――Inhale deeply and challenge the graveyard I just emerged from.

Inside the stone tomb, where even the moonlight is blocked, the only source of light is the faint bluish glow emanating from the walls. In areas where mana accumulates in the atmosphere, such natural luminescence can be quite helpful for visibility.

However, it’s rare for such artificial structures to emit light naturally; it is likely a theoretical phenomenon reproduced through architectural mechanisms.

Similar to magic devices, the mechanism of the graveyard’s luminescence suggests that it can be utilized as long as the necessary mana is provided—Emilia quietly exhaled in contemplation of this.

Within this tomb, the presence of the tiny spirits feels distant.

It’s not that they don’t exist. Simply put, tiny spirits, like atmospheric mana, are ubiquitous. The difference lies in whether or not one can perceive them or possess enough power to do so; there is never a place completely devoid of them.

The tomb feels unusual due to the management of mana flow influenced by the walls’ glowing phenomena.

The environment of this graveyard significantly restricts the passage of mana between its interior and exterior. The amount of mana retained inside is meticulously maintained at a certain level, neither exceeding nor falling below a designated quantity.

The quantity of mana sufficient to sustain the glow of the walls—is so minimal that it barely allows for the existence of tiny spirits. This is why their presence is faint inside the tomb; even the spirits present can only grow so weakly in such an environment.

“It’s a truly dreadful environment for spirit users,”

Emilia muttered, reaching that conclusion.

Having overcome the first “Trial,” she felt a degree of release from the pressure. With her newfound ability to observe her surroundings, that was her impression of the tomb.

For a mage like herself who stores and utilizes mana internally, this lack of mana wasn’t particularly threatening. However, once the stored amount is depleted, there would be no means of replenishment, thus remaining a problematic location for mages, especially those with fewer original gates.

At Emilia’s level now, or even Roswaal’s, the impact of such an environment would be virtually non-existent.

“It’s odd to think about… I hardly feel the presence of everyone who should be outside,”

The senses of mana she regained as a magic user had sharpened. When outside the tomb, she felt an uncontrollable number of mana presences.

Perhaps she was able to pick up the mana of almost every living being that snagged her senses, or the presence of Od. The strain on her nerves was considerable; she had to regain control quickly.

In any case, upon entering the tomb, those subtle battles were temporarily on hold.

Instead, a challenging “Trial” awaited her, so whether it was better or worse might be up for debate.

“Ram asked me to do my best. I have to take this seriously.”

She recalled Ram bowing her head and pleading for help.

Typically, Ram would never show such weakness, and seeing her express emotions so openly was unprecedented. How could she possibly respond with anything less than full effort for the sake of those days?

There was also a trust placed in her from Subaru, who returned without witnessing the results of her efforts.

He believed Emilia could do this, without a doubt. Thus, she must fulfill that belief. She had to exceed expectations and surprise him.

“While I’m glad to be believed in, it’s a different story altogether,”

Even if she were in a rush, she had to address her departure without at least saying goodbye. It would be permissible to show sulkiness and tease a bit.

Especially with Subaru, as there were more and more significant conversations they needed to have from here on out.

“And this atmosphere… the ‘Trial’ is indeed here,”

The moment Emilia stepped into the tomb, she felt it in her skin.

Doubting whether the preparations for the “Trial” would be complete with a single entry and exit, the too-clear, refreshing air drifting inside the building distinctly communicated something different.

There was no need to postpone it.

Within the span of the “Trial,” the second “Trial” awaited Emilia.

“I’ve seen the past. Then, what comes next…?”

What awaited her, feeling a tautness in her cheeks, Emilia gently patted her belly.

Confirming her composure with a steadied breath, she prepared to step forward.

――It was only natural for the “Trial” room to greet Emilia with its unchanged presence.

It had only been an hour since she stepped out.

Quite frankly, this room seemed to have a greater accumulation of mana than the corridor, allowing for slightly better visibility. At the back of this small room, the motionless door still stood firm.

What awaited her upon arriving after overcoming the three “Trials”?

