Hortus Arcanus planēta

ACT 2

fight

“Well, that’s about it. I ended up getting emotional at the end. So then, Lumia, do you have any questions after hearing everything so far?”

“I don’t, but… my head is a little confused.”

“That’s only natural. But I’m sure you’ll understand little by little. Ah, it’s almost two o’clock now. It’s time for Ella to take over. I need to get into bed. Lumia, you should sleep too. You have an early morning tomorrow, don’t you? If you have any questions, let’s meet again when the midnight bell rings.”

“Yeah… okay.”

“Good night, Lumia.”

“Good night, El.”

With that, El slipped into bed. And when two o’clock came, she was already breathing softly in her sleep.

As for me, once I confirmed she had fallen asleep, I must have been exhausted in both body and mind, because before I knew it, I had drifted off as well.

“…ia. Lumia.”

Someone was gently shaking me.

“Lumia.”

Huh?!

“Lumia, it’s morning.”

When I looked up, Ella was there.

“El…”

“Hm? Did you say something, Lumia?”

“N-no, nothing. Good morning, Ella.”

“Good morning, Lumia.”

She smiled at me, and in Ella’s smile, there was no trace of the El I had seen the night before.

That morning, while I was preparing breakfast, Surie, Lope, and Nepe seemed unusually noisy.

As I listened more carefully while working, I heard them saying:

Lope: “There will be a ball at the castle in two weeks!! And it’s said to be a ball to find a fiancée candidate for the prince!!”

Nepe: “Mother! Is that truly so?! We must begin preparing at once!”

Surie: “Yes, it is true.”

Then—

Lope: “It will be I whom the prince chooses!”

Nepe: “No, Sister! It will be me!”

And just like that, the sisters began quarreling.

So, the ball is in two weeks…

It was just as El had been talking about with the white birds the first time I saw her.

That means Ella is supposed to be chosen by the prince, right? But then… what will happen to El?

At the same time that question arose, I realized with all my being that the end of the story was drawing near.

Before I knew it, Surie, Lope, and Nepe had finished breakfast.

While Ella and I were cleaning up the dishes, Surie said:

“You two will remain here and continue doing the housework during the ball as well. Do you understand?”

At those words, Ella and I both nodded deeply.

So, it seems Ella and I are to stay behind and watch the house during the ball.

But on the other hand, that means the eyes watching Ella will be gone, and she’ll be free to prepare to go to the ball.

Because going to the ball is the destiny of this story.

Alright then. Time to give it my all again today.

With that resolve, I steeled myself.”