SEI vacantly gazed up at the sky in the gloomy garden.
The light of dawn illuminated the statue spitting out water night and day. The sight of the square patch of sky overhead was a familiar one. Soon, the sky would be filled with sunrise and then, the morning would come.
Somehow, I’ve managed to see this sight once more, Sei thought.
When morning came, he’d repeat the same daily life. Then return here at night once more. So that he could be alone.
He touched his hand to the place on his cheek where he’d been punched. It was still numb. The cool night wind felt good against it. As he thought back about it, a wry grin spread across his face.
That dainty arm that’d intervened, putting her life on the line. Her loose fists pounding his shoulders ferociously.
That beauty that persisted despite her fear.
“What a thing to say…!”
He’d never seen someone trembling in anger, trying to stop what was happening to him.
No matter where he went how he was treated was always the same.
The same pain and feeling of entrapment followed him everywhere. So, at night, he came here to lick his wounds. Then he’d trudge away again. He’d repeated this over and over, more times than he could count.
Even so, today, he felt more at peace than usual.
How many years had it been since he smiled at anyone?
Lady Yura, eh?
Such a strange name. Where exactly was she from? She had jet-black eyes rarely seen in this kingdom.
He likely wouldn’t see her so close anytime soon.
He picked up the sword he’d set on the pillar. Dawn was approaching. It had begun to dye the sky, chasing away the last traces of night.
Finally, he turned and headed for the way out.
✦ ✦ ✦
RELYING on her vague memories, Yura dashed down the corridor, chilled by the night air. She ran, ran, and ran some more.
She passed by three larger gardens in a hurry. She realized they were lawns and ran off, accidentally trampling several flowers on her way through. She charged through the castle, too dark to see where she was going. Still, she kept running, having no desire to rest.
He may not be there. Maybe that was just a coincidence. But…
If he wasn’t, she’d wait until he came. She could wait.
She shook as she ran, finally reaching that indistinct little area. With that familiar aerodynamic shape of its entrance. The sight of it gave her exhausted legs one last little burst of strength.
Yura shot out of the passageway and into the garden where the light blinded her.
The silver light of dawn rained down on her. The sun had risen. The broken water fountain and water surface reflected the morning sun’s light.
Yura’s ragged breathing was the only sound to echo throughout the otherwise silent garden.
Lightheaded after her insane dash through the castle grounds she took a moment to rest by the fountain. Yura blinked her eyes and looked. Her heart was pounding so hard, she was afraid it might leap out of her mouth.
I guess…he isn’t here.
Surprisingly, she didn’t cry.
Maybe she’d done so much crying over the past day, she had cried herself out.
She knelt and leaned forward, putting her hands on her knees.
At that moment—
“Lady Yu…ra…?”
She looked up.
The first thing she saw was the sheath of his sword.
He was scowling magnificently and yet, she couldn’t believe he was really here.
“Lady Yura…!”
Yura leapt toward him. She reached out and grabbed his clothes. He staggered back a little, but still, Sei managed to catch Yura. He was taken aback. Yura mindlessly cried out, clinging to the astonished Sei.
“Help me! Please, help me, Sei…!”