The castle's master, perhaps a powerful sorcerer, effortlessly floated in the air.
What to do? Diana's pink eyes wandered desperately, searching for a way to save him. That's when her gaze met the sorcerer's.
'Ah.'
She recognized those eyes. The hooded figure's eyes glowed red.
As the glowing eyes fixed on her, they seemed to soften.
Then, the figure released Roderick, letting him drop.
"No!"
Without a second thought, Diana lunged forward, extending her arms towards the falling Roderick.
Too short. The distance was too great. Even if they hit the water, the impact of their fall and his weight would bury them deep.
Breathing in deeply just before hitting the surface, she plunged in.
Splash!
Despite the painful collision, her focus was solely on Roderick.
The clear water revealed Roderick sinking further down.
Diana cut through the water, reaching him before he sank too deep.
Already at her physical limit, she struggled but clenched her teeth, grabbing onto Roderick.
She expelled a breath, sending bubbles up like balloons.
Just a bit more. She swam upwards, dragging Roderick's unconscious body with her.
Breaking the surface, Diana gasped for air, holding Roderick tightly, wary of above. But the sorcerer had vanished.
Paddling to stay afloat, Diana looked around for something to hold onto.
She couldn't keep floating in the water like this. Diana swam towards the wall, but Roderick remained unconscious.
"Roderick. Roderick! Wake up, please!"
What had happened to him? The broad-chested man lay there, as peacefully unconscious as a princess in a fairy tale.
Ah, I wish I could just pass out too.
Exhaustion hit her, but with her slender arms, Diana clung to Roderick, grabbing the wall with one hand.
Her strength was draining. She glanced briefly at Roderick's sculpted face and swallowed. Right, it's an emergency.
A light touch wouldn't suffice to absorb the curse in her current state.
There's no one to see, and he's unconscious.
"Don't hold it against me. It's my first kiss."
Hoping it was his first too, she pressed her moist lips against his.
Deeply kissing him, she absorbed the curse at an astonishing rate, quickly regaining her strength.
Feeling revived, she looked around for an escape. Time to get out of here.
There was no thrill of a first kiss. There was no mood, the other party was unconscious, and survival was at stake.
Her wet pink eyes scanned above, beside, and below until they found an illuminated exit in the wall underwater.
With no way up, she had to dive down again.
Holding Roderick, Diana hoped he would hold on underwater. It wasn't time for either of them to die yet.
After another brief kiss, she dived deep with Roderick, heading towards the shining exit.
The exit led to a vast lake outside the castle. She swam upwards with all her might, breaking the surface with Roderick in tow.
Trapped in repeating illusions, he couldn't move his body, only following the actions of his past self.
'Ahhhh!'
Startled by a woman's scream, he became aware again. Tiny hands were stained red all over.
It seemed he had grabbed a knife the woman was wielding.
Now, aware, the woman screamed and wailed. Apologizing, pleading for her life, saying she wasn't in her right mind.
His ears were assaulted by the unbearable noise.
The woman, oblivious to the small child slumped behind her, clung to him.
Ah. The shattered fragments of the past gnawed at his nerves.
Roderick furrowed his only movable eyelids, closing them tightly.
He needed to wake up but found no way to break the illusion.
Then someone called him.
'Roderick!'
Who?
'Wake up!'
Desperation and earnestness in the voice stirred him.
'Please, wake up!'
Strangely, her tearful, tender voice made his immobile hand move.
Feeling pressure return to his chest, his drifting consciousness sharpened.
Thud His thick fingers gripped a slender wrist.
Opening his eyes, he saw a woman with upturned eyes, her beautiful face dripping with water. Or was she really crying?
"I thought you were dead, you awful man! How long were you going to wander in that dream? Sob."
Despite her reproachful words, Roderick blankly stared at her. Bathed in the moonlight, her drenched appearance shone brightly.
"I struggled so hard to get out! Sob. You dying would be pointless! I need you!"
Blinded by her brilliance, he impulsively pulled her close.
It was an impulsive act. Was it the warmth he longed for? He couldn't explain it, even to himself.
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