It was better to move alone to avoid suspicion. Ilarid firmly rejected Lebel and Luth’s offer to escort her to the Empress Palace.

“Was it a bit bland for a date?”

“I will formally ask again later.”

Well, would such a day ever come? But she thought if she laughed it off, the next one would come.

Someday, they might be able to walk hand in hand under the sunlight. A day when they could ask about flower names while walking, hold food bought from street stalls and watch fireworks together, looking at each other and smiling normally.

Living normally was like a short but complex equation. It should be simple, but why was it so difficult?

The shape of trees visible through the blue dawn stretched darkly.

It was dark as if everything was filled with shadows, but she didn’t feel particularly afraid. Even the brief kiss shared between the Empress and the mercenary captain remained only as a dark form. It was a feeling that would never be recorded in the history of the Empire.

“Today, thank you so much for everything.”

Thanks to him, she might have met Limless. Lebel was like a gift sent by her brother. The time they spent together was intertwined like a solid chain, making it impossible to separate. Ilarid decided to willingly embrace this bondage.

They retreated beyond the dawn, promising to meet again. The sound of them moving away echoed like a reverberation between the faint lights.

Ilarid deliberately crossed the center of the garden to be seen by the search party. Compared to the commotion of the night, the surroundings were quite quiet. As she walked quietly, she sensed someone behind her.

“Empress.”

It was a somewhat familiar voice.

“You’re Cecilia’s…”

“Yes, I am honored to meet you, Empress.”

Jin bowed respectfully as soon as he faced Ilarid. He was Cecilia’s brother, probably. Although they didn’t share a single drop of blood, there was a slight feeling that they resembled each other somehow.

His complexion looked haggard, probably from searching all night, which concerned her. Ilarid lowered her head and barely managed to apologize.

“Everyone must have worked hard. I’m sorry.”

“The Emperor was desperately searching for you.”

Jin had never seen the Emperor look so distressed before. The mask that had crumbled and fallen to the floor without him realizing. Cledius had searched for Ilarid himself, not even thinking to pick up that mask.

As Ilarid listened quietly to his words, the corners of her mouth slowly drooped.

Cledius, desperate. The two words didn’t fit together at all and seemed out of place. Did a moment of longing even exist in his history?

For the heart to wear out, one must give it to others. Lowering oneself to meet someone’s gaze was completely unsuited to him. Would someone who had only looked up at the sky and looked down on everything below until now try to live for others?

Ilarid quietly followed Jin. It wasn’t far to the Empress Palace.

And an unexpected result awaited Ilarid.

“…I thought you had left.”

Inside the bedroom of the Empress Palace, on the bed. Cledius was still sitting there. Only emptiness was contained in his red eyes.

He was touching Ilarid’s outer garment placed on the bed. It was merely a shell obtained by force. His body flinched at the sound of the door opening.

He couldn’t find Ilarid all dawn. She had disappeared without a trace, as if she had sunk into the ground just as she fell from the balcony. As his anger gradually subsided, anxiety began to consume him.

What if Ilarid had really disappeared? What if she had left the palace and escaped from Cledius’ side? I’ve never even imagined a world without you existing, Ilarid, how should I live?

The bedroom without even a light fell into silence. Cledius sank lower and lower.

And finally, she returned.

Could it be an illusion? Ilarid standing there in a white nightgown looked almost like a ghost. He raised his body that had been still for a long time. His muscles and joints screamed in protest, but he didn’t care.

“It’s late at night.”

There was nothing more to say. What more could be said to a spouse who suddenly invaded in the middle of the night and tried to forcibly have relations? Ilarid stepped aside by the open door. It was a signal for him to leave.

Cledius staggered and stood in front of Ilarid. Then he slowly reached out and placed his hand near her shoulder. Not wanting to give even that gap, she quickly stepped back.

“…You’re alive.”

The sensation of bare skin touching his fingertips. A familiar but much forgotten skeleton. Cledius gently caressed the fingers that had touched Ilarid.

“You’re alive.”

It was a quiet whisper. As if trying to remind himself over and over, he caressed his hand and suddenly approached where Ilarid was standing.

Before she could avoid it, Cledius pulled Ilarid into his arms. The hot, feverish warmth filled her nostrils.

Rapid breathing continued. Ilarid struggled to break free, but the more she did, the more fiercely he embraced her.

“Let go of…!”

“Ilarid.”

The end of her name was wet. Ilarid’s movements stopped. Only then did she realize that Cledius was trembling.

He was crying.

Muffled tear stains fell onto her body. His breath, which had been breaking off, boiled over uncontrollably. Why? Ilarid’s hands fell limply.

There was no reason or need for Cledius to cry. Hadn’t his love always been marked by destruction and humiliation? But the falling teardrops were too hot to dismiss as lies.

“Don’t leave, please.”

He barely managed to say as he buried his face in Ilarid’s shoulder.

“You can remain in any form. I’ll allow it.”

The golden hair touching her nape felt unfamiliar. Without even seeming to feel the ticklish sensation, Cledius urgently continued speaking. It was like a desperate attempt to cling to Ilarid.

“So don’t die, Ilarid. Please, I beg you…”

That was the end. Cledius barely left the Empress Palace.

