[ Bos-San, 5:34 pm ]
I ran through the dark, empty corridor, my feet barely grazing the stone as I moved—each step a fleeting touch, as though I were gliding rather than running.
I burst into the courtyard. Stone walls enclosed the open square, and at its center a patch of winter-green shrubs stirred faintly in the cold air. I clutched the letter tight against my chest.
From the opposite archway, Mertha stepped into view, my path cutting straight toward her.
I slowed and bowed slightly before raising my head. "Madam Mertha, a letter from Raily has just arrived." I held it out. "The troupes are ready. I've already sent several units to the concentration camp—they'll arrive within the hour. It would be best if we moved now."
Mertha's gaze didn't waver. She remained silent, her lips sealed together.
"Raily's letter, madam." I raised my hand higher, waiting for her to take it.
[. . . ]
"Would you… like me to read it for you?" I hesitated. "I've read the letter was for me."
— Emerald. Recall the troupes. We're not going anywhere.
My eyes widened. The letter nearly slipped from my grasp—but Mertha reached out, taking it from my hand and breaking the seal.
— I spoke with Mei a few days ago… she came here personally and told me not to rescue her.
— I struggled with this for nights without sleep, but I have chosen to respect her choice.
— Mei does not want to be saved.
I stuttered not believing anymore.
"But-t… why?" I stammered. "There's still hope. We can protect her—and her daughter!" My words spilled out in a rush. "Raily asked me for my help. She asked for our troupes—she's already on her way to the execution site with a hundred and fifty men."
I stepped closer, my hands trembling.
"We can save her from Edward. We can stand against the
I reached out, gripping Mertha's shoulder, meeting her eyes.
"Madam—no." I swallowed. "Mertha. I say this as your friend. All these years… all the suffering our people have endured—we can finally stand against them. Raily is here. And her brother is with her."
Mertha's gaze sharpened.
"What?"
"Yes." I nodded. "Raily wrote that he's alive. He's here to fight alongside us. Zack survived Jia Wei's attack—Raily saved him."
For the first time, her expression cracked.
"Zack…is alive?"
I nodded again. "We can rescue Mei. We can show her there's another way. There's always another possibility. "
Mertha lowered her eyes to the letter and read.
[ dear comrade,
I'm writing to you at the exact moment I have learned the truth and the whole truth.
My members and I have invaded Sen's keep. He is now held hostage under my command. As punishment for his treachery, I will feed him to my fenrir— after me and my members have successfully rescued the queen from Edward's hands.
There's another truth I must share. My brother recently knocked at my front door and has allied with us for this mission. I strongly believe with your help and the help of our troupes and my brother, our mission will be successful.
sincerely, Raily. ]
"She has Sen?" Mertha murmured, folding the letter carefully.
I nodded.
"If that's the case," she said at last, "then I will not stop you. Nor Raily." She looked up. "I grant you permission to lead the mission in my place."
Light flared in my chest.
I bowed deeply.
"I won't disappoint you, Madam."
I turned to leave.
"Stay safe, Emerald."
⪻────────𖤓────────⪼
[ The Saint Golden Loaf, bakery, 5:58 pm ]
The clock on the wall read [ 5: 58 ]. I kept my eyes on it, counting the seconds in my head. Almost six.
When the hand finally clicked into place, I looked around. The owner, Mrs. Kim was wiping the glass case and setting out pastries.
I turned the other way, in front of me. Andrew was sitting by the window, reading his book. He didn't move much, just flipped a page now and then.
I pushed my chair back. "I'm going to the bathroom."
Andrew looked up for barely a second. "Okay."
Then he disappeared back into his book.
- - -
I walked quickly to the bathroom and closed the door behind me, careful not to make a sound.
The bathroom downstairs was small, uncomfortably small, with a tiny window high above the bathtub.
[ I definitely couldn't reach it. ]
I stepped in front of the oval mirror. Warm light from the lamp above washed over my reflection.
My hair was unbrushed, messy strands coming out from my braid. My cheeks were flushed from the cold air in the main hall, and the tip of my nose dipped in cream.
[ I look ordinary today. Just like yesterday. And the day before. ]
But today wasn't ordinary.
Today was my mother's execution.
I had overheard Victor and Andrew talking. I knew exactly where they were keeping her.
It was the same place the Lords had killed my parents.
Zack once told me that the skill [ Destined Union ] belonged to me—to us. That it was something we shared.
I remembered how I met him.
How the connection between us was formed.
The truth is… I had met Zack in my dream.