It was then that she thought of it.

‘――Behold the impossible present.’

“――――!”

She heard it.

That whisper, akin to a voice next to her, was unmistakably her own.

The impossible present—just as she tried to think of the meaning behind that phrase, her consciousness began to fade.

A powerful sensation peeled her awareness and soul away from her body, dragging her into a world that was not this one.

Overcome and unable to resist, Emilia leaned against the wall, crumpling to the floor, ultimately collapsing.

Her vision blurred, rendering her unable to think, as her consciousness sunk deeper.

“Subaru.”

In the end, she found herself unable to comprehend the last words spoken by her lips as the “Trial” began.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“Look, Emilia. Where are you going? Come over here.”

Halting her steps at the gentle voice, Emilia turned around.

The woman, with her short silver hair neatly cut, beckoned Emilia towards the dining table. Her severe gaze and soft voice made her the ideal woman in Emilia’s eyes.

“Fortuna, Mother…”

“……? Are you still half-asleep? You must have stayed up late again. You’re no child anymore; you shouldn’t be causing so much trouble.”

As Fortuna approached, she scoldingly poked Emilia’s forehead with her finger.

Emilia held her slightly reddened forehead, wide-eyed.

“Wow.”

Out of pure astonishment, a sound escaped her lips. The sight before her struck her heart.

She had never seen Fortuna, sacrificing mobility and donning an apron. The frilly white apron, albeit excessive in decoration, suited her already beautiful demeanor.

“Mother, you look cute.”

“――! What on earth are you saying, this child? You’re seriously half-asleep, aren’t you?”

With her cheeks slightly flushed, Fortuna grasped Emilia’s shoulder, turning her back with a forceful push.

“Go wash your face in the water. Once you’ve splashed that cold water on yourself, you won’t be spouting anything strange like just now. Then again, maybe even after waking up, you wouldn’t change.”

“N-no! What are you talking about, Mother? That’s not true! I’ve never said anything weird!”

“Where did you learn that old-fashioned phrase like ‘toronto’? I’m really worried that someone has been filling your head with nonsense. I’ll have to interrogate Arch later.”

Pouting in dissatisfaction, Emilia could only watch as Fortuna shook her head in disbelief. Aghast at not being able to voice her opinions, she turned and trudged toward the water source.

“Oh, good morning, Emilia. You look rather glum.”

“Well, it’s true. You must have upset Fortuna again, right? Staying up late, perhaps?”

“You’re at that age, Emilia. There are times when you desire your personal space.”

As she ventured out toward the water source, Emilia was greeted by the voices of the village elves.

Gathering at a table surrounded by thick tree roots, an elder group engaged in casual conversation. They were said to be around Fortuna’s age, yet all of them appeared youthful to Emilia.

“Good morning, everyone. You’re all up early.”

“It’s Emilia who’s late. Helping your father with work is fine, but you should use some of your youthful time for yourself sometimes.”

“Exactly! You’re cute enough, so make good use of that cuteness and enjoy it!”

“If I were as cute and young as Emilia, I’d be changing partners left and right.”

Puzzled by the phrase ’changing partners,’ Emilia raised her head to see women laughing together, exclaiming “Stop it!” They seemed to be having fun, even if she couldn’t quite grasp the conversation.

Filled with happiness for some reason, Emilia couldn’t help but soften.

“See? It’s better than scowling like that. Smile, smile, that’s the way.”

“――Okay.”

Pointing at the smiling Emilia, the women then formed smiles with their hands.

In agreement with their sentiments, Emilia mirrored their smiles and nodded.

Waving goodbye to the women, Emilia resumed her journey towards the water source.

She hopped over twisted tree roots and slipped through green leaves. Meanwhile, the sound of trickling water reached her ears, and with a brightening face, Emilia took off at a light jog.

“Here—arrived!”

“Whoa! Is that you, Emilia!?”

The moment she lifted a branch to peek through, someone was startled right in front of her as they were just wiping their body. The young man who started to turn around turned pale upon realizing it was Emilia.

