The commotion in front of the Library caused the attendant inside to put up a "closed" sign. Yuto, trapped in a dilemma, had no choice but to go with Gonzo.
Inside the luxurious-looking carriage, soft cushions supported his body as he leaned back.
His red eyes stared at the transparent window, looking at the view of the buildings that seemed deserted.
Next to him sat the princess, lost in her solitude, and in front of him, Gonzo was restless because of the suffocating silence.
Thomas sat on the coachman's seat, and as for Kaelion's group, they decided to walk to his castle.
"So, Yuto, where have you been lately?"
The man in front of him broke the ice in the small space, drawing the attention of both Yuto and the princess.
"Nowhere, just staying in a house, someone left for me."
"A house someone left for you?"
Gonzo tilted his head, his face furrowing as he held his chin, deep in thought.
"Again with your half-hearted answers."
A sharp comment echoed, coming from the glaring princess who sat beside Yuto.
"It's okay, Celes, you don't need to worry about him."
"But uncle, this boy is always so rude to everyone..."
Their conversation made Yuto choke; his red eyes, which had been focused on the outside world, turned back.
He swept his gaze back and forth, trying to see any resemblance between them.
'Uncle, wait a minute! That means...'
"Gonzo, are you part of the imperial family?"
The atmosphere instantly froze; two pairs of blue eyes pierced a hole in the boy's deepest consciousness.
"Uncle, you haven't told him yet?"
The princess glanced at Gonzo. He was scratching his cheek with a hint of a blush.
"Well, it's because I never had a chance to explain."
The light in Yuto's eyes faded as he saw an old man blushing shyly like a girl.
He sighed, then turned his neck back to look at the increasingly luxurious cityscape.
"Why did you suddenly become so quiet? Aren't you curious about Uncle Gonzo?"
A sweet scent gently brushed Yuto's nose, and he felt a subtle warmth sting his heart as the princess shifted closer.
Yuto turned and found her beautiful face close enough that he could feel her warm breath.
Her long eyelashes fluttered gently, and her flowing pink hair fell from her shoulder, giving her a seductive impression.
His breath hitched, as for the first time in his two lives. He saw a woman so beautiful, like a goddess.
Her smooth skin shone with radiant purity, inciting his deepest emotions to want to caress it fondly.
"Hmm, why are you so quiet!?"
As soon as her melodious voice rang, Yuto snapped out of his daze and extended his hand to push the princess's face away.
"You're too close."
The princess stiffened, but soon retaliated as she dug her nails into Yuto's skin.
"...Hmm, W-What is wrong with you? I'm an Imperial Princess, you know."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Can you stop talking from now on? Thanks!"
"Ha? What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying my voice is annoying? Hey, listen to me!"
Yuto raised his hands and plugged his ears, which clearly ignited a fire of anger in the princess's eyes.
She grabbed Yuto's shirt and pulled it with all her might, making the world seem to turn upside down.
"Stop it! You crude girl!"
"C-Crude?! Such an insolent boy you are."
Seeing the two children bickering in front of him. Gonzo, who was sitting silently, could only offer a small smile.
His heart felt light after seeing Yuto's figure, whom he searched for weeks, and his niece, who acted like a girl at her age.
The emptiness that gnawed at his heart because of yesterday's events slowly began to be filled with the warmth of their bickering.
One thought came to his heart when he saw the annoyed expression on Yuto's face.
'Welcome back, Yuto.'
Not long after, the slowly moving carriage stopped in front of the iron gates of a luxurious residential complex.
Yuto saw Gonzo get down first, followed by the princess as she gave him a sharp glare.
He swallowed hard. He recognized the place behind the iron gate.
"Yuto?"
Gonzo turned and looked up, his expression seemingly wanting to invite Yuto in.
However, the darkness in his heart leaked out, crashing like a black flood that washed his consciousness to an endless abyss.
The black chains that bound his heart creaked and tightened their hold.
But just as the light of life was about to vanish from his eyes, a glimmer of light appeared, illuminating the darkness in his heart.
It echoed like a trumpet of life.
"Hmph, such a coward. You're all grown up, but still afraid of being scolded like a child."
Instantly, the chains that bound his heart shattered, and the sea of darkness evaporated as the embers sleeping within it ignited.
Yuto gritted his teeth, a vein protruding from his forehead.
He walked out and found a cold wind blowing, cooling his boiling blood. The rustling green grass provided a true sense of calm, as if he were one with nature.
With the creak of the gate's hinges, Yuto followed Gonzo's footsteps ahead and the princess who walked a step in front of him.
Although the modest mansion was already in sight, for Yuto, it was far, unreachable by his hand.
Distance grew, and Yuto stopped a few steps behind the princess, who let out a sharp sigh while crossing her arms over her chest.
"Coward!"
The word triggered Yuto to look forward, then the sound of a door opening made his body stiffen.
His mind went blank, hearing the sound of small footsteps approaching the door.
"Who is it, Father and Big sis? Ah!? Big brother."
The little girl, who was once shy, now with sparkling eyes, jumped into the yard barefoot and ran towards him.
Yuto's body flinched as Shery hugged his waist and looked up.
"Welcome back, Big Brother, Yuto."
Yuto's trembling fingertips grew cold. He gently patted the little girl's head, then caressed it slowly.
Shery closed her eyes, purring like a kitten. From inside the house, Marni's firm and melodious voice echoed.
"Shery, why is it taking so long to welcome our guest...?"
The woman stopped, her brown eyes widening after making direct eye contact with Yuto.
"...P-Pardon for the intrusion."
Yuto scratched the back of his head as he looked down. He didn't know what expression to show Marni, who had taken care of him when he lived in Gonzo's house.
A shadow blocked his view. Yuto felt a gentle touch on his cheek, its warm soothing his stirred heart.
"Yuto."
She lifted his face to meet Marni directly. The woman's eyes glittered as she held back sobs from her accumulated worries, which were swept away by Yuto's arrival.
"Welcome back, Yuto."
Yuto's heart pounded, and without realizing it, his stiff expression melted into a small smile, leaving everyone who saw it stunned.
"I-I'm home."
From the side, Celestina averted her eyes to the distance after seeing a tear fall from the boy's eye.
'Hmph, you have someone who welcomes you so warmly, and yet you still make them cry... What an idiot!'
The girl clicked her tongue, feeling something stirred inside her chest as she reached out, trying to discard the sensation.
But, it remained stubborn inside.
Even though her head was still boiling from the boy's impolite actions. Unbeknownst to her, a tiny seed of a new emotion began to take root in her heart.
One that she was not yet aware of.
However, that seed would grow one day, and maybe change how she sees Yuto… and their future together.