Chapter 16: First Salon Visit - With Brother Sevran

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Sevran, my older brother, was in the salon, so I decided to go see him. It was my first salon visit at the age of six.

Our house is really big, with places children aren't supposed to go—or rather, places we don't even know about. It feels like these places don’t matter to children.

One of those places is the salon.

That morning, I realized, "Oh, I have nothing scheduled today!" So, I asked Kitty about my brothers' schedules.

Stefan, my other older brother, was off with the knight squad, so he wasn’t home, but Brother Sevran was.

I hurried to the dining room.

Father and Brother Stefan had already left for work, but Brother Sevran should still be eating breakfast.

After Kitty helped me get dressed, I entered the dining room, but no one was there...!

“Why!?”

I came as fast as I could...! I thought I’d made it in time!

Looking at the maids in the dining room, I saw them pulling out my chair, their brows furrowed in concern.

Urgh... It's not their fault… Don’t get mad, don’t get mad. I swallowed down the bad feelings bubbling inside me and sat in my chair, feeling down.

“Just you today, I see.”

“Shall we have the chef prepare a pie?”

They were trying to comfort me, which made me feel even sadder, so I shook my head and silently tore my bread apart.

“Master Sevran seems to have gone to the salon.”

“The salon…?”

“Yes, he’s practicing for an upcoming tea party. It seems he's working on his dancing.”

Kitty is always so quick to gather information!

“I’ll go to the salon too!”

I’ve never been there before, but still!

Revived by excitement, I finished breakfast, eating lots of bread, with Kitty sneaking in some veggies and meat here and there.

The salon was far from my room, all the way to the west. I realized I’d never been past the entrance area before. It’s funny how there are places I don’t know in my own house...

The salon door was beautifully decorated with gold. I sat in a chair they brought for me in front of the door. Since it was hastily arranged, my feet didn’t touch the floor.

"Is it time yet?"

“Shall I go and check?”

“No, we shouldn’t interrupt Brother Sevran.”

“Understood.”

“...”

Sebran will take a break at noon, and that’s when I’ll greet him.

Practicing is important, so I don’t want to disturb him.

I swung my legs back and forth, waiting.

“...Is it time yet?”

“Shall I go and check?”

“No.”

This repeated over and over. Knowing Brother Sevran was inside made me restless. I could hear the rhythm of the dance instructor’s claps. Every time they stopped, I’d think, "Is it over?" But then the clapping would start again soon after.

I fiddled with the brooch pinned to my chest, adjusting its position. I watched the clouds outside the window. A maid brought a picture book, and Kitty read it to me.

“I wonder if Brother Sevran has gotten better at dancing?”

“Master Sevran is very dedicated to improving, so I’m sure he has.”

“Yeah! Brother Sevran is so cool! I hope he shows me his dancing later!”

I don’t want to interrupt, but I hope I can sneak a little peek.

Just as I was watching my swinging toes, the door opened.

“Fran!”

“Ah, Brother Sevran!”

Brother Sevran stepped out!

When I jumped down from the chair to stand in front of him, he hugged me tightly.

“Fran, why didn’t you tell me you were here right away?”

“?”

He seemed serious. Why the sudden intensity?

“I only just found out you were here, waiting quietly in the chair, not making a sound, so as not to disturb my practice… Why did you endure it like a monk?”

A monk? I wasn’t really suffering, but I guess part of that is true. It’s a weird misunderstanding that’s hard to clear up. The hallway was warm and sunny, so I was actually a bit sleepy.

“Um, um, Brother Sevran, I’m totally fine! My bottom doesn’t hurt or anything!”

“Really?”

“Yes! I just wanted to say hello to you. I wasn’t disturbing you, was I?”

Meeting him had cleared away the sadness I felt at breakfast.

“Ah, yes… We didn’t get to see each other at breakfast. Good morning, Fran.”

“Good morning, Brother Sevran!”

“Fran, I’m still practicing my dance today, so I won’t be able to play with you. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay!”

He patted my head like he always does.

It’s a lot less lonely when Brother Sevran is around, even when the house is empty.

I’ve said hello now, so I should head back to my room and make sure I don’t bother him. Maybe I’ll take a bath.

“Do you want to come inside and watch the practice? It might be a bit boring, though.”

“!! I want to! I want to see how cool you look, Brother Sebran!”

“I’ll do my best to look… cool.”

“Okay!”

“We’ll take a long break at lunch, so why don’t we take a bath together then?”

“Yay! Yes, please!”


Inside the sparkling salon, Brother Sevran’s dancing was dazzling and so cool!

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