The night after the prisoners’ execution, Estelia once again sealed herself in her room. She sat down on the bed and glanced at the open window, letting the faint cold air inside. A heavy feeling lingered in her heart as everything was peaceful again. Truth be told, she was feeling a bit better when she was working on the prisoners. Perhaps because she was mostly distracted from the true state of things. She had something to focus on aside from the bad things.

But once it was over, once she had executed those she wanted dead, for some reason she didn’t feel anything special. It had no flavor whatsoever, tasteless. Like how you wouldn’t sense any flavor to any food you eat. Just nothing. She felt no elation, just empty. She imagined she would feel great upon killing, just like it had always been. But to be like this? It was utterly confusing.

But at least the journey to the ending gave her a good amount of distraction. That she enjoyed.

She heaved a long and heavy sigh as she glanced at the ocean beyond her window. The light of the moon illuminating a fair distance allowed her to enjoy the twinkling of the water. It would be a good time to sleep, but she was not in the mood at all.

Then she heard a distant loud laugh from outside, on the top deck. No, it was laughter from a few sources, in fact. Estelia grew curious. There wasn’t anything like it before. Then, it was followed by music from some kind of instrument. She listened for a bit. She could barely hear it, but it was a decent tune.

She got off the bed and left the room. On the deck, she saw six men and one woman sitting down on the floor in a circle. At the center were a couple of bottles of what could be assumed to be alcohol, adding to it the few glasses around the bottles. This was a transport ship with plenty of products in it, so they definitely grabbed some from the inventory.

Among the group was Velar, taking a gulp of the liquor. The other was holding and strumming on the lute — he must be the one Velar mentioned to be the poet. All in all, they seemed to be having a good time — no, more like they were celebrating.

Estelia slowly approached them. The first to notice her was Velar. With widened eyes, he abruptly stood up.

“You seem to be having fun,” Estelia casually said, with a small smile.

“Um, did we wake you?” Velar warily asked.

Estelia shook her head. “No. I wasn’t asleep yet. I just heard you and got curious, is all.”

Everyone was looking at Estelia with hesitation, obviously unsure of how to interact with her. Although, she noticed the poet was smiling quite widely, as though anticipating something.

“Well, we were just in the mood to celebrate after we found some liquor,” Velar said.

“Just you guys?”

“Guess so. Others wanted to rest, I guess. Or they’re celebrating on their own below.”

Estelia nodded. “I see.”

“What about you join us, Your Highness?” Velar suddenly offered.

“... Will that be alright?” she slightly tilted her head.

“Of course. Isn’t that right, everyone?” he asked the group.

“... Sure, no problem.”

“I don’t see why not.”

“She helped a lot, so why not?”

“She basically saved us.”

Velar nodded and turned his head back towards the princess. “See? Come on.”

With a small smile, Estelia nodded back. “Okay.”

Estelia slowly approached Velar. The latter urged the guy beside him to scoot over to give space for her. Estelia sat down with a pursed smile. When Velar sat down, he poured liquor in a glass.

“It’s high quality wine,” he said. “Want a drink?” He presented the liquor filled glass to Estelia.

The princess stared at it for a moment in hesitation. But in the end, she received it.

“... Guess it won’t hurt to drink a little…” But she merely stared at it for a moment.

Then the poet casually asked. “You don’t drink much, Your Highness?”

Estelia glanced at him. He was so casual and so brave in directly addressing her, just like that. But she realized he must only be trying to break the ice here. Considering she was a princess, things were still a bit awkward. It was not easy to talk to a person with a higher social standing, even more so to a royal from another country.

For a second, Estelia couldn’t help but glance at the lute in the poet’s hand. “I don’t drink. I never really get offered.”

“Oh, then this occasion will be good to get a little sip.”

“Oi,” the woman beside him elbowed him lightly. “You really encouraging a princess to drink beer? Drinking ain’t really a good habit.”

The poet chuckled awkwardly. “Why not? Besides, it’s wine. Not some cheap street side beer.”

“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to — um, uh, Y-Your Highness.” The woman stammered. It would seem she was struggling to formally address her.

