Guila’s vision was blurred by tears, her mind blank from pain, and her body lying limply against the hospital bed. She couldn’t even summon the energy to stop staring at her own reflection in the bile puddle. Her pleading had received no acknowledgement. Not even a grunt. In fact, other than her own gasps, there was naught but ringing silence.

As selfish as it was, she wanted Ariel to say something. Whether it was forgiveness, beratement, hate, anything at all. Anything that wasn't just her own thoughts. Because, at least she was more numb to pain given by others. And she could focus on that, instead of the disgusting creature staring back at her.

‘… if only I could wipe the gunk off my face, the same way I did with my makeup.’ Such idle thoughts inevitably reminded Guila of the meek Ariel, bringing her a towel. That once irritating memory now felt so warm and endearing. ‘Every time the child reached out, every time she forgave my transgressions, every time she stepped forward, accepted her place, and yet, still tried to…’

How many times had Ariel done so, in the hours since they first met one another…? Why did it already feel like she’s been enduring Guila’s hatred for so long, already? Her thoughts were beginning to run in circles, and every time it did, her regret sank even deeper into her aching gut. Then, her surroundings... changed again. It always happened whenever her mind was overworked, causing it to wander and the ever-present UI to fade from view.

Now, she was somewhere else, staring out the window. A great and massive city of marble sprawled in every direction. A grand and beautiful parade was underway. Every inch of the street was filled with people, while fireworks colored the cloudless sky and sea of stars above. The massive red moon up above; the Imperial Palace, looked upon all, proudly. Meanwhile, all manner of ships, floats and balloons highlighted the celebration. It was the height of the Imperial founding festival.

Guila preferred to call this "reminiscing", but it was a condition that only developed after her cortex and eye augments. No matter how much she knew it was fake, her new reality was that she’s back to seven months ago, sitting across from her husband. Incoherent sounds came calling from across the table. She no longer remembered what was said, but she turned to face him and asked.

"Yes, dear?"

He was nearly four feet taller than Guila, with his hair combed back, wearing a dashing black suit and red tie that highlighted his wide shoulders and muscular build. So large was his figure that his large cup of coffee seemed comically small next to his palm. The two of them then proceeded to exchange gibberish, back and forth. Eventually, she laughed and a smirk formed on his otherwise aloof expression. It was always like this. The images would be perfect, not a single frame out of place. But it was only the image.

Then he clasped his hands together, and his aloofness returned. There were still some garbled sentences which followed, but the seriousness was clear. Even though Guila spoke more gibberish in an attempt to ease the air, the silence still strained the air, then he produced a small velvet box from under the table; "Happy Birthday, Guila." He said monotonously. "Forgive me for not celebrating with you, last time. Duty was no excuse, especially when you took the effort to celebrate mine. I will make up for it tonight."

He still spoke in a way that displayed none of his emotions. But even if it was just lip service, the only thing that mattered was that he was willing to reciprocate. With tears welling in the corners of Guila’s eyes, she received the present. But not before catching a glance of her own bright, overjoyed smile reflected on the glass window. Carefully, she undid the satin ribbon and opened the box, revealing a circular pendant-like object that was around two inches in diameter, sitting atop purple silk cushions.

"This is...?"

"A multi-tool. It uses nanites to form any tool you want. I know that you haven't had much time to spend in the workshop recently, so I thought this would let you tinker while we are traveling. Unfortunately, it is still a prototype." He then paused. After all, She’d been staring at it with a blank look for a while by then."You seem displeas-"

"Of course not!" Guila yelled to cut him off, as happy tears ran down her cheeks. "I love it! I really do! It's- I'll use it until it breaks. Thank you so much, dear!"

"Then the investment would be worth every yuen and more." The Count chuckled, before producing something else from his coat. A digital tablet. "I do have one more gift, though." The device displayed a live feed of the parade from ground level. There was an unfocused video feed and garbled voice coming from the tablet, but it sounded identical to the Count's.

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"To make today’s meeting possible, I've had Hiiro take my place in the Imperial celebration. However, I also had a different reason." He swiped at the screen and the image shifted once more, showing a different scene. There, standing on the sidewalk and staring up at the passing floats, was the most beautiful and wonderful woman Guila had ever known. With curly blonde hair that flowed in the wind, and shining turquoise eyes.

