Archive of Our Own

I can't see this child as my own. I know saying that makes me a horrible woman, but it's what I truly feel. Maybe if their hair was darker or their eyes were green, I could delude myself, but it's impossible. The tufts of golden hair and bright blue eyes make it apparent this child isn't mine. It's my duty to produce an heir for the Ushiromiya family, but I can't even do that. The one thing I was meant to do, as a wife, as a woman, is impossible for me. That's why I hate this child. It reminds me of my own worthlessness, of my own failure. Every time it cries, I can hear my own soul breaking into pieces. How long can I hold on before the shards of my soul become nothing but dust?

On the third day, my body and mind are already weary. The baby cries at almost all hours of the night, but because I am not it's mother, I can not comfort it. I can't supply it with the warmth of family, and so it cries. It feels unnatural to hold; instead a bundle of joy all I feel is a heavy brick. I can't decide whose worst, it or me. The baby reminds me of my failure, which makes me hate it. But in reality, what I really hate is myself. The only way I can survive with an intact mind is to push all my sins on this baby. This baby that never committed any sins. This baby who had it's future stolen before it could even talk because it was given to a failure of a woman.

I can't sleep because of it, then again, I've never slept much before this. For now, my routine is to stay by the baby's side but have a servant take care of it. I don't think I'll ever be able to hold it. If I ever did, I'm afraid that would cement me as it's mother, something I never asked for. But fate had a cruel twist of fate for me today. When I went downstairs for breakfast I was told that the servant who was supposed to be in charge of the child fell down the stairs and couldn't work. Because it happened on such short notice, there was no replacement, so I had to be the one to take care of it.

My headache is growing more and more. I can feel the pain pulse throughout my entire skull and push against my skin. It hurts so much. My head, my heart, my soul. Every part of me is in pain. The only thing that soothes me is solitude, but I can't be left alone. The baby follows me everywhere, so I'm never alone. Even when I walk outside into the garden, the once calming fresh air became nothing more than a chill.

As I walk with the baby in my arms, I feel my feet start to become lead. I keep moving, but I don't know where. The baby's screams have muddled my brain because before I know it, I've ended up on the path leading into the dense forest. I know I should turn back, but right now, being swallowed up by the forest sounds nice. Maybe if I go in there, I'll never have to deal with all of my pain. Or better yet, maybe the child in my arms would disappear. So, I kept moving my legs and traveled further and further into the forest. I wasn't sure how much time was passing, but it felt relaxing to be surrounded by nature. The child in my arms had mostly quieted down, though it let out a few cries here or there. I felt like my body was on autopilot as I kept moving further into the grove of trees.

The further I go, the more I know I should turn back, and yet I don't. I'm like a cat wandering off to die, but I can't stop my body. All the noises of the world around me slowly fade out, and the only thing I can hear is my own breathing. Time itself seemed to have stopped, and soon I find myself standing in place. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a golden shimmer. When I turn my head, there's nothing there, but then I see it again. Soon, golden sparkles surround the space I'm occupying and light up the forest.

"Pitiful woman. Tortured for something she can not control" the golden sparkles spoke to me, and soon it took the form of a human. Bright blonde hair tied up, a regal red and black dress, and an air of otherworldliness. She was gorgeous, like a princess in a Western fairy tale. When my eyes met with hers, I could only think one thing. This person in front of me was a witch.

"Y-You...who...?" I managed to stutter out.

"I am the Golden Witch Beatrice, the true ruler of Rokkenjima. I have been watching you for some time now." she stated. "It seems you've been decided upon as a black stain due to your infertility. Really, what a stupid thing. It takes two to make a child, and yet they decide all the blame is with you."

"I-It has to be me. Otherwise...what's the point of all my suffering?" I asked.

