New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (2/2 chapters)

City Stroll (2)

 

 

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The time was just past noon. It was decided that they should have lunch for the time being, and so, under Ayla’s guidance, Mika made his way toward a street stall that sold one of Eltpoli’s local specialties.

That specialty was a pie made from the meat of a round mouse. The round mouse was a creature about the size of a rabbit, a type of magical beast that seemed to devote all of its mana to strengthening its vitality. It could be raised even in narrow indoor spaces, grew quickly when fed only straw or vegetable scraps, and multiplied with remarkable ease. For that reason, it was bred in great numbers not only in rural areas but especially in cities.

Eltpoli was no exception. The Yutilainen Household was said to operate a round mouse breeding facility directly under its management. There, several thousand round mice were always being raised, supplying a substantial portion of the meat consumed by both the city’s residents and its visitors.

The feed for these round mice consisted not only of straw gathered from the farmland surrounding the city but also of vegetable scraps and leftovers produced within it. The Yutilainen Household, in an effort to maintain the city’s sanitation, had prohibited the disposal of food waste in public squares and in the streets of the commercial districts. Instead, they purchased such refuse at low prices and reused it as feed. As a result, Eltpoli’s central areas remained notably clean compared to other cities.

Because of that, dishes made with round mouse meat were quite common in Eltpoli’s eateries. Its flavor closely resembled rabbit meat and was considered rather delicious. Among such dishes, the pie was regarded as the city’s signature item, a staple of Eltpoli cuisine.

Mika and Ayla purchased these pies from a market stall and, anticipating the natural desire of pie-buyers to have a drink, bought some fruit wine from the stall next door. They then moved to a plaza in front of the temple, a place said to be ideal for spending a peaceful moment within the city.

“It is truly delicious. The pastry is so crisp, and the meat inside is packed full and satisfying. It certainly lives up to its reputation as an Eltpoli specialty.” (Mika)

“Hehe, I am glad you like it. I am happy I could introduce it to you. I first tasted it when I was a child, when I came to Eltpoli with my mother. It is a nostalgic flavor for me, and I make a point of eating it every time I visit this city.” (Ayla)

The plaza before the temple was adorned with trees that provided shade and flowerbeds that softened the scenery, creating a serene atmosphere entirely unlike the bustling streets beyond. Mika and Ayla sat in the shade, eating their pies and drinking their fruit wine. Incidentally, although Ayla dearly cherished her round mouse plush toy, she did not seem to harbor any aversion to eating round mouse meat.

There were others in the plaza as well, sitting and chatting or taking their meals much like Mika and Ayla. Priests could also be seen tending to the trees and flowerbeds or sweeping the grounds. Dimitri stood a short distance away, and Ayla’s guards were likely stationed somewhere out of sight.

In that tranquil setting, Mika and Ayla finished their meal and began to converse warmly. Mika spoke of his life, of how he had long pursued his dream of becoming a lord, of the days that followed once that dream had been realized, and of the convictions that now guided him as a ruler.

“Each day is truly fulfilling, and I could not be happier. To be loved and trusted by my retainers and the people, and to work alongside them as we gradually develop our land, fills me with a happiness beyond compare. It is a joy worth devoting my entire life to. I must work even harder to protect this happiness, to ensure that those under my protection may live more prosperous and peaceful lives. I believe that by dedicating myself to being a good lord, my dream will at last be truly fulfilled.” (Mika)

As he finished speaking, Mika noticed Ayla watching him silently. Embarrassed, he gave a sheepish smile.

“Ah, forgive me. I seem to have gone on endlessly about myself. You must have found it dull, listening to the idle dreams of a fledgling, minor lord.” (Mika)

“No, not at all.” (Ayla)

Ayla’s response came with a dreamy smile.

“It is a noble, meaningful, and truly beautiful dream. I can clearly sense that you sincerely wish not only for your own happiness but also for that of your retainers and your people. I believe the people of the Valentine domain are truly blessed to have a lord like you, and I am sure they will grow even happier under your guidance. I, too…” (Ayla)

Her words trailed off there. She gave a faint, evasive smile as if to conceal her emotions and said nothing more.

Then, it was Ayla’s turn to speak about herself, her memories with her late mother, her affection for her clothing and for her plush toy Amber, and even the struggles she carried within.

“I love my black clothes, my ribbons, my frills, and this Amber. I think they are all adorable. When I wear these clothes and hold Amber in my arms, I feel happy. There is no falsehood in that happiness. However, my family and the close retainers around me say that it is because I cannot forget my mother, that I am simply clinging to her memory and to my childhood.” (Ayla)

As she said this, Ayla unconsciously tightened her grip on Amber. To Mika, it seemed that the plush toy tilted its head slightly, as if responding to her embrace.

“I am grateful to my family for allowing me to live as I please, and I love them dearly. I am fond of my retainers as well. But when they say such things, I cannot help but feel lonely. When people I love and trust say that, I begin to wonder if perhaps they are right. Even if there is no falsehood in my happiness, if no one understands it, then perhaps my happiness itself is somehow wrong.” (Ayla)

Ayla’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, and she wiped at her eyes with her fingers before turning a smile toward Mika as though to hide her tears.

“I am sorry. I should not speak of such gloomy matters when I am fortunate enough to have you accompany me.” (Ayla)

“No, not at all.” (Mika)

This time, Mika was the one who smiled as he replied.

“I may not be in a position to say this, having only just come to know you, Ayla-san. I cannot be certain that my words will offer comfort, and they may sound presumptuous.” (Mika)

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“It is true that your happiness may have been born from your memories of your mother and her words to you. Yet, if others say that you are merely clinging to her, then I would ask in return why should you not? What fault is there in holding fast to something so precious?” (Mika)

His voice gained strength as he continued.

“My dream of becoming a lord was born from a storybook I read as a child. I decided that I would carry that dream throughout my life, believing with all my heart that it was my happiness. If someone were to say that I am merely clinging to a childish memory, I would simply answer, so what? Every person’s happiness has a beginning, a moment that kindled it. The shape of happiness may differ from one person to another, but that does not make one less valid than another. There is no reason that your happiness, Ayla-san, should be denied when others’ are not. Therefore, your happiness is not wrong. Never.” (Mika)

For Mika, the dream he had carried since childhood, and indeed even from a previous life, had defined the very course of his existence. Inspired by the tale of a noble king, he had pursued that dream relentlessly, achieved it, and now lived within it. It was his happiness, and no one had the right to deny it.

The same was true for Ayla. Her wish to remain true to herself, even if that wish had been shaped by memories of her mother, was no less genuine.

Why then should others disparage it? She merely sought to protect the happiness she wore upon herself.

Projecting his own experiences of sorrow and frustration onto her, Mika spoke from the heart. Then, he suddenly came to himself. Had he just spoken words that might sound like criticism of her family and retainers?

“Ah, forgive me. I did not mean to speak ill of your father, your siblings, or your household retainers.” (Mika)

“It is all right. I understand. Truly, thank you. Somehow, I feel as though a weight has been lifted from my heart.” (Ayla)

Ayla laughed softly, turning fully to face him.

“Mika-san, you truly understand my happiness, do you not?” (Ayla)

“I would like to believe I do. And if you feel the same, Ayla-san, then that makes me very happy.” (Mika)

Bathed in the gentle light of the afternoon, Ayla looked at him with a radiant smile, and Mika answered with a gaze equally sincere.

 

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