► Chapitre 7

[luxe_can_kill]

[Nighttime. Mitsuru went back to their room in Sunny Skies after a long day with her daughter. Mariko has been playing all day, it's hard to keep up with such an energetic child. But now that energy seems to have dwindled down, and Mariko's been yawning. After brushing her teeth and changing to her pajamas. Mariko sorted her stuff, putting her music player and headphones into a bag and cleaning up the toys on the floor. Meanwhile, Mitsuru is just browsing through the collection of pictures she has on her camera. Being absorbed by all these captured moments, she didn't notice Mariko was standing in front of her, tightly hugging a hardbound book]

What is it, dear?

Can you read this to me? 

Oh? What is this? [Mitsuru looked at the book, "A Blue Dove for the Princess"]

Dad gave it to me for my birthday!

Did he now? [Mitsuru chuckled] Very well. I'll read it. Come. 

[Mariko hops on her bed and Mitsuru sat beside her, opening the book and flipping the first few pages. Mariko looks at her with anticipation, in which she responds with a genuine smile. Mitsuru didn't notice her journal is open at the nightstand beside the bed. She began reading the story in her velvety voice...]

Once upon a time…

There lived a dove in a castle in a country where green and warmth prevailed. The dove had been taken care of by a princess since she found the young dove injured in the castle’s garden. The dove was injured so badly that he felt like his wings were about to be torn off. The pain was all over his body and he could do nothing, but lay himself on a leaf bed. It was the princess who saved him. She carried him into a small cage, which was hanging in a window in the corner on the house. Despite living inside the cage, he was far from frustration. 

The princess always gave him close attention and the scenery through the window was wonderful. More importantly, he could enjoy watching every move she made. Having recovered from the injury, he became healthy enough to jump around inside the cage. 

[Mitsuru takes a second to clear her throat and flip the page]

The dove was so happy with the days there and hoped that it would continue for good; but at some point everything began to change. The princess, who was always in good shape and made it a habit to come visit him many times a day; did not show up even once on that day, She did not come up and feed him until the end of day. 

On the following day, early in the morning, the dove saw many noblemen gather around the princess. They all had an anxious look on their faces. It seemed that the princess had a disease. She may not be able to get well. She may possibly pass away. How can this happen when the neighboring country just ceased warfare? How can this be when peace of the world is close at hand? The men were talking about all of this.

“The Demon of Razgriz!” One of them suddenly spoke up in a loud voice...