“Ah.”

“Ah!”

Before Emilia could raise her hand to her mouth in surprise, the young man slipped and fell splat into the river.

A loud splash echoed as he hit the water.

“Arch! Are you okay?”

From the height of where Arch had fallen, Emilia called out to him.

After a brief moment, bubbles began to rise before a blond youth surfaced, wiping water from his face. He raised a hand to Emilia, who was looking down at him.

“Hey, Emilia! Don’t interrupt someone who’s finally getting to bathe!”

“I’m sorry! I never expected someone to be here… but I’m glad it was you, Arch.”

“What do you mean by that?!”

After Emilia let out a relieved breath, Arch scolded with irritation.

Emilia pressed her lips together and murmured, “Hmm.”

“Because if it were anyone else, I’m sure they’d let it slide, right?”

“Ugh…”

Feeling intermingled with arrogance, Emilia had no actual reason to justify herself. But as Arch gasped in annoyance, she tightened her expression.

“Well, I came here to bathe too. Is it okay if I jump in next to you?”

“Huh? D-don’t be stupid! Usually, one can’t bathe openly like this! Of course, that’s a definite no! You need to act with modesty! How long do you plan on remaining a child?!”

“Eh?”

“Eh, not that!”

“Ugh…”

Emilia, who had begun her warm-up exercises for jumping in, pouted at Arch’s demand to prohibit bathing. She couldn’t figure out why he was so flustered.

Perhaps it was because he was really angry about falling into the river.

“Arch, I’m really sorry.”

“Wha—what’s with this sudden submissiveness?”

“I was just thinking—did you really hate falling in that much? I’m sorry. So please let me bathe too. Otherwise, I can’t eat dinner made by Mother Fortuna.”

“Isn’t that a rather childish thought?”

With Emilia’s words, Arch clutched his head and shouted.

For a moment, the hand he had used to paddle stopped, and his body sank slightly—as if to momentarily divert his focus from Emilia.

“Take this!”

“Ah!”

With a little cheer, as soon as Emilia felt the rays of sunlight flicker across her eyelids, she leaped.

Her long silver hair, delayed by gravity, fluttered upward as Emilia dived into the water with her toes first.

Emilia’s body, which entered the water from her toes, caused no unnecessary splashes, diving straight down to the riverbed.

Under the crystal-clear water, Emilia opened her eyes to see small fish and waving water plants. As she landed on the riverbed, she savored the feeling of the gravel tickling her feet before shooting up to the surface.

Emerging right next to Arch, she exclaimed,

“——Boo!”

“Boo isn’t the word!”

Wet hair slicked back, Emilia strove to distance herself from Arch and his shout.

He still looked as if he wanted to say something but then seemed to realize that whatever he said wouldn’t matter; he let out a deep sigh and swam behind Emilia.

“Doesn’t this feel nice, Arch?”

“Well, it’s easy for you to say since you jumped in. I’m still feeling frustrated for being pushed in, not to mention being splashed again when you jumped!”

“I see. I’m glad you think it’s fun too, Arch.”

“You really are such an optimistic girl…”

Emilia puffed her chest at being praised, while Arch turned his head away, scratching his nose with a finger. His face was flushed. Despite the chilly water, warmth must have flooded through him.

“Wait a sec, are you not feeling well? Is that why you got angry when you fell into the water?”

If that were the case, then she had every reason to apologize for it.

Immediately, Emilia wished to pull Arch up from the river and cast a healing spell for him.

“No, don’t worry. That’s not it… um, Emilia. Try not to be so open around men… I mean, at least in front of others, especially not for those you’re not close with.”

“……? But I think you’re my closest friend, Arch?”

“Even with close friends! Uh… just keep it to me!”

“Not Mother?”

“Especially not in front of Fortuna, me, or that woman!”

Tilting her head, Emilia watched Arch state it loudly with a face growing ever redder as he bit his lips. Then he submerged himself underwater, disappearing from Emilia’s sight.

