Finally, Fiona had found friends… Dwayne, Marcus, and even Sophie… but this happiness didn't last long.
(Dong) (Dong)
Sophie: "(sob)"
Fiona: "…(silent)…mm…"
Meliodas: "Dwayne Johnson… was a good boy… who came from us…"
(Dong)
Ms. Valentine: "Let's hope he doesn't suffer from his curse now…"
(Dong)
Marcus: "ghhh… I had his hand… damn… I… I could have saved him…"
Fiona: "huh."
Sophie: "hmm?"
Marcus: "ghhhh…"
Sophie looked at him… Fiona held his hand.
Marcus: "ghh…"
Fiona: "It wasn't your fault…"
Sophie: "Yes, she's right. You could have died too…"
Fiona: "It wasn't your fault…"
Marcus: "…mmm…"
Meliodas: "So, everyone… since it's such a sad day, class is canceled…"
They began to walk…
Marcus: "…(silent)"
Sophie: "hmm…"
Fiona: "mhm!"
She held his hand.
Marcus: "huh?"
Fiona: "Are you okay?"
Marcus: "…We've known each other since childhood… I don't know what to say…"
Sophie: "huh?"
Fiona: "I understand…"
A few hours later
Meliodas: "So… what do we do now?"
Ms. Valentine: "You're their teacher."
Meliodas: "Hahh… we'll just give the students a break… oh… what about Marcus' mother? Is she coming?"
Ms. Valentine: "No… she told us she doesn't want to take care of him anymore. She has a new partner and says she doesn't want to deal with this 'plague'…"
Meliodas: "Hahhhh… great… and the father?"
Ms. Valentine: "The father doesn't take care of him because he's dead… forgotten already?"
Meliodas: "Oh… right… and Fiona's aunt? What about her?"
Ms. Valentine: "Hmm… she's on vacation…"
Meliodas: "Okay… and Sophie… does she have family?"
Ms. Valentine: "No. Sophie's parents died when she was one. Her aunt and older sister aren't able to help. The aunt already took care of her older sister, who is barely sixteen… it will be difficult…"
Meliodas: "My goodness… and the others? Steven?"
Sophie: "Steven's father was a police officer… as you know, he died in service… his mother died right after his birth."
Meliodas: "Hahhh…"
Ms. Valentine: "You know, here, these are all unwanted children or children without parents… it's that simple."
Meliodas: "Yes… it seems so… poor children."
Ms. Valentine: "hmmm…"
Meliodas: "Dwayne's death came… unexpectedly…"
Ms. Valentine: "I complained several times to Ms. Natasha that the path on that bridge was dangerous…"
Meliodas: "She doesn't care about the children… remember, she was the only one against Howgarts' arrest."
Ms. Valentine: "Mhm…"
(Patch!) (Patch)
Ms. Valentine: "Hmm?"
Meliodas: "Oh no… I know those footsteps… it's her…"
Ms. Valentine: "How do you know that?"
Meliodas: "She always steps a little louder than you…"
Ms. Valentine: "Oh…"
The door opened.
Lady Natasha: "Meliodas…"
Meliodas: "Hmm… what can I do for you, Natasha?"
Lady Natasha: "I just wanted to tell you… as soon as Fiona and Sophie turn twelve, I want to take them…"
Meliodas: "They hate Sophie and Fiona… especially Fiona, because, as they say, she's talentless…"
Lady Natasha: "That's right… she will never be a good detective… someone so fearful… and traumatized…"
Meliodas: "This trauma is because of your people, Lady Natasha! Howgarts belonged to them!"
Lady Natasha: "So what?… There are enough children in this world. Some must die for the well-being of others. Unwanted children are still unwanted…"
Meliodas: "You think I'll hand over Fiona and Sophie?… You'll turn them into puppets!"
Lady Natasha: "Good… puppets show no emotion."
Ms. Valentine: "That's not true… it violates the rights of the Stellaron, and you know it!"
Lady Natasha: "How rude of you, Sarah…"
Ms. Valentine: "Ms. Valentine!"
Meliodas: "Calm down… Ms. Valentine… Lady Natasha… one day… they will feel it. If you treat others like this, either Sophie or Fiona will kill you. Both hate you utterly… and neither tolerates having their emotions stolen."
Lady Natasha: "Either way… Tom Fog will take Fiona."
Meliodas: "What?… Van Helsing?! Is that serious? What were you thinking? You know he doesn't understand this kind of thing…"
Lady Natasha: "I do it for them. Sophie is talented… but Fiona… hmph… she's not. Maybe Tom Fog can make her talented… by the way, he will come soon… he will now observe her more closely."
Meliodas: "Ugh… wait… hey."
She left the room.
Meliodas: "Witch…"
Ms. Valentine: "Hahhhh… you can't say that… she's still one of the most important in the Dark Umbrella."
