The capital was even busier than usual. The brief wartime emergency combined with the queen collapsing on the battlefield had stirred considerable panic. Aside from the now-slumbering Luxeria, everyone focused solely on the tasks at hand. It wasn’t entirely clear whether it was a stroke of fortune that the government was as capable of operating without the queen.
Then, the following night…
“Just where do you think you’re going?” Alicia asked, her voice sharp.
Wilhelm stood in front of her. “Huh. I’m surprised you noticed I was here.”
“My ability to use magic was restored along with my memories. Dichotomy can expand my vision to cover the whole palace. I’m aware of anyone who enters or leaves.”
Her response took him aback. “You’re pushing yourself a little too hard, aren’t you?”
“Her Majesty is fast asleep,” Alicia reminded him. “Staying on high alert for her sake is natural, don’t you think?”
“Sure, but how many people go in and out of the palace every day? Wouldn’t that overload your senses?”
“Not if I stay focused.”
“You’re tough as nails. I’m glad you’re her lady-in-waiting.”
“Don’t change the subject. Where do you think you’re going?” Alicia demanded.
Wilhelm’s brow furrowed. “My presence will only complicate things for Luxeria. This is about the only chance I have to sneak out, given the ongoing conflict.”
“Don’t do that. It’ll make her sad.”
He forced a smile in response. “I’m a sinner, Alicia. Nothing can change that fact.”
“But the sins of your house lay at your parents’ feet, do they not?”
“That may be so, but the sins of one’s house are a shared burden. I should be dead right now.”
“The queen didn’t want that, or else she wouldn’t have kept you alive with the Sacred Sword of Love,” said a voice not belonging to either Wilhelm or Alicia. “If the sword didn’t kill you, then it means you’ve got the grace and mercy of the ruler.”
“Tommy!”
Once Alicia said his name, Tommy appeared from the shadows.
“Ah. Right, Lord Alcott mentioned that at some point,” Wilhelm said. “I never knew that being struck by a Sacred Sword held that sort of meaning.”
“Hm? You really never knew?” Tommy asked.
“I didn’t. My family never educated me on the history of the swords.”
“Yet you let one pierce you with a smile? Either you’ve got some real guts, or you’re a twisted guy.”
“I didn’t put any thought into it. It was the only option left to me. I guess I was calm because I knew I had done everything I could.”
“Still, losing you made the queen so sad and hurt. Don’t ever sadden her again, especially over any self-perceived sins.”
“Whether I truly committed any sins doesn’t matter. I have no place here in the palace,” Wilhelm said. “The sins of my family will follow me wherever I go. ‘Oh, look, it’s the son of House Radford, a family of treasonous vermin.’ That’s what anyone who sees me will think.”
“Well…”
“Also, the royal family has eliminated the Great Five’s political power. Someone like me, a symbol of the old order, has no business being here.”
Once more, he turned to leave.
“Don’t you love her?!” cried Alicia as she watched Wilhelm walk away. “I’m not good enough for her! I can’t stay in her heart like you have!”
“Don’t be so harsh on yourself. The warmth in her face when she spends time with you is as plain as day.”
“But—”
“I love her,” Wilhelm murmured. Though quiet, his admission echoed through the darkness. “But there are some things that love cannot overcome.”
With those last words, he vanished from the room. Alicia could only wail in sadness, tears flowing all the while.
“Guess there wasn’t any stopping him,” said Tommy, trying to comfort her.
“I’m just…thinking about how sad this will make her…”
“You did everything you could. But Wilhelm wasn’t wrong.”
“Why? Why must she continue to suffer?”
“That’s what it means to rule a nation, and I’m sure the queen knows that. She’ll probably go back to work once she’s feeling better.”
Tommy’s cold words only made Alicia cry harder. “That’s… No. It’s too much! Sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of other people, never allowing yourself to cry or grieve… That’s misery! I don’t want her to lose anything else in her life. She shouldn’t have to be sad. Something this unfair shouldn’t be happening to her.”
Tommy then looked over his shoulder. “And there you have it, Your Majesty.”
“Huh?! Your Majesty?” Alicia stepped forward and saw Luxeria sitting down, hidden in the shadows. “Why are you here?”
Luxeria offered no answer. Alicia sobbed, tears trickling down her cheeks.
“She wished to accompany you, and I followed along to watch over her,” Tommy said.
“I-I see…” Alicia sat down, locking eyes with Luxeria. The queen beckoned her to come closer, so Alicia bent down to embrace her.
“Thank you, Alicia.”
Alicia continued to cry, spurred on by the queen’s gratitude. “B-but I wasn’t able to do anything. I don’t deserve your thanks…”
“Not true. Seeing how passionate you are made me very, very happy.”
“Oh, Your Majesty…”
Luxeria wrapped her arms around Alicia. “I love him too, and I wanted to stop him from leaving. But he’s right. There simply are some things love cannot overcome.” Tears welled up in her big, beautiful eyes, making them shine like jewels.
Alicia could do little but softly call out for her again through the tears.
“Now that I’ve survived, my duty is to the crown. That wonderful dream Wil spoke of is something I want to make a reality. I will make it real. I must, or else I will fall into despair once again—I know it. I must do what is needed of me as queen. And because of that, Wil and I cannot be together. His situation is as complicated as he said.” Luxeria raised her head. Despite her somber words, the shadow of despair hadn’t reached her eyes. “But I will not give up. Even in the face of this harsh reality, I agree with you, Alicia. I will not lose anything else!”
As the two held each other, Tommy approached. “Well, there you have it. I, for one, plan to do what the queen asks of me,” he said, understanding their wishes.
“I will too. I will follow you wherever you go, Your Majesty.” Alicia finally smiled, fully agreeing with Tommy.
“Will you two lend me your strength going forward?” Luxeria asked.
“Of course.”
“Yes!”
The queen smiled, relieved to hear their replies.