“That’s just a simple way to send us off.”
“We’re not in the palace anymore, so it doesn’t bode well for us ladies to have you gentlemen stay this late.”
Indeed. What Madam Murphy said seemed reasonable, so the four gentlemen started to get ready to return to the palace before nightfall.
If it weren’t for Kathia’s sudden remark, they would’ve already been heading out.
“Hold on. What do you mean by ‘ladies’?”
Madam Murphy displayed a face that said ‘why-are-you-even-asking’ and glanced back and forth at herself and Kathia.
Still, Kathia had a face full of curiosity as it didn’t answer her question; Madam Murphy quickly picked up on her confusion and identified the issue.
“…Perhaps, did you think you’d leave without me again?”
“Did you perhaps think you’re coming along?”
There was a stifling moment of silence.
Facing Madam Murphy frozen in shock and betrayal, Kathia scratched her head. She had never seen such a look on her face for the past eight years she was with her.
She was always poised, elegant, and overflowing with dignity.
What do I do in this situation? “Ahem,” Kathia cleared her throat and tried to explain as calmly as she could.
“It’s just that I’m not a princess anymore, just a typical doll store keeper. There’s no need for you to follow me here, Madam Murphy. Also, you have some issues with your legs… You need to rest a bit. Wouldn’t it be better to go back to your hometown? Right?”
Madam Murphy was left speechless. She still couldn’t overcome her shock.
Kathia held both of her hands and continued in a calming voice.
“I was thankful — no, I am very thankful, Madam Murphy. From now on, please don’t be concerned about me and please be well.”
Flinch. Listening to the serious tone Kathia spoke in, her body recoiled and she snatched her hand back from Kathia.
Kathia smiled bitterly and held her remaining hand. It didn’t hurt physically, but still left a pang in her heart.
Since this is our last time together, I thought it would be nice to part on good terms.
Unlike her usual self, Madam Murphy rushed out towards the door and no one held her back.
Even more upset about no one holding her back, she stormed past the door.
Jean laughed awkwardly and left after her, Hughes, lightly nodded and followed after him, then Jonathan who bowed deeply before leaving.
And lastly, Deon left.
“Good night.”
Talking softly as usual while she stuttered, he turned around and left.
Kathia bit her lips tightly. If she didn’t, she was going to call out his name.
Emptiness.
The farewell was a lot more bland than she anticipated.
Is it going to end like this? Really? She gripped the corners of her dress tightly with both of her hands, her eyelashes fluttering.
Standing alone in front of the door watching them leave one by one from behind, hm. Yeah…
This is the right way to see them off.
From now on, she’s no longer somebody.
Good. It’s an adequate exit. The use for a tool that did its job is no longer.
“…Goodbye.”
Becoming strangers now, like we had nothing in common.
It’s time for me to go back to when I was alone.
Like the original story.
* * *
“Little kid.”
It was a rough-ish sounding voice.
The ragged little boy was startled and looked around.
The alley was filled with trash, like usual, and it felt dark and dreary; there weren’t that many people around either, especially today.
While thinking about getting away from this place as fast as possible, the spine-chilling voice returned.
“I’m here.”
“…Where?”
“Right here.”
Wandering around for a bit, his eyes stopped at a half-rotten wooden box. If he wasn’t mistaken, the voice was coming out from there.
But it seemed like that box was unrealistically small for an adult body to fit in.
Hey, no way. I have to be mistaken. The kid was trying to force himself to laugh it off.
Thud.
The lid of the wooden box shook and a human hand creeped out from a very tight gap.
It was a hand that was so down to bone that it seemed like if one were to touch it, it would crumble.
But then, he saw something that startled him even more.