Arlecchino only knew that Clervie had brought her cake, and that's how they became friends.
So, when she brought cake to Furina, was it really any different?
Regardless of any misunderstandings in the process, the friendship between the two girls in the story began at this moment.
The movie's scenes transitioned one after another, depicting the interactions between the two children.
Delicious cake rolls, Sunsettias picked from trees, and fish from the river—Peruere even caught a fish with her bare hands.
They read together, played together, and made two adorable plush toys. One was the rabbit from the opening scene.
The other was a pink plush toy modeled after Clervie, with large ears and a prominent ahoge, perfectly capturing the characteristics of its prototype.
Beside the plush toys were bandages, alcohol, and tweezers. The seemingly cold Peruere was bandaging an injured Clervie.
Peruere, head lowered, asked, "Do mothers and daughters fight too?"
Clervie's mother was the current "Knave," the "Mother" of the House of the Hearth.
The wounds on Clervie's body were from resisting her mother.
The camera panned to Clervie's neck, where she wore a pendant shaped like a Romaritime Flower, symbolizing "the wish for reunion," and…
Clervie didn't answer. Instead, she opened the window behind her, looking out at the starry sky.
"They say the night sky in Snezhnaya is filled with colorful auroras… When we grow up…"
The camera focused on Clervie, her enchanting smile directed at Peruere, as if reaching both in and out of the story.
Arlecchino, sitting in her chair, watched the close-up of Clervie's smile on the screen. Her breathing grew heavier, as if Clervie were looking right at her.
"Let's go see them together!"
Her smile bloomed like a flower, outshining the night sky outside the window.
Both the in-story and real-life Peruere widened their eyes, unconsciously opening their mouths to take a deep breath.
Before she could think further, both the in-story and real-life Peruere's pupils contracted and trembled simultaneously.
The scene shifted too quickly. One moment, it was a beautiful scene; the next, Peruere's face was splattered with blood, surrounded by burning red flames.
The cool tones of the night had felt so "warm," but now the warm tones of the flames were so "cold."
Clervie lay in Peruere's arms, her chin resting on Peruere's shoulder, her face full of smiles as she said:
"You will become… a great 'King.'"
The camera pulled back, showing the two pressed close together, a sword piercing through Clervie's body, seemingly through her heart.
This shot was intriguing. With the two so close, it looked as though Peruere's sword had pierced Clervie's heart.
But in reality, Clervie had taken her own life with her sword.
"Fate has set cruel rules for us, forcing our blades against each other."
"But I hope you will never be tainted by fate."
The sword pierced Clervie's heart, and at the same time, it pierced Peruere's.
No collapsing in tears, no furious screams—Peruere appeared eerily calm.
But the real-life Arlecchino could no longer remain composed. Her face showed little expression, but her crossed leg had lowered, and she unconsciously clenched her teeth.
In her ears, she heard that phrase again.
Clervie, with all her strength, hugged Peruere, her friend.
Struggling to lift her head, she leaned on Peruere's shoulder, using her last bit of strength to express her final reluctance to part.
Clervie took a few labored breaths, the warmth of her breath brushing against Peruere's face. Peruere could feel her breathing growing weaker, her body temperature fading.
Clervie gave a blissful smile and said softly:
"I'm sorry…"
"Thank you."
I'm sorry, I was too weak. I couldn't resist Mother. I… can't go see the auroras with you.
Thank you, Peruere. You truly are kind, even until the very end… so kind. How could someone as kind as you ever strike me?
Clervie collapsed, along with the sword.
So let me, in my own way, "crown you as King."
When the camera showed a reflection in the glass, it faintly revealed that Peruere was still holding a sword, proving she hadn't killed Clervie.
Her heartbeat quickened. Arlecchino opened her mouth and let out a long breath, trying to slow her heart rate and stay calm. But the scenes in the "animation" relentlessly stirred her emotions.
Memories began to flood back, a tidal wave of memories that might turn into tears. This time, there was no rain to hide them.
In the animation, it was raining. The "Peruere" reflected in the glass had her head lowered. No one but her knew if she was crying.
Were those tears on her face? Or rain?
Whatever it was, at least it washed away her friend's blood…
The scenes shifted one after another. The camera showed blood-stained bandages and used syringes.
Clervie's plush toy lay on the ground, with the rabbit Peruere lying on top of it, as if attempting first aid.
She had treated Clervie's wounds before. Surely she could heal her this time too, right?
But the blood kept flowing, soaking the bandages. Such wounds left Peruere helpless.
She couldn't save her. She had only learned how to harm others, not how to "protect" them.
In the end, the rabbit Peruere lay on "Clervie," feeling her heartbeat stop. Yes, it was her "heartbeat" that stopped.
This emotion—I still can't understand it. Is it because I don't have a "heart"? No, I do. Otherwise, what is this pain?
The camera panned to a Romaritime Flower, the prototype of the pendant on Clervie's neck, symbolizing "reunion" and… "parting."
The camera pulled back, showing the Romaritime Flower potted in a flowerpot, held by Crucabena.
Crucabena: "A flower that doesn't grow well should've been pruned long ago. Letting it wither only now is somewhat nauseating—"
"Don't you agree?"
The audience was furious. Was that something a human would say!? That was your daughter!
The temperature around Arlecchino even rose a few degrees, though her emotions remained relatively stable.
Rosalyne casually waved her hand, lowering the temperature and cooling Arlecchino's emotions slightly.
But in the story, Peruere had no calm left. Her anger would be expressed through flames and a longsword!
Peruere, who had always worn a cold expression, now furrowed her brow tightly, charging forward with her sword! She displayed her anger!
Crucabena blocked Peruere's longsword, her expression relaxed.
The two clashed, and the furious Peruere showed no mercy. Each strike was heavy and forceful, leaving no room for restraint.
This meant she had completely abandoned defense, focusing entirely on offense. If Crucabena counterattacked, Peruere would likely be unable to defend.
This was a fighting style of trading wounds for wounds, life for life.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Furina: About Young Peruere
"No way I could beat her. No matter how you look at it, I couldn't win, right?"