“Brother, that…”

Raytan, who noticed Sezh’s gaze, abruptly covered his neck. But it was too late. Sezh’s eyes weren’t mistaken. Hanging on Raytan’s neck was the ruby necklace she gave him several days ago.

Honestly, she didn’t even imagine Raytan would wear it. The fact that he received the gift without a single curse or insult was already a blessing for her.

So, Sezh really couldn’t believe it.

“Right? That’s the necklace I gave you.”

Raytan’s face became frightening. If she had been her old self, she would be scared and automatically shut her mouth tightly, but this was the current Sezh.

“Look, it fits you well, Brother!”

“…”

“It was the first time I made such a thing, so I was quite worried… How is it? Is it uncomfortable?”

“Get off it.”

“Does Brother’s neck feel suffocated? I can help you to lengthen it more!”

“I said get off!”

“Aye, but can you just show me a little bit….”

“I don’t like it in the slightest.”

“Hm? Then why are you wearing it?” Sezh asked him once again in her pure curiosity.

Raytan looked overwhelmed by that unexpected question and was mute for a few seconds. He threw a cheap excuse, “I wear it because my neck feels bare. It’s nothing more and nothing less than that.”

So that’s why he wears it. But Sezh noticed another surprise: there was also a bracelet clinging to his wrist.

“Eh?”

“Damn it.”

Raytan hurriedly lowered his hand and swore.

“I’m sure I said to give that to Lady Lize…”

“…It’s up to me.”

“What?”

“It was in my hand. Whether I gave it to my mother or I wanted to have it instead was up to me.”

“If Brother wants a bracelet, just tell me…”

“So noisy, you idiot!”

Raytan suddenly became angry. He’s very strange today, but Sezh decided to be understanding. Well, Raytan might prefer emerald more than ruby.

“But why does it look cracked?”

“Don’t know,” he replied with such a lousy answer.

‘No need to be so guarded if you just wanted it!’ Sezh thought she just had to make another one then.

Honestly, rather than destroying the gift quickly, it is surprising that Raytan wanted all the gifts she gave him. That was even a bracelet for women. It looked kind of painful for the teeny bracelet to cling unto his thick wrist. Somehow, Sezh just laughed.

Yeah, let’s make another one for Lady Lize.

“Next time, I will craft a new bracelet for you, Brother. I don’t know if I have any jewels that suit your taste but…”

Sezh paused.

Among the jewels she secretly stole from Yerena, she’d already used the useful ones to make the bracelet and the necklace. No, she could still find more jewelry that Yerena doesn’t like. Days ago, Yerena stated that her jewelry was out-of-style and bought some new ones for her collection. If Sezh is lucky, she can probably pick up a few jewels.

“No need.”

“You say you don’t need it, but Brother is wearing the necklace and bracelet by yourself…”

“Noisy!”

Her ears might have malfunctioned because of Raytan’s scream. Somehow, Sezh felt like she was making fun of her brother. So, she closed her mouth and looked at him.

She saw a bead of sweat run down those black strands of hair from his forehead. Come to think of it, there was no wind today or barely a breeze blowing. Sezh finally realized why Raytan looked like he’d spent too long in hot water. Besides that, Raytan also followed her up the hill even though he hadn’t wanted to.

What was it that Eton told her? Sezh, who secretly stretched out her hand, recalled Eton’s voice.

‘…coming out the tip of your fingers. Imagine it: lightly caressing your hair, bringing the smell of the warm shining sun…’

Only one thing came to her mind: the wind that shook Raytan’s black hair as he sat beside the window. It tickled his skin and revealed his forehead, causing him to frown.

Also, when their eyes interlocked with each other and he calls her name with his baritone voice…

Soon enough, there was a wind blowing.

Of course, it wasn’t as strong as when Eton helped her, but it still clearly blew. Sezh widened her eyes and looked at Raytan. His face also seemed to be a little stunned.

“Brother, did you just feel it? The wind…”

“It couldn’t be.”

“…Yes?”

“No… I felt it too.”

Soon after that, Sezh realized that something sparkling was reflected in his red eyes. What is that thing that keeps flashing and shining around?… Sezh turned around and admired the view in amazement.

There were hundreds— no, thousands— of butterflies.

It was a swarm of butterflies with glittering golden wings. It looked like a golden rain was falling. Maybe the legend was referring to this swarm of butterflies. Sezh’s eyes widened.

“Look at this! It was rewarding to come this far!”

His crimson eyes were calmly observing her. Sezh, who was losing herself in the excitement of the butterflies’ sudden appearance, was too thrilled to notice his gaze on her.

