You think this is where I'll begin?
You're mistaken.
I won't start with a "While I was in the palace," or a "My day began like…"
What I'm about to share with you is… different from the stories I used to read in my library.
In a mansion that's been empty since I was ten, once filled with people, laughter, parties, and meaningless gatherings…
I hated it so much, I preferred sitting alone every afternoon and night—waiting for the noise to end—tracing the water of the fountain in my mother's garden.
She built it with her own hands.
Back when, perhaps, there was love. Or so I believed.
I haven't felt warmth like that since I was seven.
She died three months before my eighth birthday.
It doesn't hurt anymore.
But I do treasure that place.
Every day, I tend to the peach tree we planted together.
It was barely a meter tall back then.
Now, it's a towering tree casting gentle shade—perfect for reading beneath.
Do you despise hearing a little about me?
What about you?
Got anything better to share?
Heh…
Just kidding.
Shall I continue?
Tell me...
Have you ever fallen in love with someone, knowing you'd never touch them?
Never speak to them?
Never even say what you feel?
Well… that happened to me.
Seems like we might have something in common after all.
Maybe you'll enjoy this story.
Maybe you won't.
Hard to say, heh...
Perhaps you'll scream at some point,
Curse under your breath as you keep reading.
...
It hurt.
Watching her walk away on her own two feet...
And never seeing her again.
I don't remember the date.
Or how long it's been since she left.
Did I come close to feeling what she did?
Let's find out, shall we?
...
It's been nice talking, really.
I wish I could go on.
But if I don't stop now…
Who'll tell the rest?
Alright, here it goes—my name is Desmond.
She…
The one I long for,
She was the light in my world...
And later,
That crack in me would darken everything again.
Until the word "Dawn" meant nothing.
Now I'll take my leave.
It's been a pleasure speaking to you.
Since I gave you my name…
What's yours?
[...]
That's a beautiful name.
At least someone thought carefully about yours.
Unlike mine, chosen by my father.
I wish my mother had given me another.
That's enough for now.
In the end...
I suppose I'm glad you know a little more about me.
Until then...
I'll keep waiting under the tree.