-- Francesca’s Perspective --

The first time I met Bell-san, I sensed some kind of divinity around him. A person of great generosity. Before I knew it, I was already clinging to his arm. Tourists would often come towards me, and not the other way around. Yet my body acted on its own, telling me this person will help me, but I don’t know why nor how he’ll be able to help me.

When he was about to leave after he disagreed on my expensive charges, it felt like all my hope would be lost along with him. I begged in front of him not to go away.

Once again, my body acted on its own.

I have never done it in my life, not even once. If a family member of mine would see me in such a desperate situation, I’d be a total disgrace. I still have my own pride.

And yet... this… divine feeling.

It’s like... I’m seeking salvation.

It’s like... I wanted to confess.

It’s like… I wanted to change for the better good.

His attire is quite common around here yet I don’t know why I’m having this feeling.

My heart felt like it’s floating on the vast sea, swaying to and fro above the calm sea endlessly. His serene voice echoes through my heart. I sometimes feel a little dizzy when he looks directly at me, like encountering a new place I’ve never been before. He may not notice it, but most people see the same as I do, they just don’t say it.

When our tour is about to end, my stomach starts to rumble louder than before and it hurts. I forgot about it as I was too overwhelmed by his presence. I would like to stay beside him but I must first take care of my cousin.

After I got in trouble, I saw him once again.

This seems to be my fate, I mustn't run away from it.

After I finally had my fill and woke up in the morning, I smelled something familiar… It’s coming from him. I didn't notice it the first time we met. He smells like wet grass, it’s like I’m home or something. Under the cozy blanket we shared together, he was hugging me. I used to wake up in the morning with a headache or back pain. But right now, I don’t feel any of it. I woke up refreshed like a child who just woke up.

When I carried out my mission, three crows started following me around the Kingdom. It felt like I’m being monitored. Wherever I go, they’re always there. I’m starting to worry and doubt my own decisions, wondering if I should continue or not. But I have no choice but to finish what I’ve started, after all, I’m doing it for my cousin.

Evening. During my way home. Four thugs had an interest in my body. Just like the crows, they followed after me. I began running when they got closer, I was running towards the crowded street but a crow blocked my way, I went straight to the dark alley instead.

Four of them surrounded me. When they’re about to attack, three crows started knocking them down one by one at full speed with their beaks.

The crows didn’t make any sound like a normal one would do, they just tilted their head looking at me with great interest before flying off. They continued to watch over me on the roof tops, like I’m some kind of entertainment around their eyes. They already know where I live, and just like before - they just sit and watch.

One day, when I came back to Bell's room, I saw him writing. He’s writing while wearing a blindfold. Curious, I asked him. His response was simple.

“Someone taught me how to write and they themselves would read it, and I hope you’ll be here once I ask you to read it.”

When I asked how he was able to write, he said - “just practice”. I don’t know what’s the connection of it and I suddenly remembered not to pry on each other’s background so I didn’t ask any more.

Days have passed but he never calls me out to read about it.

After four days since our contract began. I can no longer stand the presence of the crows, so I've decided to inform Bell-san about it.

As I was about to leave my house, I felt something wasn't right.

I can’t see my cousin.

Our home isn’t that big in the first place and she used to wake up just right beside me.

I tried looking out for her around the streets, asking her friends but they just shook their heads as they didn’t know where she went.

It’s already afternoon when I finally found her.

I went on my knees as soon as I saw her.

At the slave market, she’s being sold for around 10 silver coins. Her neck, arms, and legs are chained. She cries towards me because of the discomfort she’s feeling.

She’s barely 5 years old!

I tried to take her away but the owner of the slave market pushed me away from her. He told me that I must pay first if I want to get her back.

I panicked as soon as the merchants and aristocrats had an interest in her.

I told her that I’ll get her back and quickly ran off towards the place where Bell-san is currently staying.

He was writing something on the table when I barged in. I then told him everything that happened in the slave market.

“And...?”

He didn’t look at me yet he tilted his head while writing.

“... I want nyou to help me...”

“Why should I?”

“...”

“...”

I felt annoyed and began to doubt why I looked up to this man.

“Because she’s the only family I’ve got!”

“Will this benefit me?”

I pulled out my hair, annoyingly.

“Nyo! But isn’t it natural to help someone in nyeed?!”

“If you say natural, isn't it also natural to properly discipline your cousin, telling her not to go out in the streets without any guardian around?”

“...”

“You still haven’t finished our contract yet. You already earned 8 silver coins from me, if you work for another day, I’ll pay you 2 silver coins. And you might be able to buy her out, assuming you haven’t wasted any of it.”

