Memory Piece: Peaceful Prayer
The wind gently shook the flowers in the light of the setting sun.
The Kingdom of Bloomeria in the Country of Flowers and Greenery had once been at war…-.
Today, on this ground, the souls of those killed in the war were to be given blessings so that they would be at peace.
Julius: "Hm? That's…"
After the ceremony had ended and the attendees had left…
A single prince caught Julius' eye, standing alone in the flower field.
Julius: "If you're here for the ceremony, you just missed it."
Akito: "! Julius…"
Julius: "Why didn't you come?"
Akito: "…I am the Prince of the Red Spider Lily Family. Flowers that carry such poison in them cannot really be offered as a blessing to the deceased, no?"
His eyes wavered with a sense of loneliness as he looked down at the surrounding field of flowers, beautiful in their full bloom.
Julius: "But you were nearby when we were holding the ceremony."
Akito: "…so you noticed."
Julius: "Yeah, well, you're good at hiding your presence but…-"
Akito: "…"
Julius: "Well, that's enough of that. There's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Julius let out a short breath as he turned to look at Akito seriously.
Julius: "When I do the ceremony for the repose of souls next year, I'm inviting you."
Akito: "But I…-"
Julius: "They may be poisonous, but that doesn't change the fact that they're beautiful flowers. That's what you're really thinking, right?"
Akito: "Julius…"
Julius wasn't beating around the bush, and Akito's eyes got a little bit wider…
Akito: "…thank you very much."
Akito smiled gently and gave a slight nod.
Aktio: "Though I'm sure…the repose of souls is not just necessary for the deceased."
Julius: "…? What's that mean?"
Akito: "When you performed the ceremony, you noticed me though I had erased my presence. That isn't normal."
Julius: "I'm always alert to my surroundings, and if my heightened sensitivity isn't stretched to the limits …"
Akito: "…you wouldn't have been able to survive that war."
With a shadow over his expression, Julius slowly shook his head.
With that, Akito looked down in silence…-.
Akito: "If I was allowed to perform the prayer…it would be for the deceased, but also for those who survived. I would wish to lift up my prayers in the hopes of easing the hearts of both parties."
Julius: "Akito…"
Julius blinked repeatedly, taken by surprise, then suddenly the expression around his eyes relaxed.
END