Akuyaku Reijou no Naka no Hito - CH 2.4

Emi also took away the troubles of another childhood friend, Stefan. Both of these things had been resolved by the star maiden in the story, but Emi seems to be a natural softy and can’t seem to do nothing when she knows how to save them. Emi was the kind of person who would try to save those she could, including Claude’s father, to the best of her ability.

Stefan was troubled by the fact that he had a talent for magic and that those around him expected him to be as good as his father, the chief royal mage, and to take over as a matter of course. Stefan himself had been halfway through his childhood never telling anyone about it… on wanting to throw himself into the world of art and music.

In the story, he has grown into a young man who looks coldly at those around him applauding his magical talent which he did not wish for. When the star maiden said,「Some people use it to hurt people」in which she chided,「It’s like a knife, but sometimes they use it for cooking, for crafts, to save people. It’s a wonderful power,」and her words touched him so much that he changed his mind. He decides to use his powers as a sorcerer to save the world by overthrowing the Demon King and restoring peace, and then to pursue arts and music once again.

The real Stefan in this world was almost heartbroken by Emi before he was troubled by his own dreams and the expectation of those around him. Emi was instrumental in trying to break down the wall between Stefan and his father, who was supportive, saying,「Stefan should pursue a career in music, you should talk to your father about, I’m sure he won’t be opposed,」and in the story「I was the same, do what you love.」

But then Stefan’s awareness changes when he sees Emi practicing a dance alone in the royal garden, humming a famous classical tune… that everyone knows from Emi’s previous world.

I remember that I was in the mood to dance with Emi in the midst of blooming flowers, but I was very frustrated when he interrupted us.

However, as a musician, Stefan was intrigued by Emi’s humming and asked her about the details of the song. But, there was no way she could tell him that it was a song from a previous life, and Emi, who was evasive about the fact it was a secret, half-escaped from the scene.

After several days of notating Emi’s humming melody, Stefan researched old and modern scores and asked court musicians, and came to the conclusion that「Mademoiselle Remilia may have composed this melody.」Lady Remilia, who was already recognized for her recognized for her abilities as a wizard, was depressed that she also had a talent for composing… music and was about to give up on her music career.

It was also Emi who desperately tried to stop him. She said,「I love the violin Stefan plays!」and「I think he’s so incredibly talented, so heartfelt, and the fun songs make me want to dance and the sad one really make me want to cry. So definitely Stefan should continue his music.」It was unabashedly complimentary, Stefan looked at her with a dumb look on his face and then blushed when he understood what was being said.

As for the song Emi hummed,「I remember hearing it in a dream, or something like that, it’s outrageous if I wrote!」The misunderstanding was cleared up when she denied it. Only I heard Stefan mutter,「Remilia has a beautiful heart, so maybe she heard the fairies singing.」

Thanks to Emi, Stefan is also able to have a positive view of his magical talents. He seemed to be taken aback by the suggestion, smiling.「A magical musician would really stand out, and if he stands out, more people will listen to Stefan’s music, which I think is a very good strategy.」Many artists make the best use of their own eyesight, then it seemed that even the talent for magic was accepted as part of who they are.

It must take a tremendous amount of effort to be both a magician and a musician, but since Emi is working so hard, as a member of Williard’s entourage, he, as her friend, cannot lose. Above all, she said that magic and music are his weapons that can make his dear friends smile, which made him realize how precious they are.

A problem that did not exist in the story also arose when Williard became jealous of Emi… or simply Remilia, who used her knowledge of the story to improve herself and develop her various talents. Until the rift was resolved, Williard, who found himself jealous of… Emi’s talent, became disgusted with himself and his attitude toward Emi turned cold, and I, who could only watch from the inside, was not happy.

In the end, the adults around them sensed the awkward atmosphere and took the unusual step of allowing the two of them some time alone together, even though it was before they were married, saying,「Talk properly.」One could say that the two were trusted, although both the maidens and guards were standing by in a squa at the back of the garden, at a distance, though of course not audible. That is how much the adults around them must have liked the two of them.

Williard confessed that envied and craved Emi’s talent for magic, her ability to improve herself and learn various fields without resting on her laurels, and above all, her ability to solve problems with flexible ideas that he does not have. Emi told… that she is able to do her best because of Williard. She said with tears in her eyes that she is working hard on her magic, studies, and queen’s education because she wants to be a woman who can stand next to Williard and not be ashamed of anyone. Williard, who heard Emi’s heart for the first time, blushed when he realized that「Remilia,」whom he had thought was a perfect girl who could do anything, had made all the efforts she had made so far for him, and muttered,「I didn’t know it was for my sake.」In fact, Williard was more knowledgeable in history, economics, and politics, and Emi was developing her own strengths to compensate.

「I’m the one who has to work hard to be worthy of Will, and even now I’m still not good enough…」

With these words, Williard became aware of his fiancée, whom he had previously thought of only as「an overly talented childhood friend,」as a woman. I was so happy to see their first love that my heart was burning from the inside. He laughed and said,「Remy is a little too free-spirited, so it’s just right that I, his partner, should be a little hard-headed.」

I watched Emi, who was spending her time happily, with a somewhat dazzling feeling. That was enough to make me happy. Emi had told me that she wanted to see Remilia happy. I can understand that feeling now. I am happy to see my beloved Emi being adored and spending her time happily. I would like to see Emi happily married to Williard, whom she has her heart set on, without having to break off the engagement.

Emi seemed to feel sorry inwardly that「Will-sama is Remilia’s fiancée」, but… now I have nothing against His Highness Prince Williard personally, and if I had remained as I am, His Highness would not have cared for me either. This may have been the first time since I was in this state that I felt frustrated, in a good way, that Emi wanted to tell me that there was nothing to worry about, but could not communicate.

If only I could have witnessed Emi’s happiness from within… that would have been enough for me.