In the groggy haze between sleep and waking, she seemed to hear familiar voices.
"...In your terms, power gathers at the highest point. Likewise, the aggregation of power is Great Evil's instinct. She was destined for it from birth. There's nothing I can do."
A helpless voice sounded. "If it really comes down to it, just come over to my side. With me holding the line in front, even the Tower can't do much to me. Things won't turn out too badly, at least.
"Otherwise, there's no point in keeping this up. It'll only bring needless suffering. Look at you—you've lost several pounds already."
"Still better than willingly sinking into depravity."
Another cold voice rang out. "What she wants isn't there. Where she goes is none of your concern either, 'Your Majesty'!"
"Such unfilial descendants."
The sorrowful voice sighed again. "Her, you... one after another, why won't any of you listen?"
"At a time like this, could the instigator and chief culprit please shut up? Better yet, go die somewhere far away."
"How dare you! Utter disrespect!" The voice flew into a rage, sounding more like impotent fury.
"The Eternal Empire has been gone for how many years now? Stop putting on airs like an emperor. If you'd caused a little less trouble back then, you wouldn't have left so many messes for your descendants to clean up."
"..."
That person said nothing more.
In the long silence, there was only a sigh fading farther and farther away.
Like a lonely old man wounded to the core, returning to his room, shutting the door, and refusing to see anyone.
Every meeting seemed to go like this. Aunt too, that old man too. They were obviously family... They should have been family, right? Right?
No matter what, they didn't need to