An Uncontrollable Heart

Indeed... I'm positive it will be okay. It's important to tell someone how you really feel.

Yipha. Who're you talking to?

Allee...!

Hehehe... Truth is, I gave some love advice to a little girl.

Love advice?! To a little girl...?

You just don't get it, Allee.

Ready to listen? Age has nothing to do with falling in love with someone! For example, even if someone is much older than you, if you fall in love with them, there's no stopping that feeling. For the person in love, it's a destined encounter...

Yipha... I'm guessing the person you like is much older than you?

That's right. The man I love is quite a bit older than me... ......

Huh?! What is it all the sudden?! Allee... What is it?!

Huh? Isn't that my line...? It's just about the person you told me you liked before...

Ah... Sorry. I guess I wasn't being very considerate.

No, wait, hold on! I'm not talking about consideration here! Huh...? Did we speak about who I liked before...?

What...? Of course we did. I guess you were pretty gone then... Are you saying you don't remember?

Huh?!

I-I...don't remember a thing...

Hey, wait! Did I... Did I say that person's name?!

What?! No, you didn't go so far as that...

Oh! Thank...goodness...

What's wrong, Yipha? You're turning bright red...

*sniffle* I never thought I'd tell you that about myself, Allee... What am I gonna do?! I wanted to get serious about today's job, but I can't let this go!

S-Sorry...

What's more, it's pretty rare for you to get serious about a job, Yipha. Is it another task involving Mariel by any chance?

Oh, no, that's not it. Today's another story. It's just another job like before, listening to the townspeople's worries.

Is that right? You seem happy, though... Do you like listening to people's worries?

Yeah! This is the only kind of work I don't take shortcuts on. People's hearts are complicated. You can't get them to open up with preordained methods or procedures. Ever since I was a little girl, I enjoyed these kinds of tasks the most.

I see...

You really are an amazing priestess, Yipha. I'm not talking about your techniques or magical abilities... But about your heart and soul.

Wh-What are you going on about, Allee?! If you praise me all the sudden like that, I'm going to blush!

Well then, I've got to get to work! Our next destination is Rinde. Hurry up, let's get moving!

Hey, wait! Yipha...!

Lady Yipha! *sniff* *sob* I was waiting for you to come!

Why do you shed such tears? There, there, be at ease. Tell me everything on your mind.

Well... The other day, a man came to me wanting to talk about an investment. He said he wanted to open a high quality decoration store for the ladies in town, and wanted my help.

I was a little worried because it was such a large sum, but...

You gave him the investment money?

Yes... But, because of that...!

Some trouble has happened... Is that the way of it?

That's right!

Once he set up shop in Rinde, the only items for sale were fakes that even a child wouldn't fall for. When I went to the store to ask, the worker insisted that they were just hired help and had no idea!

Of course, by the end of the day, the store had vanished. It was like a cheap street stall to begin with...

That sounds like quite the predicament...

Yeah. I really should have thought about it more before making a decision as usual...

You mean you gave him the money without thinking about it?!

When he came to speak with me, for some reason my cat got all up in a fuss, and couldn't keep still.

I was too busy worrying about it tearing up the room... So I agreed to the investment without thinking...

All because I was worried about the cat... *sniff*

I see... The end result of your business venture was unfortunate, yet...

But I'm positive the kindness you showed to your cat will come back around.

Please, leave this unscrupulous merchant to us.

Lady Yipha! Thank you so much... *sob*

I will pray for your good fortune, so that the heavens may repay you for your kindness.

Lady Yipha...

Young man, you seem a little pale... Is something amiss?

*sniffle*... Actually...

The other day, I bought an expensive Eastern antique from a certain merchant. I was so happy that I brought it back home right away and put it on a shelf for decoration, but...

As soon as I did, it broke into pieces!

That's terrible...

You bought it thinking it was a valuable, high-quality article, but it turned out to be a low-quality fake...

Is that the gist of it?

*sniff* Yeah... Judging from its appearances, it was really beautiful... But that beauty didn't last long...

