The Budding Dawn

What a lovely tea party this has been!

I'm ever so glad you were able to join us today, Lord Aldo. Thank you so much.

Haha, thanks for inviting me. I had a great time too.

You're very welcome!

Well, I should get going. I've got someplace to be. I'd be happy to come again, though.

Of course! That sounds wonderful.

Yeah!

I suppose I should head home, as well.

......

I'm...home.

...... (The same as always. No change. It hasn't changed at all, not since that day so long ago...)

...Phew.

Today for sure... I'll get this place organized.

I haven't replaced the flowers even once since that day... And yet they refuse to wilt. They remain just as beautiful as the day I placed them...

They may not even be real flowers anymore. Who can say.

Perhaps I should just sleep...

Oh, no. I must clean my room...

(Looking around this place for too long terrifies me. I sleep to avoid having to process it.)

Father... Mother...

I finished reading every one of these books a very long time ago. My nursemaid read me this one... and Mother read me this one, so many, many times.

......

(This curtain...)

(No, I can't open it. I'm too afraid. What lies beyond it...) (I dread to find out what sight stretches out beyond that window.)

(I've done it again.) (I've passed yet another day without touching or changing a single thing.) (Yet another day in this endless chain of endless days...since I was closed up inside this book.)

Certainly. Long, long ago... My nation devised a plan to lift the land up and away from the rotting earth, into the skies. My role in this plan was to help perform the levitation... I suppose you could consider me to have been a key, of sorts.

But before X-Day was upon us, I fell into the hands of an enemy assassin.

(Ever since those men stole into the palace before the ritual...)

(This room has been preserved in that very moment. Frightfully so, like a corpse under glass.)

(I will never be able to organize this room. I can't even open one single curtain.)

(An unchanging room, filled with unchanging furniture, unchanging books, unchanging dust...) (And now it's all that remains.)

(The one bit left of my Magnolia...)

Ugh, enough of this moping! This situation is hardly new, now is it, Cynthia. You should be happy you were able to spend a pleasant afternoon in pleasant company, and...

Princess!

......?!

What...?

Dara...? What...how are you here?! You...I thought... N-no, this can't... What is the meaning of this? All this time, there's never... There's never been anyone else in this room aside from me!

Don't be silly, your Highness. You must still be half-asleep. I've looked after you since you were nursing in my arms. And I've come to wake up our sleeping beauty every day since!

Well, yes... Yes, I know that! But, even so!

That day, the day the kingdom was attacked... Dara, you...

Attacked?

Oh, dear, you must have had an awful dream, your Highness.

Here, a little bit of sunshine will warm you up and set you...

N-no! Don't!

Aah! What's the matter, your Highness? Is something wrong?

Ah... I-I'm sorry.

I just... D-don't want to look outside...

Your Highness...

Don't fret, now. You poor thing, you're trembling...

You've always loved having your hair stroked like this. Ever since you were very small.

......!

Ah...aah...

You haven't cried from a scary dream in years. It feels as though I've gone back to the past, almost.

Dara... Oh, Dara...!

Yes, that's right. I'm here. I'm right here, your Highness.

Sniffle... (This...this can't be real. There's no way it could be real, and yet...and yet!)

You must be so tired. You've been working so hard for the levitation ritual, after all.

Haha. You've been even more dignified and imperious than usual.

Huh?

Don't worry, your Highness. It only makes sense for you to be nervous when today is the big day...

But it will be a success, I promise. It'll be a snap for someone as clever, strong, and brave as you are.

W-wait a moment. The ritual is...today? But...that means...

Come now, your Highness. You mustn't mope around all morning. Here, I've brought you a present. The magisters put their all into making this ritual dress for you!

Wait...wait, please! If that's the case, then I have no time for this!

Now, now! There's no call to be disagreeable. You've always made me help you get dressed before, and I'll hardly stop today of all days.

Right this way!

Ah!

Oh, your Highness!

You truly are so, so beautiful... It suits you so very well. You look like a goddess, descending to lead her people.

...... This...

This is...the weight I should have shouldered that day. But instead, I...because of me, everything fell, everything turned to dust and rubbish...

Your Highness?

Really, what's the matter? Is your dream still clinging to you? But no, you've been acting too strangely for that to be the only thing that's going on...

Tell me. What IS going on, then?

