Chapter 215: The Bear Returns to Crimonia

Chapter 215:
The Bear Returns to Crimonia

 

CLIFF REACHED a stopping point with his own work, so we ended up heading back home. People gathered in front of Gran’s estate to see us off.

“Noa,” Ellelaura said, “I’m so glad I could see you again. It had been much too long.”

“Oh, yes, Mother,” Noa replied. “I was so happy to see you again too! Ah, and please say hello to Shia for me, won’t you?”

Ellelaura was going to stay behind until an inspector came from the capital to pick up the investigation. After that, Gran would go with her to take the toad family and the man in black who had kidnapped Misa to the capital. The toad man’s servants would be tried in this town, but only after the son and father were dealt with at the capital.

Lufa, the maid who’d told us where the captured children were, weighed on my mind. According to Ellelaura, she’d kept cooperating even after that. She’d been just as much a victim of the toad household as anyone, and I hoped that her charges would be lessened because of that. It wasn’t my place to butt in, though, so all I could do was keep hope alive.

Ellelaura patted Noa’s head, then looked over at Fina and me.

“Please look after Noa, you two. Capricious as she is, she’s a good girl at heart.”

We nodded—yeah, I knew Noa was a good kid. She got along well with Fina, who was a commoner, so that was proof already. Every once in a while, she’d throw a fit over the bear stuff, but other than that, she was kindhearted.

Noa looked embarrassed. “Mother…stop, please.”

Now Zelef, standing beside Ellelaura, spoke up. “Master Yuna, thank you for this precious experience.”

“Thanks. Sorry it ended up becoming an entire thing.”

“Oh, no, please don’t worry! I had the chance to meet a dear old friend again, after all. I’m glad I came,” he said, which made me feel better, since I knew I’d caused him a bunch of trouble. “It’s just unfortunate that we won’t be returning on Master’s Kumayuru and Kumakyu. It was such a comfortable ride, and I was hoping to experience it one more time.”

Zelef looked really disappointed. When he found out he’d be returning with Ellelaura in a carriage, he’d seemed pretty bummed out. Zelef had done so much for me, so I definitely had to bring him some new recipes next time I saw him.

After I said goodbye to Zelef, the entire Fahrengram household gathered to bid us farewell. “Miss,” said Gran, bowing his head, “we are forever in your debt. If you weren’t here, our family may have been destroyed. Thank you.”

“You’ve really thanked me more than enough.” Gran and Misa’s parents had thanked me so many times, I’d lost count.

Since they wanted to do something to thank me, they asked if there was something I wanted. Well…hmm. I’d saved Misa, but it felt wrong getting some reward for that. I’d just wanted to save her for her own sake—not for some reward, and not because it was a job. If they paid me, all that rage, all that motivation to save Misa…it all would have felt hollow. I was just fine with some verbal gratitude.

“I suppose you’re all going home and leaving now,” Misa said, looking lonesome. There was nothing we could do about that—we needed to head home to Crimonia. Misa looked enviously at her father standing across from her. “Oh, you’re so mean, Father! I want to go with them too!”

Misa’s father, Leonardo, was going with us to Crimonia to apologize to Fina’s parents for the whole mess. Normally Gran, as the feudal lord, was supposed to do that, but he had to go to the capital, and so Leonardo was going in his place.

Fina had claimed this wasn’t necessary, but eventually, they had worn her down. She’d even looked to me for help a few times, but I didn’t have the right to intervene in things. Besides, I also had to apologize to Tiermina and Gentz for putting Fina in danger. But I knew how Gran and Leonardo felt, so I’d held my tongue.

“I’m just going to apologize to Fina’s parents. I’ll be back right away.” Leonardo placed his hand on Misa’s to placate her. “Be a good girl and sit tight for me, okay?”

“Next time you can come along, Misa,” I told her. “Then I’ll show you around the shop!”

“Okay! I can’t wait!”

Crimonia wasn’t that far from this town, so we could make the trip pretty much whenever. Thanks to the jambearee event, I wouldn’t cause a hullabearloo if I got spotted next time, so I didn’t have to worry. Then again…I guess it still might cause an actual hullabaloo—but at least it wouldn’t be a bad one.

Once we finished up our goodbyes, we headed for Crimonia. Since Leonardo and his guard were with us, I wasn’t using the bear house—I’d told Cliff ahead of time.

 

The journey was uneventful, and we returned to Crimonia safely. I felt like we’d been away for a long time. It felt kinda nostalgic.

The sun was starting to set when we got back. I wanted to just head home, hop in the bath, and go to sleep right away, but I needed to take Fina home and report to Tiermina.

Noa and Cliff went their own way. Then Fina and I, along with Leonardo’s party of three, headed to Fina’s house. Leonardo had said that they’d go to Fina’s house tomorrow to apologize, but the mornings were busy—it’d be a real bother. It’d be better to just go straight over right away. I hadn’t technically lied, but my biggest reason for the suggestion was so I wouldn’t have to drag myself there in the morning.