That's some bad luck... Did you complain to the merchant?

Of course! I sent a very angry letter of complaint to him!

But in his reply he said it was my fault for placing it on the shelf too roughly...

I haven't heard from him since.

Hm... Sounds like trouble.

What kind of merchant was he?

He was a well-dressed, calm gentleman. Oh, and he had a brooch of pure gold on his lapel. On it was a design of some plant... He was a little strange, that's why I remember him so vividly.

A little strange...?

Plant designs on things like brooches are quite common for merchants to keep. A panyara plant design in gold is the standard, and very popular... But that merchant's brooch had a banyan leaf design on it.

What's so strange about that?

There's a superstition that a wicked spirit that often brings merchants to ruin dwells in the banyan leaf.

I see... Any normal merchant would never select such a design.

That's right...

Hmph! Are you saying some spirit destroyed my antique?

Well... I'm not so sure about that...

Please leave this matter to me... I will attempt to solve your troubles. I will also pray that a wealth of good fortune comes your way...

*sniffle* Lady Yipha! Thank you so much!

Lady Yipha! I have something to tell you! I...I finally found a boyfriend!

Oh! Isn't that terrific! I'm so happy for you. I was certain that you would find a wonderful man some day.

Hehehe... It's all thanks to the advice you gave me, Lady Yipha.

I am just pleased that I was able to be of assistance.

So... What kind of man did you meet?

He's this hardworking merchant who recently came from the East to make some money in Rinde! He's really thinking seriously about our future!

He said he wants to open an inn so that we can have fun together, so I lent him some money!

Huh?

Hey, doesn't that sound a little fishy to you?

I-Indeed... It does sound a little suspicious.

Oh, and that's not all!

Both of his parents are ill, but he's going to buy good medicine so that I don't have to take care of them...

Wait a second... I've got a bad feeling about this.

A-Agreed...

I gave him the money to buy some high-quality medicine, and some more for his travel expenses!

I knew it...

This is...

A perfect love story, isn't it?!

Not quite...

There's just one thing I'm worried about. I haven't seen him at all recently...

But I'll wait because I trust him! I'll just have some of this herbal tea he gave me before he left. This tea certainly has a peculiar flavor. This must be the taste of love!

A peculiar flavor...?

Oh, would you like to try some Lady Yipha?! I'll pour some right away! It's the least I could do for all your help!

N-No thank you... I...

Don't be shy! Here, have some!

Y-Yipha...

Ah...!

W-Well then... I suppose I'll have a sip. Thank you very much...

*gulp*

(Ack! It's so bitter!)

Yipha!

That must've been rough...

Yeah... Today was a little more...exciting than usual.

That's probably because of the tea.

Even if that were the case... Every tale we heard today was inexcusable don't you think?

Yeah... To tell it straight, each and every one of them was swindled.

Agreed... But this isn't going to be easy to investigate. Which out of the three should we check out first?

That shouldn't be a problem. All three are the work of the same group of con artists.

Huh?! How do you already know that?

Hm... Actually, they each had one point in common.

A point in common?

Do you remember the info about the brooch the antique dealer was wearing?

Yeah... The banyan leaf brooch, right?

That's the one. That banyan leaf brooch is our common point of interest.

Huh?!

The person approached for an investment was flustered because his cat got excited. Apparently banyan leaves aren't good for cats. It causes them to go into a drunken-like state because it contains an ingredient that makes them go wild.

What's more is, banyan leaves can be used to make tea with.

Tea...

Oh! The tea the young lady was drinking?!

That's right. It's been a while since I've had it... But that intense flavor is unforgettable.

Wow, so you've had it before?

Of course! Because, when I was little...

As punishment for constantly skipping out on this training that I hated, the Head Priest made me drink some...

Yipha, I feel like everyone knew that you like to cut corners for a while now...

No way!

This is no time to change the subject... So that's our common point of interest.

For the time being, we can assume that the banyan leaf is a symbol used within this group of con artists.

A symbol?

