Shadowless Night

“It’s okay.”

When Calyx saw the mouse, no, Macaron jumping on its feet and threatening his sister… He wanted to do something similar.

“No, it’s not like that. Our Calyx is nice and…”

Seeing Calyx secretly smiling at those words, Macaron became very agitated. ‘Was it the characteristic of this family to not understand the situation?’ Macaron snorted at Rosaline, then descended to the shaggy carpet on the floor.

“Good God…”

An exclamation mixed with a groan escaped Calyx's mouth. The little beast turned black and started to swell in an instant. It was like a process in which new life was born in the darkness of nothing. The thick, black mist expanded like an explosion and then rapidly began to take the shape of a human.

If a shadow has life and breathes, would it be like this? It was a strange sight. The shadow's back, which was kneeling and curled up, slowly moved up and down, then began to move vigorously.

As the shadow raised her upper body and swept her hair back, the black color disappeared from her fingertips and toes. Calyx opened his mouth stupidly and looked at ‘It'. She slowly opened her eyes, which she had closed. Gray eyes stared straight at Calyx.

She was a small, brown-haired woman. Rosaline took off her robe and wrapped it around her shoulders, showing how she naturally served Macaron.

“Everything will depend on the circumstances.”

The woman suddenly started talking. It felt natural like she was continuing a conversation that had been interrupted for a second. When she finished organizing her clothes, the woman clasped her hands behind her neck and pulled her hair out of her clothes. Her hair fluttered across Rosaline’s cloak. 

“There is no absolute trust and no permanent relationship. At least that's what I think."

Macaron sat on the chair directly opposite Calyx. She grinned after wetting her throat with Rosaline’s cold tea.

Clack. There was a loud sound of the teacup being put down. Calyx touched his hand awkwardly.

“So whatever you are, I don’t believe you, nice and pretty Calyx.”

“… Okay.”

The woman's face was made of smooth, thin lines. One could describe her as having a gentle and weak impression, but she didn’t feel that way with her gray eyes shining like blades.

“Life is hard to keep and easy to throw away. I only hope you don’t take the easy road. Somehow, even if that happens, I’ll save your life… It seems like it will be difficult… I have a feeling about this…”

Macaron frowned as she placed her index finger on her temple. It was like the agony of a fortune teller peeping into someone's turbulent future. Her emotions were vivid, and her behavior was natural if not normal. Although Rosaline, who was like a wild animal in the past, has successfully established herself as a member of society through a lot of education and experience, Macaron showed a much higher level of humanity than that.

Every aspect of Macaron was so astonishing that Calyx didn't even mind her behavior at their first meeting. 

“… You don’t need to worry about that,” Calyx said.

“Oh my gosh, what a good answer.”

Hearing the sarcasm from Macaron, Rosaline intervened, telling her not to bully her brother. Calyx looked at his sister with a moved expression. The words ‘my brother,' tickled Calyx's stomach.

Feeling full of energy, Macaron looked at the pair of eccentric siblings alternately.

"These two people… they're playing…"

“Nevertheless, I…”

Calyx hesitated and opened his mouth. Macaron raised her eyebrows, gesturing at him to continue.

“I don’t mean to say things like this, but…”

"Why are you taking so long?”

Calyx asked her with a serious look on his face.

“Is your real name Macaron?”

“… It’ll be my real name now, right?”

He stared at Macaron as if she was insane. Calyx then shook his head awkwardly. 

“We don’t have names, so she just gave it to me for convenience.”

“Why don’t you have a name?”

It was pure curiosity. Everything usually has a name. Macaron looked as if he was asking something so obvious.

“You’re asking all the strange things. There is no need to call out to anyone, and there is no reason for anyone to call out to us."

The fact that he was talking to something without a name evoked complex sentiments in Calyx. Of course, there is nothing to be had to in the first place. It was like seeing a person without a heart. But since the person could live without one, it means they didn’t need a heart, right?

It was a bit bizarre and sad, but isn’t the person involved too casual? He had no choice but to move on.

“I will allow you to call me either Sir Macaron or Miss Macaron… If you keep in mind not to drag the ‘M’ in Macaron for too long, we’ll get along just fine.”