What is going on here?! Just tell me already! Who are you...

And what is all of this?!

Pardon me, Highness.

......!!!

Ah, all finished changing? Looks like you're all ready to start the show, aren't you.

No... I knew it! Stay back... Stay away!

Get behind me, your Highness!

You scum! Who are you? Get out, right this instant! The guards will... Where are the guards?

We're here for the princess, not anyone else. Too bad for you.

No, Dara! Please, no...

Aah...!

No witnesses.

No... Aah...

Dara? Dara, please... Please, I'm begging you...

No need to be afraid, princess. I promise not to hurt a single hair on your head, how's that? We just need your magic, really. You'll be a valuable sample, locked up in the Silver Ark...

Never changing, never depreciating, simply preserved into the far future. Doesn't that sound fine, princess? Do you understand the beauty of our goals, our vision?

...... Not again...

Hm?

You have the gall to ask me that again?!

Hm? This is the very first time you and I have ever spoken, princess. I suppose it's only natural to be rattled with your nanny lying dead on the floor in front of you.

But please do get it together. After all, with the central player in our hands... Unfortunately, the ritual will fail, and every one of your countrymen will suffer a similar fate.

We would really prefer for you to be in generally stable condition, physically and mentally. Your value for preservation drops rather precipitously otherwise. The pain of losing your nurse and your people will fade in time... But I wager it'll be quite some time.

So, how about this? I'll seal you away with your entire room, books and all. It'll certainly be better than pitch darkness. A familiar and comfortable place to sleep.

...!!

Ugh!

Sweet dreams... Our Goddess.

Aah!! Hah... Hah...

That...was... (A dream? No. I can still sense the magic, and the presence... And I'm still wearing that dress.) (And...I can still feel all the sensations lingering in my fingertips.) (That was no dream! But then, just what was it?)

(I can't stop shaking... Why? Why would I suddenly see a recreation of that day...?)

Princess!

Ah?!

Wha?!

Dara?! How...

Don't be silly, your Highness. You must still be half-asleep. I've looked after you since you were nursing in my arms. And I've come to wake up our sleeping beauty every day since!

...... (Is the same thing going to happen again?!)

Oh, your Highness. What's the matter? You look as though you've seen a ghost...

Ah, look at you! You've dressed yourself!

Dara, listen, I...

Pardon me, Highness.

......!!!

Ah, all finished changing? Looks like you're all ready to start the show, aren't you.

Get behind me, your Highness!

You scum! Who are you? Get out, right this instant! The guards will... Where are the guards?

We're here for the princess, not anyone else. Too bad for you.

(...No!) (I don't want to see any more!)

Nngh! (Why?! Why can't I hit him?!)

Aah...!

No witnesses.

No need to be afraid, princess. I promise not to hurt a single hair on your head, how's that? We just need your magic, really. You'll be a valuable sample, locked up in the Silver Ark...

Never changing, never depreciating, simply preserved into the far future. Doesn't that sound fine, princess?

You know something, don't you?! This, this phenomenon! Is this your doing?!

Hm? Whatever do you mean? I suppose it's only natural to be rattled with your nanny lying dead on the floor in front of you.

We would really prefer for you to be in generally stable condition, physically and mentally. Your value for preservation drops rather precipitously otherwise. The pain of losing your nurse and your people will fade in time... But I wager it'll be quite some time.

So, how about this? I'll seal you away with your entire room, books and all. It'll certainly be better than pitch darkness. A familiar and comfortable place to sleep.

...!!

Sweet dreams... Our Goddess.

Aah!! Hah... Hah...

(I knew it! It is repeating! Everything that happened...) (The time right before the ritual, before I was sealed into the book!) Is this an illusion? But who would do such a thing, and how... And why?

...Nnh!

(Calm down...calm down, Cynthia. All this happened many, many years ago. It's all in the past...) (No, you mustn't cry! You mustn't let your emotions get the better of you. Hold on tightly!) (Deep breaths...don't let it pull you along. Open your eyes...)

Princess!

Are you alright, your Highness? You don't look well at all.

Dara...

Yes, that's right. I'm here. I'm right here, your Highness.

No matter what, I'll be here. Now, then, and always...

I... I...

Ah, all finished changing? Looks like you're all ready to start the show, aren't you. Now, then...

