Chapter 59: They’ll Understand, Right?

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“…Because I’m scared.”

What exactly is she scared of?

Sugar was curious but didn’t press further, simply gazing at Ione. Only her lips were visible beneath the hood, pale and tightly pressed together before they parted slightly.

“The truth can’t be revealed anyway. It’ll get distorted.”

“Are you talking about the reason you can’t let them out? Are you afraid it’ll be misinterpreted?”

Ione nodded.

However, wasn’t the reason for not letting them out something simple? Just that the outside world is dangerous. That’s what she’d been saying through the Holy Knights, wasn’t it?

But there’s more to it than that?

-Other descendants were allowed to move freely within Gabriel, though!

Sugar suddenly remembered Ian’s words, shouted as if in protest. The child who wasn’t even allowed to leave the tower.

“…Why can’t you let them out?”

“Freedom.”

Restricting freedom for the sake of freedom? That’s a contradiction.

But clearly their highness…

Their gender…

“…”

Ah. Sugar’s eyes widened.

A secret she had stumbled upon, a thought that connected to it.

She had figured out the deeper intentions of this person. She had understood the love behind it.

“You don’t need to know the details. I just want them to be safe.”

Whether she knew or not, Ione simply murmured.

It was similar to the thoughts of a certain boy. Riley, who had been listening nearby, lowered his head deeply.

“So…”

Shut your mouth. Even if you’ve figured something out, it’s useless.

The Saintess, neither a child nor an adult, sealed Sugar’s lips as if zipping them shut, tapping her lively lips.

It wasn’t magic. Just a gentle suggestion, a command in everything but words.

Sugar made a pained expression.

“I… understand. But at least deliver the gift yourself.”

“What’s the point—”

“There is.”

Sugar knew how this would end. She knew how deep the emotional rift would grow.

‘I know the younger sibling causes trouble, demanding independence as another Saintess, challenging the legitimacy… even stealing the sacred relics stored in Gabriel—’

“If you don’t say it, they won’t know. The misunderstanding won’t be resolved.”

“…”

“It’ll just… keep going off track.”

As Sugar spoke, she realized something.

Hadn’t she done something similar?

Not speaking her mind. Deciding things on her own about her childhood friend.

Honestly, she was scared.

‘If you leave, I’ll feel lonely.’

Saying that would only burden him, his kind heart would carry that weight.

Or, if the other person truly felt that way. If they thought of her as nothing but a burden, she didn’t want to know.

It’s okay to leave. It’s natural. Sugar had no right to stop him, but still, she didn’t want to create unnecessary pain.

She deliberately acted indifferent and harsh.

‘So that’s why she said she was scared…’

Afraid to approach the other’s true feelings. Afraid to reveal them, even the leader of this holy city had such worries.

However, nothing would be resolved that way, delaying the confrontation would change nothing.

Sugar had been facing the boy all this time. She hadn’t stopped talking to him.

Today, she hesitated out of fear… but once this was over, she’d face him again. She had decided that.

She glanced at Riley. His face, as always, seemed prickly but also listless.

Sugar smiled softly at him, then turned her gaze back to Ione.

“Saintess… everyone fears facing others, it’s not just you. There’s nothing strange about it.”

“…”

“If you’re really scared, I’ll be by your side. So at least deliver the gift yourself. Tell them the reason for keeping them confined… and that it’s out of love. Say that while giving it to them.”

Sugar handed the gift bag back to Ione, who quietly accepted it.

“They’ll only understand if you tell them. You know that, right? So before it’s too late, make sure…”

Ione stood still for a long time.

This time, she didn’t tilt her head. She just stood there quietly, as if digesting Sugar’s words.

Then, finally, she nodded slightly.

Sugar smiled brightly in response.

*********************************

The roof of the cathedral.

A place filled with pointed decorations and pillars, perfect for hiding. Sitting there, Sugar heard light footsteps.

Tap-tap—the sound of someone unable to contain their excitement.

“Hey! Sugar! Are you here?”

A voice brimming with excitement. A child of noble lineage with ivory hair and purple eyes, whose only desires were freedom and family love.

