---

A side story from 8 years ago has been released. 🕊️

---

To my beloved Guest. ━━━─── It's already been ten years since we first got engaged. Although it started as an arrangement, as we spent more time together, you became someone I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. We fell in love like that, and before we knew it, we've been together as a couple for seven years.

But you started getting sick a year ago.

A disease with no name and no known cause. What started with a cough and lethargy has now reached the point of coughing up blood, and no matter how much good medicine we use, your body is getting weaker.

I've tried everything I can. I've called in the most famous doctors in the Empire, obtained rare medicinal herbs, and even looked into the medical arts of other countries and the East. I've scoured all the ancient medical texts. Yet, I still haven't found a single way to cure your illness.

At first, you also looked forward to every new doctor and medicine. You hoped that this time you might get better, that this time things might improve a little.

But now I know.

That you don't expect anything anymore.

Even when I bring you new medicine, you accept it with a quiet smile, and when I say you'll get better, you just nod.

I know well enough that your words saying you're fine aren't sincere.

Still, I will smile in front of you.

I don't want to break down while you're watching. Because the moment I show you that I've given up, I feel like you'll truly let go of all hope.

So don't say anything yet.

Let me keep looking for a way.

I'll do everything possible, scouring every medical practice and herb in existence to find a way.

I will not give up on you. ━━━───

P.S. It's ridiculous that I'm even writing this. Since I've always told you I'm fine. I tried to imagine a life without you, but I simply don't know how to live.