Translated by Wealthy Whale

Edited by Iris Sakura

Luna finally went home.

At Raytans insistence, he was the one to politely escort Luna home, so there was nothing for Sezh to worry over. There was nothing else to do for Luna. Raytan did everything very carefully, and Sezh had cried so much now that she couldnt even shed another tear.

Princess, I will take Luna home in your place, Kaen said.

Sezh gave Kaen a small pouch. That pouch contained Yerenas jewels, which she had collected so far. Sezh also put in the remaining money from selling some of those jewels last time. Shed had it hidden to use the money for when she escaped the palace after reaching adulthood, but Sezh wanted to give it away now. Luna said that her younger sister had a child, so it seemed like Lunas sister would need a good amount of money.

Luna This is the last gift she can give as a sister. I hope she will forgive me.

Kaen nodded with tears in her eyes.

And Sezh Sezh celebrated her 17th birthday alone.

***

It was her birthday, but Sezh didnt feel any emotions. Usually, she would have been excited. She would have anticipated it very much. When it was her birthday, Luna would always made a ruckus. Sezh didnt put much importance on her birthday, but seeing Luna like that made her ecstatic too.

But now, she wasnt.

On this birthday, Yerena also did not come. And Lize, who took care of Sezh, was also not in a good state of health and was lying in her chambers. But it didnt matter. Even if Yerena visited her or if Lize invited her to her palace, Sezh wouldnt be happy at all.

What was so important? She doesnt have Luna now.

Princess, is there anything you want to do? If you want to get some air

After escorting Luna home, Kaen had returned to Sezh and was trying to improve her mood. Nevertheless, there was no response. Sezh was sitting on the bed with a blank expression on her face. Just like a doll. Sezhs condition truly made Kaen worried.

Kaen knew it too. When she was a child, Sezh suffered from aphasia due to severe depression. No one knew how wonderful Luna was to Sezh during that time. No law said the same thing couldnt happen again.

Kaen approached Sezh and gently asked, If not Would you like some cake?

A delicious strawberry cake reflected in her vacant blue eyes.

Of course, it will not taste as good as the one Luna made, but still

Kaen didnt finish her words and only watched Sezh. Sezh looked at the cake with a pair of unfocused eyes, then parted her lips.

No, I will eat.

Princess.

Thank you, Kaen.

Please wait.

Sezh hadnt been giving her an answer, and she hadnt eaten anything all day. Because of that, Kaen didnt even know how grateful she was for that reply.

Kaen brought a tray of strawberry cake to Sezh. It was a carefully made cake; Sezh could tell at a glance. Its exterior was generously covered with fresh cream and even decorated with dried petals. And on the top of it, there was a massive strawberry.

I just want to eat cake with Luna.

Sezh, who was picking un p the fork, stopped.

The cake that Luna makes is the best in the world. I really like it.

I shouldnt have said that, Sezh thought to herself.

Princess? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Kaen asked worriedly.

No no. Ill eat.

Sezh slowly forked the cake to her mouth. It was tasty. Even if it was different from the cake Luna made, it was still delicious.

However, it didnt interest her at all. The inside of her mouth felt like it was stuffy. It felt like she was chewing dry sand. In the end, Sezh couldnt eat even a single piece and put down the fork.

Im sorry, Kaen Im not feeling well.

Princess

I know you made it with great care, but Im sorry. Sezh bowed her head.

Kaen looked at Sezh with a painful expression.

What do you mean by that? Please dont worry, Princess. Then besides the cake Would you like some food? You havent eaten anything today. I prepared a boiled soup thats still warm. Youll feel more comfortable, Kaen said while pointing to the table.

Later.

I will eat later. I want to rest a little now. Im really sorry, Sezhs voice was as low as it could be to say those last three words.

I understand. Please, get some rest. I will leave the food here, so if you need anything, call me right away.

Mm-hmm. Thanks, Kaen. Sezh replied quietly.

