Chapter 112
Without resting, Cassius lifted Charlotte onto a horse and raced toward the sacred tree. Knights who were still able to fight rode beside him, protecting him. Behind them, Rubella and Celia tended to the collapsed Stephanie. Cassius held his breath and urged his horse faster.
<I can’t live without him.>
Those weren’t just Charlotte’s feelings. Cassius was the same. He couldn’t live without her either. He couldn’t even imagine a world without Charlotte.
He clutched her fading body tightly in his arms, as though he could warm her back to life with his own heat.
The sacred tree drew closer. Its silver leaves shimmered and danced in the breeze.
“…What kind of miracle is this?”
The knights gasped in awe. Cassius dismounted, still holding Charlotte, and approached the base of the massive white tree.
At its roots, white light floated like mist. Thick roots jutted out above the ground, and the once-dead earth, blackened and lifeless, was sprouting fresh green shoots. It looked like a cradle.
He thought he could hear the goddess’s song. Cassius laid Charlotte gently beneath the tree. He kissed the back of her hand with reverence. The knights stood solemnly, watching.
The light gathered around her body.
“…Charlotte. Please come back.”
Cassius whispered softly. Kneeling at her side, even he was surrounded by playful sparks of light.
The song grew louder.
Crack.
With a tearing sound, roots burst from the earth, unstained by dirt, and lifted Charlotte into the air. Branches and leaves wrapped around her like a cocoon. Then, slowly, she was absorbed into the trunk of the tree.
Cassius let out a low groan. He shut his eyes tightly as thick tears streamed down his face.
Three days had passed.
Stephanie scratched her head as she lingered outside Theo’s room. The battlefield had been easier than this. Nothing was more difficult than a human’s heart.
They had won the war. At the end, Stephanie had nearly lost herself, overwhelmed in a trance. Tarsila’s foul stench had dulled her senses, but she fought until she ripped the dragon’s wings apart. After that, she remembered nothing.
When she awoke, Charlotte was gone, and the atmosphere inside the fortress was heavy with sorrow.
Though recovery work was in full swing, the mood hung heavy. Everyone was waiting for one person.
She’s still alive. She’ll return…
Stephanie bit her lip.
If Charlotte had truly died, if she had gone somewhere she could never return from, the silence would have been far worse than this.
Even if it takes time, she’s alive.
But Theo didn’t seem to understand that.
Stephanie slipped quietly into the room. Theo lay curled up on his bed, refusing food, refusing to come out, even as his nanny begged him. Not even Cassius could coax him.
Stephanie climbed onto the bed and lay down beside him.
“…Crying?”
Sniff.
Just like a little crybaby.
Stephanie turned on her side to face him. The lump under the blanket twitched.
“Humans are so weak.”
“I-I’m not weak… I’m just sad right now…” Theo mumbled.
Stephanie rolled her eyes.
“I don’t understand why you’re sad. Charlotte is alive. She won’t like it if you stay like this.”
“I-I know that… But I can’t stop the tears. Stephanie, you’re dumb!”
Stephanie poked the lump with her finger.
“I came back, just like I promised. But Theo just cries. You won’t play with me, you won’t even look at me. That’s not fair…”
At that, Theo threw back the blanket. His face was swollen and streaked with tears.
“…You’re not her.”
“Yes, I am!”
Theo rubbed his eyes, staring at her.
The starry eyes. The sharp little teeth when she smiled. The messy hair and small body. Stephanie hadn’t changed. She had returned, just like she promised.
Theo realized she was right.
“You’re not hurt…”
“I promised. Stephanie protected everyone. I protected Cassius too!” she said proudly. She cupped his face and wiped his tears.
“Now it’s your turn to keep your promise. Eat your meals. I’m bored when you don’t.”
“…Y-you’re not sad, Stephanie?”
“Why should I be sad?”
She sighed, opening her small lips. Then she yanked him out of bed. Theo, still in thick pajamas, smelled of tears. She dragged him onto the balcony—then leapt off with him before he could react.
Holding his hand, Stephanie flew through the air. Flying was instinct to a dragon.
Below, the city lights glowed brightly, though it was evening, as people worked day and night to rebuild. The smell of bread baking and soup boiling filled the streets. Theo gazed down, dazed. Stephanie steered them toward the sacred tree.
The massive tree swayed its leaves as if greeting them. Its base was piled high with flowers people had left, prayers for Charlotte’s return.
“…I hear something.”
“It’s the goddess’s song. It means this world is connected to the divine again.”
Stephanie set Theo on a thick branch and guided his hand to the trunk. His eyes widened.
Thump!
It was the sound of a heartbeat.
“Th-this is…!”
“Charlotte is alive. It just takes time for her to return.”
Theo’s eyes shook. Stephanie had awakened him in the simplest, most direct way. His lips trembled. His breathing hitched. Tears threatened again, but he wiped them away with determination.
He whispered, voice shaking, “S-Sister-in-law… Please come back soon. I’ll wait for you.”
His words were faint, but the warmth that spread through his palm felt like her answer.
The glow circling his fingers was warm.
Charlotte truly was alive. She was here. She could appear at any moment and hug him, just like before.
“I’ll protect my brother… I’ll eat well… and I won’t cry… sniff.”
“You said you wouldn’t cry. Theo’s a liar!”
“I’m not!”
He glared at her and scrubbed his face dry again, leaning back against the tree.
“I’ll study hard… sleep well… and wait for you. So please come back soon. I miss you, Sister-in-law.”
Stephanie tilted her head, then placed her own hand against the trunk. Closing her eyes, she whispered, just like him:
“I’ll wait. No matter how long it takes. So you must come back, Charlotte.”
She cracked an eye open, caught Theo’s gaze, and grinned. Then she held out her hand.
“Let’s go eat!”
“…Okay.”
Theo nodded. This was his promise to Charlotte.
He glanced back several times, but finally walked away with her.
