As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.
---
I couldn't understand what she was saying.
It seemed as if the topic had suddenly changed. ...Why did Anastasia's name come up?
Marie slipped out of my arms and stood alone in the hall. Her expression, as if singing, was strangely peaceful and even cheerful.
"I danced with Anastasia once. The night before her debut in society. My parents asked me to stand still and play the part of the man, so I took my sister's hand and held her shoulders."
Marie straightened her back. She extended her hand as if caressing something far away, as if escorting a beautiful woman. When she did this, she looked so dignified that it was mesmerizing.
"My sister was beautiful. Small and delicate, lovely... with fluffy blonde hair and eyes so blue they seemed to draw you in. ...From a man's perspective, Anastasia was truly beautiful."
Her fingers traced the air. It took a moment to realize she was caressing her sister. It wasn't the kind of gesture sisters make when they play together, nor was it out of jealousy or anger towards a woman she resented.
It was the same kind of touch I would give Marie... a tender caress for someone precious and dear.
"My sister was a good dancer. She led me well and danced lightly.
Originally, my sister was a lively girl. Not just as a lady who was sociable, but she would jump and run around the mansion. She was often scolded by grandmother for talking too much.
My sister wasn't just beautiful. She was bright, energetic, and kind... a truly wonderful woman."
Marie spoke with conviction. I felt a strong heat burning inside me. It might have been jealousy.
At the same time, there was unease and frustration.
What was Marie talking about?
"...I... no matter what I do, I can't match Anastasia."
I interrupted Marie's words almost as if shouting.
"That's not true, you are beautiful. Your dancing has improved. You are bright and kind, and everyone in the castle likes you."
"...They don't know Anastasia."
"It doesn't matter. I met Anastasia that night. But I proposed to you!"
"You didn't meet her, you just saw her, right!?"
Finally, Marie shouted. I was taken aback by her intensity and words.
...Marie was right. That day, I searched the entire Chaderan mansion for Marie and saw Anastasia in the main hall. She was shorter than Marie, looked younger, was dressed elaborately, was smiling, and had blonde hair, I think—that was all I could remember.
Marie shuddered and stepped back. She pushed away my hand as I tried to catch her.
"Marie"
"I can't match Anastasia."
Her voice was stronger than ever.
Despite the negative content, it was filled with more confidence and certainty than ever.
And for good reason, this was her true feeling. It wasn't brainwashing from her parents, but something she had felt with her own body and heart.
—There was no evidence to deny it.
"I know the words you said to me weren't lies. ...But this was my sister's place. I have to return it."
It was then that I realized a possibility.
Marie, who was gentle and strong at heart, had become much brighter recently and had connected with me emotionally, but suddenly became agitated, which left me bewildered... Could it be?
"Marie, could it be that you think Anastasia is still alive?"
Marie's gaze affirmed it. I laughed, deliberately flippantly, and waved my hands, saying it wasn't true.
"Wasn't it what Louis said yesterday? The foundling at Norman's place. He himself said it was a hasty conclusion, didn't he?"
"...I haven't met her."
"Louis said he saw a boy, twelve or thirteen years old."
"My sister was much shorter than me. If she wore men's clothes, a hat, and kept her head down, she could deceive a short-term guest."
It was hard to argue with that. I did remember thinking she was younger than the eighteen-year-old Marie. If she dressed as a man, she could look even younger and pass as a boy who hadn't yet changed his voice...?
No, no. I quickly reconsidered and shook my head.
"Louis might be fooled. But that child—ah, Adams?"
"Arthur. His name is similar to Anastasia's."
"Common names, I think. I'm sure Thomas's brother... Arthur was also the middle child of five brothers. This country doesn't have that many name variations. I have business partners named Thomas and Johann, and Louis's grandmother is Marie."
"I was called Marie in the market."
"That's a common name..."
"It was my sister's voice. I saw her on the same day. A woman with blonde hair, dressed like a boy and wearing a hat. That was my sister. Anastasia is... alive!!"
Tears rolled down Marie's wide-open eyes. She covered her face with both hands and cried like a child, muttering "sister, sister."
I was at a loss.
I could affirm that I was in love with Marie and that she was beautiful. But I couldn't deal with hypothetical scenarios like "if I had met her sister."
I was certain of Anastasia's death. On the day I received the report of the accident, Granado had dredged the canal to search. Although the body wasn't found, it was a swollen canal at night after a rainstorm. It was almost impossible to survive.
Moreover, the foundling was taken in by Smith Norman. We had a long business relationship, and I owed him a favor. The search notice for the missing lady was posted throughout the capital. Norman couldn't have been unaware, and even if Anastasia wanted to hide, he wouldn't betray me.
Anastasia is dead. But... I understood Marie's wish for her to be alive.
Anastasia had died in my place due to a small misunderstanding of mine...
"Sister..."
Marie continued to cry.
I gently embraced her shoulders.
"Alright. Let's meet Norman and his apprentice, Arthur."
Marie's eyes widened. She stared at me as if glaring.
"...To convince me that Anastasia is really dead?"
...Marie Chaderan is intelligent. She understood my intention and, after trembling for a while, nodded.
Was it a cruel choice? No, I still think it was a necessary process.
We shouldn't run from our guilt, and Marie should walk her own path, not as "Anastasia's sister" but as Marie herself.
I called Mio and instructed her to prepare a carriage to go to Norman's workshop.
Mio seemed to think the same way, and without any questions, she prepared and we set off immediately.
The round trip to the craftsmen's district in the market would take two to three hours. If Norman and the others responded quickly, they would arrive by evening—Mio would negotiate to have them visit the castle by tonight.
In a small table for rest in a corner of the salon, Marie and I sat facing each other and exchanged a few brief words.
"...If my sister comes, everything will be over, won't it?"
"This will resolve everything."
Marie only smiled sadly.
---
An awkward silence.
It wasn't a pleasant time, but I didn't want it to end quickly.
I had a slight fear inside me.
...What if Anastasia really was alive?
Occasionally, such thoughts crossed my mind.
Anastasia had never met me. She wouldn't have come to marry willingly, so she might have hidden herself after the accident and managed to run away.
...No, that's impossible. The craftsmen's district is a man's world; a lady couldn't survive there.
"Anastasia was fascinated by the dressmakers in the capital."
Marie whispered something scary. I pretended not to hear.
Still, I became anxious again.
...What if Norman was also deceived by the lady's disguise?
...No, that's impossible. It's impossible. Norman is retired but not senile. He wouldn't fail to notice the gender of someone he lived with, even if it was just a guest...
Time passed.
As the sunset streamed through the window, a carriage carrying Smith Norman and his apprentice arrived at Granado Castle.