This simple child ran up to Sugar.

“Ian.”

“Ta-da! Look at this? I got a gift!”

Sugar stifled a laugh.

“What kind of gift? Who gave it to you?”

“Huh… curious?”

He grinned mischievously. Sugar played along, saying, “Wow, I’m so curious.”

“It’s a real secret… but this was given to me by my sister! The Saintess!”

“What did she say when she gave it to you?”

“What…?”

Ian froze, his eyes darting around, his cheeks gradually turning red. It was adorable.

“W-what does it matter what she said! Anyway, isn’t it cool? If you touch this, the ocean unfolds before your eyes! I’ll even let you take a look.”

“Thank you.”

Sugar took the ocean model. The underwater world unfolded before her eyes. She had seen it before, but it was still a beautiful sight. When would she ever get to see something like this again? After admiring it for a moment, Sugar handed the model back to Ian.

“So? Isn’t it amazing?”

“…I’m glad.”

“Huh? What?”

“You look happy.”

‘Will you be okay without me?’

–Nod.

‘Really, really, will you be okay on your own?’

–Nod.

Sugar remembered the strange, almost non-conversation they had in front of the spire. Ione had insisted she could handle talking to her sibling alone, so Sugar had let her go.

Honestly, she had been a little worried. But seeing said sibling’s reaction now, it seemed things had turned out well.

“Right! I’m in the best mood! Besides the gift, there’s something else good too. I’m allowed to go outside the tower once every two or three days! Of course, the priests will be swarming around me… but still, it’s something, right?”

No wonder there were so many veiled priestesses bustling around earlier.

“That’s great, Ian.”

“Thanks, thanks! And, uh, you too. Make up with your friend.”

“Huh?”

“Talk. Just… talk it out. If you don’t say anything, you’ll never know what the other person is thinking… really… you won’t know. So, your friend might not know either.”

Ian seemed to recall his earlier conversation, thinking about how things had always gone wrong between him and his sister, his previously bright smile turning bitter.

Sugar didn’t know what they had talked about. She didn’t know what emotions that stiff, strange woman had shown her sibling.

But still. It must have been conveyed properly.

As Sugar thought this, Ian, who had been smiling bitterly, suddenly changed his expression.

“…By the name of our great ancestor, I command you! May blessings be upon your future!”

Then he jumped down from the roof, bouncing with excitement. He seemed thrilled by the freedom he had never experienced before. The sight of the priests scrambling after him was quite a spectacle.

“Thank you.”

Sugar muttered to their retreating figure, then looked up at the sky.

It was already sunset.

The white-walled buildings of Gabriel were bathed in the reddish glow of the setting sun.

It was a peaceful, calming and beautiful sight.

The vast city, impossible to fully embrace no matter how far she reached. The place she would be calling home for a while. Though she didn’t like being left alone, she thought it might not be so bad to live in such a beautiful place if she just changed her mindset a little.

–Tap.

She felt a presence.

She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

The two of them had been waiting for a moment like this.

Sugar lightly tapped the spot beside her, Riley approached and sat next to her.

“…”

“…”

A brief silence.

“Riley.”

Sugar was the first to break it.

“I’ll be honest with you.”

“…”

“I don’t want you to leave my side.”

“…”

“I want to stay with you forever. I know I have no right to stop you, and your life is your own. But… just the thought of you leaving makes me feel so lonely. I’d be really sad. But I didn’t say anything because I thought it might burden you. I didn’t want to interfere with your freedom…”

“I… don’t think that way.”

“…Really?”

Riley sighed.

“I didn’t say anything either. About why I’m leaving. What do you think it is?”

“Well… it’s a good opportunity, right? You can’t pass up the chance to learn under a Guardian. You’ll get to go out and experience—”

“Shh.”

Riley cut her off, then fell silent himself.

After a moment, he turned his gaze away from Sugar and confessed what he had been hiding.

“…It’s for you.”

“What?”

“If I become stronger, if I stay by your side every day and protect you… then you can move around freely. That’s why I wanted to leave.”

