Eustar let out a sigh that sounded like a groan, with a momentarily dazed expression.

Laila weakly grasped his right hand that had fallen into the water, pulling it up as if rescuing it. When she pressed her lips to the fingertips where fragrance had pooled and then pulled away, Laila felt for a moment as if some part of her was filling up.

It was very unfamiliar… and felt good. It was a deep and genuine satisfaction, like what a pilgrim might feel after completing a long journey.

“Can’t it be undone?”

Eustar asked in a low voice. His voice trembled as if he were crying. Laila moved closer to him. Their legs tangled and skin touched in the smooth water.

Laila thought she wanted to put Eustar into her embrace just like this.

If he were to melt away, she wanted to carefully wrap and swallow every bit without missing even a handful. So that Eustar would completely dissolve into her heart, her blood vessels, her blood.

Perhaps this is what they call greed, Laila thought. She felt she could somewhat understand what ordinary humans called possessiveness.

“There’s no way to undo it, Eustar,”

Laila said.

“Even if there was, I wouldn’t do it.”

Worry lines gathered around Eustar’s eyes, which had been wide open.

He held Laila’s hand for a while without saying anything, then lowered his head. A water droplet fell from the tip of his forehead, making a ‘plop’ sound as it sank below the water’s surface.

“…I wanted to set you free. But… if things turn out like this, I can never set you free.”

Eustar had promised her freedom. Freedom from being mistreated or oppressed by anyone. Including a space where she could live alone without any lack.

Once the work of eliminating the Sink was finished, he wanted to find a way for her to live peacefully, even if it meant putting his own life on the line to some extent…

“This isn’t right, Laila. This isn’t what I wanted.”

Eustar said. His voice was pained. Laila poured warm water over his trembling shoulders, which were hunched down, then gently bumped her forehead against his with a ‘bonk’ sound.

“My freedom is here, Eustar.”

Eustar’s eyes, which had been painfully furrowed, opened. Only then did he raise his head and meet Laila’s burning red eyes.

He felt Laila’s hand caressing his cheek. It was soft and calm. Neither trembling nor cold.

“I chose this of my own will for you, so I don’t regret it.”

Laila stretched out her arms and tightly embraced Eustar. The sound of their heartbeats spread through the sloshing water between their touching skin.

“Eustar, you are the first person I chose of my own free will. You’re the only one who promised me a future. So for you… I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

Eustar, who had been blinking blankly, buried his forehead in Laila’s shoulder. She felt warm moisture on his heated eyelids.

Laila gently patted his back, just as Eustar had done for her.

She kissed his forehead, reddened nose tip, both cheeks, and lips in turn. She felt her consciousness becoming calm, as if performing a sacred ritual. And once again, she could be certain.

That she did not regret it.

That she would not look back on what she had given up for him.

“Let’s go see your elder brother, Eustar.”

Laila said. It was the first time she had said such a thing, so Eustar looked somewhat bewildered. At the same time, clear anxiety wrapped around his whole body like vines.

“There’s a lot we need to hear from him. So let’s go see your elder brother. We have plenty of time. But… he may not.”

Ord Hyanmorik was awake.

For the past two or three days, he hadn’t taken any medicine at all. Even though Mel brought the medicine made by Laila every day, he refused that too. Yet strangely, his body felt light and his mind was clear.

It wasn’t that there was no pain, but it wasn’t as excruciating as before, as if piercing his bones and carving his flesh bit by bit. Even though it was felt in his own body, it was distant and dull, as if it were happening far away.

He had been staring blankly out the window when he slowly turned his head at the sound of the door to his bedroom opening. He must have been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even heard the knocking.

“What brings you here?”

The person who visited his bedroom was Duchess Himierd. She was dressed plainly. Her hair was neatly arranged, but without a single piece of jewelry.

“I have come to see Your Majesty.”

“Now that you’ve greeted me, sit down.”

Himierd shook her head and replied that she would remain standing. Ord didn’t insist a second time.

A deep silence fell between them. Ord’s eyes, looking at Duchess Himierd’s face, were tinged with a strange mixture of regret and gladness.

He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he had seen her face with such a clear mind, or when the last time was.

Himierd’s expression was equally complex. It had taken her a long time to gather her courage before coming to the palace.