Meliodas: "I know…"
(Knock, knock)
The door opened…
Tom Fog: "…Hello…"
Meliodas: "Tom… long time no see."
Tom Fog: "Indeed… I heard Lady Natasha has a student for me… Fiona Philomela Household…"
Meliodas: "Yes…"
Tom Fog: "May I see her?"
Meliodas: "Of course… Ms. Valentine, please bring him to her."
Ms. Valentine sighed lightly.
Ms. Valentine: "At your command."
She left the room; Tom Fog followed.
Ms. Valentine: "Be careful, Mr. Fog… you should know Fiona has a power, but she doesn't fully understand it… we… suspect it's the Mysterious' ability."
Tom Fog: "Understood…"
Ms. Valentine: "There she is…"
Tom Fog: "Huh."
Ms. Valentine: "…hmm?"
Fiona stood all alone in the park…
Tom Fog: "She's still a child… is Natasha trying to trick me?"
Ms. Valentine: "Please don't ask me… I have no idea. Nobody knows what goes on in that woman's mind."
Tom Fog: "Whatever it is… it can't be good…"
Ms. Valentine: "Oh… you don't like her?"
Tom Fog: "No… I heard about the experiments… and opposed them."
Ms. Valentine: "Huh… so you were against them too…"
Tom Fog: "Of course… we mustn't treat children like puppets… human or animal… these children are humans… cursed or Stellaron…"
Ms. Valentine: "I understand."
Tom Fog: "Tell Natasha… I don't want it… not now… I don't want a child with me… hmph… what a woman…"
Fiona: "(hums)…"
Tom Fog: "Huh?!"
Fiona: "The waves sound like the tears of a suffering person… the stars shine and the moon shows its beautiful light… a gentle wind comes and heals the wounds… of human hearts… but the poor child… whose heart is torn by blades… cries and cries… searching for the warmth of his mother… taken by adults because of their wars…"
Tom Fog: "This song… ughhh… Layla…"
Ms. Valentine: "Huh?!"
Tom Fog: "Layla… wait… is she… her granddaughter? Fiona is the granddaughter of Layla Jane Henderson!"
Ms. Valentine: "Huh?… Yes… Fiona is the granddaughter of Layla Jane Henderson."
Tom Fog: "Ughhh…"
Ms. Valentine: "Hmm?… oh… I remember… she… was her colleague, right?"
Tom Fog: "Yes… she was. I was her assistant… I didn't know she had children… Does Fiona know?"
Ms. Valentine: "No. She thinks Hamilton is her family, but in reality… her biological parents are dead… murdered… and Fiona survived Howgarts' experiments… it would be even more painful for her if she knew her biological parents were dead… what we don't understand is… she only remembers this song when it's about Layla."
Tom Fog: "That means… her mother, Tina, sang it… when she was a baby… I'll take care of Fiona… but not now… until she turns thirteen… okay."
Ms. Valentine: "Okay…"
A few days later
Marcus: "…ugh… Fiona!"
Fiona: "Yes?"
Marcus: "…I… I wanted to thank you… for being with me… and… for always holding my hand when I was trembling…"
Fiona: "Oh… hehe…"
Marcus: "Fiona… I… um… I… I'm in love with you…"
Fiona: "Huh!"
Marcus: "…(cough!)"
The class laughed…
Marcus: "…You're always so nice to me… you're pretty and kind to me…"
Fiona: "ughh…"
Marcus: "You don't have to love me… I just wanted to say it… that I'm in love with you…"
Fiona: "ughh… um… give… give me… time… to think…"
Marcus: "Huh?… wait… you… won't reject me?"
Fiona: "Reject you… um… what does that mean?"
Sophie: "A 'basket'."
Fiona: "And… what is a 'basket'?"
Sophie: "…(sweat)… when a woman says no if a man asks to be her boyfriend or husband… or when a man says no if a woman asks him to be her partner or husband."
Fiona: "Oh… um… okay… give me time to think… Marcus… I… um… I've never experienced this…"
Marcus: "Okay…"
The next day
Marcus was transferred to another class in the evening… without being able to say goodbye to Fiona.
Sophie: "Hmmm… don't look so sad… you would have rejected him anyway."
Fiona: "Hmmm… no."
Sophie: "Huh?… wait… did you… want to be his girlfriend?"
Fiona: "Uh… well… not yet… we're too young… but… now I'll probably never see him again."
Sophie: "Huh… he confessed to me two years ago too."
Fiona: "And you said no?"
Sophie: "Yes… he's a dwarf."
Fiona: "But… he's… nice."
Sophie: "Hahh… Fiona… you're so dumb… whether he's nice or not, his appearance doesn't matter…"
Fiona: "Hmmm… I think people shouldn't be judged or criticized based on looks… that wouldn't be nice or cool… then don't be surprised if they become angry or a bad person."
