And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 21

“My, Anne, you’re in a lovely mood.”

The morning sun streamed in, softly illuminating the white walls of the salon. Amidst the light, Anne was tilting the teapot, humming a tune as she worked. Her movements were lighter than usual, and even the steam rising from the rim of the cups seemed to dance.

Her ribbon was tied more neatly than ever, and a faint flush touched her cheeks. Above all, her face was graced with a constant, beaming smile.

“Can you tell, Lady Luciana? Actually, I had a wonderful dream last night!”

“Oh? What kind of dream was it?”

“My work went perfectly, and Lady Emilia praised me. Then, as a reward, I got to eat all the sweets I wanted from Mielne!”

Anne spread her arms wide in front of her chest. It was as if she were trying to embrace the table full of sweets from her dream right then and there. Her eyes overflowed with joy, and the radiance in them made my own expression soften involuntarily.

“Hehe, just imagining it makes me feel like I can smell the sugary scent.”

“But… one always wakes up from dreams, don’t they? The moment I realized it wasn’t reality, I felt so sad. Especially since I hadn’t even taken a single bite yet…”

Anne’s shoulders slumped as she cradled her cup with both hands. The shifting steam blurred her dejected expression.

“A dream that is too wonderful makes reality feel a bit cruel when you wake up, doesn’t it?”

As I spoke, I peered softly into Anne’s face. The smile that had been bouncing a moment ago now cast a slight shadow.

“Well then, if Emilia praises you, I shall give you sweets from Mielne as a reward. Enough that you couldn’t possibly finish them all, of course.”

“Eh, really? It’s a promise, Lady Luciana!”

Anne leaned forward with vigor. Her cheeks colored brightly, and her smile bloomed once more. However, after a few moments of sparkling excitement, Anne suddenly paused. Her brows knitted together, and her gaze wandered into the air. As if suddenly remembering, she asked in a hesitant voice:

“Lady Luciana… did you dream of anything?”

“Yes, I had a good dream. Thanks to Julius.”

I offered a meaningful smile.

“But, it’s a secret.”

“Eeeh, that’s not fair! I told you mine!”

Anne puffed out her cheeks. Her sulking expression was so adorable that I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

At that moment—

Knock, knock. A light rapping sounded at the door.

“My, you two seem to be having quite a lot of fun.”

Appearing from behind the door was Emilia, her arms full of documents.

“Did you find it? The way to remove it?”

“Yes. I believe this is the most efficient way to destroy the bracelet. However, the problem is how it might affect the mind.”

Emilia’s voice was calm, but a trace of hesitation lingered in the depths of her eyes. Anne tilted her head as she peered at the documents.

“I see. It will take more time, but if we want to avoid the mental strain, perhaps this method would be better to try first.”

“That’s true. However, that would take far too long. Ideally, we could overlap these two methods… but the formula becomes too complex. It might be a bit much for me. Anne, can you do it?”

The air pulled taut. Anne and Emilia’s gazes met head-on, and a short silence fell. Anne steadied her breathing and spoke softly.

“Please, let me see the papers.”

Emilia handed over the two sheets. Anne layered them together, staring intensely as if looking through them. Her profile, illuminated by the morning light, was the picture of seriousness; her usual cheerfulness had completely vanished.

“…The formula will be quite complex. May I have a little time?”

Her fingertips traced the patterns as her eyes moved busily across the paper. Her concentration was so deep she seemed to forget to breathe. Even the air in the salon grew still, drawn into Anne’s tension.

And then—

“…I can do it.”

Anne looked up, a certain light dwelling in her eyes.

“Lady Luciana, may I borrow your arm? —I will definitely make this a success.”

At that steady voice, I nodded quietly.

“I believe in you, Anne.”

Anne took the magical tool in hand and cautiously began to draw the magic circle over the bracelet. With every stroke, a glint of light was born, the lines pulsing as if they were breathing. As the complex patterns overlapped, a faint glow filled the room and the air vibrated.

The sounds of the world grew distant. It felt as though light alone dominated everything.

—And then.

A flash burst. With a dull clink, the bracelet fell to the floor.

“…Success,” a raspy voice whispered into the silence. Anne immediately rushed over, dropping to her knees to check on me. “How do you feel?”

Her fingertips, through her gloves, gently touched my wrist.

“There are no problems at all. As expected of you, Anne.”

The moment I said that, Anne’s eyes sparkled brilliantly.

“Oh, thank goodness…!”

The tension in her shoulders unraveled, and relief and joy spread through her at once. Emilia took a step forward, nodding with satisfaction.

“Well done, Anne. Truly, you are my prize apprentice.”

Those words were to anyone who knew Emilia well—shockingly rare. It was genuine praise. Anne blinked, freezing as if she couldn’t believe it. Her cheeks turned red all at once, and her fingers fidgeted. She squeezed her own hand over her glove.

“N-no! I still have a long way to go, Lady Emilia…!”

Contrary to her words, a smile she couldn’t hide surfaced on her lips.

“Hehe, Anne. Just as I promised, we must place an order for those sweets immediately.”

“Sweets? Ah—it’s a prophetic dream!?”

Anne’s lively voice filled the salon. The morning light shimmered on the rim of the cups, and the stifling atmosphere vanished in an instant. Sweet laughter spread out, soaking into the morning silence.