Her heart was heavy with guilt towards Ord, and a sense of debt towards Eustar and Laila. It had taken quite some time to endure the endless self-reproach and shame directed at herself before she could stand before Ord.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

Ord said. His voice was drained of strength, but Himierd strangely thought it sounded cheerful.

Himierd bowed her head and slowly opened her mouth.

“I heard that the magicians are trying to negotiate with the royal family of Sierou again.”

The city, having lost many of its elders and leading magicians, had nearly collapsed.

The surviving magicians, led by forces that had not agreed with Nierodora’s views, were seeking to bring about new changes. They wanted to return to the previous relationship where magicians were affiliated with the royal family and helped each other.

Ord nodded slowly.

“That may be so, but it’s not something that will happen easily just because they want it. No matter how much they fall, magicians never completely bend their pride. As you know… It will take a lot of time for their conditions and our conditions to find a point of agreement.”

“Please give me the position to be responsible for that negotiation.”

At Himierd’s words, Ord painfully furrowed his brow.

“No.”

“I believe I am the most suitable for that position.”

“Don’t you know it will be a difficult task? During the negotiations, the person in charge must stay in the magicians’ area. Moreover, if the negotiations don’t conclude smoothly, the person in charge will be the first to be put in danger. Are you truly unaware of this when making such a request?”

“It is because I am aware that I make this shameless request.”

The next moment, Himierd knelt at the foot of Ord’s bed. Her body trembled in the moonlight as she bowed her head.

“Because it is dangerous and difficult, I want to go. I think it is the last thing I can do to atone for the kingdom and Your Majesty.”

“You have nothing to atone for to me. You are too young to risk your life on a task that may never end.”

Himierd raised her head and her gaze met Ord’s. The darkness that had retreated in the flickering light crept back, only to retreat again.

In that quiet and brief moment, Ord knew that Himierd would not change her mind. Who would know better than himself that once she set her mind to something, she would push through no matter what?

“Sui, I have never accused you of any crime. Nor will I in the future.”

“I know. But I cannot forgive myself. I am not shameless enough to live comfortably… pretending not to know, relying on the mercy Your Majesty has bestowed. So please allow me to reform for the sake of the kingdom. That is my last wish.”

“Do you truly mean it?”

Himierd bowed her head even deeper.

“It is my sincere wish without a speck of doubt, Your Majesty.”

Ord’s gaze slowly turned downward. As he turned his head, clouds were draped over the faint moonlight.

Like something that seemed close but could never be reached, the clouds that only pretended to caress the moonlight would scatter when the wind blew.

Ord thought it was like himself. He felt he resembled the clouds that moved here and there, chasing after the moon that always stayed in its place, emitting beautiful light.

“…I grant permission.”

Himierd, still kneeling, bowed deeply like a knight.

“I will certainly repay Your Majesty’s grace and bring glory to the name of Sierou.”

Slowly rising to her feet, she looked at Ord sitting quietly on the bed for a moment. He seemed so light that a breeze could blow him away, but his bony, emaciated shoulders looked more dignified and kind than ever before.

“I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty.”

Instead of answering, Ord nodded. The certainty that he would never see her again in this life kept his gaze fixed on the window.

“Ah.”

Himierd, who had left the bedroom, almost bumped into someone who suddenly appeared and took a step back. And she knew who it was before even raising her head.

“Your Royal Highness.”

“It’s been a long time, Duchess Himierd.”

“Yes, indeed. I’m glad you’ve safely awakened.”

“I’m glad you’re well too. You look a bit thin, are you not feeling well?”

Something hot rose from her throat, filling her mouth and nasal cavity. Himierd slightly turned her head to hide her trembling lips and smiled faintly.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Eustar looked down at Himierd’s face, which seemed about to burst into tears at any moment, then nodded.

It would have been wrong for him to show more concern here, to offer kind words of worry. At least for Himierd’s sake.

“Well then, I’ll see you next time.”

“Your Royal Highness.”

Eustar, who was about to enter Ord’s bedroom, turned around.

Himierd silently looked at his face.

She wanted to remember it. She didn’t expect him to remember her at this moment, but at least she didn’t want to forget.

“I pray that you and Lady Kristrad will be strong and at peace.”

Himierd bowed deeply and left the place with a more relaxed expression. The sound of her retreating footsteps encouraged contemplation, but Eustar soon entered the bedroom.

Ord, who had been looking outside forlornly, smiled at him.

“Welcome, Eustar.”