Akutomi took a deep breath.
"We simply didn't want her to know the reasons. And it was an accident. At the same time, your life hadn't formed in a way that allowed us to invite her." He didn't blink. "Kidnapping wouldn't have worked either. That would have caused issues between Above and Heaven."
"Wh..." Nao tried to speak, but Akutomi interrupted.
"Also, Akarum is alone. That's why I asked why you aren't staying there with him."
"He isn't alone. Stop acting like he is," she corrected instantly.
"I understand. Though my Lord wanted to ask if you want Akarum to know the truth, or if you would rather let him live without it." His tone hadn't risen even once since the conversation began.
"I don't."
The words left her throat immediately, as if she had always known the answer.
"Huh?" Akutomi looked both surprised and puzzled.
"May I ask why?"
"First, I wasn't the one raising him." She lifted her left hand halfway, raising her index finger.
"Neues was. And I don't know Akarum's nature, but if she was the one raising him, he would be a better person." Her hand returned to her lap.
"But that's not the point. Don't you want him to know who his real mother is?" Akutomi looked away briefly before turning back to her.
"The divorce was my choice. I never loved what they were doing with their experiments. And I'm certain they never told Neues about it." She stood up, moving her hands behind her back and interlocking them.
Akutomi remained seated, no longer surprised. Just listening.
"Also… he was with Neues after she died."
A pause.
A thought entered her mind that shouldn't have.
"Why did you kill her?"
Silence stretched between them.
Not the dramatic kind. Just confusion.
Akutomi searched his memory.
"I don't know. I just remember that I did. Why? How? I don't remember any of it."
"Fine. You can hide it. Let me finish my thought." She assumed his confusion was an act. "After she died, he lived with Sinu. No one provided them a safe house because Sinu was Liyoku's brother."
"Or the Ruler simply didn't like him personally," Akutomi added.
"Seriously? You believe that?" Nao replied flatly.
"Now he's with Kashime and the others. I wasn't in his life before. If I go now, I'll only create unnecessary friction."
It was hard to tell whether she was hurt or simply stating facts.
Before Akutomi could respond, she continued.
"And giving birth doesn't make me his mother, does it? Not if I was never part of his life."
"I respect your decision. I will inform my Lord." He stood up.
"I no longer need anyone's help. The Focus Government fulfills most of the resources we need."
"You might be thirsty or hungry," Nao said.
"Sure. Where is Aeni anyway?"
"She's in Fate's Castle."
Nao began heading inside. Akutomi followed.
Aeni was rubbing her palm against the dusty walls of the castle, studying the carvings beside the names. While the Fate's Followers around her were cleaning the walls as Fate had returned, Fate's Castle once again would be lighting with cosmic words.
She wiped dust away.
Neues ——— Sinu
A line stretched between the two names.
What does this mean?
She cleared more space.
Ghost ——— Mai
"There are more."
"So many names…"
Her palms moved faster until something else appeared.
Not a name.
I am the owner of this field.
"What does this mean?"
She brushed away more dust.
I was the one watering all these crops. They belong to me.
"Why would someone carve this into the wall?"
She stepped back, staring at the words.
"I'll ask Mother about it."
Then another thought crept in.
Why isn't Mother asking about Dery? Does she know he's no longer with me? Is she angry about it?
Her chest tightened. The thoughts alone were enough to stir feelings she didn't want to face.
Kashime sat in a chair in the courtyard, tearing apart a leaf simply because there was nothing better to do.
"Kashi?" Flint called.
"Yes?" she answered without looking at him, carefully tearing the leaf apart.
"It's not like I want you to, but… why aren't you going to your mother?"
Her fingers paused. She looked up at him.
"You know I can't live in the academy. Only the staff can stay there."
Her tone was distant. Sharp.
Then she returned to tearing the last piece of the leaf, looking away from him.
"I don't understand her," Akarum whispered into Flint's ear before stepping back.
"Why? She's not that complicated," Flint said, turning toward him.
"I don't know."
Why do these people feel slightly different?
He glanced at Kashime and Flint.
I miss Mama's explanations… but I don't even know what to ask anymore.
When I was a child, there were so many things I wanted to know.
Akarum stood there, feeling the weight of growing older.
If there were a way to go back… I would become a child again. A princess again.
He smiled at the thought.
"What are you smiling about?" Kashime asked. Pieces of the leaf had fallen onto the dirt.
"Nothing." Akarum bent his arms halfway and waved them quickly.
"Nothing? I don't like that answer."
"Seriously, nothing. Just random thoughts."
"You were thinking something freaky," she stated.
Oh right… why isn't she mentioning the training?
His hand moved to his chin as he looked away from her.
Did she know about the Conditional Mixture? But she didn't believe it would be real, just like Mrs. Asami didn't.
Better not ask.
I won't ask.
She won't ask.
Everything stays normal.
Why hadn't he mentioned the training he had been so eager about?
Kashime stared at him suspiciously.