After a moment, he resurfaced with a splash, pulling his body over to the riverbank.

“Alright, Emilia, you should get out now. Shouldn’t you be washing your face, considering you were out all morning? I can’t imagine Fortuna allowing you to bathe so openly in the morning.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true… and I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

“What are you doing?!”

Arch’s astonished expression revealed how utterly foolish she looked.

Swimming towards him, Emilia saw Arch rush into the forest, emerging moments later with a large towel blanket.

“Use this to dry off and throw it over your shoulder while heading home. Honestly, you’re always such a troublesome child.”

“Ahaha, I’m really sorry, Arch. Thanks for letting me borrow this.”

Realizing how out of line she was, Emilia could only reflect on it.

After receiving the towel blanket, she climbed out of the river and dried her long hair with it. The silver hair glimmered in the morning sun, and the damp weight made it drape heavily.

“……Did I always have this long hair?”

“What are you saying? It’s been long for like ages now. You have the same beautiful color as Fortuna, too.”

While drying her silver hair, Arch’s words struck a specific nerve.

Emilia felt an odd sensation, questioning when that decision had been made.

With a sense of discontent, she decided to dismiss it as a slight discomfort. She dried off her body, pulled her hair back, looked into the river, and extended her hand for washing her face.

“――――”

As she gazed at her reflection in the water’s surface, Emilia felt her throat constrict.

White skin. Deep purple eyes. Pink lips. Long sparkling silver hair. Each of these components perfectly depicted her face as she’d known it. There was nothing strange about it.

It couldn’t be.

Nothing felt off or strange; everything had changed.

“Ah… ha…”

Gently touching her cheeks, Emilia exhaled in ragged breaths.

It felt like her lungs were cramping, making it hard to breathe. An insistent pressure spread throughout her body, as if experiencing an itchy, painful sensation.

“Emilia, what’s wrong?”

Noticing Emilia’s unusual behavior, Arch called out with a low voice.

He touched her shoulder as she froze and then gently patted her head from behind.

“Did you find something strange in the water?”

“……No.”

“Is your stomach suddenly ill? I can’t use healing magic, so I’d have to help you to someone else…”

“It’s not that!”

Feeling Arch’s warmth and concern while focusing on the water’s surface, Emilia couldn’t shift her gaze.

He noticed what she was looking at and seemed to realize what she was seeing. Shyly, he pointed at her reflection in the water, carefully asking,

“Is something wrong with your face? I think it looks just like it always does—beautiful, in fact.”

“I’m an adult…”

“Eh?”

“I’ve become an adult… I’ve never seen my face before…”

Seeing that unfamiliar face rise from the water, Emilia whispered with a quiver in her voice.

There wasn’t a chance it wasn’t hers; the evidence surfaced that her hand mirrored the same movements in proof. This face was her own. Emotions coursed toward something she shouldn’t have seen.

“……I.”

Once she became aware of that singular, definitive incongruity, more and more discrepancies soon began to surface.

Her body looked down, her chest felt fuller. Her hair had never been this long.

Her limbs were longer than she remembered, and the size difference compared to Arch was far greater than it had ever been.

The conversations she shared with everyone felt fundamentally different.

Just how often had she been told, “You’re no longer a child”?

That was exactly it.

“――I need to go,”

“Emilia?”

Standing up, she shook her head slightly and turned to look behind her.

Into the forest she had passed through, to the village, and the home where Fortuna awaited her.

She had to return to that place.

Though she wasn’t sure what exactly she needed to do, that truth remained adamant within her.

“Arch, I’m sorry. I need to go back to Mother Fortuna.”

“Uh, okay… but are you feeling alright?”

“I’m fine now. I’m sorry for disrupting your bath. And don’t worry about the towel blanket.”

After removing the towel draped over her shoulder, Emilia pressed it toward a bewildered Arch.

Confirming that he took the towel, Emilia dashed away, her bare feet hurrying back toward her mother’s home—just as she did, the voice behind her called out.

“Emilia!”

