"I knew you'd come on time..."
The woman's voice, though weak, carried a note of relief as she gazed at the man standing before her. Despite the pain etched on his face, he exuded determination.
"I've... Found... You..."
The man's words faltered, his eyes filled with anguish as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Just as their fingers were about to touch, a searing pain lanced through the woman's abdomen, causing her to collapse.
Confusion clouded her senses as she glanced down, horror seizing her at the sight of the gaping wound in her stomach, her insides spilling onto the floor.
"—...!"
Desperation colored Saber's voice as he rushed to her side, frantically attempting to stem the tide of blood.
But despite his efforts, the potions he administered failed to take effect, leaving her fading fast.
"I'm scared... "
Her voice trembled with fear as the chill of death crept over her.
"Just stay... strong! You won't die... I promise I'll try and... save you!" Saber's words rang out, tinged with desperation.
"Saber... Help... It's cold... Why do I feel cold? My body feels heavy, I can't move- buueh!?"
Blood spilled from her lips, her strength waning with each passing moment.
"Ah... Is this what dying feels like? Am I... really dying?"
Her realization pierced the air, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Saber... I'm sorry."
Her hand reached out, trembling, seeking solace in his touch one last time.
"You see, I.... I don't want to die..."
But before she could finish, her words were swallowed by the void as her life slipped away.
"I love..."
The woman's voice trailed off, leaving only silence in its wake.
She was gone.
...
..
.
Inside the mansion, Saber was roused from his sleep by the persistent banging on the door.
"...A dream?"
He rubbed the dampness from the corners of his eyes, his mind foggy with the remnants of his unsettling slumber.
Confusion gnawed at him as he struggled to recall the details of his nocturnal reverie, a sense of foreboding lingering in its wake.
Knock knock!
With a resigned sigh, Saber pushed himself off the bed, his footsteps heavy as he made his way to the door. As it swung open, he was met by Solis, her brow furrowed in concern, and Reaper, stoic as ever, holding a bulging suitcase.
"Contractor.... Eh?"
Solis's gaze flitted to the redness rimming Saber's eyes, her confusion deepening. "Are you crying...?" she ventured, her head tilting in curiosity.
Ignoring her inquiry, Saber surveyed them impassively. "Wait here. I need to freshen up," he stated flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.
With an eye roll from Reaper, she retorted, "Hurry it up, or we'll leave without you."
***
(Saber POV)
Moments later. After I'm done preparing my stuff, I went to the entrance only to find all of them, including Reina waiting for me.
My attention went to their leader, I said with a smile, "Would you please take care of Reina, Occiditis."
Not that I need to say this, but planting some seed of "kindness" is quite helpful to increase your favorability of the person. With her personality, she's really easy to manipulate after Reaper.
"What? Why.... Papa are you leaving?" Reina clutched on my pants and looked at me with puppy eyes.
"Yes."
"Then, let me come too!" Her expression remained pitiful; is this what fathers feels like when seeing their children act cute when they want to do something? This is dangerous!
"No."
My voice was firm as I turned my head away in attempt to avoid her gaze.
"Please, papa... I promise I'll be good!"
"No."
"Pretty please?" Her eyes began to look watery upon glance. This made me hesitate quite a bit, but I eventually managed to remain firm with my decision in spite of her act.
"...No."
Ugh... Why do I have to have a cute daughter? I wonder if her mother looks like her... Ugh, two Reinas... I can't imagine I can handle something like that!
With that, my fatherly instinct was beginning to get stronger in each seconds my eyes stays on her's.
"You're saying that while having that kind of expression?"
Reaper looked at me helplessly, but decided to not interfere. And by the looks of it, she probably thinks this was something she cannot handle and not something she should be taking care off.
The expression I've been showing them must be ridiculous to the point Occiditis eyes twitched.
She slipped her hands into Reina's armpit and pulled her away from me. Reina held my clothes strongly like a monkey and begin to cry.
"No! I don't want papa to go...!"
Reina was floundering as she held firmly on my clothes, not deciding to let go. Because of this, Occiditis let her go and took something from her pocket.
It was a piece of lollipop.
"If you let go, I'll give you this," She says with a glint of her eyes. The side of Occiditis' lips were visibly raising into a smirk.
"Ah..." Reina hesitated as soon as she saw it. However, she quickly turned back to me and buried her face to my legs. I know that I shouldn't be feeling happy right now considering our situation, but damn... I'm going to cry if this continue.
After struggling to think of a way to make Reina release her grip for a couple more moments, an idea suddenly entered my mind like a lightbulb flashing above my head.
"Reina..."
I called out her attention in a light tone and smiled.
"After I get home, how about telling me more about your mother and your experience with her. Your father would really appreciate it; I might end up bringing you souvenir like sweets and enroll you to school just like you wanted."
Reina took a few second to think about my proposition, "Really...?" She asked, her expression brightening up as the halo above her head turned green.
She's really that excited...? No, wait! Her halo can change?
"Hmm~!" Nodding my head simultaneously, I stroked her head and added, "When did I ever lied to you?"
"Before that, papa! I want more hugs and kisses before you leave!"
"Aahhh!!"
I raised her in the air and spun around before pulling her into a tight hug.
"I'll make sure I get back after two months!"
I planted a kiss on her forehead for the last time. Seeing our helpless exchange, the others couldn't help but heaved a sigh in contempt.
"I'm not even sure if I can if that guy a lolicon or just have a weirdly daughter complex."