Before I could realize it, I was already growling at him, glaring at him with bloodlust. He wasn’t agitated even though I could kill him right now. His voice remained serene just like the first time I met him - it annoys me.

“Grrrrr!”

I brandished my claws against him.

“Intimidation and drastic actions won’t get you anywhere.”

“Should I really be calm now after knowing that my cousin is about to be sold out to some stranger?!”

“Your claws are scraping my neck. Would you mind removing them away?”

I didn’t listen. As soon as I tried to intimidate him further I was already kissing the floor. He locked my arms to my back with his right knee and arm. My eyes didn’t catch his movements. He looks frail but his strength proves me wrong. I finally gave up and let out my tears, losing all my hope after what happened.

“I slightly understand why you’re sad right now.”

“** sniff **”

“With your current state, I don’t think we’ll be able to talk with each other.”

“... ** sniff **”

“Let me clarify some things to you… Your family is not my responsibility, don’t act like it’s my problem. Don't put your blame on me when it's clearly your fault.”

“...”

“We're not friends.”

“...”

“You and I are just acquaintances.”

He stood up and went back to his writing.

“We’ll talk again after you clear up your mind.”

I stood up and sat on the bed...

I can’t stop from crying...

I don’t know what I should do...

I wept and wept but my tears won’t stop from coming out..

I finally stop after the two moons have finally come out.

He then walks out of the room. Soon after, he brought some dinner, enough for the two of us.

“Eat, then we’ll talk. You won’t be able to think properly if you’re hungry.”

“...”

“You can also take mine, I just remembered I already had my fill.”

I don’t know if he’s lying or not but I never saw him eating before. He’d just offer the entire meal for me. Most of the time, I would reason out that I can no longer finish it and I’d just take them back home for my cousin.

Remembering it now, I no longer have a reason to live if I’d lose her. I might as well jump off the edge of the Kingdom and embrace the ground like the rest of the peasants.

“Now… back to the question I asked before...”

“** sniff **”

“Why should I help you?”

“...”

I don’t have time for games right now. Is he enjoying this? I don’t think so, he’s not smiling or anything, he just keeps on writing.

“Because I’ll tell everyone that nyou’re a spy.”

He smirks and snorts through his nose.

“Mh! Me? A spy? I don’t think so. None would believe a blind man would be able to write this. It’s actually you who’s more suspicious than me… are you sure you’re not a spy yourself?”

“!!”

“I’m a generous man. Give me reasons not threats.”

“...”

“...”

“Because I want her back! Isn’t that enyough for a reason?!”

“Yes.”

He took a glance at me and nodded.

“Probably... but is that really enough?”

Then I remembered what he said before - “Will this benefit me?”.

“I-I’ll give you my body, I-I’ll be your personal slave instead. I’ll return the favor one day!”

“Why should I take you when you can’t even handle a child.”

“!!”

“...”

“...”

“Just give me a good reason, you don’t have to sell your soul.”

“...”

All I’ve said to him were instantly rejected. He’s the only person capable of giving such amount of money. I must make it count.

I breathe in before talking to him once again.

“If you help me… I’ll properly discipline her this time.”

“...”

“And when the time comes, we’ll both serve nyou, and nyou can see for nyourself how she has become more capable than I am.”

“...”

“I am nyot good when it comes to numbers, but she has a talent for it, and nyou might find her helpful one day.”

“How can I be sure that you won’t lose her like the last time?”

“She won’t… trust me...”

“And if you lose her again?”

“Then I won’t bother nyou any longer.”

“...”

“...”

“Sounds reasonable enough…”

He took his satchel and placed it on the table.

“How much do you have right now?”

“6 silver coins…”

He grabbed some money from his satchel and gave it to me.

“Here… you can take it. I’ll deduct it from our contract.”

“There’s 9 silver coins in here, I only nyeed like... 4 of them.”

“It wouldn’t be enough, take it already.”

“...”

“Oh… Before you leave.”

“...”

“A word of advice - don’t rush.”

“Why? What if she’s already been sold out, nya?”

I’m confused and annoyed at the same time.

“No, she’s not. She’ll remain there for quite some time.”

“How can nyou be so sure?”

“This time, believe in me. Just like how I believed in your words.”

“I dyon’t want to argue anymore! I’ll be going, nya.”

I stand up and rush outside, but I soon stop halfway through the door.

“Run, and you’ll lose her; walk, and you’ll get her.”

And just like that, he said those words while writing endlessly.