"... is that... mama? Is she really here?!" Then, her gaze moved to the baby she cradled in her hands. The child, Guila’s younger sister, was a carbon copy of their mother. They even wore matching casual outfits, watching the parade with excited expressions.

"Yes. I invited them to participate. However, it seems that your father declined in the end. I thought I'd also take this chance to properly meet your parents, as it is customary to do so." The Count calmly answered. "Thankfully, your mother requested to meet you, before I even brought it up."

"How would you like to, Guila? I can have them sent here, or we can go to them instead." She was struck silent. To finally see her mother again and meet her little sister… the chance to reconnect with her family… She took a deep breath, as she lowered her head, gazing down at trembling hands and her long, coffin-style nails, then finally, her reflection in a half-empty cup of coffee. A now-foreign face that was giddy with excitement, slowly replaced by a well-practiced smile once the realization sank in.

"... No. I won't meet them." Her answer came out far clearer than she even thought it would, and the Count could only raise his brows.

"I don't understand. Why not? Is this a Federation custom?"

"No. No... it's because..." Guila gulped, as the scene began to fade away. "I'm not her daughter anymore. I'm your wife now, remember?"

Finally the UI reasserted its presence. The "reminiscing" was over. With a few more blinks, Guila was back on the floor. Was she just staring blankly this whole time? Or was she talking and squirming, again? The answer worried her but nevertheless, her mind felt much clearer than before. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad of a story, this time. It was nice to see her mother and younger sister again. Even if it was through a screen.

‘Wait…’ Her busted lips formed an ugly, self-deriding smile. "... Ariel… can I… tell you a story?" Guila’s words were slow, and hushed. But in this small room, and the Vulpina's sensitive ears, there was no doubt that she could be heard. "You don't have to say anything… just… please listen."

To think that in this situation, after begging for forgiveness, her first follow-up was to manipulate Ariel with a sob story. But she needed to. Guila didn’t want to live a life where they were estranged from one another. Even if it was going to be built on lies, she needed to form a new relationship with Ariel and she’ll spare no effort, even if underhanded, in order to get it. Luckily, she just saw a wonderful example to use.

"Once upon a time, there was this little girl-"

"Why do you treat me like I'm stupid?" Ariel's words were cold and tore straight through the curtain. But her voice was trembling as she spoke. "I know that most of my memories don’t add up. I also don't understand much about being Master's possession..."

"But I know it hurts you and that it makes you angry. That's why I wanted to be friends." Her sobbing got louder with every word from beyond the curtain. "I wanted you to like me, because you are my Mistress… I also belong to you! I don't want you to hate me! I don't want you to trick me! And I don’t want you to just feel sorry for me!" Her sobbing then gave way to shrieks. "I have nothing except you and Master! So what can I do to make you want me, Mistress?!"

"Please tell me, and I'll do it! I'll do anything!" It was only then that Guila noticed she’d held her breath. She couldn't say anything. Her throat felt full, her lungs felt empty, and her body was as heavy as stone. "Tell me, Mistress! Please! I'm begging you! What should I do, so you'll love me, too?!" Ariel pleaded, begged and screeched, rattling her bed as she writhed and struggled. Yet even though neither of them could see the other, they knew that they were staring into each other’s eyes.

"...I'm sorry.” Guila gasped out the words. “... I could never love you.. Because I don't need you… that's why I can't love you like I love the Lord Count." Immediately, Ariel's screaming transformed to the cries of a grieving beast. It was a despair and desperation that gnawed at the soul - so much so that Guila shut her eyes and turned away from the curtain. "That's what relationships are, Ariel!” She yelled back. “If you aren't needed, then wander away and hope that somebody else does! That's how you become loved! You've been expecting far too much!"

Ariel's screams became hoarse and painful as time went on, until they finally died down. By then, Guila could barely hear anything other than the Vulpina's labored gasps, until that also faded away, leaving only the ticking and humming of the hospital equipment.

"... I understand, Mistress." They were words that twisted her already aching heart further. Guila wondered if saying what I did was the right thing to do. Yet only for a moment, since it was already too late. She lost the ability to crawl out this hole a long time ago. All Guila could do now was dig further down, while dragging others down with her. But it was no longer a relationship of anger and betrayal. "... thank you for teaching me."

‘I can work with this.’