...... cold.
　It's a dungeon with no light except from the skylight, and it's the coldest winter in the world. If you kneel on the bare earth, the cold air will naturally dominate your body.

　What was cold for Deanna was not her body, but her mind.

　Sirius, who had watched over Deanna since she was born like another father. Although he was skilled at hiding his emotions, Deanna's sensitivity was not so dull that she could not read even a shred of his feelings after such a long relationship.
　She knew that he was hiding something important and dared to speak of Dualis' decision as if it were his own.

　It wasn't as if Dualis had told Sirius to wear it. My father would never do such a cowardly thing. He probably just ordered Sirius to tell him that this was the decision of the head of the family.
　Sirius was trying to protect his father and make him look bad. He tried to make Sirius the bad guy by telling him that the Darkness was stuck at ...... and that his decision was the reason why it couldn't move.

I know. I'm sure there's a reason why the Darkness can't move: ......)

　Deanna's been feeling it for a long time, hasn't she?
　From somewhere. It's as if there's an eye in the sky, watching her every move.
　It's as if someone has eyes in the sky and can see your every move.
　What if it wasn't just Deanna's imagination? What if there is an "enemy" that Deanna doesn't know about, who has been seeing through Deanna and the others and rolling them around?
　The dark side of the Crester family is expected to make its next move here. If it's expected, then there's no doubt that they're preparing a response.
　It's not even possible for Deanna to throw darkness into what she knows is a trap. There is no way that ...... can do it.

　There's nothing you can do. You can't do anything else.
　You can't even think about letting Shayla die. I can't let her die... without losing those straight eyes of the spring sky... and that flexible, unbreakable heart... forever.
　Not for the country. Not for the king.
　Just... It's just that Diana... I can't lose a friend I care about!

"...... Are you crying?

　--It's not that I don't love you.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
　Deanna was so disgusted with the stealthy secretive man that she almost cried.

What are you doing, Kai ......?
I've come to see you, Dee?　...... Your voice is so distant, don't stay by the wall like that, come here.

　It's a small prison. It's less than ten steps to the grate.
　Deanna shook her head and fought the instinct to run right over.

No. If you want to talk, you can do it from upstairs.　...... At least hide yourself.
No, I don't want to. I came all the way down here to talk to you face to face.
They'll find us.
The guys who got Dee, there weren't too many of them. The jailers seem to be low-level guys who don't know what they're doing. It's a good thing we live in a peaceful country, because no one complains when the jailer sneaks off.

　There's no one on guard now.

　It's sweet, sweet, sweet poison.

　I struggled to keep my legs from rising.
　This moment. Deanna is painfully aware.

　The moment she saw his face, she ran to him.
　She reaches out. Clinging to her.
　She almost screams "help me" with all her heart.

　When did this happen? So much.
　I wonder how long I've been giving my heart to this person.

　If I'm just trapped in here... I'm not sure what to do. ...... I wanted to touch Kai.
　But if she went beside Kai now...
　I'll say it. I wish.

　It's a dangerous, helpless, selfish "wish".

"...... Dee.

　Kai calls out to Deanna, who finally can't even look at him anymore.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. What is Dee trying to protect?
"Kai ......!
Let me tell you something. I'll tell you what, this prison is no obstacle to me. It's not even locked, so it's easy to open. --Do you want me to break in and get you out of here?


No!

　You can't do that in every way. I'm sure that when she glared at him in front of her...
　--With eyes even stronger than his, Kai shot Deanna through the heart.

"Come on, then. Come to me. ...... let me touch you.

　This person... I'm not sure what to do.
　Give me the words I want. ...... the warmth I want.
　I wonder if you can give it to me when I want it.

　The eyes and words with a strong will. There was no way for Deanna to resist.
　She rose unsteadily to her feet and approached so close that she could feel her breath.
　A hand reached out through the lattice and gently caressed Deanna's cheek.
　The dark blue eyes narrowed sweetly.

"...... Are you hurt?
I'm fine. I'm fine. I wasn't touched in the first place. Except for the push on my back when I went into the cell.

　The hand that had been caressing your cheek fell to your neck. The fingertips crawled gently, hot.

