[Azure Silver] I want to understand you
She liked his laughter.
That was the knight who said, "I will be with you to save this country, to save this land."
Throughout her long journey, she encountered countless betrayals, tortures, resistance, and hatred... but the gentle and kind man always stayed by her side.
She called out to him like this:
Uther.
And he would always respond to her in the gentlest voice.
—Until I accepted the glass of wine.
A raging fire, burning along with the sky, swept across the land, and she ran frantically and disheveled through the flames.
Why, why, why...!
Uther, and my Knights of the Round Table, have all been killed.
They actually used poisoned wine—the easiest and ugliest method that requires no personal cost and no bloodshed!
Uther... Uther, Uther, Uther! Please open your eyes, please say something to me!
It was taken away.
Whether it is hope, joy, or happiness.
Am I unable to save Britain?!
Why can't you just give me Britain?!
Please, Uther.
And everyone... the Knights of the Round Table...
Don't leave me, don't let me be killed like grass.
—Don't leave me alone.
...
…
It seems I had a very long dream.
Artorius slowly opened his eyes as he awoke from his dream.
It's as if I've gone through countless years and crossed countless time and space, picking up and piecing together the fragments of myself.
Those tightly joined joints still bear indelible marks.
Before Altorlis fell into darkness in the dream, her slender figure, exuding intense sorrow and fragility, was deeply reflected in her emerald green eyes amidst the ruins consumed by fire.
The burning emotions surging in his chest prevented him from recovering.
The blond youth, stunned, allowed his morning routine to take over, and sat up in bed.
The warm touch slid down my cheek, making a soft "thud" as it spread a dark hue across the bedding.
-
After finishing my morning homework, it was time to water the flowers.
Ayaka Sajou arrives at the botanical garden.
As instructed by Hiroki Sajou, the girl, who had stopped attending school, stayed at home all day.
Magical rituals, the Holy Grail War.
These are words that Ayaka Sajo heard from her father.
It is said that the situation has become chaotic, so it is necessary to protect (the heir).
If it were my older sister, Dad wouldn't have to worry about her, because she's a different, outstanding older sister, Ayaka Sajou.
My father is not here, and neither is my sister.
The former is a common occurrence, but it is very rare for it to happen together with the latter.
Even breakfast is eaten alone; she takes the prepared food from the refrigerator and microwaves it.
The only way to tell from the identical notes, which were found at the bottom of the trash can, was that the author had indeed torn off a new page to write on.
—But…I’m a little lonely.
The young girl turned on the tap, and the water gushed into the watering can. The cool temperature seeped into her palms as she held the watering can.
It felt cool and refreshing, though not quite cold, but... was it because no one was around? Or was it because there was nothing I could do?
Very, very...
"What are you doing?"
The girl's thoughts were interrupted by a clear and gentle voice.
Caught off guard, Ayaka Sajou gasped in surprise. Although she immediately hugged the watering can tightly, the splashing water still soaked her clothes.
"I messed it up," Ayaka Sajou thought to herself, head bowed.
What will the other person's reaction be? More importantly...
Ayaka Sajou knew.
Besides the father and sister, there are "other people" in this family.
In rooms she was absolutely forbidden to enter, and in corridors at midnight, Ayaka Sajou sensed the presence of "something" more than once.
Ayaka Sajou once thought it was a hallucination caused by drowsiness.
Until this moment, I did indeed meet "that person" and was spoken to by "that person".
As if afraid that her breath would blow away the figure in front of her, Ayaka Sajou slowly raised her eyes.
--Snowflakes.
The figure that came into view reminded Ayaka Sajo of this word.
Her long, smooth, lustrous hair shimmered with a silvery glow, and her clear, bright blue eyes sparkled. Sunlight streaming through the glass roof illuminated her black dress with blue patterns, making her look like a noble lady from a fable.
Unlike her bright and radiant older sister, she was like a cold, pure white snowflake.
When Ayaka Sajou and the snowflake-like figure met eyes, the girl hesitated for a moment before speaking softly:
"May I ask who you are...?"
Would the hot breath he exhaled melt her? Ayaka Sajo felt a surge of nervousness, her eyes cautiously fixed on him.
The man's clear and articulate words, like pearls falling onto a plate, dispelled Ayaka Sajou's concerns:
"Queen."
"Your Majesty...? Amazing!"
Ayaka Sajou has only ever met the princess (her older sister).
If the silver-haired woman in front of her were a queen, Ayaka Sajo wouldn't be surprised at all; on the contrary, she felt that this was how it should be.
If the elder sister is the sun, then the queen is the moon.
Both are beautiful and sparkly, the difference being that one is a warm gold and the other is silver.
The Queen, who had appeared there, continued, "Of course, the Queen is just as powerful as His Majesty the King, no, even more so."
"So that's how it is!"
Ayaka Sajou didn't know, and had never thought about, which was more powerful, the king or the queen.
But I feel I have to say it this way.
"What's your name?"
"Ayaka, Sajō Ayaka."
