: One does not simply attain true love by latching onto a feeling born out of the rushing delusions of the past.

Arthur: Delusion of the past…?

Snow: It’s what Bradley mentioned earlier. The truth behind the legend of the lake, about the couple who never got together.

Snow: The chief’s son must have been attached to the strange fish after being possessed by the strong regret of a man who failed to be with the woman he once loved.

Snow: If so, it is much of a hardship to be borne by the young, breathing soul living his present.

The children started singing a congratulatory song. To match them, a musical ensemble began its performance. The venue was bursting with bright laughter.

Guest: Congratulations on your wedding!

Guest: I wish you happiness!

Warm smiles and congratulatory messages were thrown at the stars of today’s event.

Including Lorelei of the lake, who congratulated the chief’s son with a smile before turning into bubbles.

‘...Congratulations on your wedding. May your marriage be blessed with happiness.’

Akira: ...Was attachment really the only reason he kept the fish in his room?

Arthur: I wonder… But I’m sure the feeling of wanting to protect something precious to him is true, at least that is how it appears to me.

Arthur: There is a sentiment that will not be lost, even if time changes its form.

I hope that is true. I want to believe it’s true.

Even if my wish is just a selfish sentiment to cover the emptiness I’m feeling.

White: Nevertheless, love is not limited to one form. To bind, or not to bind someone; it does not change the fact that it is love.

Mithra, who was gobbling down the food in the banquet, took an eagle grip on the flower decorating the table. He plucked the petals, as if eating a chicken drumstick.

Mithra: It doesn’t matter. Love, that is. Leave if you’re tired of it, and stay if you want more.

Mithra: If the other person resists, you can always force them to give in. There are no rules.

Figaro: That’s a rough way of showing affection. But I think you’d be more popular if you were more gentle and caring towards your partner.

Figaro: Like admiring a flower—like this.

Figaro caressed a box-like thing with his finger.

Where he got it from was a mystery. He held the box that was slightly bigger than the palm of his own hand. Inside it, beautiful flowers spread like sweets.

When he met my eyes, Figaro smiled, and held out the box to me. 

Figaro: Here—for you. 

Figaro: The children handed these out earlier. They said it’s filled with prayers to bless us with happiness.

Akira: Can I really take it? It’s something you received, after all.

Figaro: Of course. I accepted this so I can give you that happiness, so take it. Think of it as my feelings.

Akira: Thank you very much. Then, let me be the one to pray for your happiness. 

Figaro: That was smooth. Now I’m the one being wooed? 
 

[Location: Lakeside town, lakeside, dusk]

The wind blew softly as dusk fell. I withdrew from the festive wedding towards the lake, and found Bradley there.

He was hanging around while gazing upon the lake. I drew near and stood beside him.

Bradley: You done eating at the banquet?

Akira: Ahaha, I stuffed myself full, so I thought I’d take a small break.

After a small exchange of words, we silently gazed at the lake in front of us.

The scenery was so dazzling it can make anyone speechless. The way the emerald green surface got blown by the wind, and the way it shone as it changed its complexion.

Like the glistening scales of that big fish.

Akira: ...I wonder if that Lorelei was a reincarnation of the woman who couldn’t be with her beloved.

Bradley: No idea.

Bradley answered bluntly.

Bradley: If that’s true, I’d say she got bad taste in men. There should be a better man out there.

Akira: Like you, Bradley? 

Bradley: Hey, you got some good eyes.

After lightly poking my head, Bradley turned his gaze back to the lake.

His profile looked nostalgic, like someone who just reunited with an old friend.

Suddenly, I remembered what he said.

Akira: Bradley, you said you once came here to get a treasure a long time ago.

Akira: What kind of treasure was it?

Bradley: Can’t ya see?

Bradley: Thought it was an emerald mine of a lake. I came here all pumped up, only to find that the treasure was more than that.

Bradley: Though, it was a real bummer for me and my partner whom I went with that time. 

Bradley roared with laughter, and looked on with slightly lidded eyes.

Bradley: But look at this view. Doesn’t it blow your mind? 

Akira: ...Yes. It really does.

The wind blew over the lake. The petals of the flower that dressed the wedding venue steadily adorned the waterscape.

The scene looked as if the lake was smiling, showered with blessing.

Bradley: Now this is a treasure worth setting my eyes on. Be sure to burn this view to the back of yer mind, Sage.

I nodded keenly, and fixed my gaze at the treasure that even a bandit couldn’t steal.

Lorelei who turned into bubbles was said to have never been seen again.

But so long as that enchanting color is kept, she will certainly keep living as the lake itself.

Because the legend of Lorelei, protector of the town, became true before our very eyes.

 

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