"I used to feel the same. Because I was prosecuted by others, I thought it was my fault. The truth is, every human tries to push their own problems on another. When one suffers, they push that suffering onto others." she explained. I didn't full understand what she was saying, but I think I got it. I'm in such pain right now because others are also in pain. Is that it? "Hm, your face makes it seem like you haven't fully processed what I'm saying. Everyone pushes their suffering onto another, even if that person is undeserving of it. Like that baby in your arms, what pain have you been causing it?"

"I haven't-!" Yes I have. I hated this child because I hate myself. I'm pushing all my unhappiness onto this child because otherwise I would have to deal with it. This child symbolizes everything I hate about the world and myself, and yet, it had never hurt me directly. Even though holding an unfamiliar baby caused me pain, that was all because of my own issues, and not anything the baby did. But then...how do I get rid of this pain tearing at my heart and mind? If I don't find a way to be rid of it, then I'll devolve even further, and then someone else will have to take the brunt of it.

"There exists no magic that can erase a person's pain, but there is magic that can turn that pain into joy. All you need to do is accept it." the witch told me.

"Accept it?" the words came out of my mouth weakly.

"Accept the pain into yourself and search through it. Eventually, you will find a bright light. No magic can bring back fallen tears, but it can bring a smile to your face. All you must do is accept your burdens and care for them. Even if you might not understand them, even if it gets painful to acknowledge them, you must accept the pain you feel. Only then can you work towards true happiness."

I looked down at the baby in my arms. Was she telling me to accept this child that I was given? The baby in my arms cries continuously, and I doubt it recognizes me as it's mother. But should I just love it anyway? I've never felt like I could be a mother, not after the constant disparaging's I've gone through. I don't know if I could ever care for a child like a mother should, but does that mean I should just give up. My thoughts are a muddled up mess and I can't pick a single one out.

"This might not heal your heart, but I'll say it anyways. I'm sure you could be a great mother. Please, remember that no matter how hard things get, don't forsake that child in your arms. Be it's mother, and let it be yours." she said finally. A few seconds later, her form started to dissipate into golden butterflies. The bright golden light disappeared deep into the forest and I was left alone once again.

The sound of crying brought me back to reality and I looked down at the child in my arms. It was so small and yet it produced such a loud noise. Surely, that was the measure of how much it was struggling. Struggling to be recognized; struggling to be loved. I don't know if I can feel anything positive towards this child, but right now, I'm filled with pity. This baby deserves a better woman to take care of it. It's real mother would surely have held it without hesitation and loved it more than anything. Could I do the same? My meeting with the witch was already fading from my mind; perhaps I hallucinated the whole thing. But there's a feeling left behind in me. A small spark of love.

"Mama! Mama! Look what I drew!" they came running up to me with a piece of paper in hand. I was holding Jessica in my arms while sitting down in the parlor. They stumbled over their feet a bit, but eventually they arrived at my feet. They shoved the piece of paper into the air so I could see the drawing. On the page was four scribbles in the form of what looked like people.

"Hm, is this supposed to be somebody?" I asked.

"It's you and me and Papa and Je-shi-ca!" they smiled.

"That looks great. Do you want to show Jessica?" I questioned. They smiled eagerly and climbed up onto the sofa beside me.

"Je-shi-ca, look! I drew you!" they shouted. Jessica didn't focus on the paper, but instead her older sibling and made to grab at them. She tugged on their blonde hair which made them let out a yelp.

"Mama! Je-shi-ca is touching me! Stop her!" they grumbled. 

"It's okay. It just shows how much she loves you." I stated. I held Jessica back a bit as she let out coos, trying to reach her older sibling. They looked a bit grumpy at Jessica's attempts to touch them, so I put her on the other side of me so she couldn't reach. "Let's show Papa what you drew when he gets home, alright?"

"Yeah!" They cheered and dove in to hug me. I'm still not used to holding them, or even Jessica. I was labeled as a failed woman for twelve years, so having two children, one not even blood related, still felt abnormal. But I'm trying my hardest to show both of them love. Jessica is my precious daughter. And they...they were the first thing I could call a child.

