Hortus Arcanus Planēta

ACT 2

sunset

More importantly, I had to think about Ella.

She seemed even more downcast than usual today.

Was it because of what I had said to her?

Meanwhile, Surie, Perone, and Nepe were so preoccupied with the ball that would begin tomorrow that they didn’t even notice how withdrawn Ella had become.

Ella began humming softly to herself on the worn-out staircase beside Guto’s unused study.

As always, her voice was beautiful.

Today, however, it carried a deep melancholy. There was a quiet allure in it, so vivid that I could almost feel her sorrow through the song.

Whenever Ella was sad, she would sing. That habit had never changed.

That evening, after the day’s work was done, Ella gazed out through the small attic window and quietly said,

“Today’s sunset is beautiful.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“But today’s sunlight is the most beautiful of all.”

“Why do you think today is the most beautiful?”

“Because I can think about El.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“Hey, Lumina… what will become of us?”

Several seconds passed before I could answer.

“That’s… .”

I had always known that one day she would ask me that.

Yet when the moment finally came, I couldn’t find the words she deserved.

After that, Ella continued staring out the little window alone.

And I simply watched her, feeling the loneliness and melancholy that surrounded her, unable to do anything but remain by her side in silence.