SOTBW - 219

Belshua’s Adam’s apple bobbed noticeably.  

“Go to Archbishop Spello. She’s conducting research to save Najane. If you cooperate, you might achieve the results you desire. As for me…”  

Belshua trailed off, his trembling gaze meeting Maximón’s.  

After saving Najane from the carriage accident that day, he had sworn not to interfere in her fate no matter what happened. Belshua covered his mouth with his hand and let out a bitter laugh. He should have known this would happen. Had he ever truly kept a promise regarding Sylin?  

Mackanon’s advice flashed through his mind: If you can’t bear to simply watch, then don’t stay near her at all.  

Belshua’s face contorted in anguish. This was inevitable from the start. The moment he decided to watch over Najane’s life, Mahilen had already been fated to intervene in her destiny.  

“...I’ll assist Archbishop Spello as well. So, Captain, do what only you can do.”  

Having said what couldn’t be taken back, Belshua opened the door, signaling that it was time for Maximón to leave. Though it was an unspoken dismissal, Maximón patted Belshua’s shoulder gratefully before quietly departing.  

After closing the door, Belshua stood still in place. The instant he resolved to interfere in Najane’s life, he knew with certainty that he wouldn’t be able to control his emotions like this forever.  

It was an unfortunate truth—for him. In the end, Najane only had Maximón. Even if she were to resent or hate Maximón someday, Belshua could never take a place in her heart.  

Belshua muttered a curse under his breath, covering his face with both hands.  

“Are you really sure you won’t fall in love with Najane?”  

Rakhshu’s question pierced Belshua’s heart like a dagger.  

Rakhshu must have foreseen this from the very beginning—that Mahilen couldn’t help but love every Emaydis, that this affection for Emaydis was something he could never abandon…  

Kneeling there, Belshua swallowed the ancient despair and wished he could carve out his own heart.  

---

“Sister.”  

Luna, who had been absently tracing the rim of her teacup, turned to Najane with a subtle, coy smile. Najane paused mid-sip, locking eyes with her sister.  

Her changed younger sister felt endlessly unfamiliar, yet when Luna spoke to her in such an affectionate tone, Najane couldn’t help but feel a sudden sense of closeness.  

Luna glanced down the quiet hallway before whispering softly, as if worried someone might overhear:  

“Sister… what’s going on between you and the captain of the Romsoa Knights?”  

“Why are you asking so quietly?”  

Najane instinctively lowered her voice to match Luna’s.  

Luna twirled a strand of her long hair around her finger, pouting slightly.  

“I just… didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”  

At Luna’s words, Najane swallowed a laugh.  

“Maximón and I are lovers. It’s nothing strange, so don’t worry about it, Luna.”  

Luna didn’t seem particularly surprised by the revelation of her sister’s romantic relationship. It was as if she’d known about Najane and Maximón from the start.  

Najane didn’t find Luna’s calm reaction odd either. After all, when a man and woman live together under the same roof, it’s natural to assume they’re married or engaged lovers. Though in their case, they weren’t officially engaged…  

Najane thought of Maximón’s proposal and pressed her forehead firmly. Watching her intently, Luna pretended to sip her tea before speaking again.  

“So… does this mean we’ll keep living here?”  

There was a faint note of dissatisfaction in Luna’s voice. Whether she disapproved of Najane staying at Maximón’s residence or was unhappy about her unmarried sister cohabiting with a man, Najane couldn’t tell.  

But Najane had already resolved to leave the residence soon after reuniting with Luna. She needed to find a safe home where Luna could live securely after Najane was gone. Besides, as she’d already acknowledged, it wasn’t exactly proper for an unmarried couple to live together.  

She also worried that her actions might cause Luna trouble later on, so she planned to discuss finding a suitable house near the fortress with Maximón.  

Trying to reassure Luna, Najane gently patted the back of her hand. Luna’s hand was icy cold, like a corpse. Concerned, Najane cupped Luna’s hand in her own palm.

Luna’s hands were rough, like those of a maid—nothing like the delicate hands Najane remembered from her younger sister. Najane thought back to what Mikael had told her: that Luna had endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of dozens of men…

Clutching her sister’s calloused hands tightly, Najane forced a smile.

“I’m no longer a knight of Romsoa, so we’ll need to find a house near the fortress soon. It’ll be better for you too… Are the knights giving you any trouble?”

“Other than the soldiers guarding this residence, I don’t really see anyone. Though staying in the maids’ quarters does feel a bit awkward…”

Luna lied casually. In truth, the maids acted as if under some spell, completely ignoring Luna’s presence. But unaware of this, Najane believed her sister’s words and offered an apologetic expression. Seeing Najane’s reaction, Luna smirked faintly.

“But, Sister… When can I sleep with you again? I hate sleeping alone in that room. There are plenty of beds in the room I’m using—why don’t you stay there with me?”

Leaning against Najane’s shoulder, Luna whined playfully. Recalling the days when they used to sleep together every night, Najane responded gently.

