CHAPTER 52: BROTHER AND SISTER

A week later...

When Ayame arrived at the Hoshigane Palace with her delegation, she was greeted by Shion, accompanied by Maldie – just like in the old days.

Thanks to Rouhuo’s and Yan Mo’s strength, they had no trouble lifting her wheelchair out of the carriage. Rouhuo pushed it, while Yan Mo walked close behind Ayame and Yuecheng, keeping a careful watch over both.

"It’s good to see you all again," Shion said with a gentle smile. "I only wish I could see how you’ve changed... and how much my dear nephew, Yuecheng, has grown."

"Brother... what happened here?" Ayame asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Just follow me," he answered quietly, and Maldie guided him inside the palace.

Halfway to the King’s chambers, Ayame asked Yan Mo to take Yuecheng to the children’s room and stay there with them.

Ayame stared in horror at the golden statue Haru had become. Maldie let out a heavy sigh, while Rouhuo fell silent, sharing her mistress’s fear.

"I can’t believe it... but at least he’s still alive," she said softly, trying to comfort both herself and the others. "I mean... I think so."

She glanced at her brother, whose expression was full of sorrow.

"There’s a simple way to find out," Ayame said calmly. "Perhaps I’ve lost my powers, but not my knowledge. Maldie, bring me a needle."

"A... a needle?" the maid asked in surprise.

"Yes, and a thin thread."

"All right," she said, nodding, and quickly left the room.

Moments later, she returned with a needle and a red thread. Ayame wrapped the thread around the needle, letting it dangle loosely at the end.

"Rouhuo, take it and hold it near Haru’s shoulder."

"Yes, my lady."

The half-lioness did as she was told. The needle remained still for a moment, then a faint, invisible force began to gently push it away from the statue.

Ayame exhaled in relief.

"Haru is alive," she said. "But his vital energy is fading. Otherwise, the needle would’ve moved right away."

King Shion wiped away a tear of joy.

"I’m... so happy... so very happy," he said, his voice trembling.

"Shion... tell me what happened. Everything. In the smallest detail."

*

When Yan Mo entered the children’s room with Yuecheng, he saw Asahi laughing joyfully, riding on Gari’s shoulders, while Yuri and Shion the Second were playing chess at Shion’s desk.

"Hey there," he greeted.

"Oh, hi, Yue!" young Shion replied, moving one of his chess pieces without really looking.

Yuri smiled and made her move.

"You lost again," she teased gently.

"Huh?! No way!" he exclaimed, shocked.

Yuri is wearing eye covering... The curse must have returned to the second one.

Yuecheng heard the voice from the stars in his mind.

"May I play with you?" he asked, looking at Yuri.

"Of course," the girl replied with a warm smile.

Yan Mo sat silently on one of the beds, staring at the floor.

"Auntie Gari, I want to grow up to be as strong as you!" Asahi said with a grin. "You’re such a beautiful dragon!"

"Thanks, kiddo," Gari laughed. "But trust me, you’ll grow into an even greater one. Now, ready for a super-speed ride?"

"Yeees!"

Gari dashed off with Asahi on her shoulders, nearly colliding with Sayaka, who was carrying a tray of food down the hallway. She would’ve dropped everything if Yan Mo hadn’t caught the tray in an instant.

"Th-thanks," the maid stammered. "Could you take the plates to the kids? Each one’s a different color, so they will know which dish is who’s. I need to step out for a moment."

Yan Mo nodded, and meanwhile Gari – now standing a few meters away in the corridor – carefully lifted Asahi down from her shoulders.

"Go eat, little one. If you want to grow strong, you need to eat well and train hard," she said, ruffling his hair.

"Got it!" he grinned, running back to the room.

I’m glad they’re all finding their own ways to keep going... and I’m glad I can still be here for them.

Get better soon, Haru. We’re all waiting for you, Gari thought as she followed him inside.

*

When Shion finished telling Ayame everything that had happened – including what Haru had told him earlier – she touched her chin, deep in thought.

"What did you do with the things from my old room?" she asked.

"Everything you didn’t take with you, I had someone pack and move to your library. As you know, we’ve turned your old room into the kids’ room."

"In that case, Shion, I need you to stay here for a while. Maldie, you know where the underground chambers are, right?"

"Yes."

"Then lead us there. Rouhuo, follow her."

"Y-yes, my lady."

"Wait – what are you planning to do?" the king asked, surprised.

"To see if there’s anything useful in my books. And if not... we’ll use the backup plan."

