Chapter 89

I have posted two chapters today.

If you haven't read the previous chapter, please start from the one before this!

That night, Elina, who had fallen asleep with Alvis, suddenly felt the surroundings brighten and opened her eyes.

"Where am I...? Who am I..."

"...Finally, we meet."

A bright female voice echoed, and Elina turned around. There stood a girl with brown hair flowing in the wind. She was a girl, about fourteen years old.

"Who are you?"

Finally, we meet. She said that, but Elina didn't recognize her. At least, she didn't know any girls of this age. Confused and disoriented, Elina was alone in the room with this girl. She didn't understand the situation but clenched her fists tightly.

"It's not unreasonable for you to be on guard. You don't know me, after all."

"..."

"But I've wanted to meet you for a long time. And... I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

The girl bowed her head. Elina, panicking, tried to touch the girl's shoulder, but she couldn't. Her hand passed right through the girl's shoulder, unable to touch anything.

"Why... Who are you?"

"I'm Shurieta. You can't touch me because I'm dead, I guess."

Shurieta. Elina had heard this name recently. It was the name of the girl Alvis had mentioned. Someone who was already dead. What that meant, Elina wasn't sure. She hugged herself, trying to stop the trembling that threatened to make her collapse.

"I never thought..."

"That's not it! Don't worry, you're not dead. It's okay, don't be afraid."

Shurieta waved her hands and slowly explained. This was inside Elina's dream. The real Elina was asleep and safe. Shurieta had pleaded with the goddess to come here because she desperately wanted to talk.

"The goddess...?"

"I didn't want to disappear. I had to know about Al... whether he was still alive, whether he was happy. I was worried and didn't want to forget everything and disappear."

In this world, it is believed that the souls of the deceased travel to the goddess, where they are healed and eventually forget everything and disappear. Shurieta had refused this fate, worried about Alvis.

"I was foolish... I thought I could live with Al. I never considered what it meant to lose my noble status, and I never tried to understand Al's position."

She knew he was a duke's son but didn't realize his bloodline was royal. She thought it didn't matter where he came from, but in the end, that was the reason he rejected her.

"Al always said he was alone. I thought he would come with me, but he said he couldn't. When I asked why, he smiled awkwardly and wouldn't give me more details. But I didn't want him to be killed, so I dragged him away by force."

This was the story Alvis had told her. Perhaps at that moment, Alvis had realized something. That Shurieta had approached him for some reason.

"Before I knew it, my body was moving. When I realized I was going to die, I saw Al frozen in shock. At that moment, I was actually happy."

To see someone mourn her death. In an organization where she was just a tool, the person she met was special. At first, it was just following orders, but she loved the sad smile he showed when she did something foolish.

"I thought he would be sad even though I betrayed him. So I told him, 'I don't like you. I hate you... I wish I never met you.'"

Shurieta's voice gradually turned into sobs. Her words, though denying Alvis, sounded like words of deep affection. Elina knelt as if to support the collapsing girl.

"You don't need to apologize."

"But Al is so badly hurt..."

"Even so. Though it's harsh to say, as his sister, you have no responsibility for your brother's actions. Therefore, I cannot accept your apology."

Elina's words didn't mean Shurieta was blameless. Even if Shurieta apologized for her brother, it wouldn't change anything. Elina knew this, but Shurieta probably didn't understand. Still, Elina couldn't accept this.

"This is not something that can be resolved with an apology. Your brother did what he did."

"...I see. You're right."

Elina worried that Shurieta might be upset, but she lifted her head and smiled.

"Shurieta-sama?"

"You're just as I thought. It's unfair, but that's the world. It's better than hearing empty words."

Elina noticed that Shurieta's form was becoming hazy. Their meeting was coming to an end.

"I see. This far, huh?"

"Are you leaving?"

"I've been selfish enough. I need to disappear soon... I need to wake up soon, or it would be unfair to that child."

"Huh?"

What was she talking about? Shurieta smiled without saying more.

"Take care of Al. Tell him to be happy."

"Yes... I will definitely tell him."

"Thank you... Elina, be happy too."

Shurieta reached out to Elina, but her hand disappeared like a bubble just before touching her.

"Shurieta-sama... please rest in peace with the goddess."

Elina clasped her hands in prayer. She thought she heard her name being called from somewhere far away. No, it couldn't be mistaken. It was the voice of someone important to Elina. She opened her eyes and reached out to the person in front of her, hugging them tightly.

"I love you, Alvis-sama."

"Elina?"

It was Alvis's voice, lower than usual. When she let go, Alvis was still frozen in surprise. Elina smiled and kissed Alvis's lips, then sank back into the bed, satisfied. Still half-asleep, she closed her eyes again.

Meanwhile, Elina had fallen back asleep, but Alvis was still in shock. He had called a special physician because Elina was having nightmares when she woke up in the morning. She had a fever, but it would get better with rest. Just as the physician and the maids were discussing this, Elina suddenly opened her eyes. She didn't seem to notice the others in the room.

"Such a loving scene, Your Highness."

"..."

"It seems only Alvis-sama was in the mind of the Empress."

Unable to explain, Alvis covered his face with his hand. This would definitely be a topic of conversation for a while. Still, seeing Elina sleep peacefully, Alvis sighed in relief.

This is the last post of the year.

Thank you for reading throughout the year.

This year has been busy with the release of two books and a comic, but I hope this work has been a source of enjoyment for you.

Please look forward to more of Alvis and the others next year (*- -)(*_ _) Pecco.

I wish you all a wonderful new year.