Chapter 47: Veramood Lunatil

“Are you very angry?”

“Well.” Alkerto frowned while fiddling with his cup. He raised his eyes and looked at Sigrid. He was contemplating whether to tell her about him or not. But, Sigrid was not someone who liked to judge others. So, Alkerto decided to say something. “You know, I like to play around.”

“Well, I’m also enjoying playing around these days.” Sigrid nodded her head. It was really fun to play with Marisuez and Rowen Green. 

Alkerto laughed again hearing her response. “But I have a family to support, Because I have a father who is like a dog.”

The words “a father like a dog” might have surprised the nobles, but Sigrid only nodded. When she was young and lived in a poor house, she saw a lot of such a father. She grew up in District 3, so that kind of person was almost everywhere.

“A father who hits a child, drinks alcohol, does drugs, and sells his kids.”

Alkerto laughed. “He wasn’t that terrible. No, was it similar? Maybe, gambling is similar to drinking alcohol? But at least he was kind to his family.”

“Is drinking and gambling kind considered kind to family?” Sigrid tilted her head.

“At least, he didn’t hit me, and he even said he loved me. Then he died, leaving only debt.”

 Alkerto tapped the cup. He then continued while watching the surface of the tea shaking, 

“I could just live my own life. All my money is my money. But how could I do that? My half-siblings would be sold out one after another if the debt was not paid off. How could I live that way? So I’ve to pay. That’s why I roughly pulled all my money and paid off the debt, but thanks to that, my finances have been hurting a bit.”

“I see.” Sigrid nodded her head. 

“But I didn’t want to tell this story, saying I’m struggling financially or something like that,” Alkerto said as he glanced at her expression.

“I didn’t think about that because I thought you didn’t care. I’m sorry I overlooked that.” Sigrid bowed her head.

“Hmm.. so please don’t tell this to anyone.”

Sigrid nodded her head seriously. “Never, even when my aura core is dug up, never.”

“Oh that’s a scary oath.” Alkerto muttered hearing those words.

Because Alkerto confided his situation to Sigrid, it was easier for him to tell her more. In addition, Sigrid was a serious listener who listened with all her heart, and she was a person who was ready to defend her friend unconditionally at any time. So Alkerto talked more.

“In fact, there are times when I feel that my family is troublesome. I sometimes feel that my life would be easier without them. It’s my father’s family anyway, and I didn’t really know them very well, so why should I care? But when I think like that, I felt like I’m a bad guy again.”

Alkerto sighed.

“So when you said you helped my family, I was angry because I felt like a part of me was stabbed for some reason. It’s like i got pointed out that I’m neglecting them.”

“I never thought of that.”

“I know, because your thought is simple.” Alkerto then said teasingly. “Let me guess? My friend is in trouble. Let’s help him. You must just think like this, right?”

Sigrid had no choice but to nod as it was the truth. She then tried to make an excuse for herself, “But Alkerto would do the same.”

Sigrid looked at Alkerto with high confidence. She was sure 100 percent he would come if she was in trouble. 

“Yes, I wlll. Besides, you are my lifesaver.”

Sigrid grinned upon hearing those words. 

Alkerto was envious of Sigrid. As a commoner, he could not help but have a sense of inferiority. Every time he looked at the nobles like Morris, Marisuez—or other squad members, there was definitely a little bit of that grudge in him. But Sigrid was so upright that she didn’t have that kind of thought. This was what he was envious of.

“I think you’re great,” Sigrid said with a serious face.

“Really?”

“Yes, I think you’re a very kind-hearted player.”

“What?” Alkerto almost spits out tea in his mouth.

“You have a good personality and get a long well with everyone elese. You also could read people’s minds well. I can’t do that.” 

Sigrid’s cheek flushed. It was still a bit embarrassing for her to praise him like this. It was also embarrassing for her to say what she lacked in front of him. 

“You’re kind and friendly. You’re also the only one who greeted me first. You never show your difficulty. I think that’s really cool.”

“I’m not like that….”

“Nope. You’re also sweet and gentle compared to me.”

Alkerto was somewhat certain that that was not what she literally meant to say. It was probably mean ‘you’re kind and friendly’. But even so, it was kind of embarrassing to hear that. Alkerto scratched his cheek. Then he coughed lightly, “Next time, tell me before you want to help someone. So this doesn’t become a problem.”

Alkerto looked at Sigrid seriously, “The concept of ‘friend’ you’ve had. You better talk to Marisuez and Rowen Green about that.”

Sigrid nodded in wonder.

****