Sophie: "Hmm… hmph… I don't care… as long as he gives me money… and he's good-looking and hot… hehehe…"
End of memory
Sophie: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
Sophie: "Is something wrong?"
Fiona: "No… I just remembered what a brat you were as a child."
Sophie: "Hey… you want trouble?"
Fiona: "No… tell me…"
Sophie: "What?"
Fiona: "Do you still like rich guys?!"
Sophie: "…(sweat)… why do you still remember… I thought you only remembered people who mattered to you…"
Fiona: "But you matter to me…"
Sophie: "…(sweat)… huh?… um… really?"
Fiona: "Of course…"
Sophie: "…(sweat)… you're not trying to trick me now?"
Fiona: "No."
Sophie: "You called me a brat and now… you tell me I matter to you… hmm."
Fiona: "I said as a child you were a brat… oh… and do you still like rich guys?"
Sophie: "No…"
Fiona: "Good… then you're not an insolent woman anymore."
Sophie: "I'm about to get really angry… okay…"
Fiona: "Hmmm…"
If you want, I can continue translating the Sevasti/Zantanel/Remy subplot and Violet's guidance scene next, so all threads are fully in English and ready for reading.
Do you want me to do that now?
yes please
Perfect! Let's continue with the Sevasti / Zantanel / Remy subplot and Violet's guidance scene in English:
Meanwhile
Sevasti: "Hmmm… and how are you, Remy?"
Remy: "Hmmm… Zantanel will get angry at you…"
Sevasti: "Hmph… I don't care… here, eat something. You must eat…"
He gave him some food.
Sevasti: "This is chicken… hmph…"
He walked away.
Remy: "…mmm… delicious… hehehe…"
Meanwhile
Zantanel: "Hmmm…"
Celina: "I think Sevasti betrayed us…"
Zantanel: "Don't worry… I already suspected he would… but so soon… hmmm… we'll just leave it to the Dark Umbrella.
Celina: "What?.. Are you serious?"
Zantanel: "Yes… I'm serious… I don't like them… but I like Sevasti even less because he took Remy… he will get angry… follows the Dark Umbrella… if they need help… let me know… oh… hehe… right… hey… where's the new one?"
Celina: "Renni… hey… Renni… come here…"
(Patch) (Patch)
Renni: "Hello…"
Celina: "Hehehe… there you are…"
Zantanel: "Look at her… you want to work for me even though you know I killed you in the past…?"
Renni: "Hmph…"
Zantanel: "Since you once worked with the Dark Umbrella… I want you to observe them… and protect them from Sevasti… if necessary."
Renni: "Huh… is Fiona there?"
Zantanel: "Hehee."
Celina: "Is that the white-haired girl?… Damn, she's beautiful…"
Zantanel: "Indeed… no wonder Remy is interested in her… anyway… Renni, she's there… protect her… but once Sevasti is dead… you may kill her friends… but not her… I want her to suffer… Remy is only for me…"
Celina: "Oh… jealousy."
She slapped Celina in the face; her head exploded.
(Splash)
Zantanel: "You know I don't like this… Celina."
Celina: "My goodness…"
(Splash)
Her head regenerated—first the bones, then the flesh, then the skin.
Celina: "That was just a joke…"
Zantanel: "And I know you can't just die… Celina."
Celina: "Hehehe… of course… I am… a vampire."
Meanwhile, with Sophie, Fiona, Marcus, Lucy, and Violet
Violet: "So… if you want to meet Sevasti, you must know… the guy is very dangerous… even the Reanimations are afraid of him…"
Fiona: "Okay…"
Sophie: "And are you sure we can do this without help, Fiona?"
Fiona: "Huh?… what… are you scared?"
Sophie: "Of course I am… is that wrong?"
Fiona: "If that's the case, it's fine… Sophie… don't worry… Bob is with me… he's my Contracted Spirit, but he protects everyone important to me… including Marcus…"
Marcus: "Ughh… (blushing)… (cough)… okay… and… do you know how to find him, Violet?"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Violet: "Not really… he has several locations… but I know a street called Tretia… there's a place where I've seen some of his people before…"
Marcus: "Hmmm… a street?"
Violet: "In the small town of Resnov."
Sophie: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Resnov?… wait… we have to travel there?"
Marcus: "That's great…"
Lucy: "Hehehe… okay… if that's the case… then we travel."
Marcus: "Hey, you're staying here…"
Lucy: "What?… why?… I want to come."
Sophie: "Just let her come with us…"
Marcus: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Yes, let her come… we could use her help."
Marcus: "Oh… fine then…"
Violet: "I'll come with you…"
Fiona: "If you insist…"
Violet: "Hmm."
Marcus: "Alright… alright… let's go. The sooner, the better… my goodness."