Ilarid stood in place for a long time. By the time faint light filled the room, the stiffened fatigue enveloped her body.

When she finally lay down on the bed, she realized that there was still a faint warmth remaining. Cledius. Had he lain down here? She tried to get up, but drowsiness overcame her. Ilarid helplessly surrendered.

**

− Sister.

Was it a dream? When did she fall asleep? Ilarid barely moved her heavy eyes, but couldn’t easily open them.

By the way, sister? There was only one person in this world who called her ‘sister’. Since he was no longer of this world, the owner of that voice must be…

− Sister!

Ilarid’s eyes flew open. It felt electric, as if lightning had struck her entire body.

She hurriedly got up. First, a white space came into view. It was a scene she often saw in dreams. A place that was just bright, with no horizon or end of space visible.

As she slowly turned around, long silver hair resembling hers swayed gently.

− I missed you, my sister.

At the end of the dream stood Limless Rowen Melpiram.

− What’s with that expression? It doesn’t look very welcoming at all.

− …

− Sister, sister? Ilarid? Your Majesty the Empress?

Limless waved his palm in front of Ilarid’s face with a playful expression. It seems she can see well. Strange, what went wrong? Each sentence he muttered nailed into her ears.

It really is the brother she missed even in her dreams.

There were no traces of torture on his body. No signs of being mutilated either. Is it really her brother, or is it an illusion her unconscious mind summoned out of longing?

Ilarid stared blankly at her brother for a long time. Limless wandered around his younger sister, tilting his head.

− After calling out so much. You seemed to miss me so much that I hurried here. Now there’s no complaint… Ow!

Ilarid, who had been standing still, suddenly raised her leg and kicked his shin. A dull pain that was so spicy it throbbed shot through her foot.

− Uh… why does it hurt?

− You kick this brother of yours and that’s what you say?

− Why are you in pain! Aren’t you a ghost?

− This is a dream!

− If it’s a dream, shouldn’t it not hurt?

− You think anything’s impossible here?

It was quite fierce for a conversation between siblings meeting after a long time. Limless glared at her with resentful eyes, but soon softened.

Ilarid laughed while crying. Even the pain was welcome. To be able to meet such a bright-looking brother in a dream.

− …If you laugh while crying, a tail will grow.

Limless sighed shortly and patted Ilarid. The stained tears were gradually erased under his hand.

The touch of his fingers on her cheek was clear. Surely, it’s her brother. It’s the always kind Limless, grumbling but never changing.

− This is a dream. Right?

− At the same time, it’s not a dream. Ilarid, this is the reality you summoned.

Eyes of the same color were placed in front of Ilarid. The only difference was that they were slightly more sharply upturned than Ilarid’s.

She didn’t just watch the illusion in front of her. She immediately stretched out both arms and embraced the blood relative she had longed to see so much. There was no warmth, but the form was clear.

− You’ve been through a lot, my sister.

− How much I missed you… You didn’t say anything earlier.

− What are you talking about? When did I come?

− They said there was a ghost appearing in the palace that resembled you…

− You think I’m that easy of an existence?

Then who on earth was that blurry figure? She felt a bit embarrassed, as if she had unnecessarily confessed to the wrong person.

Was that figure even a ghost in the first place? Ilarid doubted for a moment but soon erased the thought. If this Limless she was embracing was real, she would not let go of this moment. She vowed that.

− I know you have a lot to say. I know all sorts of things have happened in the meantime.

Limless was detached, as if he knew everything. Is the saying that dead people are always by your side not a strange story but the truth? It was almost embarrassing to think that Limless had been present for everything that had happened so far.

− It was unexpected that the kid I raised with such care would be enchanted and taken away by you.

Ilarid was startled and pulled away from Limless.

− W-what, how much do you know?

− I saw everything. Phew, I raised a tiger cub…

Limless sighed and rubbed his forehead. If Lebel had been here, he would have struck his back several times with this momentum. And he would have shouted like this: You take away my precious little sister I raised so carefully? You damn bastard!

The embarrassment that made her face flush hot was only momentary, and Ilarid didn’t hold back the laughter that rose up.

− It’s good to see you laugh. It’s been so long since I’ve seen it.

Does the same time flow in the place where the dead gather? If she were to leave Limless here, how much time would have to pass before they could meet again? If only it were possible, she wanted to stop time.

− Ilarid.

The affectionate but firm voice snapped her to attention. The clear eyes she had last seen in the dungeon tower basement were shining brightly.

− Revenge ends the moment it devours you. Don’t forget yourself.

It was advice and a warning, spoken emphatically and deliberately, as if spitting it out. The language spoken by the dead touched her skin like smoke. Goosebumps rose along Ilarid’s arms.

− Never let that bastard trample you. Don’t succumb to the hatred planted in you.

Before she knew it, he was holding both of Ilarid’s hands. He wanted to convey warmth but didn’t have the strength, so he barely grasped them.

− And… don’t die.

It was the same words, but the temperature was different. The direction it was heading was different. Whether to live for Cledius or to live for Ilarid herself. There was only one path she wanted.

− Don’t worry, brother.

The siblings’ blue eyes met. Ilarid Rowen Melpiram was still alive, and would continue to be so.