In the swaying, hazy mind, the truth I could faintly see was gradually pulling away from me, screaming.
What lay before me was too fleeting and sweet to be called reality, yet far too wretched and bitter to be a dream.
Was it truly a substance that existed?
Or was it simply a false illusion created by my memories?
[“—I hate ittttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!”]
“…..!! Aris!!”
Before I could even confirm the truth, I saw Aris’s back disappearing into the distance.
Like a bubble that would easily burst at the slightest shock, I instinctively reached out, knowing I shouldn’t—
—Screech!
With a chilling sound, all I touched was the wretched reality.
“Who… are you…”
“………”
In that moment, I couldn’t understand what had happened.
I could only feel the intense heat flowing down my arm.
The robe that had been pristine white was slowly starting to turn red around the cut.
Like a red flower blooming beautifully in the sunlight, the stain was spreading, feeding on the blood that oozed forth.
—Thud, thud.
“……….”
My head was spinning.
The pounding pulse was growing louder, eventually becoming an instrument that took control of my ears.
In that sharp, painful moment, I stared blankly at the ground, forgetting to pull my arm back.
Drip, drip.
Blood fell from my fingertips, hitting the ground.
Upon the road covered in white snow, the rain of red fell.
“Why, are you…! Asking why you reappeared before us──!!!”
“…Ah.”
A small sigh escaped.
Between the two of us, who had truly uttered that lament?
Faced with a reality I wanted to deny, Remi’s sword came straight at me without sound or hesitation.
That sharp attack aimed at me, who was staring blankly at my arm, contained the power to easily take my life.
Perhaps.
—Huwahhhh!?
—Kka-ga-ga-ga-ck!!!
If someone hadn’t stepped in.
Remi’s attack, filled with determination, collided with the guard’s sword sheath, which had darted between us, barely stopping before me.
Through the flames that erupted in all directions, Remi’s quivering sword was writhing like a snake, eager to consume me.
The blade she held had fresh crimson liquid clearly visible on it, revealing the pain I’d felt.
And eventually, I realized it was I who had let out that lament.
“Your Highness!? Are you okay? Princess Remi! No matter who you are—”
“—What will you do about it? So…! What will you do about it!!”
“…What the!?”
—Thud!
With a dull sound, the guards were thrown far away.
As I slowly followed the guard’s arc through the air, Remi’s eyes, shining strangely as if they had spotted a target, turned toward me.
At the tip of the weapon raised high, there was nothing but the intent to kill me, steady and unwavering.
I merely watched the whole scene unfold.
An unreal sound pierced the air as iron sliced through the wind.
Remi’s shout seemed to press on me as I stood still.
The urgent cries of the guards echoed around.
That cacophony melded into a chorus—
“…..Ah.”
Yes.
Remi, you’ve cut my arm.
A small sense of reality seemed to settle in.
If all the flesh on my body were to be torn apart, would this be the feeling?
The heavy snowfall that seemed endless had finally come to a close, and the sun hiding behind the clouds was beginning to show itself again.
Yet, I was still living within an endless abyss.
“……….”
It hurt, so much.
As my chest felt as though it were being ripped apart.
Every time Remi looked at me with contempt, every time Aris’s screaming visage came to mind as she fled, that bitter pain felt like salt on a wound, crashing in like relentless waves.
They say waves begin to reveal their towering forms as they reach the dock.
No matter how heavy the rocks or sharp the spires, before the waves that sweep everything away, they’re naught but pebbles.
This suffocating, gnawing despair seemed to mock me, only growing larger, no matter how many good remedies I applied to my exposed skin.
When that pain began to envelop my entire body and ignite me, I came to understand that this pain was something that could not be healed by anything, something that stemmed from deep within my heart.
Yes, a disease.
A disease that could easily lead one to death.
A truly fatal, incurable disease.
“This… Let go!! That bastard must die, I have to kill him!!!”
“Hey, are you really crazy!? Just hold on a minute!! Alice is sleeping in the next room!!”
“…….”
Waaaahhh! Remi’s robe elongated as she screamed in anguish.
In that place, just within reach, was Remi, who was trying to stab me with her sword, totally ignoring her clothes being pulled by a woman trying to restrain her.
She had introduced herself as Sia, a mercenary who asked to be called that.
For her, who had just been caught up in someone else’s family matters, this situation couldn’t be pleasant at all.
I genuinely felt sorry for everyone who was being inconvenienced.
“Let me go!! I’ll kill that bastard and go meet Aris!!!”
“This crazy princess?! What the hell! Why is she so strong!? Hey! You go over there quickly! Don’t just squat around, go anywhere!!”
Her mouth was a bit rougher than usual.
With a self-deprecating smile, she surprisingly maintained a firm grip on Remi’s neck, balancing effortlessly.
Her attitude toward royalty might seem improper, but words and actions of great talents can feel as bitter as poison, while those of an immortal feel sweet like honey.
The tenderness in her actions would surely become a great strength for Remi in the future.
And Remi likely understood that instinctively, only trying to push her away but not attacking or wielding her sword.
Without any tremors, a friend silently advising her of the future.
Just having such a treasure by her side made the value of the past two years that Remi had sent my way feel visible.
Unlike me, who had merely been swept down.
From the very beginning, we were different.
“Forgive? Ha, I can never forgive! You know… you know everything…!! So why, why are you trying to stop me!!”
“…Oh, damn, I’m really going crazy!”
Even while trying to shake off the mercenary’s arms, Remi still shot me a glare filled with hatred.
Once expected to lead the country with her sharp and talented wit, Remi had once garnered everyone’s expectations and attention.
The palace officials, her teachers, and maids who served her all praised her beauty in unison.
But now, in the faint light that penetrated the crimson curtains, her pupils had lost their original brightness, stained entirely red.
What burned with the fire of hatred was like hell itself, ready to incinerate me.
“……….”
I merely lowered my head, quietly waiting for the impending judgment like a prisoner offering my neck.
Huff.
The breath I took in was filled with a metallic scent.
“…..I’m sorry.”
I murmured an apology.
I knew my quiet voice would not reach the shouting Remi, yet I still spoke.
What was simply an apology wandering in empty air became no different from a response lacking sincerity.
I well knew that my ambiguous attitude would only fuel the anger of my sister before me.
Yet, I couldn’t help but lower my head.
For I had a reason to stand my ground and not retreat, risking my life.
I never thought I could simply return to the past, where everyone laughed as if nothing had happened.
Nor did I mean to cast aside the burden the world placed upon me due to my transgressions.
I just wanted to convey one thing.
Just one word—I’m sorry.
Time passed—
—Creeeak!
A damp sound resonated.
An unpleasant noise created by poorly meshing metals.
Even amidst the cacophony in the living room, that sound stood out with startling clarity.
—Waaaaahh…!
“…….Ah.”
“…Hey, see, I told you.”
Both Remi and the mercenary, who were bickering, held their breath and stopped what they were doing.
As I turned my head toward the source of the sound, I saw a small gap in the door that had just moments ago been closed.
In the darkness where no light shone, shone a pair of eyes as radiant as jewels.
“…….”
“….Aris.”
She was quietly staring right at me.
