The cracked sound could be heard from Lanert's back. She kept pouring the water and secretly touched the crack.
She knew Lanert would hide it like always. Asking only made everything worse. The best course of action was to act normally.
The pride of the man, huh? Not every man could do that.
"All set." Alice returned to her feet and entered the circle with her sword Winter.
"Alice! Your sword!" Lanert can't stand up. The poor boy hardly moved. "Leave that to me."
"I have my observations. Let me show you."
"Are you sure you can do it?" Lanert asked, worried about her.
"I'll show you how women handle it."
"Good luck."
Even so, he said that Lanert looked disapproving. What can he do about it? He hardly moves with cracked ribs.
Lanert was always being cautious. Too cautious. That made everyone see him as a coward. If everyone knew him better, they would understand why Alice chose him over a stable boy.
Alice remembered the stable boy asking her why she kept Lanert around. In the eyes of a stable boy, Lanert was weak, good for nothing, and even his father hated him.
He knew nothing about Lanert.
And yeah, every girl back then would choose a stable boy rather than Lanert. The stable boy was more attractive, braves back then. Lanert was skinny, a bookworm, and a bit 'cautious.' The stable boy had a hunky figure, while Lanert was a sweet, fragile boy. The stable boy had amber eyes and blonde hair and was a bit of a player. Lanert Von Gosh was the strongest man Alice ever met. If only everyone knew him more.
Alice pushed the button on Cubix. The six elements glow strong and decide what fate Alice will face.
A fate. She smiled.
She remembered how she met Lanert for the first time.
Back then, it was almost the end of her life….
The drizzle of snow became strong. It was soft and cold whatever her bare feet numbly stepped forward. She pulled up the torn clothes covering her skin that were dreaded with dried blood splatters. For every heavy breath she made, she created a whiff.
She didn't remember who she was. She woke up buried in snow, surrounded by pine trees. She walked for an hour and hours, and everything was white until she entered a stone city.
"Help."
The path was empty of humans. Nobody fools enough to get out of a cozy place for an unknown girl on the street. Everyone sings a song, praising the seven.
"Please."
Even the dog barked, hushing her out.
She kept tracking the path. She didn't know why she kept limping forward. It would be easy to accept his fate. It should be the best way to die.
Death moved closer and closer. The cycle of death came. Cold, and everything dimmed.
Her feet sponged. Her body cottoned. She couldn't hold it any longer and dropped like boneless meat at the front of the mansion gate.
"Not today." She kept breathing and died. "Not today."
Someone rings the bell inside her head. "Destiny ends when you die."
"Help." She fainted. "Please, somebody, help me." She refused to die. But cruel fate played her. Everything blurred. Even though she refused to die, she had no chance of survival.
The last thing she saw was a tiny boy with black hair and blue eyes.
The last warmth she felt, a warm little finger touched her cheek.
The last voice she heard was him, innocently asking, "Are you okay?"
Everything was dark and silent.
Everyone would easily describe death as cold, dark, and silent, then the beginning. If you die, you will float in nothingness. Not only black but blank. Not only cold but frivolity. Not only silent but void.
You're dust.
Then the male voice rang in his head once more. "Your destiny ends when you die."
She said to herself, "Not today. Not today."
Alice's hearing slowly returned. Her vision blurred and slowly became clear. The first thing she saw was a pair of beautiful black eyes.
The young lady replaced the compress on Alice's forehead. Her smile was warm like summer, her skin sugar-white, and her black hair shone in the sunshine.
"You're awake. Good." The black-haired girl said. "I am Lady Von Gosh. You can call me Josephine. Who are you, little girl?"
She wanted to answer but couldn't. She didn't even know her name. "Urgh, my head."
"It's okay." Josephine helped her to lie on the bed. "You're a lucky little girl. Wake from death."
"What? What do you mean?"
"We found you last week. Lanert found you. You're almost dead."
"I am… almost dead? But how could I live?"
The Lady put the wet towels into the bucket on the small table next to the bed and squeezed it. The water splashed, and a thin steam rose from the bucket. "Brave young kid asked me to do some Magi. Because you are adorable, I am doing that anyway."
"I—I don't get it. What do you mean?"
"Only the bravest man would ask half of his soul to transfer to another." The lady said. "Especially to someone who he had never met before. I rest my Magi license for this, you know. Make it a secret from everyone." She blinked and smiled.
"So, the boy gave me his soul? Why?"
"I don't know. Why not ask him directly–"
She grabbed Josephine's arm. "Do I have to stay with him forever?"
"It's up to you, sweetheart. You are free to leave and do whatever your heart content." Josephine called, "Lanert, Honey. Come, she wants to say something to you."
Back then, Lanert was a little boy aged five. He hid behind the wall—a lovely boy with chubby bum cheeks.
"Come here, sweetie. Don't be shy." Lady opened her arm, and like a sweet cat, Lanert ran, hugging her. Lady put him on her lap, like a teddy bear. "Hello, little knight, done eating?"
"Yes. Brother gave it." Lanert showed a green apple. "For you, Ma."
"Oh, thank you, sweet boy." Lady kissed his chubby cheek. "Do you want to say hi to her?"
Lanert hid his face again. Before I said, "Hi."
This little boy shared his soul with an unknown dying girl? How brave and pure he might be? The strongest man she ever saw.
Lanert asked, "Who are you?"
Lady answered. "She has no name. How about you name her, sweety?"
"Name her? She is an angel, Ma."
Blue eyes capture her heart. Such innocent and fiery eyes. Some said the great fire was blue, like Lanert's eyes.
"Alice, Gutenbowen."
For that day, Alice promised never to leave Lanert Von Gosh. The one who shares his soul with her must be her soulmate.
….such sweet memories, Before that, she didn't remember anything. Where she came from, who she was, or why she beat like a puppy.
Alice will always remember that. No matter what, she will protect her half-soul.
Lanert is everything to her.
Slowly, she pulled her faithful Winter. The sword sliced the wind whistling.
The red doppelganger was not yet in full shape.