One's Eden: Hanayuki Travel

Chapter 87: Olivia's perspective

I was still a kid when I saw slaves walking down the streets all naked. On their backs was a huge log of wood they carried with all of their strength. In addition, behind them was a knight whipping their backs with a thorn whip. Their blood mixed with sweat. Their faces are agonizing.

“Grandfather, why are they naked? Why are they suffering? Why are they treated that way? I felt bad for them…” I asked.

My grandfather, who was beside me, slapped my face. I was shocked by his action, leaving me in astonishment.

“Listen, Olivia… Those people aren’t human… Those people who don’t have their own will aren’t human. They are animals in human skin… You must not sympathize with them… They are tools to make our life better.”

Tools? Human?

I don’t understand… I don't understand a single thing about what my grandfather was talking about. Perhaps I was still too young back then to understand.

As I grow up I study history and how everything turned out like that.

According to the sacred text, the goddess created men equal to each other. No hierarchy, no discrimination. The world is a gift given to humans to enjoy with everyone.

It was the opposite of what I was seeing outside. Everyone is not equal. Discrimination was everywhere. The world can’t be enjoyed by everyone. To some people, this is heaven, but to others it is hell.

After years of studying, I found out why the world has become such a cruel place for everyone.

“It was humanity's fault… Everything is humanity's fault… The goddess has nothing to do with everything happening in this world. The goddess never made hierarchy. It was humans who created the idea. The idea of kings and slaves. Consumers and sellers. Beauty and ugly… Black and white… The difference is not created by a goddess. It was a human idea and it was passed down for generations. This thought manifested in reality… The mindset of humans was forever tainted. Fixing the world would be impossible.”

I was lucky to be born royalty. I don’t have to suffer like slaves. I have meals prepared for me every day, pretty clothes dress me every day, a physical appearance envied by many, and power.

I accepted my fate as royalty.

There is no way of fixing this world any longer. I even killed one evil person. A new evil will come up to create another conflict. This cycle of conflict will occur over and over again. World problems will never be solved.

“This world is cruel.”

I muttered as I looked up at the stars. Wearing a glittering dress, standing silently on the veranda.

I found some peace.

“ Don’t you pretty much want to have some wine with me?”

“I apologize, but I’m a minor and I don’t want to drink…”

As I turned my head, it was a girl.

Her voice was very unique. It is not mellow, soft or sweet. It was a little roach and hard to distinguish from a man’s voice.

She grinned at me and joined me in my solitude.

“I’m just kidding. This is a root beer… I’m also a minor…”

“Why are you here?”

“Me? I just heard someone muttering such interesting words… The world is cruel.”

“Stop it, are you here to make me feel embarrassed?”

“Nope, I agree… The world is a cruel place… But maybe we can do something about it. I can sense that you could be similar to me. Would you like to come and join me tomorrow? I’ll be going to the outer layer to do my regular show. In the location east where the windmills are located there is a coffee shop.”

“I don't agree with this yet?”

“Come on… Royalty has all the time of their life after all. If you are afraid that a rival family will come to kill you. You should come with bodyguards.”

She is not wrong. I do have lots of time to spare and being alone every day is kinda sad. This is the first time someone has invited me.

“Are you planning on winning me so that you’ll gain more power in the kingdom?”

“You’re so distrustful… That’s what too much money would do to people… To make you at ease, I don’t have any intention of your power or wealth. You can just toss me away, but I know you’ll come because you seek fun things… I mean, royal life where everything was given to you is very boring, isn’t it?”

She said again casually.

I could not sense her treating me like someone at the top. She looks directly at my eyes as if I’m on her equal footing.

From her pocket, she handed over a ticket.

“That is why you need to go to see my show… You are tomorrow.”

She waves and goes away.

Before she went, I stepped forward and pulled her sleeve.

“Huh?”

“ Your name? I want to know your name?”

“My name… My name is Milly Moonheart.”

Her name is Milly Moonheart. The third daughter of a high-ranked noble. She wasn’t as wealthy as us, but she is lucky like me. Lucky that she doesn’t have to work a single day in her life.

That is what I thought...

I sneaked from the mansion and arrived at the said coffee shop early in the morning. As I entered, I saw her wearing dull clothes and a tray containing cups and meals in her hand.

This place is called a coffee shop, but in reality, it is more like a bar. Adventurers are here having fun. Laughing while they eat. The noble girl took the dishes and she noticed me standing at the main entrance a little surprised.

