Purple Hyacinths

"Euphee, what's the matter?" Lucien asked worriedly.

"That new Saintess. I . . . knew her," Euphemia said, her shoulders shaking.

The two of them were still at the Sanctuary Gardens. All the other nobles had already left a while ago.

Lucien held her shoulders. "Euphee . . . did you know her personally?"

"S-she was that actress, the girl Hiro wanted to marry," Euphemia said.

"Hiro?" Lucien repeated.

"He was my . . . fiancé," Euphemia said.

She was still shaking. Lucien put his arms around her and patted her head.

"You're okay, Euphee. You're okay," Lucien murmured.

"But I don't understand why she's here. She must have died. Did Hiro kill her too?" Euphemia said to herself. 

"Do you wish to talk to her? We can request an audience with her and the two of you can talk in private," Lucien said.

Euphemia was quiet for a while.

"No. I'm not ready yet," Euphemia said.