Shion’s eyes widened.

"You mean, rely on him again? That madman?!"

"No. You’re wrong. Hoshizuma is no longer alive – or rather, he’s no longer the Librarian. Whoever took his place is the least of my worries. Just trust me, Shion... like you did before. I promise, I’ll do everything I can to heal your sight and bring Haru back."

Shion said nothing. He simply sat in silence, listening as they left the chamber.

When the room fell quiet – so silent he could hear the rustle of his own clothes – Shion heard a faint, pleading whisper.

"S–Shion..."

"Haru?!" the king gasped.

Overcome by emotion, he rose too quickly from the bed and stumbled over the edge of the carpet, landing with his hands and face near the golden statue’s feet.

"Shion..." came the trembling whisper again. "...I love you..."

The king couldn’t hold it in any longer. The sadness that had dwelled in his heart for endless days broke free.

It was one of the few times in his life when Shion broke down in tears, his face and hands resting at Haru’s golden feet.

"Haru... I love you too, so much... I’m sorry. I’m useless. I can’t help you. I have to rely on others. I’ve become so pathetic."

"Shion..." The golden statue’s right hand moved ever so slightly, as if Haru had, for a moment, broken through the curse that bound him.

Why doesn’t my power work? Why can’t I do anything...

Shion, please don’t cry. It tears at my heart...

I want to cry too. I want to hold you, kiss you, tell you how much I love you. I want to hug our children, kiss their foreheads and cheeks, and tell them how precious they are - just like you...

Poor Yuri... I hope the guilt isn’t eating her up inside...

I just want us to be happy again.

*

"Need a hand?" Maldie asked as they went down the stairs to the underground chambers.

"Thanks, I’ve got it," Rouhuo replied with a grin – and then lifted Ayame’s wheelchair, carrying it carefully by the backrest all the way down. At the foot of the stair, she gently set it down and took a moment to catch her breath. Though she was panting, not a single drop of sweat fell from her brow.

"Wow, impressive. Doesn’t your back hurt after that?" Maldie asked.

"Well, sometimes my lower back acts up a bit," the half-lioness said, stretching. "But it’s fine."

"You’re still young, I can tell," the maid said. "Regular massages should help. Ayame, I’d recommend– "

"I’ll handle that once we’re home. For now, there are more important things to do," Ayame cut in firmly.

"I understand."

They finally reached Ayame’s secret library. Not much had changed since her last visit – except for a thicker layer of dust and four large, dark leather trunks lined beneath the desk.

Ayame asked Rouhuo to push her wheelchair toward one of the shelves, then to take down the top row of books.

She started going through them, page after page, her eyes tracing every line with sharp focus.

"Since you left for good, I completely forgot this part of the palace even existed. My goodness, I’m sorry," Maldie said suddenly. "I’ll grab something to clean up a bit."

She turned and headed back upstairs.

Ayame didn’t even answer, completely lost in her reading.

"My lady, do you need any help?" Rouhuo asked quietly.

"No. Just sit for a while and stay quiet. If I need something put away or handed over, I’ll tell you – like now," she said, closing a volume. "You can put this one back."

"Y-yes, my lady."

Ayame opened another book.

Hoshizuma made me realize my knowledge is useless... but maybe I can still learn something about reverse human transmutation. If Haru was turned into gold, that’s essentially alchemy on a human being.

And though the scenes of the world’s creation keep replaying in my mind, even in dreams, I still can’t figure out why the cursed sight changed when it came to Yuri’s eyes. By all logic, she should have killed Haru – but thank the heavens, she didn’t.

Is it something unique to her soul? Did her spirit reshape the curse itself?

Not long after, Maldie returned with a cloth and a dust brush. She began cleaning while Ayame closed another book and handed it to Rouhuo.

Hours passed. Maldie wiped her forehead, proud of how spotless the chamber had become. Ayame, meanwhile, finished reading the last of the books.

She shut it with a loud, dull thud.

"I really hoped I’d find something useful in some of the Chapters," she said, frustration creeping into her voice. "Hoshizuma was right – it’s all completely useless trash." She sighed, then added, "Rouhuo..."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Pull out each of those boxes, one by one. Maldie, take one too. I’ll go through the third. The sooner we find what I’m looking for, the sooner I can use... the backup plan."

"Sure – but what exactly are we looking for?" Maldie asked.

"A small red pouch tied with a plain white string. There should be several thin, stiff golden threads sticking out. That’s our last hope."

Without another word, all three of them began searching through the chests.