Their legs got soaked in water.
Henrietta griped Wales' shoulders.
“Now, say it. To love me. It is fine for just this moment. I will embrace this moment for eternity. No matter what you say, I will embrace it. Got it?”
However, Wales did not reply.
“Wales-sama?”
Henrietta shook his shoulders. But, Wales had already died.
She slowly recalled the days here, where she met Wales for the first time.
As if to take each memory one by one from a treasure box and check it.
The fun and glittering days will no longer come.
The words of pledge exchanged at this lake, no longer can be protected.
“What a mean person.”
Looking straight ahead, Henrietta whispered.
“To the end, you never spoke those words of oath.”
Slowly, Henrietta closed her eyes.
From her closed eyelids, a line of tears flowed down her cheek.
Saito, who was watching over the two from the shade, was holding Louise's shoulders. Louise was quietly looking at Henrietta, killing her voice while crying.
While holding her shoulders, Saito thought.
Was I right?
At that time, would letting Henrietta go, like she said... be happier for her? Even if it was fake life, even if it was fake love... If the actual person believed it was real, isn't that fine itself?
While holding Louise's shoulders, who was crying like a child, Saito had continued to constantly think about that. What was right, and what was wrong... Even after this, there will probably be other things to make him worry, Saito thought faintly.
Even after this, there will probably be times where he will be pressed to make a decision like this time.
Saito embraced Louise firmly.
At least, when that time comes... for he, himself, not to waver, Saito prayed.
Henrietta laid Wales' corpse in the water.
Then she waved her wand slightly, and chanted a rune.
The lake water moved, slowly carrying Wales' body into the water, where it sank.
The water was ever so deeply transparent, and the sinking corpse of Wales could be seen clearly.
Even after she was unable to see Wales anymore, Henrietta remained still.
Even when the lake surface reflected the light of the sun and started scattering the seven prismatic colors of light around the area... Henrietta continued to look for eternity.