Estelia gave her a reassuring smile. “There’s no need to be formal. We’re not exactly in a place for that.”

“Oh.” She faintly nodded with a small smile.

Estelia glanced down at the wine. Then she lifted the glass and took a little sip of the wine. The bitter and spicy sensation touched her tongue, going down her throat and heating up her stomach.

Ugh, it’s not even quite sweet… Just how much alcohol content is in this?

There was a little sweetness, but it was just not enough. She lowered the glass of wine, drinking only a little of it.

“Too much for you, I see,” the poet commented.

“Of course it would be,” said a young man among them. “I heard rich people drink the sweeter kind.”

“Oh yeah, I tried some, but not a lot. I certainly got to try more of that.” The poet nodded. “But it’s pretty weak, though.”

“Maybe flavor is more important for them? It’s more fancy.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to drink it all, Princess,” Velar said.

“No… I’ll just slowly get to it.”

Not like she didn’t drink plenty of liquor in her past life. She tried some, but not much. Back then, she didn’t find the flavor of beers or alcohol very pleasing. It was just decent. Except for the wines with some sweetness in them, she liked them. Currently, though, this body wouldn’t be able to handle the liquor. She feared that a single glass would already affect her with a drink this strong.

Good thing Velar didn’t fill the entire glass with the wine.

“If you say so… Anyways, Hartwin was just playing a song he just learned from Eventon.”

When Estelia glanced at the poet, he grinned.

“Hartwin…”

“That’s me. Hartwin Leishen. Poet, storyteller, bard. One who seeks to travel around the continent.”

“Oh, some kind of wandering minstrel?”

“Minstrel? Hmm, I should include that.”

No, I don’t think you should. They’re pretty much synonymous, you know.

“Anyway, I was wandering before I got here. Ah, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves to the princess?”

“Good idea!” said the woman. “I’m Shayla Bofel. Was looking for a job before I got sold.” She was quite a looker, but she must be around in her early twenties.

After her, the other men in the group gave their introductions. They gave their names and how they got here. One got kidnapped, while the others were sold just like Shayla. They were also young, around their early twenties, with one being in his late teens.

The group drank a round of liquor, while Estelia drank only a little before they continued their conversation.

“You’re all from Eventon?” Estelia asked.

“Yup,” said Shayla.

“It would seem their operations are indeed mostly in that country.”

“You don’t have that kind of thing in Wisteria?” she asked.

Estelia shook her head. “None from what I know… Besides, if such a thing is happening, we would know and would have stopped it already.”

“I see…” Shayla lowered her head. “That seems nice… If I lived there, perhaps I wouldn’t have been sold.”

“I can’t comprehend someone could sell their daughter like that,” said one man who was kidnapped instead of being sold like her. “That’s too cruel.”

“It’s mostly my bitch ass mother. She hates me for some reason.”

“Why does she even hate you?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe she just doesn’t like my existence.”

“Your father didn’t stop it?” Velar asked.

“No…” She lowered her head. “Felt like he didn't even care as long as he got money.”

Some parents were just indifferent towards their children, it could be because of their selfishness. Estelia was aware of such situations, which happened plenty in her past life. Parents selling their baby. Could be because having a child was an accident, or their situation was just too hard. Or they just didn’t care. Still, parents that love their children outnumbered the others.

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Just like her parents here in this world. They loved her so much. Estelia lowered her head as the memories of her family arose. She missed them.

“Damn. They didn’t even think that things would be more terrible if a woman became a slave,” said one.

“I was lucky…” Shayla said.

“Lucky?”

“No one got to touch me… Guess I was perfectly hidden…”

“I see…”

“But the others… I saw it happen to them. That terrible thing…” She gulped down a glass of wine. “... I heard their cries. There was one girl… so pretty… and they just… they didn’t care when she begged and cried… I don’t know where she is right now…”

Everyone fell silent.

“That’s why… that’s why I’m glad that I’m alright… And I’m free.” She rubbed the tears coming out of her eyes. “Those pieces of shits deserved to drown.”

“That’s right.” The poet poured wine into Shayla’s cup before raising his own. “Justice has been served.”

Shayla smiled a little. “Yeah.”

