As the sun rose the next day, the news echoed through the estate. It wasn't too long before the words reached the outer mansion too. But even before that, Ivene's anticipation for her husband was wrecking her heart with each passing moment.

The entire night she had lay on her bed, gazing upon the room's door, waiting for her husband to open it and call for her as he used to. Even when she couldn't keep her eyes open and they closed on their own, without falling into deep slumber, she always woke up hurriedly, not to make her husband call for her twice.

When the sunlight washed her room in golden haze, Ivene couldn't wait any longer. At last, she looked at Greta, who had spent the night sitting at the feet of her Lady, lying, saying the expedition team was yet to come.

"...Greta," Her voice trembled. "Go see if Anthor has returned..."

Knowing what had happened, Greta couldn't oblige her lady instantly. Her lips trembled as she murmured in response, "Lady Ivene, I went to check earlier. They haven't arrived yet..."

"Stop giving me excuses!" Ivene gathered some energy and exclaimed, "Ceres told me! They should've arrived last night." With each word, the energy she barely drew out, dispersed, and her words dissolved into sobbing, "Please, go check again..."

"But-"

"Please..."

Greta's lips parted, but she couldn't word out anything. Not a single excuse came to her mind that would appease her Lady. She got up and went out of the room. Looking on the floor, she roamed the corridors aimlessly. Though it had barely been a month since Greta was stationed as Ivene's aide, she couldn't get herself to crush the yearning Ivene had shown for her husband's return in that short time. Lastly, she thought of talking with Venet.

Fortunately, lifting her head she found Venet in front of her. She felt a moment of relief amidst her concerns. But in that moment, she lost control of herself. Her lips quivered and the tears that had been shimmering in her eyes streamed.

"What happened?" Venet asked. Her face which always held a firm smile was frowned with concern.

"Madam..." Greta sobbed, rubbing her tears with her long sleeves. "What do I do? How should I tell Lady Ivene?"

"You haven't?"

"How can I? When Lady Ivene is waiting for sir Anthor with such anticipation. I...I can't."

There was a moment of silence after which Venet put a hand on Greta's shoulder. "Let's go. I'll tell Lady Ivene." But just after taking burden off of Greta, she pressed her lips.

With each step towards Ivene's room, their hearts felt heavier. The room was just around the corner, but the time it took for them to reach it was too long. Each step, each breath, each blink. Even their heartbeats. Everything felt painfully noticeable. It felt like the world itself was giving them a chance to turn back. To hold on to the truth longer. But they couldn't. They kept walking, and just as they were a few steps away from Lady Ivene's room, a voice that felt familiar but had a different tone called them from behind.

They turned around to find Lady Ceres, and Crof with Ceily walking towards them. When the distance between was closed, Lady Ceres asked, "How's Ivene doing?" The zesty lady, who always came to meet Ivene with excitement wasn't there. There stood a woman drenched in worry for her friend.

Greta barely met her eyes with Ceres' and replied, "She spent the entire night looking at the door. Waiting for Sir Anthor..."

Lady Ceres drew out a deep breathe. "...So Ivene don't know yet?"

"I couldn't get myself to tell..." said Greta. Glancing at Venet, she said, "But now Madam Venet is going to tell her."

With just a look at Venet, Ceres could tell she was concerned. "Will you be okay.?"

"...It is my duty. But..."

"Okay." Ceres thought for a second and said, "I'll tell her."

"But-"

"She's my friend...I should be the one to tell her," Ceres said. Her eyes glimmered with the tears she couldn't let go in front of others as a noble lady.

When all four reached the room and Greta opened the door, Ivene opened her eyes. Her eyes sparkled for a moment, but it disappeared just after she couldn't find the person she was looking for at the door. Without saying anything, she closed her eyes again.

Greta saw the spark, but before any other could notice, Ivene had already closed her eyes. Or she was forced to. After spending the entire night awake, even the natural action of keeping her eyes open felt like pushing a mountain to her.

Looking at her lady straining herself, Greta muttered in concern, "Lady..."

Making sure not to make much sound, they all entered the room. Ceres sat in front of her friend. She, who never hesitated to say anything, couldn't utter a word. She closed her eyes, thinking what to say. Taking a breath, she took Ivene's hand in hers and pressed it gently. Ivene's hand was cold as ice—like there was no life in them. Ceres called in a soft voice, "Ivene..."

Her friend forced her eyes open. As their gaze met, Ceres gulped before saying, "There's something I need to tell..."

Ivene couldn't move her lips in response. There was just a low husky sound that came from her neck, "Hmm..."

Ceres looked into everyone's eyes. Before speaking, she sniffled, getting ready to tell the truth. Or maybe another lie. "Anthor...he is..." Her voice thickened, "...dead."

"He-hehe..."

Ceres was pressing Ivene's hand to her forehead as she wept, but Ivene's chortle left her dazes.

"Y-you're joking right? As always? Please don't. Anthor. He's outside right?" Ivene looked past Ceres, towards the door, forcing herself to shout, "Anthor! Anthor."

Ceres squeezed her eyes, as she drawled, "No!" She took Ivene's hand to her lips. "D-during there expedition he d-died."

"Pleaseee!! Stop lying! He, he is not weak."

She sniffled. "There...there was no magic, Ivene. And." Her words dissolved in sob, "...and Anthor died while fending of enemies."

Her vision blurry with tears, she saw Ivene, who couldn't respond. Her mouth stood wide open from the breath she took. The room was only filled with the Ceres' weeping, before it was met with wails that shattered Ivene's silence.

Ceres pulled Ivene's hand and bent over to take her in her embrace—her futile try to comfort her friend. But Ivene's howl didn't stop. They only increased with passing moment. The room that celebrated the cry of a new life just a few weeks ago was now mourning another's death. Amidst this, Crof, who was left dazed like others, looked at Lady Ceres."Lady but-"

But her words were interrupted by Ceres' nod in denial. She couldn't let Ivene know the full truth, which—as she thought—might give Ivene some false hope for her husband. As she squeezed Ivene tighter, her irises gleamed red.