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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: My Name is Sei-an (4)
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"...Where am I?"
He had momentarily forgotten. His peculiar trait, one he'd had since long ago... the fact that he was a little, just a little, directionally challenged.
Sei-an, who had been heading towards the meeting place, now had to seriously ponder where he currently stood.
He had, with great difficulty, managed to familiarize himself with the area around his residence and the garden in front of it after a few days of wandering. But once he left his quarters, he had no idea where anything was.
"Why are the buildings so spread out?"
Sei-an wasn't blaming his own non-existent sense of direction; he merely grumbled, blaming the Count's sprawling and confusingly laid-out estate.
"And there's no one to ask..."
To make matters worse, with none of the maids and servants who usually bustled about in sight, Sei-an found himself in a predicament.
That was understandable, though. With people suddenly gathering and most of the staff being concentrated in the main hall, it was hard to find anyone elsewhere on the Count's estate.
"Tsk! Forget it."
What's the harm in one person missing?
Sei-an eventually gave up on attending the gathering, found a nearby spot to rest, and sat down.
"..."
Before he knew it, the sky was painted a beautiful crimson as the sun began to set.
He used to feel nothing when he saw a sunset. But now, whenever he saw such a beautifully colored twilight, he couldn't help but think of one person.
The one who would drag him, every evening, to the cliff overlooking the village to watch the crimson sunset: Jushia.
"She certainly makes sure I keep my promises."
Perhaps it was because they had spent so many years together. There were so many little things, memories, everywhere, that he often found himself thinking of her without even realizing it.
Thinking that he was truly diligently keeping Jushia's last request—the promise not to forget her—Sei-an let out a short sigh inwardly.
"The sunset is beautiful."
"..."
A moment later, an unfamiliar voice reached Sei-an's ears. But Sei-an remained silent, simply continuing to watch the sunset.
"What are you doing here alone in a place like this?"
The person approaching Sei-an was an old man who looked well over seventy. He was short, and his face was full of wrinkles, making him seem utterly ordinary. Yet, his steps as he approached Sei-an were more confident and forceful than anyone else's.
"Are your eyes failing you?"
"What?"
"I'm merely saying that because you asked what I was doing, even though you can see I'm watching the sunset."
"..."
The old man was momentarily speechless at Sei-an's words.
He had no reply for a moment because of the blunt tone, and the fact that the boy didn't even spare him a glance.
Then, he quietly watched Sei-an, who still hadn't taken his eyes off the sunset.
'Hmm.'
The old man, who had coincidentally been passing by a moment ago, found himself unable to simply turn away after spotting Sei-an sitting there blankly. Sei-an's gaze, as he looked at the sunset, seemed incredibly deep.
It was a gaze that held too much for a boy who looked barely in his mid-teens.
A gaze deeper than that of an old man who had experienced countless things over a long lifetime...
Unable to suppress his curiosity, the old man found himself approaching and speaking to him.
Of course, what he received in return was a rather sharp retort.
"Alright, let me rephrase the question. Why is a young person like you sitting here alone, looking so forlorn?"
A moment later, the old man moved a little closer to Sei-an and posed his question again.
Only then did Sei-an finally look at the old man for the first time, answering in a calm, indifferent manner.
"I'm lost."
"Lost?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, you must be a guest here, then."
At Sei-an's reply that he was lost, the old man assumed he was a first-time guest and nodded.
"No."
"Hm?"
"Not a guest. I'm the second son who lives here."
"..."
But at Sei-an's subsequent answer, the old man stared at him with a bewildered expression for a moment.
"Count Shurayton's son?"
"Yes."
"You mean you're lost in your own home?"
"Yes."
"...Do you think that makes any sense?"
"There's no law saying one can't get lost in their own home, is there?"
"W-well, no, there isn't."
The old man couldn't help but be taken aback by Sei-an's brazen confidence, as he retorted, "Why not?"
"..."
The old man silently watched him again. Those clear, deep, dark violet eyes that met his gaze.
"At any rate, I seem to know the way better than you, so follow me. Unless you plan on spending the night out here, that is."
Then, a moment later, the old man let out a small chuckle and offered to guide Sei-an.
"Thank you."
"..."
At the old man's words, Sei-an rose from his spot without any objection and quickly began to follow him.
As the old man had said, he had no intention of spending the night out there.
"What's your name, young man?"
"...It's Sei-an."
"My name is Behitz."
"...Is that a name I should remember?"
"Haha! It's not a name you'll regret remembering, so make sure you do."
Old Behitz burst into hearty laughter at the sight of Sei-an, who looked at him with an expression full of annoyance, as if asking if he truly needed to remember that name.
