"Die in my stead."
Anos spoke these words calmly.
For some reason, Mira felt a chill in her heart as she listened on the side.
Anos's gaze did not fall upon the girl; instead, it landed on an empty space in the living room, her head hung low as if sinking into a long recollection.
"You will want to ask... did my mother die in my stead? Will you?"
Mira nodded; it was the first time she heard someone ask such a question.
Anos's way of speaking always had a kind of strange elegance.
The Princess took a deep breath,
"It wasn't like that at first.
In the beginning, a mysterious person told my parents that if they cast a little man out of gold and took out its heart to replace mine, all would be well."
"Mira, the heart replacement ritual went smoothly, and I lived on, temporarily."
"The Golden Heart beat inside my chest and would accompany me throughout my life, though it came with many inconveniences, perhaps living on was reason enough to be grateful to God."