A symbol that signifies that a target has already been hit, to ensure that they don't cut in on each other's schemes. If they leave traces that only their members can read, it makes working much easier. Once the con artists have come to a town, they need but mark a target, and inquire about the current situation.

If the potential target mentions tea, a peculiar brooch, or something about their cat acting strange...

Then they know to target someone else. I see... So the guys we're after all share something in common.

The problem is finding out where they're hiding...

Everyone we spoke to mentioned the East, didn't they? Selling antiques on the road, huh? Our con artists may have taken a ship from the East. It's likely that instead of boldly taking port in Rinde, that they've quietly landed in Serena Coast.

I guess that's likely... Well then, let's head to Serena Coast!

Hehe... Who'd have thought Rinde would be packed with so many suckers. Makes work a walk in the park.

Yeah. If we're raking in this kind of profit, nobody can call us dumb or say we're not fit for business!

Hey.

Huh?

Seems like you're having fun. Let me join.

Who are you?!

Me? I'm the new recruit who just joined. You two look like you must've made a lot of dough in Rinde.

Well...

Tch! Boss didn't say anything about a woman like you joining.

True. You're awfully suspicious.

Lady... We've got no idea what you're talking about.

The banyan leaf...

How do you...?

Now do you believe me?

Hehe... Boss is really something. He must've wanted to keep this beauty to himself when she joined.

So you're trying to make some dough in Rinde, lass? With looks like that, marriage fraud would be a easy as pie!

Teehee... Thanks for the compliments. But...

I'm going to have to say no.

H-Huh?!

Because...

I could never tempt a man other than the one I love!

And I've got absolutely no plans to be an accomplice in crime! Isn't that right, Allee?

That's right. You tried to cover it up at first, but it looks like you guys are the criminals we're looking for!

Tch! Now you've backed us into a corner!

We won't let you fool the townspeople and take their money any longer!

Hmph... What're you on about? Nobody got hurt and we've made a bit of coin... A bit of swindling like this is child's play! You should thank us for being nice!

Wh-What do you mean?

Every one of us used to be bandits. But we've had a string of bad luck with raid plans of late...

That's why Boss had us quit banditry and turn to fraud. Boss has joined up with some noble sod and is raking in heaps of coin.

Hehehe. Back when we were bandits I really hated that one-eyed mercenary with every inch of my being... But now I might have to thank him!

A one-eyed mercenary...?! Could it be...

Bertrand?!

Huh?! Yipha...?

A one-eyed mercenary...?

Could it be...Bertrand?!

Bertrand...?

Wait! Why did you bring him up?!

Huh? Why you ask? Because that maggot went and interfered with every one of our bandit raids.

He's taken up work along the coast here... The man's a real eye-sore, if you get my meaning, hehe.

Bertrand...

And what's your story? Do you know the man?

Now this is a ripe chance! We'll pay back that maggot in kind... With your hide!

Tch... Didn't you just say you should thank him?!

That was just a figure of speech! Come on out, Lizzy!

Darn it... Yipha!

I'm already ahead of you, Allee! Looks like I'm going to have to teach you all a good lesson... For Bertrand's sake!

Is that all you've got? Looks like you're all out of moves. You should probably surrender quietly.

Tch... Who do you think's gonna surrender?!

These guys really don't know when to call it quits...

They're still putting up a fight even after we've driven them into a corner...

Haha... Ahahaha! Driven into a corner you say...? Think you've done well? Wasting your time fighting with underlings like us?

What do you mean...?

"For Bertrand's sake!" Don't make me laugh. It's too bad, but right about now...

Our boss has driven your precious Bertrand into a corner! It's too late!

H-Hey... What're you talking about?!

Boss decided it was about time to squish that maggot. He's rounded up every good fighter from our bandit days, and is launching an attack on Bertrand as we speak.

Th-That can't be... You're lying!

We were just waiting here for Boss to get back.

Hehe... Boss is known for being more brutal than any man alive. He's probably gouged out that fool's remaining eye and turned it into a souvenir!

