Lucia is Asked the Impossible

In an instant, I was in his arms.

“Oh man, I can’t believe it actually went so well... Am I dreaming? Is this a dream!?” Sir Celes exclaimed. Hearing that he felt the exact same way as me, I laughed. He was right. You would think it was a dream.

“I thought it was a dream too. But it’s real. Look, we’re touching.”

Putting our palms together, I interlocked our fingers.

“Yeah... You’re right, Lucia. But it still doesn’t feel real. I feel like if I go to sleep, I’ll just believe this was all a dream tomorrow.”

“...I might, too.”

We looked at each other and laughed. It felt just like we were back in the yard in Arldat.

Running his fingers along my cheek, he smiled dreamily at me. “I’m so happy, I could die...”

“Don’t die! I don’t know what I’d do without you!”

“I won’t die. Not before you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. I wouldn’t leave you alone. You get lonely too easily. I wouldn’t want another man to sweet talk you.”

It’s not fair how he slips outrageous things in so easily!

“You’re bright red, Lucia.”

“It’s your fault, Sir Celes. And you have a higher chance of going for someone else.”

“No way. I’m devoted to you. How long do you think I pined over you for?”

He laughed, poking at my blushing face. He’s being mean! Really!

“But anyway, Lucia.” Once he finished laughing, he looked at me with a sweet smile on his face. “Are you not going to call me ‘Celes’ anymore?”

“Hm? But I am.”

Sir Celes’s real name is Sir Celestino, but I’d always used his nickname... What did he mean?

As I tilted my head in confusion, he kept talking, smiling embarrassedly. “I don’t mean like that. I know it was for the act, but I was really happy when you dropped the ‘Sir’ and just used my name. It felt like we were closer. Can you still? Or is it too much?”

“That’s...”

That’s impossible! I knew it was just taking off a title, but it took a lot of energy to change. And, more than anything, I was embarrassed. I had managed it before because I was acting, but changing it for real because we love each other... Completely impossible! It wasn’t logical, but getting over the emotional part was just too embarrassing!

I was struggling, but he wouldn’t give up. He just stared at me silently, so I decided to try. “Ce...Celes...”

“Good.”

“Sir.”

“You don’t need to add that!”

“No way! Please, at least give me some time!”

My heart will stop if I keep going like this! Stop giving me that sparkling smile!

“How about we practice. Every time you add it, you get a penalty.”

Sir Celes, how can you say something so scary with such a nice smile!? He moved closer, blocking my way out.

“I, I can’t do it!”

“You’re just too cute, looking up at me with tears in your eyes. It’s having the opposite effect.”

Did his personality change!?

He must have found me panicking hilarious, because he burst out laughing. “Hahaha. Sorry, that was a lie. I just wanted to tease you. But I really do want you to call me just ‘Celes.’ I’ll wait, so try to do it someday.”

He smiled while wiping the tears from my eyes, but suddenly looked serious. For some reason, I got goosebumps. Huh, why?

“But I won’t be able to wait for this... Can I kiss you?”

He didn’t wait for a response. His fingers tipped my chin upwards and — our lips met.

Lucia Hears About the Past

“Nnngh...”

Being kissed so suddenly was much more difficult than I’d thought. It almost felt as if he was going to gobble me up!

As my mind blanked in panic, I realized something. I...I can’t breathe!? I mean, I did try to breathe through my nose, but I didn’t manage very well. And my mouth was occupied, so I couldn’t use it. Wait, am I going to suffocate? Is kissing really like this!? Oh no, my chest is hurting! I’m going to die!

“Lucia?”

It seemed that kissing was far too high a hurdle for a beginner like me.

The next thing I realized, I was back in Missus Romina’s bed.

◆ ◆ ◆

“A dream, huh...?”

Because I’d woke up so normally, that was the first thing I thought. Was that a dream? That had to have been a dream... But it felt very real for a dream. Sir Celes and I loved each other, and we, um... We kissed. What a thing to dream about. I’m so embarrassed! I covered my face with my hands reflexively. My face was burning. How was I supposed to face him!

I ended up laying in bed for a while, worrying up a storm, before I finally gave up and got out of bed. Missus Romina was already gone, and the morning light coming through the curtains was quite bright. Since we were guests, I couldn’t let myself sleep in, so I needed to get up soon.

Putting on my boots, I left the bedroom, straight into the connected living room.

“Oh, yer awake?”

“Ah... Good morning. I’m sorry for sleeping in.”

“Good mornin’ to you too. Had a busy night, huh? I’ve got a lotta questions for ye, but for now, have yerself some breakfast.” Missus Romina greeted me with a gentle smile, and served me some porridge out of the pot. “That’s milk fresh from the cow this mornin’. Use as much as ye want.”

“Thank you for the food. It’s been a while since I’ve had milk with my porridge.” Taking the wooden bowl and spoon from her, I thanked the earth for its blessings, and ate. Something was missing, though. “Um, where is Sir Celes?”

While it might have been awkward to see him, not seeing him at all also worried me. Was he still sleeping?

“The Captain’s out fixin’ both the roof and well. It’ll be good for him to cool his head. How are you feeling, girlie?”

“I’m feeling fine.”

Physically, I was feeling refreshed. Mentally, though...

“That’s good.” Missus Romina’s eyes softened. “Heard ye saved Giotto. Thank you so much. Word’s all over Sherezo.”

Hearing that, the memories of last night came flooding back. Mister Giotto and Dahlia; the white Fungus falling on the ground; and...what Sir Celes told me.

“So that wasn’t a dream...” I muttered.

“What’re ye sayin’? You were the one that did it, Sacred Maiden!”

“Sacred Maiden!? Oh, no, I’m not the Sacred Maiden!”

“No? Word is ya did a miracle, just like the past Sacred Maiden did in the stories.”

My eyes widened, and Missus Romina’s did the same in response. Her deep green eyes were just like a child’s.

“The past Sacred Maiden from another world — who came to us 1600 years ago?”

Around the time that we heard rumors about Miss Maria being summoned, there were also rumors of the previous Sacred Maiden, who was summoned to our world, and purified the Cristallo Sacro with her powers. But I had heard that most of the details about her had been lost over time...

“When I talked to the Captain this mornin’, I heard that ye don’t know much about the last Sacred Maiden in Banfield. Maybe it’s because she was summoned here in Vatis.”

“Yes, we know that there was a previous Sacred Maiden in Banfield, but we don’t know any details. All we know is that she was summoned from another world to purify the Cristallo Sacro...”

“That’s a shame. Ye don’t know nothin’, then. She didn’t just purify the trees, but also saved towns and villages on her way, exterminated monsters, and did all kinds of work for the people.”

What a charitable Sacred Maiden! Hearing about her predecessor, I thought of Miss Maria. I wanted to get back to her as soon as possible and comfort her. She’s kind, so she must be worried sick.

“I heard that the people back then were all so disappointed when she was sent back to her own world.”

“Huh!?” I felt a shock run through my body. She was sent back...to her own world? “Is that true!? She was really able to go home!?”

With a chuckle she replied, “The Captain was shocked when I said that, too. Funny how ye both reacted the same way.”

Missus Romina might have been laughing, but I was far from it at the moment. She can go home. She can go home! There’s a way to send her back home somewhere in this world!

“Missus Romina, please tell me more! In detail!”