The Gap Between You and Me

The winter that year was exceptionally cold. No matter how many layers of clothing was worn, the biting cold did not go away. Since it snowed so much almost every day, people refrained from outdoor activities as much as possible. As a result, the streets of the city, which were always lively and noisy, were very quiet.

People waited. May this cold winter, which seems to continue endlessly, pass, and a warm spring comes to announce a new beginning. The scenery of this world covered with white snow was beautiful enough to be called spectacular. But on the other hand, it was so clean that it felt foreign somewhere.

December.

January.

February.

The longer the wait, the more grumpy they seemed. As each day counted, time seemed to pass more slowly. Even the children who were happy to see the white snow seemed to have grown tired of the long winter.

If only they could run and play freely out there. They huddled together in front of the window, looking out and fumbling with their lips.

Little by little, the days lengthened and the nights shortened. The piled up snow began to melt, and the frozen ground gradually softened. Waiting for the day to become warmer, green sprouts sprouted on the desolate land.

Migratory birds that spend the winter in warm southern regions are beginning to return in groups. Bathed in the dazzling sunlight, they sat on a tree and chirped songs. It seems like they were happy to say goodbye to the year and welcome the new year. Or, they were enjoying the fact that they have returned to their old homeland.

The end of winter has passed, and early spring is coming.

* * *

It was a cloudy day. The sky looks like it will rain as it was tinted with gray. Even though it was past noon, it was difficult to find the sun that should be visible. The weather is finally getting better now, but the wind was chilly enough to make the thoughts go unnoticed.

Herietta was in the middle of the garden. While looking at the plant encyclopedia, examining and collecting various plants, she immediately raised herself up with a pained sound. Even with the gloves on, her hands were frozen and the sensation made her fingertips feel blunted.

Herietta brought her hands close to her face, rubbed them together, and blew into it. Warm energy flowed from her parted lips, her breath formed white clouds.

She tried wrapping a thick shawl, which she had draped around her shoulders to escape the cold, over her face. But that wasn’t enough. The red-hot ears throbbed like they were about to fall to the floor.

“Miss Mackenzie.”

Someone behind her back called Herietta’s name. A quiet, respectful voice. Herietta, who did not know who was approaching, turned with a slightly surprised face to check the person.

A neatly dressed knight stood three or four paces away from her. When she saw his face, her expression softened. He was a familiar figure who she had already met many times.

“Sir Jonathan.”

Herietta greeted Jonathan with a light bow.

“It’s been a while. I don’t think I’ve seen you often in the meantime, but I guess you went somewhere far away?”

“Yes. There were several missions to be dealt with away from the capital.”

Jonathan gave a brief nod. These were several missions to be dealt with away from the capital. Perhaps she had guessed something from his voice, Herietta’s complexion darkened a little.

“Wasn’t the situation good?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can confirm it yet.”

Jonathan shrugged his shoulders at Herietta’s cautious question.

“Still, it’s clear that the tide is veering to one side faster than first expected.”

“Have they already reached the capital?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure how much longer they can hold out.”

Jonathan glanced at the thick books and notes lying beside Herietta’s heel. When he first saw it in her hand, it must have been as clean as a new book. Showing how many times she had read and used it, the cover of the book and even the inside of the book were tattered.

“Anyway, Miss Mackenzie is still as keen as ever.”

Jonathan said with a look of admiration.

“I am envious of your hard work and persistence.”

“Oh. Sir Jonathan. You’re mistaken.”

When Jonathan gave the unexpected praise, Hrrietta waved her hand. This knight, as big as a bear, was unexpectedly very friendly and kind.

“To be honest, I’ve been slacking a lot these days. Yesterday and the day before yesterday, I used the cold as an excuse to stay in my room.”

But you managed to find me at just the right time.

Herietta smiled and added a joke when she suddenly noticed that Jonathan was staring at her face. With eyes of not the slightest hint of laughter. An indistinguishable, vague expression spread over his face.

She was about to ask why, but Jonathan opened his mouth first.

“Your voice…… It seems that there is still no improvement.”

“Ah!”

It wasn’t until after hearing what he said carefully that Herietta realized why he was making that face. At the same time, she was reminded of the fact that she had forgotten or wanted to forget. She thought she was used to it by now.

Herietta put on a bitter smile.

“The doctor said it doesn’t look like things will get much better in the future.”

On the way to Velicia, Herietta was strangled by an assassin hired by Shawn and injured her vocal cords in the process. Until then, her condition hadn’t been very serious, so her body was recovering and her original voice was gradually returning.

However, shortly thereafter, Herietta heard the tragic news that had happened to her family. After collapsing from the shock, she fell seriously ill for several days, and as a result, her vocal cords became abnormal.

There was no problem with her talking and conversing, but her voice became lower in tone, and became a husky nasal voice. Her voice was so different from her old one that no one could even tell it was her just by hearing her voice.

“…… Is that so?”

“It’s okay. Sir Jonathan. I really like my voice now.”

As Jonathan couldn’t hide his mixed feelings, Herietta hurriedly explained.

“It’s not that I didn’t like my old voice, I was often told that it was young and light. But now, even if I say the same thing, it feels much heavier and more serious than before. Besides, sometimes it seems oddly enchanting.”

“…….”

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