"Rita told me. I'm sure you've heard of them. Did ...... push you back, too?
Yes. I think they looked like they were afraid to let me in.
I'll just rip your throat out on the way.
You don't have to do that. The Cresta family won't miss that man. Don't bother letting that idiot die a comfortable death when he's bound to end up better off dead.
I'm relieved. I didn't know what I'd do if Dee stuck up for the guy who'd gone this far.
You know, I'm not that nice or that good-natured.

　When you're about to be killed for a crime you didn't commit and you know it, you're either a saint who has stopped being human or you're just a peace-loving fool. Deanna is not a quitter, nor is she so incapable of managing danger that she cannot sense when her life is in danger, and she is still angry at all the enemies for their cowardly tactics.
　The finger that had been touching her neck fell to her shoulder and then to her arm, tracing the lines of Diana's body. The heat from his fingers washed over her, and she found herself feeling hot all over.

"...... was good.

　Kai murmured quietly.

You're doing fine. It looks like there are no after-effects from the poison.
"...... That's what you're worried about?
Of course I was. Of course not. What if he dies after all that recklessness? It's chilling.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. ...... Rita told me you were with me the whole time.
Until the antidote kicked in and she started breathing again. I'm surprised Dandoro, which generally chokes people, had such an effect.
Dandolo taught me that it's not all about killing. It can also save lives, depending on how you combine them.
...... Did Dandolo teach you that?
If you keep your ears and mind open, you can feel their voices. When I tell Rita, "......," she always replies, "Only you can do that, Diana.
I'm sure you'll agree with Rita on that one.

　...... I wonder if that's true. It's not that difficult or special for Deanna.
　Kai's fingers intertwined with Deanna's left hand.

It's not that difficult or special for Deanna. I'm glad ...... Dee didn't die.
"Kai, ......
"I know you didn't mean to die. I know she didn't mean to die, but she did. Isn't that right?
...... Yes.
For God's sake, let's do something about this before we're left with nothing but a tightrope to walk. If we don't protect the king and pretend that the palace is peaceful, there are other ways.

　Oh. He's...

He's not gonna tell me not to do that?
What's the point?　Dee will do the same thing again if she decides it's for the best.
...... So, yeah.
I'm getting what I want out of this. I don't think I have the right to stop Dee, and I don't think I can. Dee is really stubborn.
Would you say that?
I will. So all I can do is make sure there's another way before stubborn Dee puts his life on the line, before it's the only way. If it's going to end the same way either way, better to be safe, right?



　He was laughing, but his words were serious. It hit me that he wasn't just talking about yesterday.
　I tried to step back, but my fingertips, still trapped, wouldn't let me.

"Shayla, I heard you were kidnapped.
"Kye?
"I don't know where she is or if she's safe. Dee's the only one who's willing to break out of prison to go find her.
...... Let me go.
Sirius and the others are stuck here. The reason for this is also ...... apparent to Dee, judging from the way she was acting earlier.
Kai!

　I'm not sure what to do.
　This man can see everything. He's trying to peel away the last vestiges of Deanna's desperation.

Please, shut up.
I won't shut up.
I don't want to say anything. I don't want to.
You're not very perceptive for a girl like Dee. I'm trying to get you to say it.
I know, I know. Just shut up!
I told you, don't protect me!

　I've told you, don't protect me! I stared into his eyes and saw...
　Confidence, pride. A man's eyes, full of confidence, pride and determination.
　The words poured out of Deanna's mouth as if she were biting off every word.

"I'm not going to let Dee protect me. I'm here to protect Dee.
"Kai ......
"I'm here to protect Dee, her body, her mind, her whole being. I'm here to protect her. ......

　The last layer is coming off. A hand inserted through the lattice supports the body as it loses strength and collapses, killing the momentum.
　One by one, Kai's fingers slipped into the gaps between the entangled fingers.

　The heat of the ...... body may also invade the mind.
　I'm not sure. It's hot, like fire.

Say it, Dee.

　The voice that is so gentle, but does not allow her to escape, dominates all of Diana's thoughts.

"Just tell me what you want, Dee, everything. Tell me.
"Kai ......
Don't be afraid. --Trust me.

　...... I can't do this.
　I can't stop myself from screaming.

I can't stop screaming. ......

　Something hot is running down my cheek.

"Help me. Please save Shayla. Don't let her die!
Dee. ......
I know. I know it's a bad idea to go save Shayla in order to minimize the cost. But, but!