S-Stop it! Don't say things like that!

We have to go help him...

Wait, Yipha! Calm down for a second!

Gahaha! Looks like we've hit a nerve, lass!

Another one?!

Huh?!

Yipha!

What...?

S-Sir Bertrand?!

That's...!

That was a close shave...

Tch... You're that one-eyed maggot!

What're you doing here?! Boss was supposed to be taking care of you!

Your boss?

Are you talking about this guy?

B-B-Boss!

Boss, you and a few of our best were left alive by this guy?!

It doesn't matter how big of a mob you gather up to fight me. If you don't want to get hurt, I'd advise against making any sudden movements...

Urgh...

Sir Bertrand, we thank you for the assistance with subjugating these brigands!

I don't need any thanks. I was just dealing with my own problems, that's all.

Are the two of you hurt?

No need to worry about me. Yipha, on the other hand...

Eeek! Ah... Eep... U-Um... Well...

Are you injured?

N-No! No injuries here... I mean, I-I have suffered no injuries, sir! Th-Thank you for your assistance!

(Huh...?) (Her voice is shaking uncontrollably...)

Just as I said before, I require no thanks.

I should apologize for causing you two so much trouble. I take responsibility for this whole mess.

Responsibility... Why? You stopped their bandit raids, right?

I-Indeed! Sir Bertrand, you harbor no responsibility here!

No... It's because I decided to thwart their banditry that they turned to conning the townsfolk. In retrospect... Rather than smashing them at every turn, there was probably a better way to do things. I gathered information on them from Unigan's knights and chose to take care of them myself. If you think about it that way...

I don't think you need to take the blame here...

This time has got me thinking... I'm not meant to stay in any one place for too long.

I must leave this place... That's the best course of action.

Huh?! Wh-Why make such a decision so hastily?! Th-Thats...

No, this was no hasty decision... I've been thinking about it for a while. This event has just spurred me to action, nothing more.

S-Seriously...?

I wish you a long and healthy life. I leave this country in your hands.

Wait...!

Bertrand...

Yipha... You're not going to go after him?

Huh?!

Ah... Haha... Why would you ask that?

Isn't it obvious...? Yipha. The man you love is Bertrand, isn't it?

Urgh...

Yes... That's the truth of it. I first met Bertrand when I was a priestess in training. He probably doesn't remember... But ever since that day, I've had feelings for him...

Oh no... Oh no, no, no, no! Wh-What am I going to do...?

Yipha... Where have you been?! I will not forgive you this time!

*sniffle* She's so angry...

The head priest is always so strict! I just skipped class a few times! I've already remembered all the scriptures... So there's no reason to be so angry...

Yipha... There you are!

Tch... I've been had!

Ah! There's a big object over there... If I can just hide behind it... Perfect!

Huh?

(H-Huh? What is this sensation?)

Yipha! You cannot hide from me...

H-Huh...? Sir Bertrand?

Ah, sorry to bother you.

I deeply apologize for letting you see such a disgraceful sight. May I ask... Have you seen a young priestess in training around here?

(O-Oh no!)

...... No, I can't say I have...

I see... Apologies for the inconvenience. I must be off...

(All right! I can hear that big scary head priest's footsteps getting quieter...)

...... She's gone.

Ah... Th-Thank you!

I...

I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hide in your cloak!

No, it's fine...

I thought you were a new garden ornament...

Garden...ornament?

Ha... Haha! A garden ornament, huh?

Um... Um...

Oh! Thank you for hiding me from the head priest!

Don't worry about it. I'm used to this kind of thing.

Used to this kind of thing? People hiding in your cloak?

Sure... Let's leave it at that.

The threat's gone now. I'll be off as well.

Hey, wait!

What is it?

(Wh-Why did I call out to him?!) (Wh-Why am I so reluctant to see him leave?)

Hm...?

(I-I've gotta say something!)

Um! My name is Yipha. I am a priestess in training. Your insignia is that of the royal guard, is it not? Have you come to the temple on business?

If you would like... I could show you around as thanks!