What is he talking about? Sugar’s brain struggled to process it, but once she understood, she leaned in abruptly.

“Riley! That’s… that’s not it! That’s ridiculous!”

“What is?”

“Why are you wasting your life for me? You don’t need to do that. Hide your grimoire and live freely! Don’t worry about me, go do what you want! You… you must have so many things you want to learn and see…”

“…”

“Huh? Why are you binding yourself to me… I’ll be fine. I said I’d feel lonely, but your happiness is more important. You don’t need to worry about me. That part is sincere!”

No matter how much Sugar poured out her words, Riley remained stubbornly silent, his expression filled with refusal.

“Ah…”

Sugar’s heart burned. She wasn’t happy at all. The guilt she had been carrying for Riley just exploded.

“I ruined you…”

Your freedom, your future.

Regret and guilt for the boy who had been tied to her and developed such strange thoughts permeated through her body and mind.

Because she was the only one who treated him warmly, she had made him think this way.

As she struggled with these emotions, Riley pinched her cheeks.

“Gyaaa?!”

“Hey, you idiot. You’re being annoying. Why are you acting like this is some tragedy?”

“Hehe, ahehe—”

“What are you even saying… Anyway, listen.”

He let go of her cheeks and instead placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to face him.

“What I just said… it’s something I want to do. It’s my choice, no one else’s. I want to go to Steele too! I want to learn with you, see things with you. That’s why I’m doing this. What? Binding? Don’t make me laugh. Did you think you were controlling me or something?”

Honestly, it did tug at his heart.

But so what? It was just the result of all the warmth Sugar had poured into him.

Riley had already fallen deeply for her.

“You’re really underestimating me! Got it?”

“…”

“In times like this… in times like this, instead of spouting nonsense, you should just say thank you. No, actually, since I’m doing this because I want to, you don’t even need to thank me. It’s just… that’s how it is.”

‘I, who aimed for the pinnacle of the world, am doing this solely for you.’

“…This is the path to my happiness.”

‘I decided to do this solely to be with you, no one else. It’s disappointing to say it like that. With that disappointment,’ he mumbled, the area quickly falling silent afterwards.

Only a tearful murmur could be heard.

“Why are you… like this…”

Riley remembered what Sugar had given him, the indescribably warm and vast feelings.

‘This is ridiculous.’ Riley wanted to ask. ‘What were you thinking, doing this to me? You literally enchanted me.’

‘You can do that, but I can’t?’

Riley leaned in, his face growing close, while Sugar, unsure of how to handle her emotions had tears welling up in her eyes.

Sugar lowered her gaze. She didn’t want to show this side of herself to a kid, and she just didn’t know what to do.

How to repay him. How to return the favor.

Guilt. The thrill of realizing this boy had chosen her. And then more guilt. Her heart was a mess.

For Sugar’s sake, Riley made a big decision.

He clenched his mouth shut. With trembling hands, he cupped Sugar’s cheeks.

“…?”

As Sugar stared blankly, Riley frowned, trying to suppress his emotions. His face was red. Whether it was from the sunset, anger, or something else.

Then, using his right hand, he gently brushed Sugar’s bangs aside. The soft, fluttering sensation made him tremble again.

Sugar, with a look that said, ‘What are you trying to do…?’ just rolled her eyes to look at Riley.

Riley’s lips twitched. Despite always acting mischievous, Sugar looked so innocent at times like this, it was adorable

You… really… really!

He pressed his lips to her forehead.

Despite the internal screaming, his movements were gentle. Filled with affection. Hoping to stop her tears, just as this girl had once done for him.

Soon, with a soft sound, their bodies parted.

“…”

“…”

Then there were two red-faced figures.

The boy, realizing what he had done, and the girl, realizing what the boy had done.

One narrowed his eyes. The other widened hers. Hiding their screams, they stared at each other.

“W-what, what… anyway… you get it, right?”

Trying to overcome his embarrassment, Riley stammered, while Sugar could only stutter, “Ah, ah… uh…” unable to respond, her lips trembling.