The world around them became sharper. More vivid.
The castle now stood whole, with solid walls, flawless stained glass, and corridors filled with servants, guards, and nobles moving back and forth.
And in the middle of it all, a simple scene.
A thin boy, determined eyes, simple training clothes, held a wooden sword that almost dragged along the floor.
— Akashiin!
The voice echoed through the corridor.
A little girl came running barefoot, wearing a light dress that did not match the small, crooked crown slipping to the side of her head. Her smile lit up the entire hallway.
Jay felt his chest tighten. It was as if he were standing there himself, frozen in the corridor, watching everything from just a few steps away.
— This… — he whispered. — Are we seeing this through his eyes?
— Not just seeing it — Elenya breathed deeply. — It feels like we're inside the memory with him.
The girl stopped in front of the boy.
— You really came! — she grabbed his arm with both hands. — I thought they'd keep you stuck in training.
Young Akashin smiled awkwardly.
— I… managed to sneak away for a bit.
She narrowed her eyes, pretending to scold him.
— You're going to get in trouble.
— But you were going to be waiting… — he replied, scratching the back of his neck. — And I don't like making you wait.
Sienna felt a weight settle in her stomach.
— He was like that even as a kid…
The girl took two steps back and raised a smaller wooden sword, decorated with golden details.
— Then let's train. If one day I become queen, I'll need someone strong by my side, right?
— I'm just a commoner — young Akashin murmured. — But… I'll protect you anyway.
They took their stances.
The wooden swords clashed.
There was no perfect technique, only enthusiasm. She laughed every time she struck his shoulder. He pretended to fall whenever she hit him, just to make her laugh even louder.
And hidden behind the columns, a few servants whispered among themselves:
— The princess shouldn't spend so much time with that boy…
— Someday, this will cause trouble…
Marcus clenched his fist.
— From childhood, it was already "forbidden," huh?
The memory slid forward, like someone turning a page.
Now they stood in the inner garden.
The sun was setting behind the walls, painting the sky orange. Purple and blue flowers filled carefully tended beds. A fountain murmured softly in the background.
Akashin, now a teenager, wore the simple armor of a newly appointed soldier. A real steel katana hung at his waist.
Walking beside him was the princess, older now. An elegant dress, regal posture… but the same eyes.
— You shouldn't walk so close to me — she said, smiling despite the words.
— I'm a soldier now — Akashin replied, staring straight ahead, trying not to look at her face. — Escorting you through the gardens is part of my duties.
— Oh, of course… — she rolled her eyes. — "Duties."
Ethan felt the atmosphere as if he were there, just a few steps behind them, hearing every word.
— Can we stop pretending? — she continued softly. — I've known you since you used to eat dirt in the garden beds.
— I didn't eat dirt… — Akashin muttered.
— You did. — She laughed. — I saw you.
He almost smiled, but quickly turned serious again.
— You're the future queen — he insisted. — I'm just a commoner who happened to be good with a sword. If anyone notices… the way I look at you…
She stopped.
Akashin realized too late. He took two more steps, then turned back awkwardly.
She moved closer.
— And how do you look at me, Akashin?
He swallowed hard.
— I…
The five players nearly held their breath with him.
But Akashin looked away.
— I shouldn't look.
Her smile cracked just a little, but it didn't disappear.
— Then let me look for both of us — she said. — Even if the whole world says it's forbidden.
Sienna hugged her own arms.
— This hurts more than any HP bar dropping…
The vision darkened and flared again somewhere else.
A stone corridor, nearly empty, lit by torches. Night.
She walked quickly, lifting her dress slightly to avoid tripping. The players' hearts seemed to follow the rhythm of her breathing.
Akashin waited at the end of the corridor, in full armor, helmet tucked under his arm.
When he saw her, he straightened his posture, as if any weakness were a crime.
— My queen — he began.
— Don't start — she cut in, stepping closer. — Not here. Not now.
She glanced around, making sure they were alone.
— They want me to choose a consort — she said bluntly. — Princes from other kingdoms, dukes, sons of generals…
Akashin froze.
— That… is good for the kingdom.
She let out a hollow laugh.
— It's good for politics. But what's good for me?
He tightened his grip on the helmet.
— What's good for you… is being alive, safe, on a stable throne. And I exist only to make sure of that.
She took a step forward.
Their foreheads nearly touched.
— If I could choose freely, Akashin… — she whispered. — You would be my king.
The five of them felt the weight of the moment, as if the entire room had shrunk.
Akashin closed his eyes.
His free hand trembled.
— If I could choose… — his voice broke for the first time — I would spend my entire life by your side.
She smiled. A small, fragile smile, almost disbelieving.
— Then… choose.
Akashin stepped back half a pace. His gaze hardened. Not from coldness — from fear.
— If I choose… you lose the protection of your soldier. I am your wall. I can't also be… what you want behind it.
She raised her hand to his face. Gentle fingers against his skin.
— You're more bound to the throne than I am.
The words lingered in the air.
And there was no kiss.
No embrace.
Nothing but two bodies almost touching, with everything suffocated between them.
Marcus exhaled heavily.
— He chose duty over love… and lost both.
The memory moved forward, as if time itself were being fast-forwarded.