“I’m glad.”

“What?”

“I’m glad there are survivors. It’s fortunate they weren’t trampled into a grave but rose again.”

Achilleon, who had been quietly examining her expression—whether it was crying or laughing—slowly released the tension in his hand.

“That’s enough for me.”

Hari wiped away her tears with dignity. Though she couldn’t go there right now, she was relieved to have a place to set foot someday. The fact that her roots remained somewhere in this world provided a more powerful comfort than anything else, lifting Hari up.

Ipea had said she was going east. That she would take a ship from the eastern edge, cross the Lautes Sea, and return to Kitium. She said it would be a difficult journey, but she wanted to quickly return and place flowers that her father had liked at what would likely be an empty home site. She hoped to receive the desert’s hospitality on her way. She hoped that if Ipea visited Hari’s hometown, she would tell the people who remembered her that Margharita would definitely return.

“Margharita, you cannot go.”

The cold voice threw her back to reality. Hari expressionlessly stared at the hand that gripped her. The atmosphere surrounding him had changed, the boyish smile from earlier seemingly an illusion. Still not releasing Hari’s hand and maintaining his persistent gaze, he said:

“You haven’t forgotten, have you? That you would remain as my person. The place where you belong is here.”

By my side.

“Nowhere else.”

Hari raised her head from within the shadow he cast.

“You cannot return anywhere without my permission. Don’t forget that.”

“I know. I won’t break my promise.”

A teardrop that didn’t brush against the woman’s cheek fell and wet the back of Achilleon’s hand.

“Let’s go now.”

Hari gently pushed his hand away. Placing her hand on the saddle and looking back, the tear stains on her face had already been cleanly erased. In their place was a faint smile like a mask.

“Thank you for showing me this wonderful scenery, Lord Achilleon. I won’t forget today.”

Never. I will never forget it.

“……”

Instead of answering, Achilleon lifted Hari’s slightly trembling body onto the saddle. Her body, which wouldn’t gain weight no matter how much she ate, was dry and light as a feather. A phantom-like body that didn’t feel substantial even when held in his arms. For some reason, this fact displeased him, and Achilleon tightened his grip on the hands holding Hari.

If he hadn’t brought her out from the beginning.

If he hadn’t shown her this fleeting hope, would Margharita have suffered less? The face of the woman who had been filled with joy like a bird seeing the world for the first time after breaking out of its shell lingered in his mind. The one who had pointed to the bottom of the cliff and smiled broadly enough to show her teeth. It reminded him of the taste of the sweet lemon candy Dictys had given him. That’s why the tears that shattered that moment for an instant made his mood even more wretched.

Margharita. Margharita’s tears.

Deep night fell behind Achilleon as he rode his horse quickly. The world after the magnificent sunset had faded was complete darkness.

Achilleon unconsciously placed the back of his hand against the woman’s cheek where moonlight had settled. Her long eyelashes trembled faintly. But Hari didn’t push him away. Her cheek, dried of tears, was cold.

* * *

Selina sat blankly on a bench in the garden. The warm afternoon sunlight illuminated her haggard face, worn from insomnia.

‘Why am I sitting here like this?’

Lately, dreams and reality had become indistinguishable. She had desperately pretended to be fine to avoid her angry father, but look at this.

“I don’t even know where to go or what my purpose is.”

Selina looked at her feet, limply hanging beneath the bench. Luxurious shoes made of the finest satin and inlaid with emeralds sparkled in the sunlight. Hela had sacrificed her early morning sleep to go all the way to Atur to procure them.

‘Oh, miss. Instead of taking medicine, why don’t you have some sweet dessert? Look at this, ta-da. What is it? It’s custard sprinkled with nutmeg powder that you like. Should I bring raspberry juice with lemon drops too? I’m truly concerned about your health.’

‘Why don’t you take a walk outside? You find it bothersome? Right, our miss doesn’t have friends… What’s so special about friends anyway? You have me.’

“…Hela.”

Selina, who had been swinging her shoes, lifted her blank gaze to stare at the bright garden.