"I wanna be a witch!" they cheered. Straddled across a broom, they jumped up multiple times in the air as an imitation of flight.

"A witch?" I inquired.

"Yeah! I'm gonna be a witch like Beatrice and soar through the sky and use magic! I'm gonna be the strongest witch ever!" they jumped up and down even more, sending their decently long blonde hair flying around. The name Beatrice still intimidated me. I don't think I'll ever be able to explain what I saw in the forest on that day. Sometimes I think it was all a dream, but it still feels so strangely real. The blonde haired witch looking over at me with a sad expression, the sympathy she gave me, and the care she gave my child still stuck with me. It had to be Beatrice who came to me in my greatest time of distress. When no human would help me, a witch did.

"I think a witch would be nice." I said.

"If I was a witch I could get rid of your headaches, Mom. I could make all the pain fly away." they stated.

"That sounds nice, but I never have headaches around you." I laugh. It was a lie. I don't think I'll ever be rid of these headaches that constantly torment me. But I won't allow them to think that they're the cause of them. My constant anxieties when they were a baby and the pounding headaches that accompanied them, I won't allow this child to receive any more of that burden.

"Then I'll give you pretty flowers, like lilacs." they suggested.

"That sounds nice." I pet their head and they let out a laugh.

"Why did you do such a thing?" I asked. The child was crying, tears streaking down their red face as they tried their best to look strong.

"I just wanted to try it on." they explained. Apparently, one of the servants had caught them wearing one of Jessica's dresses and then the child was chewed out by Father. It made some sense, this child wasn't supposed to wear such feminine clothes. But seeing them cry at being scolded for such a thing hurt my heart. Was wearing a dress really that big of a deal? I knew it was, but whenever I looked at their face, that feeling left me. It's confusing. How am I supposed to discipline my child when I don't believe they did anything wrong.

"Did you really want to try on a dress that badly?" I questioned. They looked away for a bit before nodding.

"Jessica just looks so cute in them...and I thought..." they sniffled. "All the girls in my grade talk about their cute outfits, so I wanted to try. B-But if I asked anyone they would laugh at me so..."

"It's okay, sweetie." I took them in my arms and pulled them into my chest. They sobbed as they wrapped their arms around me. I always thought something was weird. The way they liked to keep their hair long, how they seemed to dislike being called "Young Master", or their love of witches were all signs. Maybe it's my fault that something like this happened, maybe because I'm such a crappy person that my child turned out like this. However, whenever I see them, I still think of them as my precious child. There isn't anything wrong with them, there's something wrong with me.

"I-I don't like my name either, but when I told Grandpa that he got mad." they cried. Their name was specially picked out by Father, so it made sense that he would get mad if that was rejected. Maybe I should be taking Father's side here, but...

"What name do you prefer?"

"...Beato." they said. Ah, maybe this is fate. Looking at them now, crying my arms, I do see a resemblance. I see, is this what you really wanted? Did you want me to accept you, not just as a baby, but right now? When I remember your face, and how happy you looked when I said I would support them, did you see this coming. The beautiful blonde witch of Rokkenjima has been a legend for decades, but right now, it seems real. Yes, right now, there is a full flesh and blood witch on this island. One who's smile is even more beautiful than 10 tons of gold.

"I like that name. It's pretty, just like you." I said.

"Mom, help me with my hair!" Beato called out to me. She was sitting in front of her mirror, her long mess of blonde hair sticking out at various angles. It was the morning of the family conference, so everyone should have been ready earlier, but Beato liked to sleep-in, even on important days. Her outfit was still hanging on the closet door, and I could tell she hadn't even brushed her teeth yet. I was pretty busy myself, trying to organize the servants for this special day, but when Beato called out to me, I couldn't help but answer.

"You should really start getting up earlier? What if the relatives see you in such a tired state?" I asked as I grabbed the brush on the dresser. 