Though her heart raced, reminding her she had no time to waste, her legs halted. It felt as though she were compelled to heed anything Arch might say.

Turning around, Emilia gazed back, seeing Arch raise his hand hesitantly.

“I don’t know what’s happening, but if you’re in trouble, always feel free to reach out! I’m… Emilia, I’m practically like your brother!”

Momentarily stuttering, Arch still tossed powerful words toward Emilia.

For some reason, those words stirred something deep within her chest.

Emilia certainly recognized them as words that made her happy.

Yet the feeling rising from deep inside her wasn’t merely joy.

“Uh…! Thank you, big brother!”

Waving, Emilia flashed a smile in response to Arch, who had gone red in the face, and dashed off once more.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

“……I went to wash my face, so how did I end up completely soaked instead? I truly can’t comprehend this,”

As Fortuna greeted her daughter drenched from head to toe, she sighed in exasperation.

Emilia returned, still wet, having at least wiped the visible parts of her hair with the towel blanket. However, her white clothes clung to her skin, remaining unwrung, and water dripped from the hem of her skirt.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I kind of… just a little too much hilariously drifted off.”

“That’s why you washed your face to clear the sleepiness, and yet you came back so lively. Honestly, you’re still a child after all this time. Did anyone see you looking like that?”

If her drenched appearance were witnessed, it would surely be embarrassing.

If that were the case, then by some miracle, she hadn’t passed anyone on the way home.

“Well, it’s fine. Arch is the only one who saw me.”

“Is that so… Arch, huh? Well, if it’s him… But I can’t shake the feeling he’s been gazing at you differently lately…”

“Mother?”

“Oh, uh, never mind. Just come in.”

Observing her daughter with a resigned expression, Fortuna lovingly patted Emilia’s head, leading her inside. Still, water dripped from her clothes.

“Mother, you’re going to make the house all wet.”

“Just wipe it down later. More importantly, there’s a towel blanket, so dry off while getting changed in your room. Once you’re back, breakfast will be ready.”

The home constructed from the hollowed-out trees of the forest was one-of-a-kind, modified with mana for immense transformation by the oldest tree. Fortuna crafted their home alone, making it quite spacious for just the two of them. With separate rooms upstairs and a dining area downstairs.

Thinking back on how lavishly they used the space now seemed odd.

――It felt strange now.

“Look, off you go now.”

“Woof.”

As thoughts consumed her, Fortuna shoved a towel against Emilia’s face, who shot a disgruntled glance in her mother’s direction. Yet against her mother’s firm stance, she quickly capitulated.

While taking in the smell of sunshine wafting from the towel pressed against her face, Emilia made her way back up to her room.

Her room, upon returning, was rather simple.

Much like Fortuna, Emilia had never been one for meaningless decorations. The room had only the bare essentials for furniture and moderate furnishings. Emilia squatted down by a wooden box containing her clothes, pulled out a suitable outfit, and quickly changed out of her damp clothing.

Similar to the room’s interior, she possessed no fixation regarding clothing.

Wearing a simple one-piece outfit that sufficed from head to toe, she switched her undergarments before exiting her room—consciously avoiding eye contact with whatever lay beside the clothing box.

“Mother Fortuna, I’ll clean my wet outfits myself…”

“Well, I think that’s a very considerate thing to do.”

“――――”

As Emilia descended with her laundry to the basket below, a masculine voice greeted her.

The voice was gentle, filled with affection, causing Emilia to pause, then glance over toward the dining area.

An extra chair at their table, typically meant for just Fortuna and Emilia, was visible. This chair was specifically brought out only when someone special visited their home.

Naturally, the person seated there was someone familiar.

“Juice.”

“Ah, it’s been a while, Emilia. How have you been since we last spoke?”

“Oh, I’m okay. Same as usual. It’s been a while since you showed up today! What’s up with that?”

“Didn’t I contact you ahead of time to make arrangements, Emilia-sama?”

