Story Reader / Event Story / Elegy Of Nightmare / Story
And sometimes, the sleeping princess would dream.
She would dream of the sunny courtyard, the gentle chirping of larks, the fragrant rose bushes, and her father and mother smiling warmly at her.
In her dream, she met her beloved prince. They formed a family and lived happily together.
What's next? What's next? Does the prince cut through the thorns and climb to the top of the tower? Does he save the princess?
Of course... "The prince finally climbs up the staircase to the very top of the tower..."
Yeah—!
Mommy smiled. She turned the page of the book, and then continued to read the story in her usual gentle voice that I cherished so much.
Daddy sat on the sofa with a glass of wine and listened to Mommy telling me the story.
I may not be able to run freely like the other children, but as long as Mommy tells me adventure stories and fairy tales, I can still experience fantastic adventures.
I miss these precious memories of my daily...
...By why do I "miss" it? It's not like Mommy and Daddy are gone.
But you see, they're right next to me. I'm sitting in Mommy's arms. She's telling me my favorite fairy tale.
(Flutters)
A rose petal fell onto the page.
(Flutters)
More and more rose petals fell as they appeared to be the dyeing the book red. My forehead began to feel cool and wet.
No... Is this...
Mommy...?
I turned my head to Mommy, but her head just silently hung there.
?!!!
Daddy! Daddy! Mommy...!
I screamed in panic and looked for my father on the sofa.
But no one answered me. Daddy had already left.
A strange "substance" appeared on the couch. It was black and red, just like burned—
Ahhhhhhhh!
I suddenly sat up from my bed and gasped. My parents weren't by my side. This was Niflheim, the ARU's research lab. This was our supposed "care facility".
Just... just another nightmare.
Lia?! Are you okay?
Someone grabbed my hand and questioned me eagerly.
Yeah... I'm okay. Thank you, Anfia.
...Was it another nightmare?
...Yeah.
...What happens if a princess has nightmares?
What?
What happens if the princess in "Sleeping Beauty" has a nightmare, but she can't wake up?
No one can wake her up, and no one can save her. She won't be able to wake up from her nightmare...
That would be terrifying.
Wasn't she woken up by a prince? There's nothing to worry about.
Not to mention, you have me to wake you up from your nightmares.
I may not be able to fill the room with roses like the prince...
Anfia unclenched my hand and placed something in the palm of my hand.
It was an origami rose.
Would this rose... do?
Anfia...
You like this kind of flower, don't you?
Yeah...
Oh, yeah. I heard that once I become a Construct, I'll have a chance to carry out missions outside the ARU. Maybe I'll see real roses then.
I'll be sure to show you.
Okay!
It'll be my turn to be modified here in a few days. You'll be the first one to see me, Lia! I won't just leave a letter and rush out on a mission like Daniel.
Oh... The doctor is making his rounds! I gotta get going! See you tomorrow!
Ok! See you tomorrow, Fia.
Anfia skillfully jumped out the window, then gave me an "OK" with her hand from below.
Hearing the doctor's periodic footsteps, Anfia quickly retracted her hand and left.
I looked towards the direction she left and smiled, then I shifted my gaze at the small origami rose in my hand.
Did she go out the window again?
...
The young doctor sighed helplessly, and examined me in her usual gentle manner.
You should be glad that I'm here today. Others wouldn't be so willing to keep your secret.
I still don't understand why you don't let patients in the care facility come in contact with each other...
The doctor's gentle eyes faded a moment, and she shook her head silently.
Because it's the rules.
...Hm? Is this a rose?
Yeah, Anfia made it.
I handed the rose to the doctor, and she took it carefully.
It's beautiful... The last time I saw this kind of rose was when I got engaged.
Huh...? You never mentioned that before.
There was no wedding, no ring. But a small origami rose did the trick. Aren't I something...
Anyway, I already have my most precious "gift".
The doctor subconsciously stroked her belly with a soft, gentle look.
—She looked at me the same way my mother did.
Do you mean...
She nodded and held my hand.
Do you want to name the child?
May I...?
Of course.
If she's a girl, how about—
I thought a moment before coming up with that name.
If I had a daughter, I'd probably give her that name, but the doctor said that becoming a Construct means giving up my human body.
'——'
It's a beautiful name. Thank you, Lia.
I felt warmth gradually spreading in my heart as I looked into the smiling glimmer of her eyes.
I named you after my favorite flower.
I hoped this child would be like the prince or knight in the fairy tale, overcoming pain and hardship to deliver a rose to the princess.