I was really sure that no matter what time they went, nobles coming to visit would be a huge surprise for Tiermina and the rest of the family. I felt bad for them, but I wanted to get this over with so I could finally relax.

“Are you sure you want to visit us, sir?” Fina asked gloomily, as if Leonardo would just come all this way and suddenly change his mind. She really didn’t seem to want a noble coming over to apologize…not that I didn’t get it.

If this had been my original world and the mayor—or worse yet, a governor—had come to my house to apologize, I would’ve been just as bewildered. That’s just how it was when people in a totally different social strata stopped by for a visit. On top that of, there was the even greater gap between commoners and the nobility in this world.

But he’d come all this way, and this was happening…whether we wanted it or not.

“We let you, one of Misa’s dear friends, go through a harrowing experience,” Leonardo said. “If I don’t apologize, my father would give me a hearty scolding.”

“But I really was fine,” Fina said.

“That’s an entirely separate matter,” Leonardo replied.

Fina gave up and headed to her house.

 

Fina arrived at the house, then headed inside and called out for Tiermina, “Mom! Mom!”

Since the door was open, we could hear Tiermina, Gentz, and Shuri bustling—“You’re back, Fina?” “Is Fina back?” “Sis?”

“Come outside, Mom,” said Fina. “Someone wants to meet you.”

After a short time, Fina brought Tiermina and Gentz out of the house. I guess Gentz was done working?

“Welcome back, Yuna!” said Tiermina. “It’s a bit later than expected. Did you want to meet with me?”

“Not me,” I said. Leonardo took a step forward behind me. “This is the person who wanted to meet with you.”

“Yuna, who is this?” Tiermina asked.

“This is the son of the feudal lord of Sheelin. He’s Misa’s father.”

Leonardo bowed his head. “I am Leonardo Fahrengram.”

“The son of a feudal lord? You mean a noble? But why here of all places?” Tiermina and Gentz were shocked, but who wouldn’t be if a noble stopped by for a home visit?

“My daughter didn’t do anything rude, did she?” Tiermina asked anxiously. Yeah, I guess that would be the first assumption anyone would make.

“Not at all. I came on this occasion to apologize for troubling your daughter.”

Tiermina gave me a questioning look. I was going to explain, but Leonardo spoke faster—he explained while I supplemented.

“My daughter, Misa, was kidnapped. Your daughter happened to be present. and she risked her life trying to protect her.”

Tiermina looked at Fina. “Is that true? And you took the trouble to come all the way from Sheelin because of that? My apologies.”

Tiermina and Gentz were at a loss. Were they supposed to invite him in? Show him some hospitality? Every once in a while, they looked at me, but I didn’t know that to do either. There wasn’t specific etiquette for something like this. Besides, Leonardo had said he’d head home immediately after apologizing.

Jeez…I’d never seen Tiermina look so hesitant. I’d always thought of her as someone who’d rush in and tackle her goals head-on, so this was super weird. Then again, Gentz looked even more worried than Tiermina. Was he seriously the head of the household?

Leonardo finished his apology, offering an apology gift at the end. “I am so sorry for what happened, but I hope you will continue to let our daughters be friends in the future.” He bowed his head. Tiermina and Gentz returned the bow.

“And now,” Leonardo said, “I shall take my leave.” He glanced at me. “Thank you for this, Yuna.”

“You’re heading home tomorrow, Leonardo, right?”

“Indeed. Since my father went to the capital, I need to return quickly.” He bowed once again and departed. He’d stay at Cliff’s estate today and then return tomorrow. Even though he hadn’t wanted to rush, he couldn’t take his time given the circumstances.

“Whew...” Tiemina shook her head once Leonardo had left. “That was a surprise. I never would have thought a noble from Sheelin would come to our house!”

“Agreed!”

“Mom, Dad…I’m sorry,” said Fina.

“It’s not really something to apologize for. You were just protecting your friend. Still, don’t make us worry so much.” Tiermina wasn’t angry. She gently patted Fina’s head. “And thank you, Yuna. Looks like I owe you one for my daughter and everything you did.”

“I’m sorry too. I was supposed to be looking after her…”

“Don’t worry about it. You take great care of my daughters. They’re always safe with you.” Tiermina hugged Fina herself.

“Mom, that hurts...”

“I haven’t seen you in a while, so just bear with it.”

“It’s embarrassing…!” It was a heartwarming scene. Gentz looked like he wanted to jump in, but he restrained himself.

After that, I let them know I was heading back home.

“In that case, why don’t you have dinner with us? I want to hear all the details!”

“But you’ve just got back together...” I was saying, but Tiermina interrupted me.

“What are you talking about? Don’t have to worry about that. Well, come on already!”

Tiermina pulled one arm while Fina grabbed the other. I couldn’t resist…they brought me into the house.