"I can't help it. My bed is just too comfy and warm. I don't want to get up when I'm at peace." she said. I could resonant with what she said. How many days had I wanted to spend curled up in a ball on my bed, trying to shut out the pain of the world. Even when I couldn't sleep, laying down covered by soft blankets was much better than dealing with the outside world.

I started to brush through Beato's hair and once again marveled at how smooth it was. My hair was curly enough that it hurt to brush, so I usually just stuck it up in a ponytail. Beato also like having her hair up, but it was in more ornate designs like braids and romantic tucks. Even though I wasn't good with my hands, Beato always asked me to do her hair. I guess it shows how much she trusts me, and so I always try my best.

"Battler's supposed to be coming back today, right? I wonder if how he'll look." Beato pondered. That's right, Battler had been separated from the family for six years after Asumu's death. I could understand why he was so angry, what with Rudolf cheating on his wife. Beato was pretty sad when Battler had left; the two were definitely the closest out of the cousins.

"I'm sure he's become a wonderful young man." I answered. I looked into the mirror set on the dresser and saw Beato had a forlorn expression. "What's wrong?"

"Do...do you think he'll be disappointed when he sees me? When I look like this?" she said timidly. Six years ago, Beato wasn't her name. Six years ago, she still wore suits and pants and was referred to as a boy. She was feeling anxious that Battler, who had cut contact with the family for six years, would be surprised at her drastic change, or worse, hate her. "He only hung out with me because I was a boy, right? But now that I'm like this..."

Tears started to come to her eyes, so I stopped brushing and hugged her from behind, petting her blonde hair. Maybe this was the real reason she didn't get up early this morning. There were days when Beato was too scared to come out of her room and go to school, so this was probably the same situation.

"There's nothing different about you. All that's changed is your outside; your still the same person on the inside." I tried to comfort her.

"But what if he calls me weird or ignores me?! What if he hates me?!" she sobbed.

"If he doesn't like you, that's his own problem. You're a wonderful daughter, more special than anyone else. No one could hate you."

"But when I try acting like a girl, everyone always stares at me and avoids me. They probably all talk bad about me. About how I'm disgusting." she cried. Sadness filled my heart seeing her cry. Yes, I was just like this in the past wasn't I. I hated myself for being infertile, and I hated everyone for how they treated me. Beato is going through what I am, but I don't want her to end up as miserable as I was. She deserves to smile and shine brighter than anyone.

"You don't need to worry about the words of those people. I love you, and so does Jessica. Maria loves playing with you and Kumasawa has always treated you kindly. You're a golden child, Beato. What others say about you doesn't matter. You just need to keep on shining." I stated. Beato let out a few sniffles and hung her head low.

"Really? Do you really love me Mom?" she sniffled. 

"Yes, I love you dearly." I hugged her even tighter. It was the truth, I loved her more than anything. I wouldn't ever let her feel hated again. Those days when all I wanted to do was throw her away are a dark stain on my conscious. Right now, and forever, I will love her. Because she is my daughter.

I hate this family I was forced to marry. I hate my Eva who always says such cruel words about my daughter, I hate the other parents who never do anything about it, and I hate my husband for not standing up for her. But I love my daughters. I love Jessica who's always spunky and full of energy and joy, something I never had. I love Beato because she's a strong and wonderful lady, something I never was. I love my children more than myself, because they're the only ones that treat me as a human. So I can't stand it when the relatives dismiss them or hurt them.

Right now, Beato is crying in her room, and all I can do is sit with her. I told the rest of the children to go back to the guest house, and that I'd take care of her. Battler and Jessica both pleaded to be let in the room with her, but eventually they reluctantly left. I'm thankful that Beato is loved by her cousins. While I was alone in my grief, I'm glad that my daughter won't have to suffer the same fate.

Right now in the dining room, my husband and his siblings are fighting over father's inheritance. Though it was decided already that Beato would succeed the headship when she turned 20, the siblings objected. They went complaining to Father about how unqualified Beato was and demanding that the Family Head be made one of them. Eva specifically used some choice words about Beato, ones that made my blood boil. And because none of them had any self preservation when it came to money, they allowed Beato and the rest of the cousins to hear, which led her to run crying to her room.

