Chapter – 76
“Shizuko’s Letter”
[Dear Erisu,
I must apologize to you.
You already know, of course, that our dear son Rin read the letter you sent.
He went to see you secretly once because of it.
You have every right to resent me for causing him to become a target of the organization.
And I don’t even know how to properly apologize to you,
who helped Rin. I am truly sorry.
Rin got married last year.
Next year, he will become a father.
We are going to be grandmothers.
Time passes so quickly.
However, my life is almost over.
I will not be able to see my grandchild.
I have already told my son some things about his origins,
considering what might happen in the future,
though not everything.
He seemed confused at first,
but I think he had already sensed the power he possessed.
He just listened quietly.
Thinking that the birth of his child might bring something again,
I wanted him to be prepared.
Please forgive me for breaking my promise to you
and not keeping this from him—it was my selfishness.
By the time you read this letter,
I will likely have passed away.
I told my son as well.
After I am gone, according to my wish,
he should return our family name to Aokawa.
This is for the connection between you, Rin, and the grandchild.
I wish I could have met you once more before I die…
Ah, and the child who will be born is a girl.
When you are gone, we can have tea together over there and talk about her.
Sincerely,**]
“I wish I could have met my two grandmothers…
I wonder if they’re talking about me over there now…
I hope I’m not disappointing them…”
Ruri smiled faintly.
Her father rarely spoke about gemstones, but once he had said:
“I was born in March, so my stone is aquamarine.
That’s where Rin’s name comes from.
We met your mother through gemstones.”
Her mother was also born in March and named “Sango” (Coral).
She wasn’t uninterested in gemstones, but she probably chose not to talk about it.
Ruri was born in September, and she had been told by her mother that she was named after Lapis Lazuli.
The birthstones for September and December are Lapis.
Reading the letter, Ruri remembered her father.
He had known everything.
He raised her as if nothing had happened, protecting her together with her grandmother.
He probably never expected to die so soon.
If he had, he would have told her or left something behind for her.
The gem aquamarine symbolizes courage.
Her father had lived a life not swayed by fate.
Ruri put the letter away and thought:
“So, if that’s the case, the only threat is from this country?
The nation had been obsessed with the Three Sacred Treasures,
but they never suspected that I possessed any power.
Now that the surveillance is gone,
there is no problem even if Fos remains.
Then… is it safe now?
The Gem Kingdom shows no signs of attack.
The mirror glows, but nothing changes, and I cannot find where to place it.
As for the Gem Kingdom, I only know about the fairies.
Their explanation didn’t really convey things.
Even if the kingdom could be reproduced in a copy space,
the personalities of its citizens would be gone,
and I wouldn’t know what kind of dangerous person the queen truly is.”
Ruri let out a deep sigh.