“Even without you, the world… yes, why didn’t I know? You were so kind. You were the only one who took care of me, and the only person in this wretched house who worried about my health.”

Later, Hela had given up when Selina wouldn’t even look at the food she brought.

“I should have stopped taking medicine and gone for walks as you said…”

Selina pulled at her hair. She could no longer dismiss it as dawn sentimentality. Regret and sorrow came regardless of day or night.

The laughter of ladies echoing along the walking path grated on her nerves. She also hated the children who appeared frequently in the palace like swarms of flies since they had established some Sacred Beast Protection Zone or whatever. She wanted to tear apart and kill the couples engaged in conversation. Everyone, everyone except Selina was happy. The royal palace bustled with unprecedented lively noise, and as it did, the shadow cast over the Karnos mansion deepened.

“Hela, I held your funeral yesterday without Father knowing. Since you don’t even have family to collect your body, I’m the only one who can take care of you. You know that, right? You always said so. That I’m an excellent noble.”

Selina, hugging her knees with unfocused eyes, began to snicker.

“I’m different from my father. That garbage of a human…”

The new maid who replaced Hela was extremely annoying. She monitored Selina’s every move and reported back. Father’s declaration that he would tear her dresses if he saw her crying was no lie. Selina had lost three dresses. Now she feared the maid’s creepy eyes, which stared at her indifferently whether she wept openly or not, more than her father.

The father Selina remembered was a ruthless man. He didn’t shed a single tear when her mother died in a carriage accident and immediately began looking for a woman to remarry. A young and beautiful comedy singer not much older than Selina. Finding it utterly detestable, Selina acted out seemingly living only for today, and eventually succeeded in driving away the mistress. That woman probably would never be able to sing with her nightingale-like voice again.

The scar on her cheek from being violently struck by her father at that time still remained. Selina, who had been touching the wound below her ear scratched by a ring, flinched.

“Miss- Miss-? Where are you?”

It was that creepy spy of her father’s. Hurriedly wiping away traces of tears, Selina fled, panting, from the approaching voice.

Everything was going wrong. Little by little, quickly.

Since when?

Selina gritted her teeth. Since that slave girl had interfered in her life, everything was falling apart. Selina, who had run until her heels were raw, stopped at the entrance of the Sun Palace.

“Lady Selina, you cannot enter the palace without a scheduled visit.”

“Move aside! How dare you block me? Do you know who I am? Tell the Second Prince immediately that I’ve arrived!”

She pushed past the guard who blocked her way and headed to Antor’s office. All this time, she had repeatedly expressed her distress and asked for help, but Antor had never replied, using the excuse of being busy. She couldn’t bear it anymore.

“Antor, why are you ignoring my letters?”

Selina, who had kicked the aide in the shin, opened the door with a bang. By now he should have been in the mood to comfort her, but Antor was staring out the window without even glancing at her.

“Aren’t you going to answer me?”

What are you so distracted by? Selina, barely suppressing her rising anger, strode to the window. It was an empty riding arena. There were busy hoof prints in the sand, suggesting there had been riding practice. Only then did Antor notice the presence of the uninvited guest and turned around with a frown.

“I said I wouldn’t receive anyone today.”

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. Lady Karnos insisted she must see you…”

“That’s enough. You may leave.”

Antor gestured irritably.

“What’s the matter?”

“Hela is dead. The child I cherished is dead…!”

“So? What do you want me to do about it?”

At his irritated retort, Selina bit her lip firmly.

“I sent so many letters—”

“Ah, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I hope you understand why I couldn’t reply.”

“What could possibly keep you so busy that you leave me alone? Why are you turning away from me?”

“I told you I’m busy.”

“I have something to tell you. That time… you remember too. At the Queen’s luncheon when Prince Achilleon was almost poisoned. How I was absurdly accused of attempted poisoning! Was it your doing? Tell me honestly!”

Coming here out of nowhere and making a fuss… Deep irritation that could no longer be hidden permeated Antor’s face. A sigh escaped from his lips, which formed a gentle curve.