Lunetta blinked. “Throw it away?”
“That’s right,” Sophie replied. “You got tired of it and ran away—what’s wrong with that? After all, you tried your best.”
“I tried...my best.” Lunetta repeated.
“You did!” Sophie nearly shouted. “You all did—you all tried way harder than you ever had to and then some! And that’s exactly why it’s okay if you run away! It’s okay if you rest! It’s okay if you throw it all away!”
Sophie could almost laugh. It was the pot calling the kettle black.
Sophie didn’t know the first thing about Lunetta or any of the generations of witches that had died here. All she’d done was listen and wail on like she actually understood it all.
But even then, Sophie could feel the shifting of Lunetta’s heart as if she were holding it in her own hands. She didn’t want to say something as irresponsible as “I know how you feel,” but she did understand. She understood how her heart worked, and she just knew that every time Lunetta thought of herself, it was always followed by a reminder of how lowly she was—and that was why it made Sophie so angry. Lunetta was a wonderful girl, and Sophie wanted Lunetta herself to realize that.
“Sophie...you’re just like His Majesty,” Lunetta spoke softly, as if she were sighing.
Was that a laugh? Sophie couldn’t tell. She didn’t know, but she did feel like the tense air surrounding them had eased up. Sophie smiled.
“It’s an honor.”
“I lied... You’re cuter than he is,” Lunetta said back.
“Maybe!”
No, you’re the cute one! Sophie wiped away her tears and let go of Lunetta’s hand.
Lunetta’s slender, beautiful fingers wrapped around the book she still held. The tome was frayed, its edges torn. Lunetta seemed to take great care as she gently held the book and closed her eyes.
Volume after volume of the books were crammed along the bookshelves covering the wall. The books must’ve been Lunetta’s teachers. Sophie imagined Lunetta sitting down at the small desk with her back turned.
Far, far above the desk was a square hole incontestably out of reach, covered with iron bars. There, bathing in the light and wind that entered the opening that couldn’t be called a window, Lunetta had spent her days with these books—with a multitude of witches. She’d learned magic from these witches. That was why Lunetta was a witch.
“Sophie...”
“Yes?”
Lunetta opened her eyes and looked up at Sophie, her jet-black eyes clear and unclouded. “Because I broke the barrier and ran away, now the witches’ lingering emotions have run wild and are spilling out of this room,” Lunetta explained. “Since it’s too much to bear for those who aren’t immune to it, you wouldn’t be wrong to call it a curse.”
That made sense. So that was why the magician who’d accompanied them down the steps had begun to feel unwell midway and why Lunetta had been able to lead her down here.
“That’s why I have to let them all out,” Lunetta said.
“Yeah,” Sophie replied. “Let’s all go out together.”
“Go out?”
“Yes, we’re going out.”
“We’re going out, huh?” Lunetta said, turning around to stare at the books lining the wall as she gently ran her hand over the spines, packed so closely together there wasn’t any space between them at all.
“Will you...give me a hand, Sophie?”
“Me?”
Lunetta nodded, grabbing Sophie’s hand.
“I’m sure you’ll be the one giving me a hand, though!” Sophie laughed.
“I want you to cast your healing magic on the books,” Lunetta replied, nodding again.
“Wh-What...?”
My healing magic? Oh, that one. You know—that. The one that’s the very embodiment of spring dancing in the throes of love—yeah, that one.
“Are you sure that’s okay...?”
“Of course,” Lunetta replied, looking puzzled. “Is that a no...?”
“No, it’s not!”
It wasn’t a no—it wasn’t a no in the slightest. It wasn’t a no, but still! Sophie hadn’t yet come to terms with her own healing magic, so she couldn’t help but hesitate to use it. Still, was there anyone who could say no in a situation like this? If there was, then they sure weren’t human. Time to drop the shyness, Sophie!
“I’ll give it my best shot!”
“I’m counting on you.”
Sophie nodded and Lunetta nodded back.
Lunetta then dropped her gaze to the floor as her black hair and eyes began to glow red. Sophie exhaled and closed her eyes.
Paying attention to the flow of Lunetta’s magic, Sophie observed the magical energy of the bookshelf before her. Mysteriously enough, the heavy, stifling air that had been there before had settled down. If Sophie had to say one way or another, it was almost as if they were swaying anxiously, as if the books were watching them. It was hard to describe—they were almost like lost children.
Oh, that’s right. You want to go outside. All of you really just wanted to go outside this whole time. Of course you did. But you told yourselves you weren’t allowed to—instead you were just chained here out of your own responsibility and resolve. But see? It’s going to be okay. Sophie smiled, her eyes still closed.
“It’s going to be okay,” Lunetta said. “I’ll make sure that I’m the last witch.”
Right? And just look—Lunetta is the greatest witch, after all.
Just as Sophie had the greatest knight with her, the other witches had the greatest witch on their side.
“Let’s go,” Lunetta said.
As if her voice had been a signal, the ground beneath them began to rumble. There was an explosion of magical energy, accompanied by a massive sound and impact.
The wind ran wild, howling. And yet, the calm and mysterious wind that glided through Sophie’s hair and stroked her cheek was gentle and warm.
Sophie cautiously opened her eyes, only for them to widen in shock at what they saw.
Oh, and what’s this now? This place got some well-deserved ventilation! This is pretty nice. And what a sight for sore eyes! The depressing walls and furniture and bookshelves were all nowhere to be seen.
They were greeted by a blue sky that seemed to stretch out infinitely before them. Sophie felt lighter—as if a weight had been lifted off of her.
Countless sheets of paper fluttered and danced in the air. It was just like confetti!