Everyone raised their glasses, and Estelia had no choice but to do the same thing as she had a cup in her hand. And they clinked the glasses before drinking. Estelia merely took a little sip.

“I’m sorry I got emotional, guys.” Shayla forced a smile.

“Do not worry, it’s alright. But I have to say, traveling really makes you discover the dark things in the world.”

“Why do you even travel, Hartwin?” one man asked. “I don’t think it would be pretty easy.”

“Right? I mean, you might get lost, or get killed by a bandit or monster.”

“And not to mention the money problem!”

Hartwin chuckled. “Simple, my friends. I am merely curious about the world. I want to see everything! I want to collect the stories places have, see how people live. I want to engrave the wonders of the world into my mind. I want to see and follow the most interesting things!”

Everyone was dumbfounded for a moment at his enthusiasm.

“That’s it?”

“Do I need any other reasons? I am a poet, and I love stories. And you get many stories in your travels. Besides, it’s always fun seeing new places.”

“So? How did you even get here?” Velar asked. “You didn’t just stumble onto the ship, did you?”

The poet let out a short laugh as he drank the entire liquor from this cup. “O brave soldier, I may love drinking, but I ain’t that stupid when drunk… Well, sometimes… But how did I get here… Funny story, actually!”

He poured liquor into his cup again.

“I slept with a rich man’s daughter! Hehe…”

Everyone’s eyes widened, while Shayla winced towards him.

“Bullshit,” said one man, not believing his words.

“Really, I’m not lying.”

“A rich girl, with you? I doubt it, they’re like noblewomen in kingdoms. No way one would just give you their attention.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, friend. But I am quite charming and good looking.” He chuckled. “I spoke to her, sang her gentle songs. And a couple of days later, another victory in life!”

A couple of guys frowned and pouted. Estelia glanced at them innocently.

“Let me guess,” said Velar. “You got caught.”

“... Yeah. Her father caught us before even the sun came up. Which, if it did, I would be long gone already. He brought a lot of guards, pulled me out of the bed naked! And dammit, I was hoping to enjoy more of the moment, cuddling, behold that feminine gorgeous body—”

“You don’t have to get in detail about that.” Shayla stopped him from talking any further as it was just becoming unnecessary. And it was just weird for her.

“Oh… Anyway, I tried everything I could to calm her father down. But it was impossible. And to my surprise, he actually has a connection with the criminal organization, and he gave me to them to be sold as a slave. Looking back, I suppose my luck ran out.” He shrugged.

Shayla crossed her arms. “That’s what you get for sleeping with women when you’re not even being serious about the relationship.”

The poet chuckled, amused. “Don’t like that? Hehe, my apologies. But hey, at least she enjoyed it!” He flashed everyone with a wide and proud grin.

“Oh my god...” Shayla palmed her face.

The other ones in the group couldn’t help but laugh out loud, their grins wide and eyes so bright.

“Oh yeeeaaaah!”

One of them even gave him Hartwin a high five. The slap of their hands echoed throughout the deck of the ship followed by further loud laughters. Shayla and Estelia glanced at each, and the latter formed a wry smile. It was a bit uncomfortable for Shayla, but for Estelia, she merely feigned awkwardness.

“Don’t underestimate the power of my words! Hehe!”

Shayla slapped his arm. “Alright that’s enough, you have proven how manly you are.”

“Hehe, not exactly the point, but alright.”

“What, you just sleep around with women and leave them by tomorrow?”

“Hey, even I’m not that heartless. In fact, I am quite passionate. But of course, as I’m a wanderer, I have to leave sooner or later.”

“Men, always with their reasons and excuses.” She crossed her arms before turning towards Estelia. “That’s why, Princess, you have to be careful with the flowery words they might give you.”

“I-Is that so?” Estelia let out an awkward and shy chuckle.

“Just so you know, I don’t go around pursuing friends or colleagues. So don’t worry about me.”

“You better! Or I’ll kick you in the balls!”

“Miss Shayla, please, have mercy on my descendants.”

“No need. Types like you end up alone!”

“Wha— that's just harsh!”

Everyone laughed at their comical exchange of conversation. Hartwin seemed particularly pleased that everyone enjoyed his story. Indeed, Estelia found it a bit funny.