So the Queen called out:
"Ayaka."
How to describe the Queen's voice? It's like the clear water gurgling up to your ankles as you step into a creek while hiking, between the pebbles at the bottom.
It's cool and refreshing, yet incredibly gentle.
From Ayaka Sajou's perspective, the silver-clad queen raises her index finger and places it in front of her lips.
"You saw me and talked to me; this is a little secret between us, and you can't tell anyone else."
"Not even my sister?"
Ayaka Sajou was somewhat embarrassed.
If her favorite older sister, Aige, asked, she would never hide it from her.
"After all, the Queen is more capricious than the Princess." The Queen of the Fairy Kingdom placed her hand on Ayaka Sajou's shoulder. "Especially, I want to get to know you better and be 'your' friend."
"I like you very much, Ayaka."
Ayaka Sajou was stunned.
The young girl had not yet learned to be wary of seductive words.
Compared to her outstanding and beautiful older sister, she was so ordinary and unremarkable.
Ayaka Sajou has become accustomed to the fact that "her older sister is special" and "she is mediocre", so she can only work harder and not disappoint her father, even if she does not get recognition.
However, what was reflected in the Queen's eyes was not Aika's face, but her own face—Sajō Ayaka's.
The beautiful smile that opened up to the young girl was directed solely at her.
This makes Ayaka Sajou feel special and cared for, and she secretly thinks, "It shouldn't matter if I hide such a trivial matter."
"--Yes, I'll keep it a secret."
Unlike when asked whether they prefer soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, and when they answer soft-boiled.
Although Aika said she would make hard-boiled eggs next time, as if she had discovered her thoughts, she considerately did not say it out loud. However, however... she did not lie. She liked both soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs, so the "concealment" was invalid.
Now, for the first time, Ayaka Sajou has a real little secret.
This realization made Ayaka Sajou feel elated, but also a little nervous. Her heart was pounding so hard she felt like she couldn't breathe.
But surprisingly, Ayaka Sajou didn't dislike this feeling.
"Ayaka, what are you doing here?"
"I'm watering the flowers and taking care of the flowers and pigeons." After saying that, Ayaka Sajou lowered her head as if she was thinking of something, but was surprised to find that the water stains on her clothes had disappeared without a trace.
Ayaka Sajou asked in surprise, "Did Her Majesty the Queen make this?"
The silver-haired queen smiled gently and reached out to stroke the top of Ayaka Sajou's hair.
This action reminded Ayaka Sajou of her older sister. Ayaka Sajou, bathed in the bright sunlight, was dazzling, and the queen crowned by the moonlight was equally beautiful and captivating.
Ayaka Sajo felt very lucky.
Whether it's a princess-like older sister or a gentle queen, they all treat me very, very well.
Therefore, Ayaka Sajou likes them.
"This garden is beautiful, and Ayaka takes excellent care of it. She's really amazing."
"...It's the botanical garden, I think that's what Mom called it."
"I see. Does Ayaka still remember what her mother looked like?"
When asked this question, Ayaka Sajou paused for a moment, then shook her head and put away the watering can she was using. "Although I only have very vague memories left, this botanical garden, and I, are all things that my mother left behind."
So even if she can't remember, it doesn't matter; Ayaka Sajou still maintains her connection with her mother.
Before the silver-haired queen could speak, Ayaka Sajo glanced at the pigeons that had strolled to her feet and said, "Besides, these children also like it here."
After speaking, the brown-haired girl couldn't help but say to the cooing pigeons, "You've already eaten your feed, so you can't ask for more."
Then, as if she had just thought of something, Ayaka Sajou suddenly covered her mouth.
Seeing this, the Queen tilted her head slightly and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, I talked to the pigeon."
"Is this something that can't be done?"
Seeing the Queen's confusion, Ayaka Sajou explained gently, "This is what my father said: if feelings develop, then black magic will..."
Before she could finish speaking, the Queen's beautiful eyebrows curved slightly, and she said in a gentle tone, "After having a conversation with them, you won't have the heart to 'use' them. Ayaka is such a gentle child."
"Huh?"
—Gentle? Are you talking about me?
Ayaka Sajou falls into a vortex called doubt.
In the girl's mind, positive words belonged exclusively to Ayaka Sajou. Ordinary and mediocre, she was the green leaf that set off the flowers, the audience sitting below the stage watching the actors shine.
Even as Ayaka Sajou pats Ayaka Sajou's head, she praises how well-behaved she is.
--It's only natural that all the pampering and praise belong to Sister Aige.
Before Ayaka Sajou could figure out how to respond, a gentle smile appeared on the beautiful face reflected in the girl's blue eyes.
Ayaka Sajo felt as if many butterflies were fluttering inside her stomach.
Even though there was no moon, it felt as if we were bathed in moonlight.
The Queen spoke in a voice as gentle as the wind:
"This shows that Ayaka cherishes the people she talks to, and no one dislikes being 'cherished'."
"You're a wonderful girl, Ayaka."
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