“As soon as the chimney is fixed, we can stay in the guest room. They said it would be repaired quickly, but something seems to be delaying it. Tonight, I’ll come to the maids’ quarters. I’ve been worried about leaving you alone anyway.”

Najane soothed her sulking sister.

“Are you eating breakfast properly?”

Though Luna had once adored sweets, she hadn’t even glanced at the desserts laid out on the table. Didina likely had the maids prepare meals for her, but Najane couldn’t help worrying if something was wrong with her sister.

Though Luna knew Najane was concerned, she remained silent. When her chatty younger sister suddenly fell quiet, Najane’s expression darkened. Gently kneading Luna’s cold hands, Najane cautiously probed her mood.

“What’s wrong, Luna? Are you uncomfortable staying in the maids’ quarters? Is there something bothering you?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Trailing off, Luna suddenly pulled her hands away from Najane and covered her face with both palms. Startled, Najane froze. A faint sob escaped through Luna’s clenched teeth.

“You got everything you ever wanted, didn’t you, Sister? You always wanted to be a knight like Mom. And now you’ve met a handsome, wealthy man… But me…?”

As Luna burst into tears, Najane’s heart sank. Bowing her head deeply, Luna muttered like a sinner.

“While you were gone… Those people… They…”

“Luna…!”

Anticipating the horrifying story about to spill from Luna’s lips, Najane cried out and pulled her sister into a tight embrace. Holding Luna close, Najane could only steady her breathing, unable to speak as tears welled up in her eyes. In Najane’s arms, Luna wept bitterly, recalling the horrors she had endured.

“Why did you leave me behind and run away, Sister? Was I in your way? Did you no longer need me?”

Each word pierced Najane’s heart like a dagger. She opened her mouth to comfort her sister but found herself unable to utter a single syllable. She didn’t know what to say. The more she thought about what Luna had gone through, the more her heart shattered.

What had been done to Luna was nothing short of soul-crushing—an annihilation of her spirit. Those memories would haunt her relentlessly, gnawing at her sanity like lightning striking a dry sky. Thinking of the fear and anxiety Luna must still be enduring, Najane swallowed her own tears.

“A-ah, no, Luna… Leaving you behind back then—it was a mistake! I never once thought you were a burden… I searched for you every day, truly. I worried about you every single day… Regretted it every day, missed you every day…”

Cradling Luna’s head, Najane wept so hard she could barely breathe.

“I’m sorry… So sorry, Luna… It’s all my fault… Everything is my fault…”

Najane apologized endlessly. Still nestled in her sister’s arms, Luna dabbed her eyes with tea-soaked fingers, pretending to cry. Emitting soft, sorrowful sobs, she clung to Najane. Her body had grown so thin that Najane could feel the jagged ridges of her spine as she stroked her back. Unbeknownst to Najane, Luna suppressed a wicked grin and rested her chin on her sister’s shoulder.

“Sister… Can’t we leave this place and live somewhere else?”

Still holding Najane, Luna murmured in a low, pleading voice. Releasing her sister from the embrace, Najane asked with red, swollen eyes why she wanted to leave. Avoiding Najane’s gaze, Luna feigned wiping away tears and spoke weakly.

“It’s too dangerous here. There are Seriths beyond the walls… Let’s go live somewhere else. Surely there’s a better city than this.”

Luna pleaded earnestly, desperation lacing her voice. But Najane shook her head firmly, knowing she couldn’t comply. To her, Maximón was just as precious as Luna. Though he had mentioned leaving the fortress when he proposed, Najane was certain he could never abandon this place.

The fortress of Noctis needed a strong Maximón. Najane loved him and wished for him to continue fighting for the people, protecting them as he always had. That was why she could not leave this place.

As long as knights shivered in the biting winds while guarding the fields, as long as Maximón stood among them, Najane resolved to stay here—even if the northern winds of Noctis gnawed away at her remaining life. She intended to see her days through until the end within these walls.

“It’s alright, Luna. The safest place is wherever Maximón is. If anything happens, he’ll protect you. Don’t worry.”

Though Luna appeared disheartened by Najane’s words, she reluctantly feigned agreement.

If I want to shake Najane further, I’ll need to put in more effort.

The fake Luna—Kieron—lowered her gaze, concealing her true thoughts as she leaned weakly against Najane. Despite how burdensome it must have been to deal with Luna’s clingy whining, Najane accepted her sister without complaint or hesitation.

The more Najane embraced her, the more Kieron found himself reminiscing about the past. About a certain moment when he and Emaydis were siblings. A fleeting summer when they harbored no resentment toward one another.

“Brother… I want you to be happy. Forget about Mother. She doesn’t deserve your love. She gave birth to us only to use us like experiments and then discard us. So please, from now on, live your own life. I will too. I’ll only think about being happy with Sainth…”

Under the shade of a tree, shielding themselves from the scorching summer sun, his silver-haired sister—her hair faded due to innate magical power and frequent illness—had grabbed the front of his shirt and wept uncontrollably as she spoke those words.