The man with a soft expression—Juice rubbed his chin, wearing a thoughtful look. Even though his overly amiable nature made him feel genuinely vexed by it all, Emilia quickly deduced who was at fault.

Peeking past Juice, she caught sight of Fortuna in the kitchen, stifling her laughter with a hand over her mouth.

“Mother, you must have kept this a secret!”

“Hmm, to be honest, maybe I simply forgot about it altogether.”

“That couldn’t be! Juice has his chair out, and there’s enough food for three!”

“Oh, so observant. Even though you can be absent-minded, you have a keen sense when it comes to these matters.”

Fortuna winked as she regarded Emilia. Then, she handed a plate to Emilia.

“Come, help serve the meal, will you? I can’t expect you not to lend a hand in cleaning up after dinner since you can’t cook.”

“Ugh… you just sidestepped that! Plus, I can’t help it if you’ve never taught me.”

“Sugar and salt are guaranteed to be mixed up, and I can’t have a child who can’t even hold a knife in fear of what might happen in the kitchen!”

Shutting down Emilia’s rebuttal, Fortuna continued to bring food to the dining table. Emilia followed suit, albeit reluctantly, trailing behind Fortuna.

Juice, who awaited at the table, was already smiling at the delightful aroma wafting from the dishes.

“Having the privilege of joining in on Fortuna-sama’s home-cooked meal is a tremendous honor. No matter how many times I indulge, my joy never fades.”

“Why must you always say such things so easily?”

“Well, I’m just expressing my genuine feelings.”

“That very sincerity is precisely what’s irksome!”

While Fortuna arranged the plates, Juice wore a troubled expression.

Watching their interaction, Emilia couldn’t help but burst into laughter. The earlier disappointment from Fortuna had vanished at the sight of this.

“If you’re that thrilled by Mother’s cooking, Juice might as well move in here.”

“E-Emilia—!”

Setting a large platter of vegetables in the center of the table, Emilia playfully chimed in with that thought. Instantly, Fortuna turned red as she shot her daughter a flustered gaze while glancing awkwardly at Juice.

“D-don’t say such wild things. Juice is busy with all kinds of matters, and I can’t have him here every time he fits me into his schedule…”

“Hey, that sounds like a delightful proposition, Emilia-sama! If it were possible, I’d heartily accept this offer!”

The contrast of Fortuna’s flustered denials to Juice’s calm response was entertaining. Juice’s remarks caused Fortuna to shrink back, settling into her chair.

Observing the two seated beside each other, Emilia took a seat across from them.

――What lay before her appeared profoundly natural in her eyes.

“Neither of you would mind, so why not take that chance? No one would dare interfere. Oh, wait a second, am I the one getting in the way?”

It was evident that neither Fortuna nor Juice bore any ill will towards one another.

Yet perhaps their reluctance to cross that boundary stemmed from Emilia’s presence.

Still, with both of them simultaneously refuting her anxious thoughts,

“That’s not true.”

“There’s no way that’s so.”

Emilia’s fears dissipated at their reaffirmations.

Gazing wide-eyed, Emilia saw Fortuna and Juice turn to each other and share a laugh at how their words had aligned.

“I knew it! You two are really quite close.”

“Stop teasing, Emilia. Juice, scold her.”

“Indeed, Emilia-sama. Fortuna-sama is a truly wonderful person. If I linger here too long, it may spark some unwanted rumors and become a nuisance.”

“I see. But at this point, I’d say it’s a bit too late for that.”

With Juice’s remark to temper Fortuna’s disappointment, Emilia raised a finger.

“People already mention that when I’m outside. You should never burden Mother Fortuna and Father Romanéconti.”

“――――”

Jul localized bewilderment across both of their faces, which was strangely humorous.

Fighting to stifle her laughter with a hand over her mouth, Emilia controlled her breath before continuing.

“It’s true. I was so preoccupied with reading through the old book and maps that Juice gifted me last night that I could hardly sleep… Everybody said how great it was that I was helping with Father’s work.”

“W-who said…”

“The ladies from over at Tehena’s and Mitt and Frau Tanze.”

