“Nainiae, it’s all right. A dream is just a dream.”
Iris showed a refreshing smile toward Nainiae and gently wiped off the tears around her eyes. Iris continued and said,
“What did you dream about?”
“Dream?”
Nainiae, with her mouth wide open, thought about what she just saw, and then bit her lips lightly.
“That was…”
It didn’t feel like a dream.
It was the light at the end of tunnel.
“Nainiae?”
Noticing Nainiae was just biting her lips and not able to say anything, Iris asked if Nainiae was uncomfortable in any way as she tilted her head side to side.
“No. It’s nothing.”
“It cannot be nothing.”
While Nainiae was asleep, Iris heard what she was murmuring while shedding tears. Iris clearly remembered them.
“Tell me. I’ll listen.”
Instead of keeping it to herself, perhaps it would be better for Nainiae to spill it out. Perhaps that would make Nainiae feel better.
“Really, really, it is nothing.”
Not able to look at Iris in the eyes, she directed her gaze toward the ceiling and shook her head.
She couldn’t tell her.
There was no way she could.
Nainiae could not tell Iris that she was going to die soon, that what she saw was her life flashing before her eyes. Nainiae could not tell Iris that she won’t be here with her when the fall comes.
“…”
“Excuse me, Lady Iris.”
Nainiae, who was staring vacantly at the ceiling to calm her mind, felt the warmth reaching her hand. Nainiae said,
“About this…”
Sitting next to the bed, Iris was holding Nainiae’s right hand. Iris tightened her grip, keeping Nainiae’s hand feel warm.
It seemed like Iris knew that if she let go of the hand now, she may never get to hold Nainiae’s hand again.
“Lady Iris?”
Nainiae was embarrassed about her disfigured hand being held by someone. Nainiae pulled her shoulder. However… despite that, Iris firmly held Nainiae’s hand. She refused to let go.
“Riley told me.”
Nainiae, who was trying to make her let go of the hand in any way she could, heard what Iris just said and flinched her shoulders.
“…”
“It may last until the fall, right?”
“What… are you talking about?”
“It’s about how long you will be able to stay with us.”
Nainiae tried to feign ignorance, but Iris had a serious look on her face.
Unbecoming of her, Iris’ eyebrows were slightly bent. Her face almost looked angry.
“Why?”
It was no longer looking like Iris just seemed to be angry. Iris really was angry.
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“…”
Having heard what Iris said, Nainiae’s lips opened and closed again several times.
“That is…”
Nainiae carefully moved her gaze and looked at Iris’ eyes.
Perhaps it was because Iris’ eyes were gentle just like Nainiae’s mother who she said goodbyes to a long time ago.
‘…’
Nainiae, who was about to say something, had her lips frozen shut.
“That is?”
Nainiae had been longing for those eyes for a long time.
Nainiae also had been wishing for the warmth as well.
Nainiae could feel her heart being crushed in sorrow. Nainiae tightly grabbed on to the blanket with her left hand so Iris would not be able to see and then said,