Milly first put down the dishes on the table and approached me.

“What are you doing standing there? Have a seat and order something… We have special pancakes for today. I highly recommend that.”

Milly said.

Right now, I’m not wearing very fancy clothes, so I can blend in with the crowd without getting too much attention. It may be late to say this, but I hate the idea of attention. The attention of other people is robbing my sense of freedom.

“I’ll go with the pancakes.”

“Coming.”

I’m not particularly hungry. The pancakes were so good I was unable to eat them all instantly.

“Is it good?”

“It's great,” I replied.

“I’m happy to hear that… I mean, I’m the one who cooked the special pancake. I woke up early to make them. I was worried that it would turn out as a mushy paste and not be sold properly… It sells a lot and your pancake is the last one. I’m happy everyone likes it.”

“Milly?”

“Yes?”

“ Your family is wealthy… Why are you working here? This place is dirty and full of these unpleasant-looking people. Why are you making an effort? Waking up early, working for these peasants. Are you not ashamed?”

I asked.

“Ashamed? It's true my family is wealthy, but it doesn’t mean we’re wealthy forever. Maybe the business will fall and we like them. Please refrain from calling them, peasants. That’s very rude. They are humans like us.”

She seat opposite me. She first took the menu and ordered some cold drinks.

“Ice tea after work is great! Gosh!”

“Please tell me more… Why are you doing this?”

I was so serious about finding out more about her. Why would a noble girl who can have everything in her domain work? She has everything like me.

“I work here because I want to know a lot about the world. I want to meet lots of people. I want to stand up for myself. Do you have a dream?”

“Dream?”

“My dream is to become a great musician… My family won’t let me become one. My parents were against this working thing. They don’t care about my existence. Right now, they only think I’m in my friend's house or in my room… But you know, this is what I wanted… I want to accomplish my dream of becoming a musician. If the time they abandoned me. I could stand up on my own feet. Looking at your eyes at the party last night. I know you have a dream. Like myself… You look at the world as cruel because it won’t let you see the world you wanted to see. The world in your ideals.”

A world in my ideals.

The world is cruel from my perspective, because it wasn’t the way I wanted it to be. It is not what I imagined it to be like.

“You’re wrong… I don’t have a dream…”

“Really?”

“But you're not wrong when you said that I dislike the world presented to me… Dreaming I want to know about it.”

“You’re weird… How could I show a dream? I know, since you have a ticket you’re invited to my show… I’ll show you my dream. Maybe you realize your dream after this show.”

Minutes later, then, she left me on the table. She appeared on the mini stage. With a guitar in her hand and a microphone in front of her. She started singing for everyone.

The melody of the song. I could tell she was having fun.

This is something you can’t buy with money. This is not something you can obtain with a family’s power.

“This is a dream.”

I was so moved by her singing. Tears of joy came falling into my eyes. My heartbeat was synchronizing with the strum of her guitar.

Milly loudly sang and everyone made a round of applause for her magnificent show. She was at the center of the light having the moment of her life singing.

After the show, she walked toward me and asked:

“Do you like my show? My voice is kinda funny... I hope you like it."

“Yup, I love it!... I decided I want to be like you… I want to sing for everyone. I want to look at everyone equally. I want them to smile at my song. I want them to cheer for me.”

The sufferings I want them to be erased with a song.

“Then, you have your dream… All you need to do is realize it. Realize it with work and effort. I know you’ll succeed.”

After my fateful encounter with Milly, I started dreaming. The world of cruelty I know started to brighten up little by little. The world brightened up and colors started to fly through the air, glittering.

The world is cruel based on someone’s perspective. It was your decision if you wanted to look at the world that way. Or if you want to change your point of view?

I want to go to the world where I have my dream come true.

♦♦♦♦♦

Same with fulfilling my dream… I still have my duty as Redgrave.

“Leona, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, milady… You are my top priority… I can’t let your dream stop here… This is very interesting. Who would know that the traitor would show his face very early? The traitor was supposed to reveal himself at the c****x of the story.”

Leona said toward the girl standing straight with a rapier in her hand.

“Everything was to meet the goal of Princess Noah… Sacrifice is needed.”

Viola said straight.

“Justifying your sin by playing a hero… You already explained the rules of the game… We don’t have any choice but to play this stupid death game of your master.”

“Correction, she is not my master… Audrey is my ally. Ally with the same goal as mine. I’ll cut anyone on our way!”