~Chapter 8~
Everything became quiet, like a grave.
It felt like only the two of them existed in frozen time.
“Let’s fall into hell together.”
A faint image appeared before Aria’s eyes.
Grey, empty eyes.
A lazy smile.
The Grand Duke… looking hollow.
Then the image disappeared like smoke.
“Ah.”
Aria moved her lips slightly, but only weak breathing came out.
That was close…
She almost spoke.
The sound of rain filled her ears again.
Time started moving once more.
“You don’t understand your situation, do you?”
Maybe because Aria didn’t panic, Lloyd’s expression hardened.
He pushed his sword closer to her neck.
A thin line of blood appeared.
“……”
It hurt, but Aria made no sound.
She was used to holding in pain.
“So it’s true—you can’t speak.”
…Was he testing her?
Aria looked up at him nervously.
He doubts my existence itself…
Sweat mixed with rain ran down her face.
Her dress was already soaked in blood and rain.
It hurts…
Her strength weakened.
She dropped the umbrella.
Thud.
The rain poured down.
Her face was revealed.
For the first time, Lloyd showed surprise.
“…A rabbit?”
Because of the rabbit mask.
“Rabbit…”
He repeated, confused.
Seeing her trembling in the rain, his brows slowly frowned.
“Rabbit.”
“……”
“If you want to say something, move your lips. I can read them.”
Her true feelings?
I came to meet you.
I’ll burn myself so you can shine.
…but she couldn’t say that.
Instead, her lips moved without thinking.
— I liked it when you petted me.
“……”
Lloyd looked at her like she was crazy.
Later
“You’ve never used a weapon, have you?”
Lloyd held her hand and examined it.
It was soft, with no calluses.
“For your age, shouldn’t you at least know one weapon?”
At ten?
Aria was confused.
“You don’t even have muscles. Just bones.”
Isn’t that normal for a child?
She tilted her head.
Lloyd lifted her wrist. Her whole arm followed easily.
He frowned.
“It’s a miracle you’re alive. Weak pulse. Fragile bones. I could crush you if I tried.”
“……”
“Are all people outside the border this weak?”
He muttered,
“My mother wasn’t even this weak…”
He looked at her like a strange animal.
I was always weak… and abused too.
Aria touched her neck—
“!”
It hurt badly. Tears formed in her eyes.
Lloyd took out a handkerchief and threw it at her.
She caught it, surprised.
“Use it and throw it away.”
It was a clean white cloth.
She awkwardly wiped her neck.
Lloyd watched, annoyed, then walked over and took it back.
“Give it.”
He carefully treated her wound.
It was actually shallow.
He quickly stopped the bleeding and tied the cloth around her neck.
“Why are you wearing a mask?”
He tapped it, trying to remove it.
Aria quickly stepped back.
His brow twitched.
“You, rabbit.”
Rainwater poured out of the soaked mask.
It was soft and cute… didn’t think this would happen.
Aria blankly thought.
Instead of laughing, Lloyd spoke seriously.
“Are you feed for the sewer rats?”
Aria was shocked.
Sewer rats meant criminals from the underworld.
“Those raised as ‘feed’ either can’t speak or have their tongues cut.”
“Feed” were people raised like tools—obedient, mindless, ready to die.
“You came as the Count’s daughter, but your name isn’t on his records. How will you prove you’re not from the underworld?”
She had no way to prove it.
Valentine has enemies everywhere…
“So, there’s only one way to check.”
There is?
“Say: ‘Damn sewer rats, I’ll kill them.’”
“……”
“Won’t say it?”
“……”
“Then you must be one of them.”
He grabbed his sword again, killing intent rising.
Aria quickly placed her hand over his.
He flinched slightly.
— I’ve never cursed before.
She hesitated, then mouthed:
— I’ll kill them.
For the first time…
It felt strangely relieving.
“Say it properly.”
— Damn sewer rats, I’ll kill them.
“…Hmm.”
He relaxed his grip on the sword.
“Fine.”
“If you’re not one of them, leave.”
“……”
“Walking out yourself is the only way to survive. There’s no place here for someone weak like you.”
He pushed her hand away and left.
Aria stood alone in the hallway.
Only after he disappeared did she move.
Later
“The young lord disappeared again?”
Maids were whispering.
Aria could hear everything clearly.
Sirens had weak bodies—but very sharp senses.
Good thing Lloyd didn’t notice…
He thinks I’m weak… I hope it stays that way.
“Again?”
“Yes. Whenever the Duchess gets worse, she sends everyone away.”
“More people will die today…”
“The Grand Duke is out fighting bandits. The young lord is missing…”
“He caught spies before and threw them to jaguars…”
The maid shivered.
So… they’re taking out their anger because they can’t stay by her side.
Aria understood.
But still…
They really are like devils.
I survived because I look weak.
She touched her neck.
“It’s not the first time she collapsed… but this time…”
“Be careful what you say.”
“…She said she wants to be buried under a cherry tree.”
“She always waited for spring…”
“Damn rain.”
“Damn world. Let it all end.”
The maids walked away, cursing.
Cherry blossoms…
Aria remembered the trees in the garden.
She ran there immediately.
Garden
Luckily, no one was watching her.
It was early dawn.
Aria looked up at the sky, then stood under a cherry tree.
The petals had all fallen from the rain.
But it was a huge tree.
Visible even from the Duchess’s room.
Song of Life.
It had been a long time since she sang.
Aria closed her eyes.
And softly…
She began to sing.
