Chapter 8: Bel’s Wasteful Spending

“All right. Goodbye, Miss Mia. Be careful on your journey.”

Ludwig’s master had apparently taken up residence in the Sealence Forest with the goal of learning more about the empire’s minority tribes by living among them. It was decided that Anne and Ludwig would accompany Mia on her quest to meet the man.

“I don’t think I’d be very useful even if I went, so I’ll stay here in the capital,” continued Miabel.

It was effectively a request to separate from the group. There was something she wanted to do in the capital, no matter the cost.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

Mia was worried at first, but she let the younger girl have her way in the end. Thus, after saying goodbye, Bel went out into the streets of Lunatear with only Lynsha in tow.

“What are your plans for today, milady?”

“Oh, nothing much. I just want to take a quick stroll around the capital and see the sights.” She inclined her head toward Lynsha. “I’m sorry, Miss Lynsha, but I’ll have to ask you to do a lot of walking today.”

“Uh, sure. I mean, that’s not really something you have to apologize for...”

Lynsha scratched her head awkwardly. Having spent so much time around the likes of her brother, she’d become a bit of a cynic in her attitude toward others. As a result, Bel’s guileless attitude would always throw her for a loop; she couldn’t quite figure out how to deal with her frank innocence.

That goes for Princess Mia too, honestly... I wish she’d just act like a proper princess, spoiled arrogance and all. It’d make things so much more straightforward...

She sighed.

“So? Where are we headed?”

“Well, I’d appreciate it if we could head toward the Newmoon District...”

“Huh? Isn’t that...the place they used to call the slums? Are you sure it’s safe there?”

Bel giggled.

“You’re such a worrywart, Miss Lynsha. The Newmoon District isn’t a dangerous place, because it’s home to a lot of kind people who look up to Grand— Miss Mia.”

And with that, Bel gleefully hopped off, leaving a thoroughly confused Lynsha to follow in her eager footsteps.

As soon as they arrived in the Newmoon District, Bel began to behave in a manner that could only be described with the term “indiscriminate rubbernecking.” She stared at everything with a great deal of fascination, it was almost as if she was trying to remember something. Or, perhaps, reliving a vision of things that weren’t there, but had been. So absorbed was she in her mysterious objectives that Lynsha couldn’t bring herself to disturb her. Instead, she simply trailed behind in silence. Eventually, Bel spoke.

“Ah... That’s it. That’s the store...” she whispered before dashing off.

“Hey, wai— Milady!”

Lynsha rushed to follow and watched as the girl disappeared into the doorway of a dingy-looking shop. Upon entering, she found Bel talking to the shopkeeper.

“Um, Mister... Could I have one of those?” she said, pointing toward one of the pastries on display.

“Sure thing, young lady. That’ll be five crescent coppers,” the man answered with a broad grin.

Bel stuck out her hands toward Lynsha.

“Miss Lynsha, may I have my allowance?”

She let out a helpless sigh before handing over the coin purse. “All right, here you go.”

The next thing she knew, Bel had pulled out a lustrous coin and pressed it into the man’s hand without a second thought. Its silver glow and semicircular marking signaled its value—a half silver, the second-most valuable silver currency.

“Please keep the change. Thank you very much.”

“You’re wel— What?!”

The man’s grin froze. By the time his shock managed to manifest on his face, Bel was already gone.

“Wait! Milady! What do you think you’re doing?”

Lynsha dashed after her in a panic. The pastry she’d bought was five crescent coppers. Paying with a half silver meant she was owed a whole crescent silver in change. A crescent silver was a lot of money; it wasn’t the kind of thing you just gave as a tip. Only after they’d run far beyond the range within which the shopkeeper could reasonably track them down did Bel come to a stop, allowing Lynsha to catch up. She immediately grabbed her charge by the arm with a sort of nervous energy and allowed her heart a few seconds to slow before scowling.

“Milady Bel, I don’t know where you got the idea for that stunt, but never do it again. It’s not good to show off by wasting money like that.”

It was the kind of stereotypically pretentious act that appealed to nobles who possessed greatly inflated opinions of themselves, and Lynsha—for perfectly good reason—was not about to let such behavior go unreprimanded. While it was true that Bel had been given an allowance that she was free to use, it wasn’t meant to be spent wastefully; the money was for incidentals.

“If you keep wasting money like that, you’re going to get a good scolding from Princess Mia,” warned Lynsha.

To her surprise, Bel didn’t back down.

“No, I’m not wasting money.”

There was no doubt in the young girl’s voice. No defiance. Only certainty. Sheer will, bright and piercing, radiated from her eyes.

Lynsha flinched, her hand inadvertently releasing Bel’s arm. Every so often, Bel would exude an aura that made Lynsha’s breath catch in her throat. There was something about her expression and the way she carried herself that befit the word...majestic. Looking at her was like laying eyes upon a queen.

It’s so easy to forget sometimes...but this girl’s related to Princess Mia. That makes her royalty. A member of the imperial family of this massive Empire of Tearmoon.

The thought made her stiffen a little. She straightened her back. Bel, however, simply smiled, the expression innocent.

“If I owe someone a favor, then I must make sure to pay them back properly. That’s what I was told by Grand— Miss Mia. That’s why...I’m sure she won’t mind.”

Lynsha had no idea what that meant. One thing was clear though. Whatever it was that Bel was doing, she wasn’t wasting money frivolously.

“I...don’t really understand, but I’ll trust you. You’re sure this is fine?”

“Yes. It’s something I have to do. So I’d really appreciate it if you’d just let me.”

Again, Bel smiled her angelic smile, and again, Lynsha could do naught but sigh.

“Miss Miabel, come have a bite of this.”

Every time she passed in front of the dingy shop, a friendly voice would call out to her.

“Miss Miabel, this way. You can hide with us for a while.”

Every time she passed in front of the small house, visions of the people who’d tried to help her would resurface.

The battle that rent the empire in two left the capital in ruins, but even in the hellish remains of the once-proud city, there were pockets of kindness. Hunted by the Empress Prelate and her Holy Aquarian Army, Bel lived a life on the run. Time and again, she encountered people who would shelter her and help her escape. People who loved and protected her, even at the cost of their own lives.

Bel remembered them. All of them. Every face, every voice, tucked away deep within her for safekeeping...so that one day, she might have the chance to repay their selfless generosity.

“Gratitude should be acted upon. If you owe someone a favor, you must never forget it...and always try to pay them back...”

With the teachings long ago bestowed on her by her esteemed grandmother held close to her heart, Bel continued to dash through the streets of the Newmoon District.