“Those gossiping ladies…!”

As the three troublesome faces passed through her mind, Fortuna bit her lip with indignation.

Her gaze sharpened as she puffed up, manifesting a rather frightening glare.

Calmly attempting to appease Fortuna, Emilia protested with a supportive tone.

“Regardless, they’ve already formed their perceptions. I’ve been grappling with, uh, a lot of things, and thinking about them and—hmm, um, and so, well…”

“Emilia-sama, you don’t have to think so hard about this.”

“N-no! I genuinely think it’s fine? I just felt like I’d lose Mother to someone else, and that just unsettles me a little!”

With everything going smoothly around her, only the feelings of herself and the two involved were flying above the fray.

But as long as this was just their matter, she’d prefer to avoid letting her feelings interfere, regardless of their intrinsic nature.

After all, from Emilia’s perspective, they seemed positively suited for one another.

“I think it’s really wonderful, so you both should consider it!”

“――――”

“Everyone from the woods and myself, we won’t get in the way. It’s not wrong or unacceptable. I won’t let anyone say otherwise!”

Pounding her hands on the table, Emilia spoke passionately.

Asserting such a stance forced her to realize how heated she had become, and she grew startled by her own intensity. With two scrutinizing gazes upon her, she shuffled her hair and slowly returned to her seat.

“And so… I’ll leave the rest to you two young ones.”

“Emilia, where on earth did you learn this?”

As Emilia’s words left her red-faced, Fortuna bore that familiar look of exasperation. Yet that expression quickly shifted into giggles that could not be contained.

“Ah, ha ha ha! Emilia-sama… it seems you have properly matured. It was a grave misjudgment not to notice!”

“Of course, Juice. This is my pride and joy of a daughter; it’s only natural!”

“Yes, I do apologize!”

Laughter filled the air, and the two bantered back and forth as Emilia found herself enveloped in warmth.

She sensed something had shifted between them with her own interjection.

A sense of warmth filled the space between them.

As their gazes met, she believed an unmistakable glow now intertwined through them.

――It was a shockingly happy sight.

“……Emilia?”

Suddenly, Fortuna turned to look at Emilia, calling her name in a hushed tone.

Taking a breath, Emilia covered her eyes with a hand. She hastily wiped away the tears welling up, then feigned an exaggerated gasp.

“I might have something in my eye. It’s a super huge thing!”

“That so? Are you fine?”

“I’m okay, about the size of a fist!”

“Y-you’re sure about that?”

“I’m totally okay!”

Emilia rose and scrubbed her eyes while moving to the exit.

“I’ll go grab some good eye drops. The kind that refreshes so much you might think your eye will pop out!”

“Just please don’t toss away those beautiful purple eyes of yours. They’re simply pristine, resembling your brother’s lovely gaze.”

“Also, they’re exactly the same clean shade as Mother’s.”

Fortuna appeared startled by her unexpected response, while Juice chuckled at her demeanor.

Emilia laughed at their exchanges as she stepped onto the staircase.

“I’ll be back shortly, so you both enjoy your meal.”

“If it gets cold, it won’t taste as good, so really make it quick.”

“Yep, I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll be awaiting your return, Emilia-sama.”

With the words from Fortuna and Juice, Emilia inhaled deeply.

Then, turning around to take one last look at the two, she said,

“――I love you both.”

With that said, Emilia returned to her room.

Closing the door behind her, she released all the air within her, forcefully exhaling.

Feeling a tightening within, she slapped her cheeks for good measure, shaking her head as she walked toward the corner of the room.

Next to the box containing her clothes lay something slender covered with a thin cloth.

Up until now, Emilia had never even considered reaching for it, but…

“I can’t begin until I face it.”

Courage, please.

Emilia softly traced her lips with her fingers, recalling warmth before pulling her hand away.

The cloth fell away.

There stood a polished mirror, reflecting her from head to toe.

“――What happiness was meant to be had here has given you what in return?”

In that reflection, the white-haired witch appeared to stand.

 

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