Chapter 96
"You seem to be misunderstanding something... whether you can really cure this illness or not, that's not my concern."
Empty pupils.
The girl who had briefly closed her mouth then poured out her terrible feelings.
It was a sentence that must have been horribly painful.
"I told you from the start. I have no intention of receiving treatment."
In other words.
"I have no desire to live."
Was it because of a life full of despair?
She suffered a terrible curse.
The Imperial Family that should have been her family's embrace ruthlessly abandoned the girl.
Trapped in a palace no different from a birdcage, completely cut off from the outside, she had to spend day after day all by herself.
Only endless suffering stayed by her side.
In pain that felt like her internal organs were being torn apart, the girl spent 10 years neither living nor dying.
It was enough time to break.
'Because she lived like that her whole life.'
The girl didn't know peace.
Because she had never experienced it.
Though I had guessed to some extent, the rose's inner self was festering even more than that.
I set my heart on those pitiful words.
But at the same time.
I knew those words were lies.
-Ah, aah...?
-How... it doesn't hurt, why, suddenly, I...?
I remembered.
Our first meeting.
The moment her seizure miraculously stopped.
Though it passed like a mirage, those eyes that shone transparently in that instant.
The green pupils were sparkling.
Those were clearly the eyes of someone who wanted to live.
"You are afraid."
The words about not wanting to live were merely lies.
Elise was just afraid of hope.
Having suffered nightmares through countless dawns and been betrayed by shallow expectations, now even the slightest hope had worn away and disappeared.
I silently faced the girl's despair.
"Shut up."
"Is that really enough for you?"
"Don't talk like you know me. Just leave me alone to die quietly."
"Her Highness Charlotte will be sad."
"......"
The rose fell silent for a moment.
She seemed caught off guard.
She probably didn't expect her sister's name to be brought up here.
I added words without giving her a gap.
"Because Her Highness cherishes you."
Though she was trapped in a lonely birdcage her whole life, that didn't mean no one was by Elise's side.
The Little Prince had never once given up on the rose.
Despite the imperial order forbidding entry to the detached palace, her special love for her younger sister made her ignore it outright.
Later she even went as far as searching for treatment methods herself.
Knowing about such devoted actions, Elise couldn't help but be caught on her sister.
Even if she maintained a cold attitude usually.
'For now, she's her only ally.'
It wasn't that she truly disliked her.
Before her personality became twisted like now, there were separate mentions of how she used to follow her sister well, so it was difficult to see the rose as truly hating her.
Perhaps she was refusing to accept for some reason.
"...Why suddenly bring up that person?"
Elise spoke with furrowed brows.
Though muttering as if indifferent, her tone unconsciously had an edge.
"I merely voiced concern."
A rose with thorns fully raised.
To break down the solid wall, it was necessary to provide stimulation like this.
I slipped into the subtly opened gap.
"What will you do if she really leaves?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Her Highness Charlotte. Hasn't she already sacrificed much for you? Yet despite all her efforts, you say you've abandoned even the will to live. I'm merely worried she might leave, her heart exhausted."
"That's what I want. I don't need such an annoying person."
"Are those your true feelings?"
I smiled lightly.
Mixed with malice, it was a kind of blatant mockery.
"When that happens, truly no one will remain by your side."
Just as those words said.
If even the Little Prince leaves, nothing will remain on this star.
Only a single shabby rose will remain.
Even Tanya who currently attended to Elise was someone Charlotte had personally assigned, so if she left, there was a high chance she would leave together.
In that case, no one would set foot here anymore.
"Do you truly desire such an ending?"
"...Yes."
An answer that came particularly late.
Though she was a girl who wouldn't bend her will in the end, those green pupils were shaking.
I spoke as if pouring oil on such wavering.
"I understand. I will personally report this matter to Her Highness Charlotte. I will try my best to persuade her, respecting your wishes."
"Persuade...?"
"So that she won't visit you anymore. If I mention it's for treatment, she will probably comply."
These weren't words spoken in jest.
Since she said she would completely follow my opinion, if I brought up treatment, she would grant the request without hesitation.
Thus, I had the means to isolate the rose.
"Think about it."
Of course, I had no intention of tormenting her like that, but I spoke as if deliberately pushing hard.
Without doing this, she wouldn't even blink.
I smiled brightly and raised my head.
The fragile wrist was now wrapped again in bandages.
"I've applied all the ointment. Since carelessly touching it could worsen the wounds, you must endure for at least one night."
"......"
"I shall take my leave now."
The red-haired girl lying motionless.
I left the room tangled in heavy silence behind me.
Even until that moment.
Elise didn't open her mouth.
***
When I left the room after finishing treatment, the outside window was already dyed with the night light.
I walked the corridor submerged in darkness for a while.
The particularly cool air brushed past as a gentle wind.
As I stepped while lost in various thoughts, before long a scene caught my eye in view.
It was the detached palace's garden leading to the end of the corridor.
Step, step-.
I advanced with familiar steps.
For the past few days, after finishing the given schedule, I would enjoy such light walks.
It was perfect for clearing my complicated head.
'Another day passed, huh.'
I slowly crossed over the undergrowth.
Though it felt somewhat plain for an Imperial Princess to stay, there was beauty visible precisely because it wasn't flashy.
Gentle noise rang out whenever grass leaves brushed against my legs.
The sanctuary of life where various plants were tangled freely seemed alive in the quiet moonlight.
Rustle, rustle-.
"Haa... I hope this works out."
I sighed heavily behind me in worry.
The thoughts churning in my head were, naturally, about the rose left alone in the room.
I took steps while recalling the plans to proceed with from now on.
As I was deeply absorbed in work thoughts like that, suddenly a blowing wind disheveled my hair.
I unconsciously looked up at the sky.
"......"
Background painted in pitch black.
Dense sparkling spots were embedded across that wide canvas.
As I stared at the stars shining particularly bright today, a voice hidden in the far reaches of memory dyed my ears.
It was a memory now rusted over.
"Big brother! I want to make a wish to the stars too!"
Should I say I'm quite sentimental?
Looking at how I still cherish memories from at least 5 years ago without forgetting.
Old thoughts burned like a cigarette.
As I was exhaling sighs instead of smoke between my lips.
Step-.
"...?"
I sensed an unfamiliar presence.
Turning around in response, I saw a man walking into the garden.
After looking around briefly, he soon approached this way.
Our gazes that had already crossed were examining each other.
'Entry to the detached palace should be strictly controlled.'
Confidential information covered by the Emperor himself.
As it was a space where the Rose Princess stayed, it was difficult to even set foot in without considerable status.
Nevertheless, the man was walking confidently.
Examining his moderately wrinkled face, notable features were visible here and there.
It was a face estimated to be middle-aged or older.
'That person... could it be.'
Blue pupils rippled with light.
Platinum blonde hair that reminded me of someone.
Dignity seeping from every step, and an atmosphere that didn't waver at all even in darkness.
Finally, clothes engraved with the Imperial Family's crest.
After combining these clues in order, I had no choice but to kneel in place immediately.
It was the most respectful movement possible.
Stop-.
The man's steps halted before me.
I lowered my head just like that, and showed respect with proper posture while giving greetings.
My moving lips held solemnity.
"I greet the Empire's supreme sun."
The supreme sun.
The man thus nodded his head.
"Mm."
Balkaros Lantana von Staufen.
The birth father of the princesses and.
The master of this empire was standing before my eyes.
'What the–'
Why did this person pop up here?