Hortus Arcanus planēta

ACT 2

smile

I was put in charge of all the cleaning, and as for Ella, although she was no longer made to do it, she began to be treated even more harshly.

And yet, somehow, she seemed just a little brighter than before.

So I asked her why—why, even though she was being mistreated more ever since I came to this house, she never blamed me.

“Hey, Ella… ever since I started living here, it feels like Lope and Nepe have been even meaner to you. And yet… why don’t you blame me?”

Ella replied softly,

“Why would I? I wouldn’t blame you for something like that. Since Lumia came to live here, I feel like I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. The cleaning and laundry that used to overwhelm me—you take care of most of it now. And being treated cruelly by Lope and Nepe… that’s always been part of my everyday life. It’s sad, but I’ve grown used to it. I don’t feel anything anymore.

And besides… you’re here, Lumia. So I don’t feel alone.”

As she said that, Ella bloomed into the brightest smile I had ever seen.

I began to wonder if my coming into this world had only brought her pain.

And yet, she gave me a smile as radiant as the sun.

I couldn’t help but wish—

that this smile would never fade.

Though our bed was still worn and broken, and the attic room unchanged,

we curled up together as we slept, and spent our time talking side by side.

My sleeping place was decided by Surie, who said,

“Your room will be with Cinderella.”

And so, I came to share the same room as Ella.

Of course, there was only one bed—and it was that same dilapidated attic.

From morning until night, I worked without rest, and the days left me utterly exhausted.

There were many nights when I would fall asleep the moment my chores were done.

But one night, I simply couldn’t fall asleep.

Ella was sleeping beside me.

Then, the deep sound of midnight bells rang out—boom.

At that moment, just like the very first night I spent in this world, Ella suddenly sat up.

I remembered that first night.

And when I realized that what I had thought was a dream was, in fact, real,

I shut my eyes in fear and pretended to be asleep.

She opened the small window in the attic once more and lit a candle.

And then—

two white birds came to rest upon the window.