It was in the past.
A day of rest, when I met my wife for the first time in a long while.
In her room, where time was flowing slowly, there was a scene of an unfamiliar flower blooming from a small pot to overflowing.
It was a familiar kind of flower, but the color made one wonder if it was really the same plant as the one we knew so well, and so there was a tilt of the head.
"...... What's wrong, Julia, is this a rose ……?"
"Lily gave me some seeds and I've been growing them. She said she was crossing a purple rose with a white rose and they just happened to grow."
I inquired to be sure, and she responded with a smile.
The flower, whose petals spread out like a noblewoman's dress, was surprisingly pale, not the red ...... she liked, but a light blue like my eyes.
I was very surprised when I saw the buds, which she had given to me for the occasion.
The gardener, Markt, was fond of saying that roses are difficult to grow in Werstein, which is near the sea.
In spite of such an environment, the rose was blooming with large flowers and was pale blue.
I couldn't help but blink my eyes when I realized that the queen had given it to me.
"From the queen?"
"Yes. But it was very difficult to grow them to this level, because they are really delicate flowers. They are so delicate, just like Augusto-sama."
"...... Julia, no matter how you say it, that’s too much, isn’t it?"
I was a little depressed by the assertion.
"You know, you really are like them, don't you? You have to care for it, love it, and watch it to make sure it doesn't get any strange bugs."
"......Julia......"
I felt the corner of my eyebrows lower of their own accord at the thought of being told so much.
I'm not sure if she noticed that or not, but she smiled softly as if a flower was blooming and then threw her chest out somewhat proudly.
"The flowers need fertilizer to bloom, so we can't leave them out too much.
But even so, it needs sunlight, and the flowers didn't bloom easily, so it made me nervous and anxious beyond my years."
After saying this, she gently stroked the pale rose petals with a gentle hand, as if she were handling a broken object, and giggled happily.
"But I'm really looking forward to the blooming of the flowers, and I'm loving every minute of it. It really looks just like Augusto-sama."
"...... So it isn’t as precious once it has bloomed?"
A low voice came out of her own throat.
In inverse proportion, she opened her mouth with a voice so gentle that it seemed as if she were singing a lullaby.
“Not at all. When they bloom, they are beautiful and noble, and just looking at them makes me happy."
"Is that so?"
She rolled her eyes at my short response and then let out a small gush.
"What's the matter, Augusto-sama, are you sulking?"
"No, I'm not. ......"
Although I slurred my words, this was like saying that she was right, and I felt like sighing at my own simplicity.
"Hmm. You're just like these roses in that you're not honest."
"Why do you keep on comparing me to a rose?"
I asked her again, but she just laughed softly.
"Look, you're sulking, you're jealous of the rose, aren't you? You really can’t be helped, can you?"
For some reason, the happy smile on her face made me feel she was precious, so I gently hugged her from the front.
She then hugged me back with her thin and weak arms, as if to reassure me.
"Don't worry, Augusto-sama."
"What is?"
The rose perfume that scented softly was her favorite one, which she had chosen from several that I had found for her.
The gentle scent, which was neither harsh nor overpowering, only brought a sense of relief to my overwhelmed heart.
"It is because you are not a rose that we can live together. That's why Michaelis was born to you."
"I know that."
"Do you really?"
“Hhm, it's true."
I don't know what she's was enjoying, but she giggles as she snuggles into my arms without any resistance.
I put my lips to her cheek in affirmation.
I've always hated these pale blue hair and eyes.
Which were similar to my father's, but without the emotion.
Her hair color was the same as his.
But she didn't know that.
"I've always hated pale blue because it's so familiar to me, but when I think of it as Augusto-sama's color, I instantly love it. I wonder why"
She had asked the same question many times before.
Sshe always tilts her head in wonder when she can't figure it out no matter how many times she thinks about it.
It has saved my heart every time.
"Julia, I love you. More than anything, more than anyone."
When I say this, she smiles softly, looking happy.
As I gently combed her golden hair with my hand, her smile made my cheeks relax as well.
"Yes, I love you too, Augusto-sama."
The sight and sound of her voice will always be burned in my mind as a happy memory.
A distant yet vivid memory of kindness and happiness.
I was truly happy.
I was so happy that I could almost love her pale blue eyes and hair.
Oh, how I wish I could have seen that smile again.
My darling, my Julia.
God, please take me to her, even just for a glance.
As my consciousness faded as if I were floating in a fever, I closed my eyes in relief to finally be released from this hell: ──────
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