He swallowed hard.
"You're ill, my lady… gravely ill. It's… it's White Death."
...
"I knew it… Reincarnation always comes with one of those tropes."
She gritted her teeth in quiet defeat.
Wait… anyway, what even is 'White Death'?
Luna looked up, bewildered.
"What is White Death, Doc?"
Mr. Aux hesitated, pained.
"My lady… forgive me for this…"
"Doc, please calm down. It's not like it's anything serious, right?"
She gave a nervous smile, trying to lighten the air.
But Aux's sadness only deepened, surrounding him like a heavy fog.
"Forgive me… It's simply said to be an incurable disease."
"Eh?" she mumbled.
"What do you mean, Doc? Incurable… as in, no cure at all?"
Aux lowered his head in shame.
"Forgive me, my lady. I—I am lacking in skill. I cannot heal this..."
He dropped to his knees, trembling.
"Please, forgive me..." he begged.
Luna looked at him, her expression quiet and unreadable, then turned her gaze to the window—melancholy settling in her eyes.
"Aux… leave. I have to think."
The doctor looked devastated, his face full of sorrow and pity.
He couldn't do anything. Even if he tried, it would be futile.
Everything he knew… everything he could do…
It was all useless.
"Forgive me, my lady."
He rose to his feet and made his way to the door. But just as he reached for the handle, her voice called out behind him.
"Not a word of this. No one must hear about it."
The doctor paused. Slowly, he tucked his hat in a respectful nod.
"...Yes… My lady."
He opened the door, and before stepping out, he turned his head slightly.
"Forgive me… for I have failed you."
And then, he was gone.
sigh
"Does it always have to be a terminal illness?" Luna muttered, clenching her eyes shut.
sigh
"Well… at least I have a few more years left," she said, glancing down at her hands. She slowly clenched them into fists.
"Second Life… this gift that was given to me, only to be taken away so suddenly…" Luna stepped toward the windowsill and looked outside.
She saw her family gathered in the garden:
Keal and Kane Lockheart, the mischievous twins.
Nyx Lockheart, the eldest of them all.
Aria Lockheart, her kind and radiant older sister.
Lily Lockheart, her bright-eyed little sister.
Reed Lockhear, our kind-smiled Father
"Luna!!" Aria called out, waving up at her with a glowing smile.
"Come join us for a picnic in the garden!" she added, her voice full of warmth.
A faint smile crept onto Luna's face.
"Ah… at least I can still enjoy these moments with my family, while I still have time."
As Luna made her way downstairs toward the picnic, a thought flickered in her mind.
White Death…
"Kinda cool, honestly," she whispered, then grinned and threw her arms into the air.
"At least my illness has a cool name! Let's cope harder—Wo ho!"