Chapter 33 – To Me, You Were Like the Sun (3)

Ermina awoke on a vast green plain, stretching endlessly towards a white sky. A cool breeze swept across the grass like a wolf’s mane being combed.

A being of light approached, holding a child’s hand.

This is…

Déjà vu. A scene she’d witnessed before. A dream.

She recognized it.

Cariel?

A prophetic dream. The figure of light extended the child’s hand towards her.

“……”

She’d taken it. She hadn’t seen the child’s face. Just a child.

But now, she knew. It was Cariel, younger. Dressed in white, he smiled up at her.

A fierce wind blew, blinding her. The white sky darkened. The green plain turned gray. A chilling premonition, a spine-freezing unease.

Ermina awoke with a start, instinctively searching for the child.

Gone.

“Mom.”

“?!”

In the distance, white clothes stained crimson. Red streaks spread from neck to chest, flowing, dripping blood.

She looked up and gasped.

Empty eye sockets, blood streaming down.

Her heart raced. Blood rushed to her head. Dizziness, disorientation.

What’s happening? Why… why is he…

“Why… did you…”

Abandon me?

“?!”

Abandon you?! Never!

How could I? I love you so…

“But I…”

The plain turned red, a spreading stain reaching the sky. The world became crimson.

Yet Ermina remained untouched, as if separate.

The blood-soaked child coughed up blood, clasped his hands in prayer.

“Dear God.”

He collapsed to his knees, blood gushing onto the red earth.

“You are wrong.”

Ermina gasped awake, heavy with exhaustion. Weakness overwhelmed her, but she reached out.

“Ca… Cariel?”

“Lady Ermina? What is it?”

A priestess in white robes held her hands.

“Ca… Cariel… where is he?”

“Your son? Sir Luelde has taken him home. They’ll be here soon.”

“Together…?”

She’d glimpsed Luelde earlier. Commotion, confusion… a baby wrapped in cloth.

A baby.

Why… did you abandon me?

Her chest tightened. Her mind, still foggy, couldn’t grasp it. But she knew, with unshakeable certainty, she wouldn’t see Cariel now.

She closed her eyes, her chest aching, a wave of longing washing over her. She could do nothing.

====

“Take this.”

Elhermina removed her robe.

“In exchange, give me that.”

“…Will this do?”

“It’s enough.”

Cariel, awkward and bewildered, donned the robe. It turned black.

“A magic item?”

“For concealment. It has other functions too. It will be useful.”

“……”

She draped another black robe over him.

“And this.”

She led him to a gray horse.

“Were you planning to send me away all along?”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“This was Seras’s idea.”

“Seras?”

“I bet on bringing you back.”

He didn’t ask who won.

“Take this too.”

“……”

An arming sword.

“Your sword is ruined.”

“It is.”

Nicked and bent. A common iron sword versus a princess’s blade… no comparison.

“Not used to a one-handed sword?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

A sword was a tool.

“I’m still uneasy. Sending you away…”

She sighed.

“Trying to break you has opened doors I shouldn’t have. A painful mistake.”

“…I was lucky.”

He still couldn’t quite believe it. He’d have to ask the Demon King.

“I’ll explain things to the others.”

“It’s fine.”

He’d left a letter. A different letter now, though.

“Just say whatever.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Are you sure I don’t need to intervene?”

“Yes.”

Vengeance was his. His threads to untangle, his chains to break.

“You openly resent the Empire, yet I don’t scold you.”

“They earned it.”

The malice of the masses, the injustice of public opinion, the hostility of the crowd… they’d been cruel.

“I trust you to maintain your integrity. To temper your actions.”

“……”

She left him speechless.

“If you return for the Grand Tournament, it will be at least sixty days, eighty at most, barring unforeseen circumstances.”

“If all goes as planned.”

Retrieving Grandeus’s armor, healing his imbalanced body… a tight schedule.

“Don’t forget. You won’t always be this lucky.”

“We both know that.”

