The wind gently shook the flowers in the light of the setting sun.
The Kingdom of Bloomeria in the Country of Flowers and Green had once been at war…-.
Today, on this ground, the souls of those killed in the war were to be given blessings so that they would be at peace.
Julius: “Hm? That’s…”
After the ceremony had ended and the attendees had left…
A single prince caught Julius’ eye, standing alone in the flower field.
Julius: “If you’re here for the ceremony, you just missed it.”
Akito: “! Julius…”
Julius: “Why didn’t you come?”
Akito: “…I am the Prince of the Red Spider Lily Family. Flowers that carry such poison in them cannot really be offered as a blessing to the deceased, no?”
His eyes wavered with a sense of loneliness as he looked down at the surrounding field of flowers, beautiful in their full bloom.
Julius: “But you were nearby when we were holding the ceremony.”
Akito: “…so you noticed.”
Julius: “Yeah, well, you’re good at hiding your presence but…-“
Akito: “…”
Julius: “Well, that’s enough of that. There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
Julius let out a short breath as he turned to look at Akito seriously.
Julius: “When I do the ceremony for the repose of souls next year, I’m inviting you.”
Akito: “But I…-“
Julius: “They may be poisonous, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re beautiful flowers. That’s what you’re really thinking, right?”
Akito: “Julius…”
Julius wasn’t beating around the bush, and Akito’s eyes got a little bit wider…
Akito: “…thank you very much.”
Akito smiled gently and gave a slight nod.
Aktio: “Though I’m sure…the repose of souls is not just necessary for the deceased.”
Julius: “…? What’s that mean?”
Akito: “When you performed the ceremony, you noticed me though I had erased my presence. That isn’t normal.”
Julius: “I’m always alert to my surroundings, and if my heightened sensitivity isn’t stretched to the limits …”
Akito: “…you wouldn’t have been able to survive that war.”
With a shadow over his expression, Julius slowly shook his head.
With that, Akito looked down in silence…-.
Akito: “If I was allowed to perform the prayer…it would be for the deceased, but also for those who survived. I would wish to lift up my prayers in the hopes of easing the hearts of both parties.”
Julius: “Akito…”
Julius blinked repeatedly, taken by surprise, then suddenly the expression around his eyes relaxed.
END