act21side

In it is a silver-haired girl about ten years of age, dressed meticulously in Saluzzo attire, a serious and stoic expression chiseled into her face.

The girl's eyes are not looking at the camera, but rather at its side—

Carissimo padre mio.

She presses the photo to her chest, whispering to herself as if in a dream.

Ever since I was little, as the heir to Famiglia Saluzzo, I was taught how to behave, how to speak, and how to talk to the wise guys to command more authority.

At that time, I didn't realize you were more than just my father, you were Don Saluzzo.

I thought I would be free if I rebelled against you, but I came to realize you were also controlled by the famiglia.

Ah, spiacente. Controlled? You wouldn't see it that way.

She tears the photograph into little pieces, until only her young, naive face remains.

She looks into her own eyes.

Of course you think that's how things should be. That's what a don should be. Of course his daughter is not just his daughter, she's also the future donna.

Haha, don't I look just like a fragile little fowlbeast forced to lug around sharpened claws?

I really did love that gift, father.

I cherished it more than words can express.

She tosses the shreds of paper into the pit like confetti.

A small, charred musbeast is already lying in there.

And in the end, you still died, this still won't burn, and I still have no hope of escape.

I cherished you so much. But, you died at the hands of carissimo padre mio, yet again.

Those eyes seem to peer up at her from within the flames.

...Ahaha!