“… Yes, Miss Macaron.”

Because of the strange feeling he got after having to include a very honorable title in front of a famous dessert, Calyx soon forgot about his previous cheesy question.

***

Rattle. Rattle.

Every time the carriage swayed a little, the boy leaned close to the window and looked out. It was the first time he had been in such a good carriage. All the carriages the boy has ridden before made a noisy rattling sound. It was also common for his body to float and be thrown into a corner.

But how the hell was this gigantic carriage made? While it was running on this rough road, there was only a slight rattling noise and light shaking. Even that was absorbed by the soft, fluffy seats, making it feel like he was sitting on a gently swaying wave.

[Ricardis.]

The woman sitting in front of him called the boy. As the boy turned his head, silver hair that reached his shoulders fluttered and swayed.

[Yes, Mother?]

[Could you hold Tia?]

A little girl with curly silver hair was dozing in her arms. Ricardis reached out his hands and took his sister. Ricardis held his younger sister, who was four years old. He noticed that she had become somewhat heavier. Setistia whined in his arms. The smell of milk wafted from his soft, warm little sister.

Ricardis smiled and patted Setistia on the back. Meanwhile, the woman talked with the young man sitting next to her.

[Will we arrive within today, Isserion?]

[Yes, Mistress. You should be able to enter the Imperial Palace before the sun goes down. Unless you have something else to do first.]

[There’s nothing special.]

She looked out the window and saw the people escorting the carriages. All of them were wearing armor engraved with the Radwiell family crest. Among them was one who stood out in particular with his black hair, green eyes, and a long scar across one eye.

That alone was intimidating enough, but the large physique of the man reinforced the ferocious impression. The man was Fertan, the Count of Radwiell County, chosen to be in charge of escorting the carriage.

Fertan noticed her gaze and approached the carriage.

[What’s going on?]

Milia smiled brightly.

[Is everything alright?]

[It is all going smoothly.]

[I’m glad to hear that.]

Milia sighed.

[I'm sorry.]

[I was hoping for something to happen] she added. 

Isserion panicked next to her and pulled the hem of her sleeve.

[What are you talking about now!] 

Milia laughed theatrically and again said that if anything happens, she’ll make sure to let him know. Fertan shook his head slightly and backed away again.

[What are you talking about, Mistress!]

[Why are you so angry, Isserion?]

[Y- You know who that is. Be careful with your words!]

[Why? I know who he is. He's the Emperor's faithful dog.]

[Mistress!]

As Isserion almost screamed at her, Milia placed her index finger on her lips. Isserion hastily lowered his voice. He knew she didn’t want to wake the child from her sweet sleep.

Ricardis fell asleep watching the two of them quarreling. When he woke up, Setistia was again in Milia's arms while Ricardis lay on Isserion's thighs. As Ricardis rubbed his eyes, Isserion immediately nagged.

[You can't rub them, little Master. Your eyes will fall out.]

[Ngg…]

[Get some more sleep.]

As Isserion patted Ricardis on the back and tried to let him sleep again, Ricardis shook his head lightly.

[How much longer?]

[We're almost there.]

Ricardis clung to the window again. The scenery was different from before. Instead of grass and trees, it was a clean street full of tall buildings. To Ricardis, who'd lived in a small estate on the outskirts of the kingdom, everything looked large and impressive. As he exhaled continuous exclamations, Isserion laughed from behind.

[Little Master, over there. Look up above.]

As he followed Isserion's finger and his eyes moved in that direction, he saw white castles standing high as if piercing the sun.

[That is the Imperial Palace.]

It was beautiful. The most beautiful thing Ricardis has ever seen since he was born. He couldn't take his eyes off the white castles. What aroused Ricardis' attention was Milia's voice, which felt somewhat stiff.

[Ricardis.]

When he turned around, Milia was looking at him.

[Ricardis, Isserion. Come closer.]

Ricardis noticed that darkness fell over her usual smile. Ricardis and Isserion got up and sat at her feet. Milia also sat on the floor holding Setistia. Isserion wanted to nag her, but when he realized she wasn't in the mood, he bit his tongue.