The leaves fall.
The leaves dressed in multicolored scarlet, though they have lost their freshness, now flaunt their mature appearance. It is the beginning of autumn.
Flowers wither and bloom.
Layer by layer, the jewels of the earth that reveal their innermost beauty gradually lose their petals and bow their heads as they sink into the ground. Only a very few flowers might briefly reflect their own faces.
Animals scurry about, looking for food to fill their bellies.
The upcoming cold will usher in a harsh and arduous period. The beasts, driven more by instinct than reason, instinctively move to find sustenance in preparation for that time.
And then, winter comes.
That cold season, where even withered leaves crumble and mix with the earth.
It approaches. It comes closer, not retreating, holding the chill of coolness.
How do I know?
“Because winter always returns.”
Rina von Adelheit twisted her body in the plush bed. Just a slight shift, but her whole body screamed with pain.
Rina did not hate it. Nor did she like it. Life could not be viewed in simple dichotomies.
It was just that she was used to it. Perhaps it was a kind of thing that a sixteen-year-old girl should not be accustomed to, but nonetheless, Rina was used to the pain.
She had to be accustomed. Otherwise, it felt like she would wear herself down to nothing and could not bear it.
But still…
“It’s… lonely.”
Rina looked around the large room, her lips parting and closing repeatedly. She felt a desire to converse with someone, yet she did not ring for a servant.
Outside the window, she glimpsed the brightly adorned trees. The only way she knew the season was by the time the sun rose and set, the presence of the leaves faintly visible outside, and how desolately this room felt. Those were the only three clues.
The sun set a bit earlier than before, the autumn colors appeared, and the room felt suitably lonely.
Rina understood. It was unmistakably autumn.
Rina remembered her childhood. Was she around five? Memories of throwing herself onto a pile of soft autumn leaves in the front garden with her sister filled her mind.
Days that had become too difficult to repeat, yet enjoyed so much…
Rina had objectified her physical condition to some extent. Although she had always suffered from minor ailments, she could still reasonably play outside.
If there was a problem, it was her inherently weak body.
For ordinary people, a cold that might heal in a day would have Rina groaning for over a week, battling against it.
Invisible shackles carved into her body made even attempts to build stamina impossible.
Heart disease wasn’t a major issue. She needed to take medication regularly, but on the contrary, if she took her meds and refrained from excessive outdoor activities, it didn’t significantly impede her life. She could go on outings.
Her weak immune system, which struggled with even minor illnesses, was improving over time. Thanks to her father, Maximilian von Adelheit, who sought out all manner of renowned doctors.
As she grew older each year, Rina thought. At this rate, she might be able to run outside with her sister again, just like before.
The problem was her naturally frail body. The resulting poor stamina.
Exercise could build stamina. At least, Rina was not so foolish as to not know that.
Excessive exercise was risky due to her heart disease. Likewise, Rina was not so foolish as to be unaware of that.
To exercise, her body needed to cooperate.
– Rina. Have you heard of the Fall Festival?
Everyone, except Rina, was ignorant of that.
“How foolish…”
Rina recalled the stories her father had told her. The Fall Festival held every year at the Caldera Imperial Academy, where her sister, Laura von Adelheit, had enrolled.
Rina could not possibly not know about the fireworks that had adorned the sky of the city every fall. She was quite skilled at watching events happening outside the mansion from her window.
And she had always wished for this.
Being trapped like a fairy-tale princess, never having ventured outside the mansion.
If she could witness the fireworks, much closer than the stars adorned in the night sky, bursting forth with a similar brilliance.
If only she could see that beautiful spectacle alongside her beloved father, mother, and sister.
– Father, what is the Fall Festival?
– The Fall Festival is an event where students of the academy and citizens of the city gather to enjoy delicious food, partake in fun activities, and cool down the festival’s heat with fireworks… a delightful occasion that helps them gain the motivation to return to daily life.
Rina longed not just to spectate alone but to experience the festival herself. She missed the warmth of companionship, wondering why it had been denied to her.
Rina curled up in her bed even tighter. Cradling her knees, she buried her head deep within them, and her soft, silky white hair draped around her like a veil.
– I want to go, just once…
– Since Laura has entered the academy, we will go together when autumn comes. Laura will be waiting for you.
“How foolish…”
How foolish she felt.
Knowing better than anyone that no prince charming would come to rescue her in this confined and expansive castle, she had to watch the winter arrive while gazing out the window.
– Really?
– Yes. Your health is improving day by day; by then, you should be able to attend the festival together.
That she had harbored such a futile hope was…
“Truly, how foolish…”
Rina found that thought incredibly foolish.