Thank you for your concern... But I don't need a guide. Something came to mind, and I found myself here.

Came to mind...?

Are you worried about something? Your face tells me that you are.

Worried...? I suppose I am...

After retiring from the frontlines, I became her shield, and have protected her until now... But an old, stubborn war dog like me has no place here. I must leave the castle for her sake. This I understand, however... I cannot take the first step. My mind should already be settled, but...

Then, perhaps...

Your heart must be telling you to wait.

Huh?

All people experience hesitation. We first think about something, come up with a conclusion, and finally resign ourselves to our choice... But even then, our hearts need time to accept the argument our heads have come up with.

Our hearts need time, huh?

Yes. When the time comes... Your feelings will fall into place like a rock into a river. You must wait for that time to come.

I see... How strange. Your words just now pierced me like a rock falling into a river.

Truly?! Heehee... I am a priestess in training! I'm skilled at listening to people's troubles!

For that I'm grateful. So your name's Yipha... Somehow you remind me of her...

Huh?

Running around having fun is all good and well, but try not to overdo it your tomfoolery. When something happens, there's no guarantee your shield will be there to protect you.

Wait...!

Sorry for making you listen to such a long story. Well then, I'll be off...

Ah... Um!

What is it?

I...I know it goes against what I just said but... Sometimes it's better to act before thinking too much! That's... That's why...

Hm...?

Please leave the castle as soon as possible and become my shield!

......

...... Wh-What a funny thing to say! Ha...Haha! Please, pay me no mind!

No... Perhaps you're right.

H-Huh? If that's the case...

I'll beg the king's forgiveness, and depart from the castle...

(A-And become my shield...?!)

And become a mercenary. That's a job fit for the likes of me.

H-Huh?! W-Wait!

Did you perhaps not hear what I had to say?

A little while after that, Bertrand really left the castle.

Who would've guessed...

It's such a faint memory at this point... It's almost humorous. I'm sure Bertrand doesn't remember me at all.

When he saved us, he didn't seem surprised or anything, right? I'm the only one that was hanging on to that memory... It's been unrequited love from the start...

Surely it's not as bad as that...

To tell the truth, I want to chase after him. I want to call out to him. This time, I want nothing more than for him to stay. But...

But hearing those words from someone he doesn't even remember...

And what's more, Bertrand has...

He's only ever had eyes for one other. Someone like me could never get him to turn away from her...

Yipha...

No... You can't give up here.

Allee...?

You don't want him to go, right?! He's a man you've never forgotten, that you still hold dear, right?! Then... You've gotta go after him! If you give up here, you'll always regret it every time you think about him!

Wait...!

Allee... I...

I don't want to say goodbye to Bertrand here! I've got to tell him how I really feel!

All right! We're going after him!

If he's heading to another land, he's gotta take a boat from Rinde!

Let's hurry, Yipha!

Oh... S-Sir Bertrand...

Wait, Bertrand!

Huh?! What's the matter? Is something amiss?

Don't tell me... The con artists have escaped...

No, that's not it!

D-Don't go! Please!

What's this about...?

I... I want you to stay in this country forever!

I told you, didn't I? It's time for me to leave...

I'm a drifter. I've got to make sure nothing like this ever happens again...

But it wasn't your fault! And what's more...

Even if something were to happen, you would protect everyone with that shield of yours! Right?! Just like today... And just like that day long ago!

......

Bertrand... I'm sure you don't remember...

But we've met before...a long time ago. Even then we had a similar conversation. And just like now, you turned your back on me...

I... Back then, all I wanted to do was stop you from going!

......

That's because...ever since that day... I knew that I... *sniff*

(You've got this, Yipha!)

Bertrand... I...l-l-l-lo...

I...love you!

......

(She said that awful quietly... Yipha, you've gotta speak up!)

Th-That's why...I need you here with me! B-B-But I don't just want to become a helpless burden to you... So... If something happens... I'll protect you, too!

(Nice! She finally put some spirit into it!)

......

