“My dear Serephione,
Larouza told me that you’re doing well. I’m so relieved to hear it. He tells me you’ve grown even more beautiful. I hope I can see you soon.
Congratulations on your engagement. As your father, though, I really wish I could have talked to you about it beforehand, had the chance to object, or supported you during that great task.
I respect your decision, though. All I want is for you to be happy.
So, Serephi, where does your happiness lie? Will you feel safe quietly living your seventeenth year in Galé with the emperor? Or would you rather take into account the possibility that Maribelle could get in your way and take her down?
If you did that now, though, it would mean fighting Prince Schneider, since he’s on her side.
Will you move around the world with Lou to places where Maribelle’s power doesn’t reach? At what point would you feel that you’ve finally escaped her grasp? Will you attack? Will you deal with her some other way?
Whatever your choice is, you’ll need to prepare well. You may not be able to put it off, depending on what you choose. Think about it and talk it over with Lou.
Looking forward to your reply,
your father.”
As soon as my brother got to Judore, my father sent a letter to me through Trundle Guild, then Galea Guild. I looked over it once and then showed it to Lou, but he was too taken with the new creation of Matsuki’s that accompanied the letter, a chocolate fondant cake, to care about the letter.
“Whoooa! It’s all melty inside! I want my lost time with Matsuki back!”
No luck. I gave up and looked back at the letter.
I guess I have to be proactive... I wish I could just live quietly in the background of this world without being condemned, betrayed, or killed.
Will I be killed if I don’t fight? Do I have to kill so I can live with peace of mind?
Could I let my father or Gillain get blood on their hands for my sake?
“What did Isaac say, Sere?”
“I don’t feel like having a serious discussion with someone whose face is covered in chocolate right now.”
“Gasp!”
“So, what did Isaac say, Sere?” Lou asked again after I’d washed him sparkling clean with cleansing magic. I handed the letter to him.
“Sere... I don’t want my time living with you to be cut short. We have to crush their unreasonable attacks.”
“But I haven’t even been attacked yet.”
“Have you forgotten when you almost got killed?! The party that starts a war may be at fault, but that doesn’t make the victim righteous. There’s only a winner and a loser in the end. It’s pointless to avoid getting your hands dirty so you can be the bigger person in a fight.”
“I guess it’s my fault for wanting to be a goody-two-shoes...”
“It’s not your fault. You’re just a kind person. Especially because of all the pain and messiness you went through in your last life... But even if you get blood on your hands, it won’t be the same as what you remember from last time.”
“Why not?”
“You shouldered your deeds alone last time. This time, I’ll carry them with you.”
“Lou...”
“We’re two halves of one whole. I’ll bloody myself with you and figure out what that illogical power is.”
“Even if it’s taboo?”
“If I did nothing and lost you, I would be lost in despair. Breaking a taboo is better than that.”
I hugged Lou and buried my face in his fluff. My heart felt clearer just by touching him. The scent of chocolate mingled with the pure atmosphere made me chuckle; it felt relaxing.
“Let’s think of the most effective plan...and let’s do it together,” Lou proposed.
“Together...”