This pain would soon vanish, and winter, where everything in the world withered away, would come. Rina knew this well.
Winter is good. While it is regrettable that there will be nothing to see, watching the pure white snow is a novel experience.
Occasionally, sneaking a little adventure by cracking open the window just enough to let snow fall on her palm… It was an enjoyable little trick that always brought her joy.
“That’s not a novelty at all…”
Rina struggled to swallow something that felt tightly knotted inside her. Though she hadn’t eaten anything, it felt as if something round and hard was catching in her throat.
That feeling of melancholy was swallowed down like that. Perhaps it was born from loneliness and resignation.
“…It’s okay.”
After swallowing that down, Rina felt a little better. She let out a deep sigh and slowly laid down on her bed.
“Now, it’s okay.”
With just that one phrase, all her greed vanished.
All that remained was to wait for winter to arrive.
“This winter, I want to make a snowman.”
She would make a small snowman. Though there weren’t materials to make arms, legs, and facial features, a snowman could exist with just a body and a head.
Even if it melted come spring, that fleeting time would be enough for her.
To have that small adventure of opening the window and letting snow fall on her palm, she swallowed her tears.
“Festival…”
Even if it doesn’t happen this year, next year, absolutely.
…Absolutely.
After hearing all the circumstances, the Adelhaid Duke quickly left the room, citing urgent matters.
The priest Luciana, who had been hovering around the Duke like a ghost, hinted at me before leaving with him.
“Let’s talk later… shall we?”
Seeing her with the Duke, she seemed to have come in place of Carmondorf, who had perished at Cesar’s hands, but for some reason, it didn’t seem like she was serving the Duke.
To be more precise, it felt more like she was in the role of an advisor, giving various pieces of advice to the Duke.
What could such a person and I possibly share? Considering her position as a priest, it would probably be something related to religion, but…
“Somehow, it doesn’t seem that way.”
After the Duke and Luciana left, it naturally became just me, Sofia the Sub-priest, and Laura in the chapel.
An awkward atmosphere filled the chapel. At this time, everyone had gathered in the annex courtyard to enjoy the festival, so no one entered the chapel.
“Shall we head out first?”
“…That would be best.”
There were still more than three days left until the fireworks began, meaning we had plenty of time.
There was no need to get buried in Rina’s matters just yet. Yes, there was no need for that.
“Professor, what was the method you mentioned?”
“Laura, I will explain that in due time.”
“But…”
“First, enjoy the festival. Aren’t you busy with your club activities?”
“…Yes.”
Laura nodded her head with reluctance, but she clearly had no desire to spoil the festival atmosphere.
While Rina’s situation was important, at this moment, I couldn’t do anything. It would be wise to keep the method of what could allow Rina to enjoy the festival to myself at least for now.
As we walked toward the annex courtyard, the sun was beginning to set, and Laura continued to pry about the method I mentioned…
“After all, if I tell her outright, she might not be comfortable with it.”
Initially, I had thought about borrowing Professor Esther’s illusion magic to show Rina a vision of the Fall Festival, similar to what we’d done during the theology integration exam last time.
However, I soon realized that wouldn’t work, so I discarded that idea.
What Rina wished most was to enjoy the festival with her family.
A festival needs the warmth and passion of people. The definition of a festival filled with the blessings of everyday life is about enjoying food and drink, laughter, and camaraderie.
Yet, attempting to realize that through an illusion undoubtedly has its limits. I have no desire to simply show Rina a picture of the festival and then ask, “There. Is that enough?”
Therefore, I must bring Rina directly to the festival through the method I came up with.
“…Can I do it?”
I worried whether my body would allow it. I had attempted this many times on the battlefield, but I questioned whether it could last long enough. However…
“Laura.”
“Yes?”
“If you’re really worried, how about making a promise?”
“A promise about what?”
Laura raised her head in confusion at the sudden mention of a promise; it would be a bit disorienting.
“I will make sure Rina can enjoy the festival with you… Absolutely, I will make it happen.”
“So, how…?”
“Just please, don’t ask me how. I know that asking to just believe me like this is unreasonable, but…”
Honestly, I know it seems unreasonable to ask her to believe me without explaining how.
However, even if I explained the method to them, Sofia and Laura would certainly not approve of it.
Not because they worried for Rina, but because they worried for me.
If you ask me whether I can do this, I cannot give a definite answer. I always just do my best.
“Laura. I promise I will ensure Rina can enjoy the festival with you.”
“……”
But… as Sir Jericho said, yes. This is not about whether I can or cannot…
“…I will believe you. If you promise, Professor.”
“It is necessary.”