　I reached out my right hand through the lattice.
　The next thing I knew, I was grabbing Kai's clothes as if to cling to him.

"I can't bear to lose Shayla. I don't care if she hates me now. I don't care if she hates me now, as long as she's alive and smiling, that's all that matters.

　My dear, dearest friend.
　Now that I might be losing her, the weight of that is immeasurable.
　I don't want Shayla to die. That was Deanna's selfish, but non-negotiable wish.

　The strength of her grip on Kai's clothes grows stronger.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.

　...... Ah. The more things you don't want to lose, the more you lose.

I'm sorry, Kai. I know it's dangerous, but I'm not!
It's okay.
I need you to help Shayla. I want Shayla to be safe, but I also want the people who went to save her to be safe. --I don't want to lose anyone!

　I don't want to lose anyone!
　That's probably what you've been wishing for a long time.
　I've been wishing it for a long time, and I've given up trying to put it into words because I knew it was impossible.

"You finally said it.

　The hand that had been gripping my clothes so tightly that it hurt was softly wrapped in heat.
　As if prompted, I looked up.

"Dee's selfishness. It's the one thing you can't give up so that Dee can laugh. ...... Finally, she said it.



　--there was an incredibly beautiful pair of eyes. The dark blue night sky was studded with stars, glittering.
　He kept his fingers entwined. With his other hand, Kai slowly stroked Deanna's stiff hand.

I'll say it again. I'll protect you from everything. I'll protect Dee from everything. I'll make sure she gets everything she wants and is happy.
"Kai ......
"If saving Miss Shayla is what Dee wants, then I'll do it. If she wants me to stay alive, she can kill me and I won't die.
"Kai ......!

　Dianna squeezed her entwined fingers back.

"Please, don't die. Please don't die. Live, save Shayla, and come back.
"That's all right. --I wanted this.

　I wanted this." The hand that had been gripping her dress relaxed. You'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
　A thump. My heart is beating in a different way than it has in the past.

"Ka ......?
"Greedy, selfish, stubborn. --But above all, above all, above all, she's kind and warm. That's what I wanted, that's what I wanted from Dee.
"But ......

　This is... It's really just Deanna's selfishness.
　To not want to mourn anyone or anything. Deanna knows that the world isn't so easy, just like a child who doesn't understand reason.
　And yet... And yet, when it comes down to it, she can't get over it.

　She giggles, and her eyes have a creepy glow. A creepy glint in his eyes.
　As much as I wanted to run away, I was drawn to that glamour.
　It's as if she's been tied up in a vise, and she can't move.

"Are you afraid of ......?
I don't know, but... I don't know, but I'm afraid of losing ......
Dee's not going to lose anything. You just have to trust me, hope I'm okay, and wait for me to come home. --That's what's gonna help me, that's what's gonna help us.

　That there are people out there who want you to stay alive. There are people waiting for your return.
　I'm sure you've heard this before, but I'm not sure if it's true or not.
　If that's what ...... Kai wants...

"Don't die. --Live.
Dee. ......
You promised, didn't you?　Someday, when it's all over, we'll see the house with the shawl, the town, together. I haven't forgotten. I'm really looking forward to it.
"......!

　He pulled on my arm. Kai's breath rushed through his fingertips and down his arm.

"Here, here. Don't make me want to hug you.
"Kai, ......?
I know. I made a promise. If we're going to make this work, we can't just sit here and talk about how our lives are in danger.

　Kai smiles. Gently - and strongly.

"I'll help Shayla, and we'll both come back safely. Dee's not in any danger, okay?
"Don't worry about me, your fathers will take care of me.
Yeah. I trust them.
I'll be waiting for you at ....... I'm waiting for you to come back.

　Gently, smile. Deanna gently pulled her arm towards Kai, who was still holding her back.
　There was a pause.

Don't do that to anyone else.

　That's what happens.
　With a whisper, I felt something wet and soft press against the inside of my arm.
　Before you know it, the covert in front of you has literally melted into darkness.

(......) Wait. What was that?

　There is probably only one thing in the human body that has that kind of tactile sensation,......, especially on the human face.


　The act of consciously pushing it somewhere else... I think there's a general term for it.

(Defenselessness. This is what happens. ......!

　Ruminating on the sequence of events, Deanna writhed, oblivious to her location.

　No, no. I didn't mean to--!　And...