Once they settled down a bit, they drank another round of liquor. Estelia only sipped a little, almost looking like a child, truth be told. Completely unlike the fierce girl everyone saw from earlier. Perhaps that was just how she was in a casual setting.

“Anyway,” said Hartwin. “I’ve been wondering about you, Velar.”

“Hm?”

“You’re a soldier, and a mighty one at that. So how did you end up here? About to be traded as a slave. You’re not exactly the type that should be traded, at least I think so.”

Velar lowered his head. “It’s…” He took a deep breath, as if hesitating.

Hartwin noticed it. “If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine.”

“No… Well, it’s not a good story. But I guess I should share as well.” He drank his liquor before continuing. “It’s because of a wealthy man.”

“Oh? Like me then.”

“A very rich man, but also my boss… I was a loyal soldier serving him.”

“... What happened?” asked Shayla.

“I was a married man, you see. And I loved my wife so much, the one I loved the most in this world. However… it would seem I was the only one that’s deeply devoted to our marriage.”

He drank a little from this cup, as if trying to gather up the courage to recall what happened.

“I was out hunting monsters with my team. However, when I came back to my boss’s manor, my wife was there. And she had jewels all over her, she looked so proud… I was shocked about what I saw. My boss demanded my wife. For me to leave her, so he would have her. And she didn’t even try to stand with our marriage.”

He clenched his fists.

“I learned my wife has been having an affair with my boss for some time. And I never even realized. She betrayed me. My boss never even cared about me. So much for my loyalty to both of them… In my rage, I punched my boss in the face. And it, of course, ended up with me fighting against the other soldiers. Until eventually… I gave up.”

There was intense sadness in his eyes.

“The heartbreak was too much… I lost the will to fight at that moment… It was hard to believe my own wife betrayed me just like that. We have only been married for five months.”

Hearing how recent they just had their marriage, everyone’s eyes widened in shock. Indeed, it was so ridiculous to know. For a woman to just betray his husband for a promise of riches by another man. It was ruthless.

“Damn…” Hartwin couldn’t help but mutter.

“... In the end, my boss gave me to the organization he had a connection with. And with a damn price at that.”

Estelia was a bit flabbergasted hearing that story. To think someone would just betray a powerful and devoted man. Or specifically, his wife. From how Estelia saw it, he would be a decent husband. But it would seem that was just not enough for the wife. There were just people out there willing to abandon someone for themselves, especially when it came to riches.

That sucks…

To think someone would just waste his loyalty like that. Both as a husband and a servant. At any rate, from both the stories of Hartwin and Velar, it would be safe to assume that most wealthy men in that Eventon Republic were in cahoots with the organization. If they were that scummy, it wouldn’t be strange to think that they would be in the pockets of the Empire already.

How annoying, I should demolish them on my way back.

She wouldn’t want Eventon to suddenly declare themselves as allies of the Empire, then send their armies towards Wisteria. Better to erase a potential enemy than let them bloom into absolute enemies.

Hartwin raised his glass. “Hey.” He smiled as he extended his glass forward.

Velar saw that and smiled back, clinking his glass onto his. “Sorry, I got a bit emotional. Obviously mine wasn’t any worse than everyone else’s.”

Shayla shook her head. “It’s not a competition. When something is messed up, it’s messed up.” She raised her glass too.

Altogether, they drank another round

“What about you, Princess?” Hartwin asked. “Royals are supposed to be tightly guarded, right? So how did you end up all the way here?”

“I…” Estelia lowered her head. “It’s a long story…”

“We have the time, don’t we?”

Estelia fell silent for a moment. “... Just a story of pointless and stupid wars. Where my home city was attacked and burned… M-My home wrecked. And…” She pursed her lips for a moment.

Her mother came into her mind once again. The way her mother was hurt. The way she forced herself to speak despite all the pain. The way her life faded away in Estelia’s very own arms. Holding in the emotions surfacing inside her heart, she subtly clenched her fists.

“Princess…?” Shayla tilted her head and leaned forward slightly.

Estelia slowly began to stand up. “Excuse me… I need some air.”

