The sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo forest was faint.
In the tea room, Benchu Zui Ai, seated gracefully, exchanged glances through the gauze curtain with Kimoon standing outside. The gentle breeze tousled Kimoon's flowing hair, lifting a corner of the curtain, yet it refrained from being too audacious, allowing the two to face each other undisturbed.
After a while, Zui Ai slowly set down the teacup in hand and conveyed her thoughts telepathically: Leave the royal palace and return to the Purple Kingdom.
"Is this how indifferent you are to me? Are you unwilling to even speak?" Kimoon muttered to herself, feeling wounded. She turned to leave, overwhelmed with infinite sadness. She thought everything was hopeless. From childhood, she had no family except for a faint fantasy about her mother. She wished the woman not far away was her mother, but she couldn't be sure and dared not believe again. She had finally encountered Shizuru, the first person she felt so close to, but now Shizuru was leaving her. What did she have left? Yoko? Yoko treated her well, like family, but Shizuru was the one she relied on the most. Shizuru's departure made Kimoon ignore the affairs of others.
Where else could she go? Would Shizuru be waiting for her somewhere unknown? Kimoon thought of Shizuru's strangeness and the farewell letter she had left. Shizuru thanked Kimoon for years of companionship and expressed her desire for a new life, hoping Kimoon could forget the past and find a new partner soon. Did Shizuru not want her to come looking for her? Did she start hating me at some point, thinking I'm a burden? The more Kimoon thought, the sadder she became, and tears welled up uncontrollably.
Zui Ai watched as Kimoon stood there, lost in thought, just staring at her back. She furrowed her brow slightly.
Feeling abandoned by everything, Kimoon couldn't support herself any longer and sat down, saying, "Shizuru." She whispered to herself, recalling the beautiful moments she had with Shizuru. She began to believe that Shizuru must have had no other choice. Her Shizuru, forever cheerful, could never play with others' feelings in a malicious way.
Kimoon turned her body, looking again in Zui Ai's direction, as if she had made a resolute decision, and questioned,
"Did you force Shizuru to leave?!"
Kimoon had to believe that Shizuru was coerced. The only ones who could force the second princess of the Purple Kingdom were likely the royal family of the Kingdom of Light, the place that made her feel fearful and utterly alone.
Zui Ai sighed silently in the room, turning her head to one side as if waiting for a response. A figure emerged from that side, and the bells on her produced a clear sound. Kimoon, hearing it, couldn't help but tremble.
It was the bell she had once given to Shizuru!
It turned out that Shizuru had visited the Water Moon Palace earlier, just like usual, discussing various topics over tea with Kikyo, Zui Ai, and Ruo Pu. Recently, they had been talking about Kimoon's background and her various experiences in the Purple Kingdom. Only then did Shizuru realize that Kimoon was even more special than she had imagined. She regretted not knowing all this sooner and not stopping their relationship at the level of friendship. At the same time, Shizuru confessed her relationship with Kimoon to the princesses of the Kingdom of Light. Except for Ruo Pu, who was surprised, the other two, Kikyo and Zui Ai, seemed to have experienced many ups and downs and showed little emotional fluctuation.
Just now, the other three, in response to Zui Ai's request, withdrew to the side, only quietly listening. Seeing Kimoon's sadness and determination, Shizuru had to make up her mind. She lifted the curtain, walked outside, and faced Kimoon, intending to end this relationship herself.
"This is my decision. My dream is to become a queen who can stand alone like my sister. But the Purple Kingdom already has a queen, so I thought if I could be a queen in the Kingdom of Light, it would be a good choice."
"I'm sorry for keeping it from you all this time. I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were too clingy, so I couldn't bring myself to say it."
"Let's officially break up now. Don't come bothering me again, and please keep our secret. Please, I beg you."
Shizuru pretended to be playful, always maintaining a smile. She tilted her head slightly, closing one of her eyes and putting a finger to her lips, as if making an ordinary request. Seeing Kimoon seemingly only in shock with no other reaction, Shizuru stood there, looking down at Kimoon from a higher position, with a smirk of mockery and cruelty on her face. She hoped Kimoon could finally let go and leave. That was what Shizuru hoped.
Kimoon, sitting paralyzed on the ground, experienced a whirlwind of emotions—from the initial surprise and anticipation upon seeing Shizuru's momentary joy to the harsh reality revealed by Shizuru's words. Her feelings plummeted rapidly, leaving only indignation and sorrow. She could no longer contain the intense waves of emotion within her; her vital energy and blood surged, and tears poured like rain. At that moment, all of Kimoon's emotions transformed into a thick stream of vivid blood, spurting out from her mouth.
Kimoon finally collapsed, losing consciousness.
The next day.
Waking up in the Fallen Sword Palace, Kimoon gazed at the familiar ceiling. Had she returned to this cage once again? She couldn't help but mock herself inwardly. At the same time, she caught a glimpse of a figure sitting upright, seemingly waiting for her to wake up.
It was Yoko.
At this moment, Yoko was dressed in royal attire, silently observing Kimoon. Her return to the country was not only to attend the wedding of Feng Mo and Shizuru but also because she knew her family was about to face a crucial test that could determine life or death. Driven by responsibility, Yoko decided to return to the Kingdom of Light and face it together with other members of the royal family. Hence, today she came to bid farewell to Kimoon. She could no longer continue living with Kimoon in the Purple Kingdom.
Quietly listening to Yoko's statement, Kimoon felt sorrow welling up again. Shizuru had abandoned her, and now Yoko was leaving her as well. She began to hate the unfairness of fate but didn't know how to resist it.
"Who am I, after all?"
Kimoon seemed to be asking, but also speaking to herself. Yoko, looking at the disheartened and broken Kimoon, knew she needed time to slowly accept everything. Yoko had more important matters to attend to, so she left, leaving someone behind to take care of Kimoon.
Finally, the day of the grand wedding arrived.
The ceremony took place in the evening. The palace was brightly lit, adorned with dazzling lights everywhere. In the center of the crowd were the protagonists of the wedding—the king and queen of the Kingdom of Light. Accepting blessings one after another, they looked like an enviable couple, both in appearance and character. Zui Ai admire all of this from a distance, but in an instant, she felt a strong sense of unease and something unusual. She left hastily, heading towards the Fallen Sword Palace.
Inside the Fallen Sword Palace, fresh red blood flowed down the steps.
Lying in the pool of blood was Kimoon, her body gradually growing cold.