Hortus Arcanus planēta

ACT 2

town

And so, another day began.

That night, when the clock struck midnight and Ella had long since fallen asleep, El had taken her place once more — yet she remained curled beneath the blankets.

Maybe I’ll go explore that awful outside world today.

El had probably carried so much inside herself all this time.

I think it finally exploded.

For some reason, El’s figure overlapped slightly with my own reality, and my chest ached.

When someone’s like this, it’s better to quietly leave them alone for a while, right?

I was the same way too.

Once she calms down a little, I’ll listen to her story.

I blew softly onto the button wrapped around my right wrist like a bracelet.

Instantly, my body gradually became transparent, and my feet floated several centimeters above the ground.

“I’m off, El.”

Then I slipped out through the tiny attic window and into the night beyond the mansion.

The mansion stood on a high mountain hill, a little ways away from the city.

The moment I stepped outside, my whole body trembled.

Because the view from that hilltop… was breathtakingly beautiful.

Soft lights glowed throughout the city below, filling me with a strange sense of wonder and romance.

Hmm… what should I do now?

Just staring at the city doesn’t feel like enough.

Well, for now, I guess I’ll head into town.

I drifted toward the lively pulse of the city.

A mouthwatering aroma filled the air, and rows upon rows of shops lined the streets, making me instinctively do a double take.

“That looks delicious…”

There were warm drinks simmered with wine, ginger, honey, and spices, hearty bean stews, and all kinds of foods that looked absolutely irresistible.

As I wandered aimlessly while watching the people passing by, I overheard a group of elegantly dressed noblewomen chatting nearby.

“My, have you heard?”

“Of course I have. Apparently, the prince of this kingdom will choose his partner at the ball one week from now.”

“Oh dear, whatever shall we do?”

“I fully intend to be chosen.”

“But have you heard the rumors?”

“You mean those rumors?”

“That the prince of this kingdom is… somewhat frightening.”

“Yes, exactly. I wonder if they’re true.”

“And yet he always looks so gentle and smiles so kindly.”

“But doesn’t that make him even more charming?”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Laughing amongst themselves, the noblewomen passed by.