The first flower to bloom in the spring was blue. Spring had come to the world where the Constellation Murderer lived. He looked up the flower bud that matched the color of his eyes. In his homeland, yellow flowers[1] bloomed earliest. Or perhaps they were pink[2]. However, he had forgotten the spring of his homeland. For Lefanta Aegim, spring was now only blue.
The Constellation Murderer touched the petals with his pale fingertips.
“What should one do to avoid becoming a Constellation? Constellations should no longer decide what people’s lives are like. For ordinary people, Constellations are far too strong. Merely by existing, they make people alter their fates to their own liking. As such, people run away from things they should take responsibility for…”
The Constellation Murderer trailed off, not because he doubted his own logic, but because a buzzing honeybee, enchanted by the scent of the flower, landed on his fingernail. He gazed at the bee’s wings for a long time, then stroked the bee slowly.
The honeybee mistook his stroking for an attack and immediately stung his finger. The venom of an insect, which didn’t have the concept of goodwill, was strong. It brewed within the insect throughout its life and seeped deep into Lefanta Aegim’s flesh.
That was about it. Having lost its only reason for existence, the honeybee soon fell to the ground, trembling and unaware that the venom was also capable of killing itself.
The Constellation Murderer could have easily neutralized the insect’s venom with his aura, but he didn’t. With his blue eyes, he only looked down at the swollen flesh where a mere insect had planted its venom dart.
“I see. I should have a child.”
The Constellation Murderer turned his head. He was standing in a noble family’s garden. Lefanta Aegim, chosen by the Goddess of Protection to become emperor, had renounced the throne and was wandering many worlds. He had been staying in this world longer than planned. Why? Perhaps it was because he had grown fond of the garden.
An unknown maid that scooped up soil was working here. Only when the Constellation Murderer came near did she feel his presence and lift her head.
“What is it? Is there anything I can do for you, sir?” she asked.
The maid’s eyes were red. The noble family she served had received a favor from the Constellation Murderer. One of the children held hostage by a Constellation was the noble family’s young lady, so the family treated him as a distinguished guest. The maid also showed him proper respect, but he assumed that wasn’t the only reason.
“I know you’ve been watching me in secret whenever you have time,” he told her.
The maid flinched. With a guarded gaze, she studied the Constellation Murderer's face, but he didn’t look angry or sound like he was trying to reproach her.
Seemingly relieved, the maid sighed and shrugged. “Yes, I do peek a little from time to time. To be honest, you aren’t just ordinarily handsome, sir.”
“Is my face to your liking?”
“If a person walking down the street sees a work of art and turns their head without meaning to, it’s not the passerby’s fault, but the fault of the person who placed the artwork in the middle of the road.”
She seemed set to insist that she wasn’t at fault, but that wasn’t his concern.
“I want to have you for a night.”
The maid, who had been talking energetically, froze. “What?”
“Of course, only if you agree.”
The maid couldn’t understand what was going on.
“Eh? Huh? Uuuuuh? Ummmm, hold on. Just a moment. Sir, could it be… could it be that you like me?” She gasped. “No way! Have you been stopping by the garden during your walks to approach me?
“No, I don’t have feelings for you.”
The maid was confused. “Um… Theeeeeen, why are you asking me to get in your bed?”
“For a long time, I’ve been pondering how to avoid becoming a Constellation. No, it would be more accurate to say that I was thinking of ways to preserve my humanity, but I abandon my memories. Even if I wish to stay human, I cannot.”
The maid still didn’t understand what was going on or what the man was saying. Nevertheless, Lefanta Aegim didn’t care whether she understood or not, so he went on.
“But if I had a child, things may change. It’s the clear, undeniable proof that I was and am human.”
“Uh… Um, I’m not sure I understood correctly. Are you saying that you want to spend the night with me because you want to leave proof of your life?”
“That’s right.”
The maid finally seemed to grasp the situation, though barely. In short, the man before her was a handsome lunatic. She pressed a palm to her forehead.
“Giiiiiiiive… me some time… I need to think about it…”
“Take your time.”
The maid set down the shovel and crossed her arms. “He’s the hero of heroes who saved this country. Hmm. Having the blood of such a person can change one’s life. Judging by the way he talks, he’ll probably not care about the kid, so all responsibility will fall on me… Well, I guess it’s not that bad if I think of it as some sort of gamble…"
The maid kept on muttering to herself, seriously scanning the Constellation Murderer from head to toe. Her gaze lingered on his hand; his finger was swollen from the honeybee’s venom dart.
She asked, “You got stung. Doesn’t it hurt?”
“It hurts.”
“Then why do you act as if it’s nothing?”
“Because it’s nothing,” the Constellation Murderer answered.
The maid rested her chin on her hand and murmured, “I see… You’re lonely.”
What did that mean? Before the Constellation Murderer could think about it some more, the maid clicked her tongue sharply.
“Fine, sir. I’ll spend the night with you.” She looked up at him with red eyes. “But I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Stay by my side until the child starts walking. Protect me and the child. When the child is born, tell everyone that he or she is yours. If it’s a difficult condition to accept, I’ll never…”
He nodded. “Okay.”
“I’m not sure if I should be the one to say this, but didn’t you accept too quickly? I thought I was making some tough demands."
“The demands are easy.”
The maid sighed, sourly looking at the Constellation Murderer. “Alright, Mr. Lunatic. Just wait until I finish my work today. These flowers are suffering this spring, so they need extra care.”
“Alright.”
“So even a lunatic can become a hero…” The maid shook her head and picked up her shovel again, piling the soil in the garden corner.
The Constellation Murderer watched her from behind. “I don’t know your name. What is it?"
“Ivansia,” the maid replied, turning her head. “I’m a commoner, so I have no surname. It’s just Ivansia.”
Long ago, red eyes reflected in a blue flower.