I don’t want to talk about it. Especially to strangers…

Estelia slowly made her way to the bow of the ship, where there was no one else around. The group could only glance with a worried expression as she went. At the tip of the ship, Estelia placed a hand on the wooden railing.

Mother…

She closed her eyes, trying to harden herself and her heart.

As she did, she heard footsteps coming her way. She promptly opened her eyes and turned to see it was the poet, Hartwin, with his lute.

“I’m sorry if I made you think of something terrible.”

“No… No it’s nothing.” She turned towards the sea.

Hartwin leaned his back on the railing a couple of steps away from Estelia.

“You’re in pain, Princess Estelia.”

“What…?”

“You do know pain can be relieved a little by letting out a shout or any sound at all.”

“I am not wounded.”

“Oh but you are, gentle maiden. A wound so great, not even stitches can stop the bleeding.” He began to slowly pluck the strings of his lute, playing a gentle yet quiet tune.

“What makes you say that?”

“I can see it in your eyes.”

“...” Estelia looked away from him.

“When we have pain in our hearts, we ought to cry if we need to.”

Estelia remained silent. She didn’t want to cry. She needed strength right now, not weakness.

“You must have lost someone so dear. What’s so bad about letting out the tears?”

“It’s none of your business…”

The poet smiled a little, the gentlest of smiles. “This reminds me of a story about a lake. It follows a girl loved by her mother, abused by her father. The mother would cuddle her, tell her stories while on the bed, kiss her on the forehead, show her all the love in the world.

“The father was a drunkard and tyrannical. Often physically abusing the girl. He was a terrible father. The girl could only find the greatest of joy in her mother’s embrace. And one day, a monster attacked their home, and her mother hid her in the small crevices. As a result of the attack, both her parents died.

“Once the monster left, she ran to see what happened. She saw her parents’ dead corpse. And yet, she ignored her own father, and rushed to her now dead mother. She held her in her arms, heartbroken at the loss of the person she loved so dear. Her cries echoed throughout the night and throughout the land, her tears overflowing.

“Her mother was the only person that loved her. The most important person in her life. The only person she loved. And she was gone. And thus, nothing could be more painful. She cried and cried, and her tears never ended. Night and day passed multiple times. Her own tears started from a puddle, and in time, her tears formed into a lake so wide that all manner of beautiful creatures began to live in its waters. A lake so beautiful that it glimmers under the moon’s gentle light. Eventually, her sobbings and tears finally came to an end.”

The poet ended his tune.

“That was the origin of a particular lake I came across.”

“... Tears could never make a lake.”

“No, but that’s not the lesson here. The girl gave all her tears to the person she loved. Her family. She let out all she can until her grief subsided, even for just a little. That just goes to show how much she loved her mother that she would cry that much until a lake was made.”

“... Does that have something to do with me?”

“You are in grief, just like the girl in the story.”

“...”

“People say crying makes someone weak. But what’s wrong with being weak once in a while? Is it not right to be weak for the ones we love?”

The poet looked up at the sky, watching the ever distant twinkling stars.

“The lake represents the amount of love she has for her mother… If we are not even willing to allow ourselves to shed all our tears for the ones we lost, have we ever truly loved them at all?”

Estelia turned towards him, but this time, with softer eyes. His words resonated within her.

Estelia looked away, grasping her own hands tightly.

“I’ve been warned not to fall for your sweet words…”

Hartwin chuckled gently. “... I am merely trying to help someone. Nothing more.”

Estelia closed her eyes for a moment. “Thank you…”

The poet nodded faintly. Estelia stepped back and began to turn her back on him.

“I’m retiring to my room.”

“Sure…”

Estelia made her way back to her room, her head remained lowered. She was now alone. She sat down on the edge of her bed, and then her shoulders began to shudder. Tears began welling up in her eyes, and they flowed down her cheeks, dropping to her lap.

All the bottled up tears that she had been holding all this time burst out like a dam. She let out all of her tears, and no longer did she try to stop it. The flowing stream coming out of her eyes tonight would be enough to form a lake made of tears. In her chest was a pained and sorrowful heart that would make even the world and all creatures lived within it to cry with her.