I see... Thank you for telling me how you feel.

Huh?!

What you're saying is...

This land still needs the shield of an old, stubborn war dog like me. Even if times get rough, you'll lend me your strength as a priestess. That's what you were trying to tell me, right?

Huh...?

(What?! I mean, he's not wrong... But he's not right, either!) (Yipha, come one! One more time...)

That's...

That's...right!

What?!

This town, and Unigan itself needs you, Bertrand! That's why... That's why you can't leave this land!

If there are voices calling out for help, who am I to ignore them? I've decided. I will carry on the wretched life of a mercenary in these lands for a while longer.

How strange. Your words just now pierced me like a rock falling into a river.

Huh?

I once told you that when something happens, there's no guarantee your shield will be there to protect you.

From here on out, if you're going to get into any tomfoolery, be sure to call on me. It's a give-and-take relationship, right, Yipha?

Ah!

Yipha! Are you sure about this? I don't think he quite got the full gist of your confession...

Allee... I-I...

I'm so happy I think I'm going to collapse...

Huh? You're...happy?!

He may not have fully understood my confession, but... Bertrand... He remembered me... He said I could call on him when I'm in trouble!

Yipha...

Allee... Let's go have a drink! You'll come with me, won't you?

Of course. It's off to Hozuki's place, then.

Oh... Bertrand... Bertrand remembered me...

Teehee... Heeheehee...

You really are happy, huh. I'm happy for you too, Yipha.

Yeah... Yeah! But...

Don't you think that was a little rude?! He skipped over the most important part! I practically used up all my life force to get up the courage to say I love you!

Well... You were speaking pretty quietly during the most important part...

B-But...

*sigh* Teehee... Heeheehee...

What's wrong this time...?

I tried getting angry at him, but I'm so happy I couldn't keep it up. Today... I finally managed to take one step forward, after all.

One day... I'll tell Bertrand how I really feel again.

Yipha... I'll be cheering you on until that day.

Heheh! Thanks, Allee...

And what's more, you said you couldn't show Bertrand your true self, right? But when you confessed to him, you were your usual self, weren't you?

What?! Really?

I wasn't aware at the time...

But Bertrand listened to what you had to say without being the least bit surprised, right? Which means Bertrand will accept you however you are, Yipha.

Ah...!

Y-Y-Y-You really think so...? Can I really believe that...?

That's what I believe, anyhow.

*sniff* R-Really? Waaaah...! I'm so embarrassed... But I'm also really happy!

B-But I can't leave it at that! I'll become a beautiful, refined woman fit to become Bertrand's wife!

Hahaha, do your best! I think you're already good enough, though.

Allee... I've thought this for a while, but you really will take just any woman, won't you?

Come on now... I've got more scruples than that!

Hmph! You and Bertrand are two peas in a pod! Both dull as rocks when it comes to love! Both of you need to learn more about a woman's heart!

Bertrand... Thanks to you, we were able to apprehend the noble they were working with, too. You have my thanks.

I don't need your thanks...

Haha... Cold as ever.

What's the matter? It's rare for you to be in your cups like this.

......

I've come to realize that not acknowledging someone's feelings... Is far crueler than outright breaking someone's heart...

Hm...? Speaking of which, a report just came in. It seems the priestess who was chasing after those con artists is none other than the girl in question.

......

She often visits the castle... And every time... Without fail, she indirectly found a way to ask about you.

Is that so...

Hey... Bertrand. I know better than anyone the depths of your loyalty. And how you spend each waking day thinking about the fate of this country.

That's why I need to you to listen to me...

You need to start shifting your attention to your own life...and your own future. You need to start thinking about what you want to do.

Not just for your own sake, but for hers as well.

...... A man like me could never get in the way of someone so full of potential... Someone who still has the choice to decide their own future.

I have no desire to drive a wedge into a life such as that... Nor to tie anyone down.

Hmph... You're really something...

Bertrand... You're still such a stubborn old dog who can't face his feelings.

You don't need to tell me... I know the bitter truth of that better than anyone...