Ch. 6: Imprisonment
Under suspicion of possessing illegal drugs, Camilo was arrested and imprisoned.
I had immediately begged Camilo’s subordinate and was allowed to enter the cell he was imprisoned in.
OO: “Camilo, why…why did you let yourself get arrested without saying anything about it being a setup?”
Camilo: “I have to set an example and follow the rules.”
OO: “But…-!”
Camilo: “I will take responsibility for allowing this to happen. I am prepared to accept my judgment.”
With that strong-willed answer, he held his chin up.
(He’s already agreed to it…)
Feeling my own powerlessness, I left the jail.
My mood was significantly darker than when I’d arrived.
Ch. 7: Camilo's Trial
After I left the place Camilo was imprisoned, I sought to somehow find proof of his innocence, however…
Camilo’s subordinates and the people of the castle were in chaos at the unforeseen event and had no time to listen to me…-.
(At this rate, Camilo will…)
——————–
Camilo: “I have to set an example and follow the rules. I will take responsibility for allowing this to happen. I am prepared to accept my judgment.”
——————–
I was inspired to help him.
(How hard will it be on him…?)
I thought of Camilo spending the evening alone in the jail, and I felt unable to endure that thought a second longer.
Then…-.
OO: “Eh, that kid…”
It was a chance passerby within the crowd of people, but I recognized them right away.
(That’s…the kid who ran into us!)
Affirming my conviction, I chased after him.
…
OO: “Wait…!”
I used all my strength to run and get in front of him, blocking his way as I called out.
Boy: “What do you want? Ah, you’re the woman that was with Camilo.”
(He knows about Camilo. It really is the kid from the other night…)
I found myself glaring at him, but he didn’t flinch.
OO: “Why did you do that?”
Boy: “What are you talking about?”
OO: “Don’t play dumb…!”
I stared at him straight on, but the boy put his hands behind his head and straightened up.
Boy: “Cause he caught my older brother. Come to think, you were at his trial too.”
(Then his brother is the man that tried to run before…?)
Boy: “I simply got revenge. Anyhow, I don’t have a reason to talk to you about it.”
Saying as much, he barged past me.
OO: “Wait. If you think Camilo is bad, will you come to his trial? If you do, you’ll see what kind of person he really is.”
Boy: “Are you stupid? Why would I go just to get caught?”
OO: “Camilo hasn’t said anything about you.”
Boy: “Eh…-.”
OO: “He says it was his own fault…but…he’s wrong…please!”
I continued to desperately plead with my head bowed, and the boy nodded reluctantly.
Boy: “…promise me.”
OO: “Eh?”
Boy: “That you won’t draw attention to me.”
OO: “…”
(I’m sure whatever I say now would be the wrong thing to do. But if he learns about Camilo…something might change.)
Sending up that prayer, I gave a small nod…-.
Several days later…
Camilo’s trial was set to take place on this day, and I sat in the public seating with the boy from before.
Judge: “Now, we will begin the trial for the defendant Camilo.”
With the call to start, the judge banged his wooden gavel to commence.
(Camilo… he looks like he’s gotten thin…)
Seeing him like that, I tightly squeezed my hands together.
…
After a short exchange of words…
Judge: “If you have any last words, say them now.”
Camilo: “My crime is negligence. Because of that I was captured, and became unable to fulfill my duty to protect the order of this country. That is the thing I regret most now.”
Camilo was dignified as he stood there, expressing no ill will and showing no behavior to suggest he had been falsely accused.
(He’s taking full responsibility…and not blaming anyone…)
Boy: “He…didn’t blame me.”
OO: “That’s right. Because his duty is to protect this town, and blaming you wouldn’t be in line with that.”
Boy: “What the hell…how can he do something like that? I don’t get it.”
OO: “Camilo wishes for the people of this country to live in peace, with all his heart…he’s hard on himself, and kind to others. So I don’t think he would blame someone else, and he wouldn’t do something like hold a grudge.”
Boy: “…”
Suddenly, he stood from his chair.
OO: “Where are…-.”
Boy: “Don’t worry, I’m not running.”
Saying as much, the boy walked up in front of the judge.