You're a valuable sample for us, princess. Time for you to go to sleep in the eternal Silver Ark.

No...no, no... Nooooo!

Aldo.

Hm?

Hey, Sophia. What's going on?

Thank goodness I found you. There's something I need to speak to you about.

Have you seen Cynthia lately?

Cynthia? Not today... I had tea with her and Suzanne yesterday in the auction district. But not since then.

I see. Thank you.

Did something happen?

We had plans to go out today. But it's long past time, and she hasn't come. She usually arrives even before the meeting time.

That is worrying.

If she's not with you, then she's not helping out with your journey, either, I assume. I'll check out her home... The book, I mean. Thanks for the information.

I'll come with you. I'm getting worried now too.

Thank you, Aldo. It'll be good to have someone else.

You and Cynthia are both important to me, after all. Now, where was her book being kept, again?

The records room in Macminal Museum. ...I have a bad feeling about this. Let's go as quickly as we can.

Yeah!

Where's Cynthia's book?

Over there.

What's all this?!

It looks like my bad feeling was right. I sense some immense magic coming from inside the book.

Is Cynthia inside?

Yes, most likely. I can sense her magic inside, too. But it's chaotic, unsettled... What could be going on in there?

Maybe we could just...open it? Would that get her out?

Ugh!

Aldo! Are you okay?

Yeah, but...

The book itself is rejecting any outside interference. That's annoying. I don't know what's going on, but...

If some book thinks it can keep me from bringing her home safely to us, it has another thing coming. Are you going to open up? Or do I have to get creative with this inkwell? Decide fast, book!

............ ............ (How many dozens of times have I seen this happen, now?) (Everything I turned away from, these many years. The things I tried to hide from, to spare myself pain.) (If I had acted just a moment faster. If my magic was just a bit stronger.) (If I hadn't stood surprised when the attack happened.) (If I had made some kind of signal for my people to evacuate, anything, before I was shut away.) (I see it over and over, think it over and over, endlessly...) (Ever since I awoke that day. And yet...)

Your Highness!

Oh, dear! Why are your lovely eyes so red, your Majesty? You look so pale...and these stains on your cheeks! Have you been crying?

Dara...

I'd like to ask you something.

Of course, anything.

Dara, do... ...... Do you remember the book fairies?

......

I was always a little bookworm... I loved stories of all kinds. And I loved how you read them to me, too. I loved tracing along the words while you read to me with your sweet, soft voice... And I loved when you did little voices for the different characters. My favorite of all...

Was the story of the book fairies.

......

They were playful fairies who lived in books, and could change their stories, or play in the story themselves... They could be very naughty. But even then...

"Even then, they were beloved friends and beloved neighbors to the sweet and clever little princess. "The girl who read so many stories and laughed, cried, clapped and even danced with excitement... "They always loved to be near people who loved stories and books as much as they did. "Sharing their joys, their sadness, and holding their hands. "Maybe there's a book fairy right here in the room with us even now?"

You always did love that story. Even now that you've grown into such a fine young lady, much too grown to sit on my lap anymore.

Haha. I think I still could!

Now, now, don't be spoiled!

Whenever Dara told me that story... It made me happy to think that there were precious little lives in stories, outside of the main characters.

Haha. Even now, I sometimes feel like I have friends very close by, whenever I read a book.

You love stories from the bottom of your heart, after all, Highness. And I'm sure any book fairy lucky enough to meet you would come to love you, too. I can just tell!

Oh, how wonderful! You've always been so kind to me, Dara.

Of course! I've loved you ever since you were a little girl.

......

Dara. No... ...Miss book fairy. Please... Please, stop this.

......

Why are you doing this? Why show me that day, over and over? When I think of you, and when I sense your magic, I know you bear me no ill will. But that just makes me wonder even more. Why...?

...sad thoughts.

Huh?

sad feelings. alone...always. everyone gone. hurts. sad feelings. want to meet them. we show you them. memories in the book. can show you now. always want to show you. dearest person to you is right here in memory. country is still here. with dear person and country, no more tears every day. no more sad feelings.

Because...I was lonely? Because I spent my days crying? You saw all of it?

Oh... I see.

Thank you. You did this because you wanted to help me feel better, didn't you?

But... Even so, I would like you to stop.

why?

This memory is... It's a painful one. The moment I lost what was most precious to me, seared into my vision forever. I was glad to see Dara again, yes. But, in the end...