She had only let me in after half an hour of coaxing, but she still didn't make any attempt to talk to me. I didn't know whether trying to console her would be the right thing or not, so I simply sat by her side. After a few more minutes of crying, Beato spoke up.

"Mom...am I really that disgusting?" she asked weakly.

"Not at all. You're perfectly fine." I said. It felt like I was talking to my past self as well. If someone back then had told me I wasn't horrible or a failure, that nothing was wrong with me, I'm sure I would have been happier. But no one ever did. No one but the witch. And so I must support my daughter, just like how Beatrice supported me. I must show her that I love her no matter what.

"But Aunt Eva said I was a gender-confused freak, and that I wasn't worthy to be an Ushiromiya, and how I shouldn't have been brought into the family!" she sobbed.

"Eva says those things because all she knows how to do is make fun of people better than her. She's a...well, she's a bitch." I stated matter-of-factly. Since I never usually cursed, my words got Beato to laugh a little.

"Still...I thought...I really thought for once I could be normal." she said.

"You already are sweetie. I'm sure Father will tell them off and you'll keep your title of headship." I mentioned. I had left the room shortly after Beato, so I didn't know exactly what the rest were all talking about, but I didn't care. All I was focused on right now was helping Beato.

"I-I don't want to be the head. I just want to be myself." she stated meekly.

"Do you really not like such stuff?" I asked. Beato always seemed bored whenever she had to learn about business or economics. Beato nodded weakly, afraid that I would be disappointed in her. Instead, I brought her in closely and patted her head. "It's alright, sweetie."

"Mom?" Beato spoke up from where she was buried in my chest.

"Yes?"

"Can you stay with me tonight?" she asked. It was a childish request, one Beato had asked for dozens of times as a kid. But still, I'll give in to it, because she's my daughter.

A loud sound resounded throughout the mansion. I didn't understand what it was, but it sounded like a huge "bang." I had been laying with Beato in my lap, but when the sound rang out, she quickly woke up.

"Mom? What was that?" Beato asked groggily.

"I don't know. I'll go check, you stay here." I said. When I made an attempt to stand up, Beato grabbed my arm.

"Come back soon." she said.

"Of course." I nodded. She let go of me and I headed out of her room. Beato's room was on the second floor, and the sound seemed to have come from the first floor. My husband and his siblings were probably still fighting in the parlor, so maybe they were the cause of it. As I walked down the stairs and attempted to head to the parlor, I heard the servant's room door open. When I looked to see who was coming out, I met eyes with Kyrie. She looked just as surprised as I was

"Eh? Kyrie? What were you doing in there?" I questioned. Kyrie's expression turned into a small smile and she answered.

"I was just talking to Gohda about something." she stated. She held one of her hands behind her back, and stood unnaturaly.

"Are my husband and the others still fighting in the dining hall?" I asked her.

"No, they moved over to the parlor, talking about solving the epitaph. I came to tell Gohda." Kyrie answered. That made some sense, but couldn't they have just called him to say they were switching rooms? 

"Do you know what made that large sound?" 

"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if one of our husbands caused it." she chuckled.

"Then you can go to the parlor. I'll ask Gohda to see if the noise was caused by the boiler." I said. As I approached the servant's room door, Kyrie side stepped me, never showing me her back. When I opened the door, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary for a bit, until I saw Gohda crumpled on the ground with blood leaking out of his forehead.

"Ah!" I let out a startled noise, but before I could do anything else, I felt cold metal press against my back.

"If only you had just gone back upstairs nee-san. Then you would have died unaware of anything." Kyrie stated coldly. I didn't know what was pressing into me, but if I had to guess, it must've been a gun. Did she get them from Father's collection? And why was Gohda dead? She couldn't have-

"No worries. You'll be meeting your husband soon." she smiled. My...husband? No...no! Tears started to prick at my eyes and I felt the blood in my body run cold. The only thing keeping me rooted to this spot is the gun barrel against my back. "But you see nee-san, I need you to do something for me."