Camilo: “You…!”
Boy: “Sorry.”
The rumbling of the crowd grew even louder.
(Thank goodness. With this I’m sure Camilo will be released…)
Then Camilo said something to the boy and looked towards me.
Ch. 8: At the Cathedral...
The day following Camilo’s public acquittal…-.
I was called out by Camilo and headed towards the country’s grandest cathedral.
Within the cathedral, the atmosphere was thick with solemnity, and a faint, elegant fragrance drifted on the air.
The moonlight through the stained glass window was so beautiful it took my breath away.
OO: “Camilo.”
I called out to Camilo, who waited for me, and my voice echoed in the high ceiling.
The sound of my footsteps as I rushed over echoed loudly as well, and in a panic I started to walk more slowly.
(I’m glad he wanted to meet and I just got impatient…)
Thinking that in embarrassment, I approached Camilo, and he looked at me kindly.
Camilo: “I’m sorry for calling you here like this.”
OO: “It’s fine. I’m relieved to see you’ve been released without any problems. I really wanted to see for myself…”
Camilo: “I called you here today because I wanted to thank you.”
OO: “But I didn’t do anything.”
Camilo: “You brought that boy to the courtroom.”
OO: “…that was just because we happened to run into each other…it was your character that made him want to turn himself in.”
Camilo: “But it’s because of you that he had any interest in coming to the courtroom.”
OO: “What will happen to him?”
Camilo: “…regarding the possession of drugs, the matter is being investigated.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Camilo: “Regarding the matter of him framing me…I didn’t press charges.”
OO: “…!”
My eyes went wide and Camilo awkwardly looked away.
Camilo: “Don’t look so surprised.”
OO: “I’m sorry. But I am surprised…”
(I mean, even after you were so enthusiastic about your duty…)
Camilo: “Up until now, I thought it was important to take the rules seriously and firmly enforce them. But… when being judged, there are emotions and situations to consider as well. I realized that during all this. That boy as well is reflecting on his actions. There’s no need to blame him more than that. Hatred is a sin, and not one I want for a companion. The one who taught me that…was you.”
His expression was shy, but he faced me directly and I felt my heart suddenly speed up.
OO: “But I really didn’t do anything.”
Camilo: “No, when people see you’re kindness and honesty, they change… actually…I’ve changed too.”
His gaze was full of passion, and it felt like it was holding me in place by threads.
Camilo: “I…I want to tell the person who changed me my feelings.”
Camilo’s wings spread slightly in a synchronized movement.
As I watched them, it felt as if I had wings of my own, causing me to float as my heart swelled.
Camilo: “Before I realized it, I…I had come to love you so dearly.”
OO: “…”
The confession was almost too straightforward and I felt a little dizzy.
(What do I do…I’m happy…)
Camilo: “If…it’s alright…I’d like to kiss you.”
OO: “!!”
That request was even more direct and I flushed bright red as I looked back at Camilo.
Camilo seemed as if he didn’t dare to breath, and his gaze seized onto my heart and wouldn’t let go.
Camilo: “…is that alright?”
I was reminded then of how sincere Camilo could be, and I even felt my ears turn red to the tips.
I gave a small nod.
Camilo: “…”
Slowly, his refined face drew nearer and I could feel his breath on my lips.
Camilo: “I’m glad kissing in this country isn’t prohibited…I’m not certain I could stop myself from breaking through that ban if it was…”
OO: “…”
After those murmurings, I felt a soft, faint sensation as his lips touched mine, then he pulled back immediately.
He looked incredibly embarrassed as he smiled and glanced to the side.
Camilo: “It’s my first time…so I’m sorry if I’m not good at it.”
OO: “I-it’s fine.”
I answered with all seriousness and Camilo smiled kindly as if his nervousness had gone.
Camilo: “Then…as you wish.”
OO: “…”
Our lips touched again, and I felt a numbing sweetness from it.
I grew weak in the knees, spellbound by the kiss, and it had nothing to do with whether it was well done or not…I was sure it was because I was doing it with Camilo…
From somewhere, I could hear the loud ringing of the cathedral’s bell.
END