“But I didn’t know that I’m gonna see something like this… However, it’s really pretty! Right?”

“…”

“Oh my gosh! I’ll tell Luna as soon as I get back. She may not believe it, but- Ugh. And! I have to write in my diary and never forget about this!”

Her chatterings endlessly streamed out. It was the first time Raytan saw Sezh so enraptured by something. She always came off as slightly depressed.

Is it? Raytan didn’t respond at all, but Sezh kept muttering. It was… really cute…

“…You’re right,” Raytan eventually answered in a small voice. “I think it was… rewarding too.”

There was a small smirk on his face.

“It was just because of a piece of cake and a little water!”

Without knowing, Sezh chuckled happily.

Anyway, the cake is similar to a piece of wheat bread. Also, the water that was already a bit consumed was clean. It still met the requirements after all. The oddity was that the assortment fit perfectly with the dirty stone she dug out of the ground.

***

Eton, standing on a tall tree a little away from the hill, also smirked unconsciously. As expected, kids should have a taste of happiness like this. Sezh’s overjoyed figure looked pretty cute in his eyes.

While still staring at her, Eton lowered his head. He opened his tightly closed fist that held a piece of an old stone. Tattered here and there, it didn’t even look close to its original shape. An engraved name still appears faintly on the tombstone debris.

Syarhwina.

Eton silently feasted his eyes on her name on it.

Empty tombs. Even the slightest remains have disappeared with no ashes. A barren hill where there was nothing but crumbling sand.

This hill was where Syarhwina is buried.

During the era of Herace the First, The same period as Eton himself and also Syarhwina were living. They built the first temple of the Denhelder Empire. The place that was protected by God, the ancient temple was several times the size of the new temple later built by the descendants of Herace. Everything from this hill to Lize’s palace was all God’s land.

However, everything has changed since Eton went into eternal sleep. The enormous temple, which was once remarkable, was destroyed. Soon after, the new temple built was filled only with husks.

“Right. This… everything is just a husk.”

It’s all just an empty husk. Denhelder, the royal families, who do that stupid ceremony, and this place as well…

But Syarhwina was buried here. Eton couldn’t understand it. Why was she here… She chose to perish from this world before him…

‘How dare she,’ he asked, standing still on the barren hill.

Of course, there was no response. It was only the dry, sandy breeze blowing. Eton’s gaze was unstirred, and he kept looking to the hill.

He had always been here. That woman also always came here. They were always sitting there with their backs on that tree. Like those kids now.

‘Look, Eton, I found you again.’

Far away, a ringing voice sounded.

‘Is there any person who doesn’t know that I’m always here?’

‘It’s not just because of that. Didn’t I already tell you the other day?’

She continued…

‘…I will find you, Eton. Wherever you are.’ A bright face with an angelic smile.

Eton silently bit his lips. He moved his eyes to watch Raytan.

A child that resembles him, has the same name as him, and… even resembles that woman. The divine energy that remained on his mother’s forehead was the trace that he put on Syarhwina.

“… From now on, I have to solve this riddle,” Eton mumbled to himself.

It’s also crucial to find the other magic stone and restore its strength. However, he had to find an answer first. He can’t do anything if he doesn’t yet understand it.

“Brother, the butterflies keep flying as if they will cover the whole hill… ” (Sezh)

‘Eton, are you going to cover the whole hill?’ (Syarhwina)

“But it’s very pretty, right?”

‘But it’s very beautiful…’

“This time, I’m not giving it to you,” Eton drawled in a subdued voice. It’s not for you, it’s a small farewell gift for that child.

Perhaps because of those resolute words, Syarhwina’s voice that sounded like a dream faded away. Eton clenched his fist then moved his eyes down again to stare at Sezh.

“See you later, Sezh.”

‘Please keep doing well’.

As soon as he said those words, Eton jumped off the tree.

***

The golden butterflies continued to flutter around. None of them— not even one— flew to the temple where expensive items for sacrifice and exquisite foods existed. They only stayed around the two of them. It seemed like a pour of golden rain. Sezh swore she’d forever remember this memory all her life.

She loved it. It was wonderful to see this beautiful sight, and it was also nice that the person beside her was Raytan.

“Let’s come here again, next year.”

Raytan didn’t reply to her words at all. He just made the smallest nod he possibly could do, but it was enough.

The spring night air was warm and softly caressing their skin. A blowing wind floated to them the comforting scent of flowers. Everything was perfect.

The last day of the founding celebration was finally over.