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Koai was staring intently at the picture she had given her. In it was a depiction of herself, glaring this way with a somewhat stiff expression, and in contrast, the girl, smiling so naturally.

Koai let out another small, wry smile to herself. Then, she carefully, carefully folded the picture and tucked it into her breast pocket.
It was the key to connecting with her again. Of course, even if it wasn't... it was something to be treated with as much care as her own life.

Feeling the warmth in her pocket, Koai... let out another small, wry smile.

After standing there for a while, Koai lay down on the bed. There, her warmth... still faintly lingered.
Koai closed her eyes, trying to feel as much of that warmth as she could.

Even without her there, it was still... so very warm.

For some reason, Koai's eyes grew wet... and after some time had passed, her cheeks felt a little cool. But that didn't matter.
Compared to the warmth from her seeping from the bed, such a thing was nothing.

Warmed by her, Koai slept.

It might be an illusion.
It might be a misunderstanding.
But, she could feel peace here. That much was certain.

Amidst the strong sunlight pouring in from the east, Koai eventually awoke. But it wasn't the sunlight that had woken her.
A clamorous sound, like the incessant, forceful ringing of a bell, echoed through the castle.

"Your Majesty! Please awaken!"
"Your Majesty! What is that!?"
The old man, Sodi, who had run up out of breath, and the large man, Akudo, who had rushed over in a panic, burst into the bedroom at almost the same time.