They lived in the same world. One step from death, two from life. At the crossroads. No going back. Scars, not on the body, but on the heart, the mind, the soul. Knowing even the soul’s path wasn’t always by choice. Facing every storm head-on.

“Just in case…”

Cariel, about to mount, paused, turned back.

“If you find someone… more appealing than me, out there… bring them back. As many as you like. If it helps you. If it comforts you.”

“Just come back to me. Even broken. Promise me.”

“…It’s not like I’m going to war. And… you’re strange, you know?”

She seemed possessive, yet…

“I don’t want you burdened by me.”

I want you free.

“I don’t want to confine you for my own satisfaction. My heart desires it, but if it won’t bring you happiness, I’ll let go.”

“So, remember what I said.”

“…What?”

“About Seras.”

“……”

“She seized her opportunity. She won’t be distracted by minor gains. She won’t neglect her promises.”

Elhermina glanced at her black horse.

“Go. They’ll react to the commotion soon.”

“…Isn’t it a bit late?”

“Foolish. Do you know who I am?”

That was answer enough.

Hooves faded into the darkness between the trees.

She stood there for a time, then approached her horse.

“So, Seras Estina, what are your impressions?”

–…–

The horse’s eyes glowed blue. An impossible voice spoke.

–I’m more amazed you two caused no collateral damage.–

“Are you?”

–You, perhaps. But Cariel… he’s different.–

Seras understood Elhermina’s power. The uncontrolled flames hadn’t surprised her. Still monstrous. Still absurd. She’d half-expected Cariel to give up, or be dragged back broken and defeated.

When she’d accepted Elhermina’s proposal, a pact sealed with the taste of poison, they’d become bound by fate. If Cariel returned.

–How does it feel to be rejected?–

“A foolish question.”

Elhermina scoffed.

“I haven’t given up. How arrogant, to mock me with the idea of rejection.”

–You’re unbelievable…–

The arrogance…

Infuriating woman. Always had been.

The first to take the branch Cariel offered had been Elhermina. Seras had asked, but there were none left. What had Cariel said?

–…He promised to be my knight.–

“He doesn’t remember. Give up.”

–Hah…–

A cursed woman, devoid of sentiment.

“Because of Eras, you’ll face harsher trials than me.”

–…–

“Every time I see you, I’ll remember that child.”

The one who’d first betrayed Cariel, mercilessly.

“…Don’t forget. I’ve always wanted to destroy that child.”

We all know.

“This will be your family’s undoing. Count Esdina crossed a line. If I’d kept Cariel… you’d all be my puppets.”

Elhermina loved him. Adored him. Revered him. He was her sun. Unique. Always had been.

But love and admiration didn’t preclude political advantage. She couldn’t help it. If she’d truly abandoned everything for him… she’d have gone with him.

But like Cariel’s wounds, her scars weren’t easily healed.

I’ve sacrificed much. I’ll take what I’m owed. For my desires. For his dream. The Empire will be stronger.

====

“What’s taking him so long? Did he fall asleep?”

“Hmm.”

Bariel grumbled, scratching his ear. The Emperor shook his head.

“Shall I check?”

“……”

“Speak of the devil.”

Luelde entered the Grand Church.

“Hey! Where’s the kid? You came back alone?”

“……”

“What’s with him?”

He walked like a ghost, lifeless, on the verge of collapse.

“Lady Ermina! You mustn’t!”

“……”

A pale, sweating woman staggered towards Luelde.

“Wait! Ermina? What’s wrong?”

The Empress caught her just as she fell.

“……”

An inexplicable unease drove her. She couldn’t wait.

“Luel…lde?”

“……”

Luelde, finally noticing her, reacted slowly.

“Where’s… Cariel?”

“……”

His lips moved, but no words came. He clutched a piece of paper. He embraced her, wordlessly.

“Luelde? What is it? You said you’d bring Cariel. Where is our son?”

“…I’m sorry.”

He didn’t know what to say. Apologies felt inadequate.

Outside, cheers echoed, a joyous cacophony. Inside, a heavy silence settled.