ACT 2
El
※There are depictions with a higher risk of being psychologically distressing. Please be advised.
and small children are encouraged to enjoy this novel together with their families.
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White Bird 1: “Lady El, Lady El.”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Thanks to this girl being put in charge of watering the flowerbeds, I’ve had fewer chances to see Ella. Have you two been well?”
White Bird 2: “Yes, we’ve been doing well.”
White Bird 1: “We’re glad to see that you are as you always are, Lady El.”
“I see. Just a little longer now… very soon, that ball will begin… heh.”
As she said this, she began to giggle in an eerie, unsettling way.
Startled, I accidentally made a faint rustling sound as the sheets brushed against each other.
Then one of the white birds said:
White Bird 2: “Lady El… that girl… she might be awake.”
And then she spoke to me.
“You there. Are you awake?”
I slowly opened my eyes.
“I-I… I’m awake.”
The words slipped out of my mouth, stammering.
Perhaps I was so frightened of her that I found myself speaking in polite language without even realizing it.
Then, slowly turning my body toward her, I lowered my legs from the bed.
“I see. What is your name?”
“Lumia.”
“Lumia… I see.”
“This is the first time you’ve met me in this form, isn’t it? I am El. Pleased to meet you.”
“Th-this form… does that mean… you’re not Ella?”
“That’s right. I am Ella’s second face. Let’s see… how should I put it? In your world, I suppose you would call it… a ‘split personality.’”
El spoke as if she knew everything about my world—and this one.
My mind fell into chaos.
What did she just say…? Your world? What does that mean? Does she know about the world I came from?
Ella… has a split personality?!
She’s terrifying.
I was too shocked and afraid to even form a proper voice.
A chill ran down my spine, and my hands grew cold with sweat.
Hortus Arcanus planēta 
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