Translated by Wealthy Whale

Edited by Iris Sakura

To return to the Imperial Palace from the Franz mansion, Raytan had to go through the market.

He walked through an alley where people rarely wandered. He had been out during the night a lot the past few days, so his eyes were getting better adapted to the dark.

He was walking in a usually quiet place. But today, he heard a loud sound from a nearby location.

It was a scream.

Raytan, who finally walked out of the alley, looked out and saw an unexpected sight.

Sezh?

Raytan confirmed what he saw over and over again, but it was undoubtedly Sezh. Standing next to her was also someone he knew: Mathias Kareem.

It was the moment when Raytan started to frown-

Sob

At the sound of Sezhs cry, Raytans body stiffened. Looking at Sezhs condition, he forgot to breathe. Raytan didnt even have time to think deeply about whats happening and swiftly rushed toward her.

***

Lu na

A small, white hand gently shook Lunas body, but there was no response. Luna didnt move.

Lie

It cant be like this. Until recently, hers and Lunas eyes had met. Luna had just looked and smiled at her a few minutes ago. Sezh couldnt understand what had happened.

The blood leaking from Lunas crushed head. Her limp hands.

Princess

Mathias, who was by her side, was completely disheartened. He bent his legs with a downcast face and tried to move Sezh up from her current position. But Sezh waved off Mathiass hand.

I will call someone and tell them to move the body. So please

No! Let go!

Princess-

Luna-!

Sezh bawled. Holding Lunas still warm hand, she put her head on her chest and cried her eyes out.

Luna was still holding the paper bag in her hand. Sezh could see the strawberries inside the ragged paper bag.

I just want to eat cake with Luna. The cake Luna makes is the best in the world

She didnt mean it. She just wanted to say that she only needed to be with her. That would be enough. If she didnt say that, Luna would never have died in this way.

No, is she truly dead?

Maybe Luna is holding her breath. She might not be dead yet. If she takes her to a physician

Sezh shook Lunas body incessantly.

Luna, Luna

Lunas lifeless body feebly quaked. However, that was all the movement that came from her.

You said you will be by my side no matter what happens

Crystal tears fell on Lunas face.

You said you would do anything for me. What kind of maid are you who dares to do this

Sezh didnt want anything both then and now.

I thought you could just stay by my side. But how can you-

You You broke your masters heart twice

Luna, you died twice like this?!

At that moment, a dark shadow fell over Sezhs face.

Running out of breath, Raytan looked down at Luna, who had become a corpse. His eyes moved to Sezhs hand that held Lunas as Sezh sat on the floor.

Brother, Luna-

Sezh.

Luna

Raytan gently hugged Sezhs quivering body.

We should take Luna home, Sezh.

Sezh cried.

And Luna wouldnt want you to sit on the cold floor like this.

Then he got up while still embracing Sezh. She also didnt turn away from Raytan. Sezh instead buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

Call someone.

Raytans gaze turned to the Imperial Palace guard who was there among the onlookers.

Bring the maids body to the palace. Handle it with the utmost care. If we see even the slightest bit of neglect, no one will escape from being held responsible. No one.

The frightened guard nodded.

***

They brought the body to Sezhs palace. However, there was no room for the body, so they moved Luna to the underground basement warehouse. Unfortunately, there was nothing Sezh could do about it.

Tomorrow, Lunas body will be sent to her home. The maids who had known Luna for a long time, including Kaen, had cleaned her body. Luna, who laid in a coffin, sure looked like someone who was just sleeping.

Sezh sat down in front of the coffin and gently stroked Lunas cheek. It was warm a little while ago, but regardless of it was the weather or the passage of time, Lunas body started to get colder.

Luna.

Sezh called out Lunas name with a crestfallen expression on her face. However, no Yes, Princess? reply came out of Lunas mouth.

Luna died because of her. So Sezh couldnt blame anyone. Sezh couldnt even say, Why did you die twice?! or Why did you let me breakdown twice by dying like that?! because everything was her fault.

Sezh sat while staring blankly, then started hitting her chest. But someone suddenly grabbed her hand. Sezh looked up at Raytan with her tear-drenched face.

Raytan held a blanket in his hands. Even though he looked nervous, Raytan wrapped it around Sezhs shoulders. He then sat down next to her.

If you keep hitting your chest like that, Luna will be sad. Im sure she would fret about that. What if you get hurt?

You said it back then, right? You said that whenever a matter related to you happens, she always fusses about it.

Just then, Sezh put down her hand. Blue eyes filled with tears stared longingly at Luna. After a while, Sezh finally parted her lips and spoke with a cracking voice.

Brother, Luna A few days ago.

Hmm?

She said she wanted to go home I didnt let her.

Hmm.

I shouldve let her.

If Sezh had known this would happen, she would have let Luna go home.

If so she could have seen her family for the last time.

Even if Sezh recalled what happened in the other future, she thought it had been better than it is now. Sezh felt pity for Luna, who eventually died without even seeing her family, and Sezh was damned for being the one who made Luna so pitiful.

I told her not to go Its been a long time since she last saw her family Instead, we were together every day.

Raytan bit his lip, Luna was family to you.

And it must have been the same for Luna. If it wasnt for that Back then, in that library, she wouldnt have been able to stand in front of me so bravely.

Sezhs expression was vague.

Right, Luna was my family. She was the only one who protected me

But now shes gone. Today was the last. Tomorrow, Luna will finally go home and be buried in the ground. There wasnt much time left to even gaze at her cold body.

There were a lot of things that I couldnt give her. I wanted to properly say thank you and buy her a good gift

Do it now, Raytan patted her back. I will protect you. He then slowly walked out of the room.

Not long after, silence descended upon the entire warehouse. Sezh caressed Lunas cheek several times.

You know, it was so good to see you again, Luna. So I thought I would absolutely be able to save you this time. Im so sorry you couldnt go home.

Thank you so much, and

And

I love you, Luna.

Sezh barely squeezed out her voice that was starting to fade.

I really love you.

Sezh wanted to apologize and pour out her thankfulness. She wanted them to be the words that Luna always remembered.

Sezh sobbed quietly.

***

The basement floor was freezing.

Raytan sat down as he guarded the warehouse door. He stared down at the floor silently. If he had known this, he would have brought a few more blankets.

No, it wouldnt help much, Raytan shook his head.

No matter how cold the basement and the floor are, she would only focus on her feelings. Raytan quietly rested his head against the door. He heard a small sob from behind it.

He knew she was going to cry. Thats why he left the room so Sezh could be as sad as she wanted. Hearing her inconsolable cries, Raytan tightly closed his eyes.

What do you do now?

The poor you who now has no place to lean on at all.

And what do I do too?

Even though I know I have to push you away, I cant leave you alone.

No matter how many times Raytan asked himself, he couldnt figure out the answer.

Suddenly, a cold chill permeated through his body. Regardless, Raytan didnt leave even when dusk deepened and the sun came up again.