Silver Wish

New York, in an alternative space.

A woman with long hair, which changed from its usual shade of brown to white, slumped into the bed in the room. Suppose she can even call this a room. It had a single princess-like style bed, but the stone flooring and walls were dark and cold other than the grand bed.

'I forgot how exhausting being surrounded in darkness is.' Sumire's gaze fell towards the small window.

Oh, there's light. Is it because of all the fighting? What a bright light; she hasn't seen such brightness in a long time. She wonders why, even though she was supposed to have left everything go; she still had a dream like that.

'I left without saying a word; he should have gotten that letter by now.' A deep sigh passed her lips. He will get angry at her again, leaving without saying anything like that. But after all this research, she has come to one conclusion.

'I have to trade places with Lila-chan. I am the only one who can do this.'

Her Yuhi. Even if she wants to return, it's already too late, and she even sent those letters out. Forget. It's better if you do just that. Forget about her. If Yuhi truly forgets her, she wonders what will happen to her.

'Did you know Yuhi? The only reason why I survived in the seven years that I left was because I knew that you still loved me. I knew that he would wait for me to return.'

When she thought about it now, it was stupid of her to leave in the first place. A journey of redemption? All of it was a ruse to hide that her insecurities and anxiety had gotten worse again. It was the day before Ren got into the accident.

They had a fight because she didn't tell Yuhi when she came to visit him about the state of her mental health.

'He has the right to know; he is your husband.'

But how could she have possibly told him how suicidal his wife was? How, even after so many years, she still had the same issue? She didn't want Yuhi to be disappointed in her.

So cruel. She's so cruel. Even though that journey was supposed to be out of guilt for what she did to Ren, it ended up being one that reconfirmed her feelings for Yuhi. For her, Yuhi was someone always surrounded in light and warmth.

Her gaze fell towards the window. The bright light attracted her. Where is it coming from? Normally, it is difficult for any light source to penetrate this castle of darkness? Maybe if she opens the window, she might get a better glimpse of that light, the light that reminds her of him. She wants to get closer.

Sumire proceeded to do when a hand clasped against hers. "Your back already?" Sumire briefly turned to the man who had just entered the room.

"I was afraid of what you'd do if left alone. Are you planning on jumping this time? Go ahead; you won't die from such a fall."

This man making snarky remarks is Lucifer, the lord of darkness.

"There is no meaning to me committing suicide. My body's breaking down anyway. "

Even if she doesn't end this life with her own hands, it will eventually come to an end. Yes, this was the main reason why she decided to switch places with her daughter. If this body is going to wither away due to the darkness anyway, then she ought to make use of it.

Lila-chan is still far too young; she still has many years ahead of her. For that child to sacrifice herself for everyone, she cannot allow her to do that.

"You must eat, come I've prepared something for you."

Sumire stared at the tray by the table suspiciously.

If you're the one doing so personally, does that not mean that the state of affairs outside is bad? Or should I say the state of affairs inside the castle? What happened to the usual servant? Is she dead? "

It was a stupid question. Sumire already understood that the woman was no longer around.

"Asking questions to things you already know. Yes, she's dead, and yes, they are inside the castle; that's why I removed you from the north wing. "

She came here to make the final preparations to make the switch, but the enemy somehow managed to enter the castle. It seems even somebody with Lucifer's caliber is struggling to deal with those three. She supposes this is where the saying 'the new surpasses the old' comes in handy.

Her thoughts wandered to the words he had just said.

So that woman is dead. An image of a young girl with ginger short colored hair appeared in her head. ' I'll do my utmost best to serve you, Lady Sumire. '

'This is just a secret. But I dream of the outside world, to explore Japan. Ah, in the summertime there are festivals, right? I heard various stories, but I'd like to hear more about your experiences.'

A clumsy maid who didn't know what she was talking about, someone who didn't know of her existence or the old her. It pained her to recall old memories, and at the beginning, she kept pushing the woman away. But in due time, she found herself unable to push her away.

Her heartfelt lighter talking about everything. So even what remaining source of light that was around her has faded.

It is hard to imagine that she survived so long after she returned home.

Her thoughts broke when Lucifer hugged her from behind.

What a cold embrace. It's nothing like Yuhi's. Nothing like the man she vowed to spend the rest of her life with.

"You're feverish; you must rest."

Sumire doesn't get a chance to voice out a protest, knowing what he intended to do to her again. It feels like since that time; she really has become more and more of a doll.

At first, she resisted strongly. However, she found whatever remaining emotion she had disappeared at some point.. Since then, what he did to her body has all become such a blurry haze in her mind.