"Who would-!" I was cut off by Kyrie grabbing my ponytail and pulling my head back. The barrel of the gun quickly moved from my back to my head, and the cold metal sent a chill down my spine.

"I don't take kindly to people who talk back, okay? Normally, I wouldn't need your help, but I'm in a bit of a predicament. Lion's the only one with a key to their door, so I need you to get him to open it." she explained. That's right, none of the master key's in the mansion worked on Beato's door. After she had taken up her new name, she asked for more privacy, and so the door to her room was remade so only her key could open it. It apparently gave her a lot more peace of mind, but some of the servants complained about how she would almost never let them in there to clean. I can sorta understand their feelings. When Beato locked herself up in her room for days at a time, I would be so worried at points that I thought about breaking the door down. Though luckily, she always let me in eventually. But now, I don't think that's so fortunate.

"I-I won't-" I tried to say, but Kyrie ground the metal into my skull.

"Do it, or I'll make sure Jessica can't have an open-casket." she said coldly. I almost collapsed to the ground hearing those words. Was she really implying that she would maim Jessica? Why?! Why was she doing such things?! "I'll make yours and Beato's deaths quick and easy if you don't resist. You don't want to see what I'm capable of when I'm mad."

Suddenly, she let go of my hair and pushed me towards the staircase. When I looked back at her, her smile from before was gone, replaced by a cold and indifferent expression. My legs were shaking under me and I didn't know if I could even walk, but Kyrie didn't give me the option to choose. She grabbed my shoulder and forced me to walk on my unsteady legs. As we headed towards the staircase, she started talking some more.

"Y'know Natsuhi nee-san, I always hated you. Always acting like some dejected housewife; trying to get sympathy points. You're given special attention just because you're pretty. It makes me sick." she commented. Special attention? The only special attention I ever got from anyone was abuse! The only ones who've ever treated me kindly are my children. "You got to keep your place in the family despite being infertile, and you even got pity points by raising some baby from nowhere. Speaking of which, Lion is just as bad as you. Trying to dress up and play as a girl. A real woman has many problems to go through, so it's insulting that he thinks he can just take the good parts and discard the rest."

I wanted to talk back to her about insulting my child, but my mouth has problems making any other noise but whimpering. As I get closer and closer to Beato's door, my dread grows. I can't let her hurt Beato, or anyone else. But I'm not strong enough to fight her on my own, plus she has a weapon. I can't lay down without fighting back, but how can I do so? Soon, I'm in front of Beato's door and I feel Kyrie incessantly prodding my back.

"Tell her to open it." she whispered. I swallowed a large lump in my throat and tried to speak up, but it came out choked. Kyrie grabbed my hair again and placed the gun to my temple. I knew if I failed a second time, there would be no more mercy for me.

"B-Beato? Can I come in again?" I said hesitantly. 

"Sure." I heard Beato say from beyond the door, and I heard her getting up from the bed. The lock of the door turned with a click and I saw the door handle start to turn. I think this is my only time to act. If I go to late, a bullet will surely be implanted in my body, but if I go right now-!

As soon as the door opens, I turn my body rapidly and large boom resounds. My ears are overwhelmed by the sound, and a stabbing pain fills my head. I also feel a burn right across my temple, which was probably the bullet grazing my head.

"Mom!" I could barely hear Beato call out as I fell to the floor, but leaking from my scalp. But I couldn't stop now, if I did then both me and Beato would die. Quickly, I turn around, and though my head is ringing and my vision is obscured by blood, I can still make out Kyrie's figure, who moved back a bit after the shot. With all my strength, I push myself off the ground and lunge at Kyrie. I don't think she was expecting that because she fumbles with her movement a bit and I'm able to push her on the ground. But before I could do anything else, I hear another loud boom and feel a sharp pain in my stomach.

