Gorgeous, fantastical, and utterly magnificent.
On a patch of land like a small island stood a palace over a hundred meters tall, with splendid towers and an outer colonnade, like scenery that could only exist in a fairy tale.
It floated high in the sky against a vast backdrop.
The boundless sea below resembled flat azure earth, while the clouds in the blue sky stood out like a range of pure white mountains.
In one instant, she seemed to be standing in the wind, gazing upon that fantastical sight. After entering the door, she was instantly brought before the palace, and the cat-eared maid appeared before her once more.
Ling followed her through the palace gates, across the hall, up the stairs, and along the outer colonnade toward the ceremonial hall on the highest floor.
Along the way, she saw towering guards clad in iron armor, as well as handsome Knights holding Longswords.
The former were men as steadfast and taciturn as mountains, whose promises weighed a thousand gold. The latter were youths who seemed to have forged their lives, futures, and everything else into some kind of pure conviction.
Then, after the doors at the very top of the palace opened—
She met the Duchess.
She was a young woman standing in the light. Though her appearance was magnificent, all one could see were the selflessness, kindness, compassion, and other such qualities within her.
She wore an elegant white noblewoman's gown, and a ducal ornament was pinned in her platinum-blonde hair.
Upon seeing the little girl, she walked up to her and crouched down. Her gentle eyes were filled with apology and heartache as she spoke.
"I'm sorry. Because of my negligence, you must have had a hard time all by yourself, haven't you?"
Upon hearing those words, the