#161…………………………………………
Crack (2)
For hundreds of years, the Grand Saintesses had been obsessed with creating the “Sanctuary on Earth.”
All because of the founder—the owner of the voice heard through this “Stone of Paradise.”
『…Yes, Thirteenth. What is it you want to say?』
“Did you see? I finally opened the Academy.”
Proudly, I lifted the pendant so it faced the building.
Compared to the grand concept of “Paradise,” it might seem humble, but still—I did it!
For a moment, the founder was silent.
Then she let out a faint chuckle.
『Alright. A promise is a promise.』
“Then—!”
『I will add to the healing power I promised you.』
The moment her words ended, a familiar overwhelming pressure crushed my breath.
That power I had felt when I gave my speech at twelve years old!
The founder’s immense strength lingered at my fingertips.
“So with this… I can really heal Duke Phobos too?”
『If you wish, it is possible. But, Thirteenth.』
Just as I was about to clench my fist in excitement—
Her voice dropped meaningfully.
『You know this healing power is special, don’t you?』
“…Mm.”
『Each use unleashes tremendous force. And the backlash… cannot be avoided.』
I nodded slowly without speaking.
The founder’s power was far stronger than my own, and using it even once left me physically exhausted.
So this time…
It might hurt far more than when I borrowed “charisma” and fell sick afterward.
“But I don’t care.”
If it could ease the burden in my heart…
And save Ares’s brother, my father’s longtime friend…
“The Duke is recovering in Ismenios territory, right?”
I should visit as soon as possible and use this power.
And now…
Now, truly…
The time had come when I could no longer delay this declaration.
“Um, Dad.”
I quietly approached my father, who was waiting under the shade.
Minte had been reporting something to him, but stepped back when I came closer.
Father’s expression was dark, as though lost in thought.
“Dad…?”
But the moment I called him, he smiled as if nothing was wrong.
“Oh, yes. What is it, Elysion?”
“Actually… there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Well, um…”
Clenching my fists tightly, I announced solemnly:
“At Ares’s coming-of-age ceremony… I’m going to dance with him!”
“……”
Father kept smiling, but the chill settling over his shoulders grew heavier.
The faces of those nearby turned pale.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, he finally spoke.
“Do you understand… what that means?”
“Yes. I do.”
I swallowed hard.
Surely he wouldn’t seize Ares in front of all these guests…
…Right?
With that one fragile belief, I blurted it out.
Father calmly placed his hands on both my shoulders.
“Elysion, you’re still too young. Only fifteen, and saying such things in front of everyone—”
“But Dad, didn’t you say you fell for Mom when you were three?”
“……”
“And that you went around telling everyone you would marry her from then on?”
Compared to a three-year-old declaring marriage…
Wasn’t a fifteen-year-old dating far more normal?
But Father stubbornly shook his head.
“That was different.”
“I don’t see how…”
“Sigh. For now, go call that rascal back here.”
“Ares…? What are you going to do?”
“……”
“Wait, Dad, where are you going?! Dad!”
✦ ✦ ✦
To sum it up…
Before Father could personally grab Ares,
I barely managed to cling to his arm and stop him.
“My heart… won’t survive this.”
When even the power of darkness began spreading through the air, cold sweat broke out on me too.
Still, the bloodshed was avoided.
But afterward, Father relentlessly tried to persuade me.
「Let’s think about this again until the tournament is over, Elysion. Hmm?」
As if he truly believed my feelings would change.
“Hah… As if. I already had the dress tailored beautifully.”
By the time I returned to my room, I was completely drained.
Before sleeping, I quietly opened the drawer of the bedside table.
“Hmm, let’s see…”
Inside was a small palm-sized box.
Within it lay a charm bracelet made of smooth black cord.
Its pendant was a ruby.
“It matches Ares’s eye color perfectly.”
I wanted it to suit everything—casual clothes, outings, uniforms…
That’s why it took so long to choose.
“I hesitated so much, I couldn’t even give it to him before the day of the tournament.”
But the effort made me proud.
I waved the bracelet in front of Eos.
“Eos, what do you think? Will Ares like it?”
“Meow! Kyuu!”
“Right? If he doesn’t, I’ll just order him to like it!”
“Kyuuk!”
“Hehe…”
After fiddling with it a few more times, I carefully put it back in the box.
「Lady Sion. Don’t worry.」
「I don’t desire the position of Captain of the Kore Knights.」
If what Callion said was true, then the worst-case scenario—Ares facing Callion—wouldn’t happen.
And thanks to that, I could finally voice my wish.
“Ah… I really hope Ares wins that day…”
So we can all go to the ceremony hall in high spirits.
Dressed beautifully, dancing with Ares in front of everyone…
“I hope the night weather is nice too.”
I just wanted everything to be perfect, from beginning to end.
“And when night comes…”
This time, I had to say it properly.
When Ares told me he loved me, I hadn’t been able to return those words.
Because my body was still young, I couldn’t express it any other way either.
“I have to tell him…”
That I love him so, so much too.
That I want to stay with him forever.
✦ ✦ ✦
The swordsmanship tournament, with Ares and many others participating, was held at a circular arena near the capital.
Father and I were heading there early…
“Elysion. It’s not too late even now.”
“…Daaad…”
“No matter how I think about it, it’s too early for you.”
“It’s not earlier than three years old…”
We were still repeating the same conversation.
Father looked utterly heartbroken.
I was growing exhausted.
And his tone became harsher.
“What kind of mind does that boy have, making such demands of a princess?”
“Dad.”
“I sent him to Orpheum, yet he learned nothing properly.”
“……”
“With no achievements to his name, what does he think he’s doing?”
More than anything, hearing Father insult Ares was unbearable.
It felt like he was saying my choice was wrong.
But when Father’s expression turned deeply sorrowful, I flinched.
“And you made such a decision without even telling your father?”
“That’s…”
“If a young princess dances at a noble’s coming-of-age ceremony, what will people think?”
I bit my lip, guilt rising.
“I really did rush in without asking his permission…”
I knew, deep down, I was acting childish.
The most mature choice would be to endure this ceremony quietly.
But I didn’t want that.
Seeing another girl cling to the person I loved would be agony.
“I couldn’t even endure Luna… how could I endure that?”
Narrowing my eyes, I glanced at Father.
“Then… what if Ares wins to the very end?”
“…Hm?”
“You said he had no achievements, right?”
So if Ares became the clear victor…
Wouldn’t that mean it was acceptable?
A way to prove he was worthy of standing beside me.
Father stared up at the sky, then out ahead, sighing heavily.
After a moment…
“…Then we will speak again when that happens.”
“…!”
