Souta walked.

  And then he saw her.

  Meliora.

  She approached with the same smile as always.

  Firm.

  Pure.

  Gentle.

  The moonlight reflected in her eyes.

  On her fair skin.

  Almost ethereal.

  — So… shall we go?

  Souta stopped before her.

  — How was it? Did you say goodbye properly?

  Meliora looked around.

  — It was a grand event… worthy of a king.

  — I feel calmer. Now we can go ahea—

  — Liar.

  The word cut through the air like a blade.

  The princess frowned.

  — What did you say?

  Souta kept his voice firm.

  Direct.

  — I said… you’re lying.

  Meliora smiled, eyes half-closed.

  — It’s fine, Mr. Kihara.

  — No need to be so serious.

  Souta stepped closer.

  Slowly.

  And embraced her.

  Meliora, confused:

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  — What are you…

  Souta smiled faintly.

  A gentle smile.

  Pure.

  And began to narrate.

  — Once upon a time… there was a princess.

  His voice was calm.

  With a touch of sarcasm.

  — She grew up surrounded by jewels.

  By servants.

  By royalty.

  — She had hair red as fire.

  Eyes blue-green, like jade.

  Soft, fair skin… almost like a baby’s.

  — She was serious, yet kind.

  Beautiful, as if from a fairy tale.

  — She would probably grow even more beautiful…

  And desired… as an adult.

  — She was strict.

  Studied endlessly to become the most important in the kingdom.

  — But sometimes…

  She hid away to eat sweets.

  — She was too mature for her age.

  But also threw childish tantrums.

  Felt jealous.

  Craved attention.

  — She followed rules to the utmost.

  But ran away when called to meet heroes.

  Made time to speak with commoners.

  — She loved to read.

  Because in books she could imagine worlds beyond the golden walls.

  Beyond the hive that imprisoned her.

  — Her only dream…

  Was to fly like a bee.

  — Strong.

  Unbreakable.

  Her gentle smile was unwavering.

  — But sometimes…

  She vented her fury.

  Her sadness.

  Her pain.

  — She cried in secret.

  Sometimes cried on the shoulders of her friend and confidant. When she could no longer carry it alone.

  — To the world, she pretended to be iron.

  But in his arms…

  She cried without end.

  Souta’s voice echoed in Meliora’s heart.

  — Let’s stay.

  — You can open up to me.

  — You don’t need to hold back anymore.

  She tried to resist.

  But couldn’t.

  The tears came.

  And didn’t stop.

  She cried.

  She cried.

  She cried until she could cry no more.

  — Kihara!

  — Why didn’t you save my father?!

  — You could have saved him, you… you idiot!

  — It was your fault!

  — Why didn’t you save him?!

  She clutched Souta’s robes.

  As if the world were ending that night.

  Tears.

  Mucus.

  Streaming down her face.

  Souta remained still.

  And thought to himself:

  “Perhaps I didn’t save him… because I wanted to take his place.”