It's nothing more than an illusion. It doesn't change the fact that I'm alone in here, not really. What I lost will never return. And seeing it again, here but not, only brings me pain.

......

That's why I've never once...

okay.

......?!

no longer alone. want you to smile here. will bring everyone outside inside the book too. then you won't be lonely. will be happy and have friends. just wait.

What?! Wait, no!

Whoa, what the?!

The seal on the book has opened!

Wait! Wait, please!

Cynthia!

Lord Aldo?! Sister!

You missed our meetup, so I came to fetch you.

...You've been crying, and hard. What happened to you in there?

Ah, I don't want to worry you...

I sensed some sort of magic within. It seems to have left the book, though.

...Oh! Right!! The book fairies, they mean to pull people into the book! To trap them!

Wait, what? The what?

There will be time for details later. That ball of light left the library.

We have to chase after it! I couldn't bear it if anything happened to people on my account!

Uh, is that the fairy?

Yes! That's it!

This is bad news. It seems the power of the silver ink from the tome you were trapped in has empowered them somewhat. It's made them a little more real... Which means they'll try to convert people into text and drag them into their own world of books.

That sounds really bad! We have to stop them.

Wait, please, Lord Aldo!

Huh?

This is all my fault. She only wanted to make me feel better, not to hurt anyone.

Now...now I finally see. My weakness, and my sin. For so very long, I turned my gaze away from the sight. And from my countrymen...

......

All of this is the result of my own weakness. And so...

Miss Fairy!

Please, stop this. I have already...

It seems to see us as the enemy.

Please calm down! We just want...

These are my dearest friends. My beloved ones. Just like you.

......

......?!

The power of the silver ink is too much for it to handle. It'll break apart at this rate!

......!! No... Not you, too.

I may have outlived my people, as the princess of a land that no longer exists... But I swear on these vestments, I will not let harm come to those within my reach. I will not falter... And I will never look away again!

There!

Miss Fairy!

How are you feeling?! Oh, what do I do?! I tried so hard not to hit you directly, but!

......

No, no! Please, no... After all you did for me!

Deep breaths. She'll be fine.

The breakdown has stopped. We got to her before the corruption spread too far, and also... Cynthia. Your magic is helping bolster this being and making up for the magic she's lacking. Your quick thinking and decisive action saved her life.

Oh...oh, thank goodness. She's safe...

But then, why is she transparent?

She's drained, I would say. Even before the strain of the silver ink, she must have used a lot of magic.

Miss Fairy...

cynthia.

Ah! Miss Fairy!

are you okay? won't cry...anymore? can you look... behind the curtain?

...!

Yes. Yes, I'm okay now. I won't spend my days crying in that room anymore. Thanks to you...I can finally move forward, and work towards a revival in the true sense.

So, you rest up for now. And please...keep watching over me. Once you've recovered, we'll have many more chances to talk. We have so many books to read together!

promise?

Yes, I promise!

good night... cynthia.

It seems she'll rest within you in order to return to the book.

...Yes.

Dear Sister, Lord Aldo... Ahem. I apologize for all the worry I've caused you today.

No problem at all. I'm glad everything worked out.

I don't mind, either. You look stronger now, Cynthia. And perhaps more independent, too.

Not at all! I'll always be dependent on you!

Now, now, don't make a scene. Oh, right. What about our day out? We could go today, or reschedule.

......

I would like to go home today. May we go out tomorrow instead?

Alright. Tomorrow it is.

Will you be okay getting back to the book on your own?

Ah, but I'm not on my own.

Haha, I guess not.

Take care, okay? And I'm looking forward to our next tea party, too.

Of course!

Now, let's go home.

...I'm home.

......

Haha. How strange. There's no one to greet me, and nothing about this place has changed one bit...

And yet it feels different.

My loneliness has changed. From a sharp lump of ice...

To a soft and gentle blanket of snow, lying over a flower bud as it slowly grows toward its time to bloom.

......

Yes... Yes, indeed. (Much has been lost. Too much. And yet, the country we loved still lives here, in these pages.)

Someday. Someday, I swear. I'll see my country revived. I'll finally fulfill my duty. I will not be her last princess. I'll sow the seeds that will one day sprout and blossom across this landscape... I hope you'll watch over me.