Arthur woke up in a panic, his breathing unsteady.His entire body trembled, drenched in sweat.
At that moment, the door opened. Yumi entered with a bright, cheerful smile.
The instant he saw her, Poul's words invaded his mind.
"That damn elf lied to you."
'Th-That has to be a lie… right?'
"You never knew each other. She's going to sell you as a slave—or even kill you!"
'RIGHT?!'
While Arthur was trapped in his thoughts, Yumi placed a tray filled with various dishes on a nearby stand.
'Hmm, let's see… I brought the best food in this house. Let's see if he can resist this,' Yumi thought.
Turning around with a plate in her hands, she noticed that Arthur looked paler than usual.
'Was that dream really just a nightmare? It felt far too real,' Arthur thought, pressing a hand against his forehead.
Something deeply unsettled him—a strange noise, or perhaps a sensation he couldn't quite understand.
Suddenly, something touched his shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Arthur frowned as he looked at Yumi.
"Yu… mi?!"
"Arthur, did you have a nightmare or something like that?" Yumi asked, her expression filled with concern.
"…"
Arthur looked away.
He opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Arthur, tell me what's wrong," Yumi insisted.
"…"
Arthur continued to ignore her.
"Arthur!"
He clenched the bedsheets tightly around his legs.
"I… I want to be alone for a while," he said, almost in a whisper.
For a brief moment, the worry on her face eased.
"Then why did you make such a big deal out of it instead of telling me sooner, Art?"
Arthur lowered his head slightly.
"Sorry."
The elf stood up and left the room.
When he heard the door close, Arthur threw the blanket aside.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, he buried his hands in his head, gripping his hair tightly.
'I…'Arthur bit his lower lip.
He cursed himself.
…
He got out of bed and walked toward the window beside him, his gaze nearly lifeless.
A beautiful, peaceful view spread before his eyes. Birds crossed the sky, singing together as if they shared a purpose.
Arthur began to cry.
Tears flowed down his face, contrasting with his otherwise emotionless expression.
'Why am I alive?'
What reason did he have to still be standing here, when he had nothing?
Disgust toward himself began to grow.
'I… I'm a hopeless case, after all…'
…
'I, Arthur, deserve…'
A single tear slipped free, falling until it struck the floor.
Silence reigned.
Only the sound of the wind and rustling leaves remained.