"You fucking bitch!" Kyrie cursed at me and kicked me in the stomach, causing more pain to rush through me. I almost collapse from shock, but before I do, I quickly grab the gun and dig into it. Kyrie tries to pull it away from me and let out another shot, reloading the lever. I won't allow her to do such a thing. Quickly, I use the last of my remaining strength to push the gun into Kyrie's face, and the momentum caused it to slam into her. In that moment of weakness, I wrench the gun away and point it at her. I can't see or hear well, the pain is almost unbearable, and I felt my body getting weaker by the second, but I can't stop now. All I have to do is find the figure, put my finger on the trigger, and pull it. Then, for the very last time, a gun shot reverberates through the air. I can't see if I successfully shot her, but based on how silent it became, I realize I hit my target. Then, out of energy, I crumpled to the floor.

"Mom! Mom! Are you okay! Mom!" Beato screamed. She quickly rushed to my side and grabbed at me. I hated this ringing in my ear, as it means I can't perfectly hear my daughter. I hate that my vision is obscured by red blood, because Beato always looked best in gold. "Mom! Mom, please! Don't die, please don't die!"

"B-Be..Beato..." I groan out. It hurt to talk, and I felt some sick fluid crawling up my throat and attempting to leave through my mouth.

"Mom! Please, Mom! I can't-please just-don't die Mom!" she sobbed. She buried her face into my neck and I felt her shake against me.

"Beato...I...want to see you." I manage to let out. Beato shakes her head at first, but quickly she pulls herself away and looks in my eyes. I move my arm up with great difficulty and brush through her hair. "You're so beautiful...Beato. I-I love you."

"I love you too! Mom I love you so much! So don't leave me!" she wailed. I try my best to smile at her. Even though I'm in so much pain, I'm happy she's safe. Even if I'm about to die, I'm happy Beato gets to live. Maybe, I've finally atoned for my sin of hating you. After all, behind my daughter, I see the figure of the witch. She approaches me and pats my own head, looking at me with a sad expression.

"Thank you for giving her a life worth living." she says. She gains a sad smile, and strokes my cheeks. "Please, rest in peace."

With that, I feel my body grow colder, and my vision starts to fade. I can only barely make out Beato crying for me, and I'm hurt with a desire to live. But I've lost too much blood, and I can't be saved. Beato, please live a happy life. You're a golden child. You're my precious daughter, and will shine no matter where you go. So please, live happily.

"And there you go! Was that good enough for you?" Lambdadelta asked. Beatrice was currently sitting in a chair with broken glass in her hand. It was the remnants of what was once originally a fragment, but now that the golden magic that kept it alive had stopped, it cracked to pieces. Beatrice was silent, and she stared at the glass with an emotion Lambdadelta couldn't place. "I thought it was pretty crappy, but maybe it touched your heart strings."

"No...it was a pretty crappy one." Beato answered weakly. She took the broken fragment that laid in her hand and dumped it back into the sea, to be lost to time.

"Really? I thought you'd like it. That's why I went out of my way to deliver it." Lambda pouted.

"It was interesting, I'll give you that." Beato said.

"Do you want me to find some more for you? It'll help stave off boredom as I travel."

"Do what you want, but don't bring anymore to me." Beato stated.

"Alright, then I'll just give them to Battler or Ange. Well then, bye-bye! I've got a date with Bern." Lambdadelta cheered and in a flash she was gone. Beatrice was left all alone in the tea parlor.

"Yeah...it was pretty crappy. I'm just not a fan of this sugary sweet stuff." Tears came to the corners of Beato's eyes, but she didn't cry. In the end, even when she had a life where she could live as herself, she lost someone close to her. That broken fragment was nothing more than a daydream, one that was bittersweet. Beatrice sat alone and pondered. Maybe she should talk to Natsuhi? She wasn't her mother but...in another world she was. The golden witch let out a sigh and erased her form, heading back to the warm Golden Land she had created.