| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 904 |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Melia gave herself completely over to the sea of slumber. Its waters were calm, and looked ever so inviting. Eventually, Melia submerged from the sea’s surface to its depths.
She continued to descend into the depths of the sea where no light shone through. She descended, descended, and descended.
What a pleasant feeling.
While swaying in a light slumber, Melia dreamed. She dreamed of a family of four. Of the time when Yennis and Seletina were still young. A hazy memory of Melia, Seletina, Yennis, and Balged holding hands in this order, as they strolled around the mansion’s garden. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. They looked like a warm, good family.
Within the dream, Melia was smiling happily. As Seletina, who seemed quite mature for her age, looked embarrassed, Yennis, who was full of youthful vigor, waved his arms excitedly. Without yielding, Balged waved his hand alongside Yennis, while Melia caressed Seletina’s head.
It all felt like a dream. And although she was dreaming, the scene itself was real. It was a sweet memory that had been firmly engraved in Melia’s heart.
This memory really does feel like a dream. I had a good life for a woman who was born an orphan, had to pick up a sword, and didn’t know what love was. Thank you, Seletina. Thank you, Yennis. Thank you, Balged. I’m going to get some sleep.
Melia murmured as she sank even lower into the stillness of the bottom.
…………So noisy…
Melia suddenly opened her eyes.
I was having such a nice time sinking here.
Melia looked up to the sea and noticed something pounding on the water’s surface.
Stop yapping.
The figure on the surface yelled something, stirring waves across the otherwise calm sea surface.
How rude and barbarous.
Melia thought whilst getting slightly irritated.
Who is it that is making a fuss and disturbing my nice sleep inside my serene, priceless, and pristine sea?
It pounded on the sea’s surface in an unsightly, frantic manner.
Is it drowning? No, that’s not right. It’s trying to get in.
In an eager attempt to dive underwater, the presence was reaching out its hands.
No, wait… It’s not trying to get in… It’s trying to grab something. Huh? Grab something?
Melia looked around. In the pitch-black sea, there was nothing but her.
Me? It’s trying to get me? How rude.
Melia sighed.
Yet, weirdly enough, Melia found herself fixated on that presence. She couldn’t resist staring at the radiance of its existence as it flailed in despair.
Melia nervously reached her hand toward it. And as soon as she reached out, her hand was firmly grasped.
“Auch?!”
Because of the forceful and irresponsible strength, Melia cried out.
The presence did not budge despite Melia flailing her arms and body.
Melia’s body shot to the sea floor with frightening speed after being grabbed.
Who was it that grabbed my hand?! Who is the rude b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ that’s trying to pull me out of here?!
Melia then smiled. She recognized the warmth of the hand that had grasped her. The arm, which was hairy like a bear’s paw, was much bigger and sturdier than Melia’s own.
Good grief, you are hopeless without me. Aren’t you, dear?
Melia shortly resurfaced from the sea’s depths1.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
……
“….a…”
“….lia…!”
“………MELIA!!!”
“You’re noisy.”
Melia muttered weakly. Her whole body felt like it would break down at any moment. Her brain was unable to function due to a lack of blood.
In her view was an endless ceiling. She immediately realized she was being carried on a stretcher due to the strange swaying and bumping sensations around her body.
Then there was the warm hand clutching hers and a worried face staring at her.
“MELIA!!! MELIA!!! You’re awake!!!”
Balged’s face was a complete mess. His eyes and nose were oozing with body fluids.
Melia couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“You look terrible…”
“Melia… Don’t speak! Just live! Live! Focus solely on living!”
“Fufu… What’s gotten over you…”
Melia asked when she suddenly became aware of a dripping sound coming from the stretcher’s beam next to her. She knew right away that it was her own blood.
The fact that her health was at risk remained unchanged.
“You sure worked hard back then…”
Melia muttered, her thoughts flying off to a distant memory. She traveled back to the day of Balged’s proposal. His will to live had been stimulated by the excitement of being able to marry Melia, which had given him the strength to escape his death bed and seize that bliss.
My husband did his best back then, so now it’s my turn.
“I’ll live. I still want to live.”
Melia said, smiling. Her skin was pale and her lips purple. Her voice trembled as she spoke, and yet, her smile showed her unwavering will to live.
Balged nodded. He nodded, and nodded, and nodded, and nodded, sending snot and tears flying everywhere.
Melia’s stretcher was catapulted through the corridor and into the medical room.
From this point onward, no visitors were permitted in order to allow the Mages and doctors to concentrate.
Balged prayed as he saw his wife off, gripping his hands so tightly that he could hear his bones creak.
God, please watch over Melia.
With his beard soaking wet from tears and snot, Balged prayed ceaselessly in front of the treatment room.