***

The night deepened. Sezh sat on her bed like a broken thing. She silently sat and watched the setting sun until the moon rose.

She felt empty.

A cool winter breeze blew through the wide-open window, but she wasnt cold at all. Within her lifeless blue eyes was reflected a curtain fluttering in the wind.

Princess! Youve left the window open like this again.

Soon, Sezh could see Lunas figure lecturing her. As always, Luna shook her head and started nagging.

You know that you have a weak body. You will catch a cold again. You suffered a lot last winter.

Youre right.

Sezhs eyes brimmed with tears.

Youre right.

I already said it many times. Please be sure to keep the windows closed! Im so very worried. My, my, Princess, what would you do without me?

Right.

What do I do now, Luna?

The tears that had been pooling around her eyes were dripping down.

Sezh narrowed her eyes a little.

She saw a human shadow flicker through her teary, blurred vision. Someone was closing the window.

Just like Luna.

Open the window again.

Raytan looked at Sezh and said, Its winter. You better keep it closed. Especially at night.

Its suffocating here Sezh muttered quietly. Leave it open.

Raytan paused for a moment. He then opened the window back slightly. Following that, he approached Sezh then said something unexpected.

Shall we go out, then? If you go out and get some air, you will feel better. Tell me any place you want to go.

Sezh glanced at Raytan. Over the last few days, he had granted her such unconditional kindness. It was ironic. Again, only Raytan cared about Sezhs sorrow.

Sezh parted her lips to speak in a small voice.

Brother Thank you.

What?

Youre worried about me.

Sounds stupid.

I know you care a lot. Thank you for that.

She was sincere. If Raytan didnt take care of her like this, Sezh would have been even more frustrated. Sezh couldnt shake off her sadness, but Raytan still persistently tried to soothe it.

If you feel thankful, eat this properly.

Raytan picked up the tray on the table. The soup that Kaen served before remained untouched.

But Im not hungry

You havent eaten anything all day. Do you think I wouldnt know about that?

When there was no reply, Raytan let out a soft sigh. Then, to her surprise, he picked up the spoon.

Aah.

Hurry.

Sezh, who couldnt win at his persistent prompting, started to open her mouth.

The lukewarm soup entered her mouth, and Sezh swallowed it helplessly. After that, he repeated the action. Raytan fed her the soup until the bottom of the bowl was visible.

Raytan now looked like he was taking care of a baby. Seeing that, Sezh couldnt help but laugh out loud.

Why are you laughing?

Youre like Luna, Brother.

Luna used to feed me like this. Because of her worry that something big will happen if I miss even one meal.

She always did anything for you.

Yes.

She always made a fuss about everything.

Raytan recalled Lunas face when Sezh even had the tiniest of scratches. She would cause a racket. He carved a small smirk on his lips.

I Raytan continued by mumbling in a tiny voice, am the same.

It was too small to reach Sezhs ears.

Raytan put the empty bowl down on the floor and looked at Sezh again, You look tired. Did you get some sleep?

Sezh shook her head.

I keep having nightmares.

What kind of nightmares?

Its a nightmare where Luna gets hit by a carriage in front of me

Im trying to stop it In the end, I still fail. Then I hold Lunas body and cry.

Raytan stared at Sezh without saying anything.

I want to remember her smiling face I dont want anything besides that. So Im scared. Im scared that Ill only remember that last image that happened.

Sezhs head drooped down.

She was scared. She will continue to think about Luna from now on, but shes scared she will always think about that incident again.

It wasnt happening currently, but Sezh was afraid that someday the memory of Luna she remembered would be the last blood-soaked picture of her.

Sezh, Raytan called out her name softly.

First of all, I originally wanted to visit you sooner Im sorry for coming late.

And happy birthday. I sincerely say this.

After his unexpected birthday greeting, Raytan pulled something out from under his arm.

Sezh cautiously looked down at what he had held out. Then soon she looked like she was about to cry.