Year 1863
Xander's smile continued to widen. "Have you ever met any other kids besides me?" he asked, purely without any ill intention.
But Thea's expression seemed to be misinterpreted by Xander. He then shut his mouth. Xander knew he had brought up the wrong topic. He cleared his throat.
"Uhm-"
"Would you like to take a walk outside?"
Thea cut him off and offered walking at the backyard. After a while, Thea finally answered Xander's question.
"No, I never met the other kids," Thea hoped never to see them again. They walked side by side without a word.
Meanwhile, Xander's eyes slowly stared at Thea's nape. She, who was sensitive, immediately realized that.
"Would you like to see it?" Thea asked.
Xander shook his head, “Oh no. I'm sorry. It became habit, you knew it.”
The two of them then fell silent, both busy with their own thoughts. “Did the Wilkess family treat you well?” Xande
Year 1853“Oh, I almost kissed you and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Thank goodness you're awake,” Xander sighed. His hands cleaned the remnants of dirt stuck to her hair.Thea was still panting heavily.She played in the water and almost drowned in the bath, but what she felt this time was a hundred times more painful. She felt her nose sore and her head hurt. Her chest tightened a little and her stomach constricted.Thea grabbed Xander's shirt and coughed."Can you get me out of here, Xander?" She asked.Xander's eyes widened.A second later he smiled bitterly."If you get out of here, where will you go?""I don't know. Anywhere is fine. As long as it's not here. I'm afraid I'll lose control and avenge them."After a few times she had experienced this, her fearful ethereal soul had disappeared. All she could do now was endure it. But how long will she last? Which one will come fir
Year 1863How long had Thea not felt someone touch her lips?A year?Two years?No. It had been ten years since Xander had last kissed her.Thea was too shocked to realize what was happening to her. But a moment later, her sharp ears caught the sound of footsteps moving away. It made her respond to the thing in front of her immediately.She pushed Xander in flash as hard as she could."What are you doing?!" Thea almost shouted."Uh, I'm sorry, I…"“Please go home, Xander! Go back! Let's just pretend we never see each other again," Thea turned her back and left the backyard.Xander chased after her. "Thea! Sorry, I didn't mean to do that but my body did it subconsciously.” Xander himself was confused about what he had done.Thea ignored him."I bet I'm too excited to meet you," Xander tried to grab her but Thea move faster."Ridiculous.""Thea, wait! Let's tal
Year 1853 Thea moved freely as she wish. She even deliberately avoided other children and hide from them as much as possible after finishing her work. There were several kids who tried to approach her. She didn't know what their motive was and Thea didn't want to give them a chance to bully her again. She couldn't stop being alert after what happened to her over and over again. Thea also wondered why Ben and the gang had been so quiet these past few days. She always thought they cooked something for her as a surprise attack. And Thea needed to get ready. As the day passes, Thea and Xander became closer than before. Actually, it made her felt happy even though there were only the two of them. "This," One day, Xander presented her with a pocket knife. Its shape was not too big nor too small. There was some rust on the handle. But it was still working fine overall. "What's this?" Thea asked not because she didn't kn
Year 1863 Thea opened her eyes and blinked slowly. She felt something wet on her forehead. It was a small towel. "Thea!" Thea's eyes caught the worried look on Kay's face. "Where am I?" "In my room." Thea tried to sit up. Kay helped lean her back. He took the tea and let Thea take a sip of it slowly. "How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?" "I have no idea." Kay took her hand and tucked some fine hair behind the ear, then Kay stood up for a bowl with a lid on the table. What he did momentarily made Thea feel strange. "I heard you haven't eaten all day," Kay opened the lid and revealed the contents. "You must eat now." "I'm not hungry," Thea mumbled. "If you don't eat, I'll have to inject you again and take you to the hospital," Kay handed a mouthful porridge and force its way to her. "You injected me?" Thea asked, in disbelief. Thea scanned her arms. T
Year 1853As they came closer, Thea hid herself as deep as possible. She gripped the knife Xander had given her.Since receiving it, she always carried it with her everywhere.The only one who could protect herself is her."Did you see her?"Thea held her breath. Their voices were so close."I saw her heading this way.""Are you sure?""Yes," they talked to each other.But among all those people, she didn't hear Ben's voice.Why would she care if Ben was there or not? She just wanted them all to leave her alone.They looked around but no one saw Thea.After a few minutes, they finally left the back door and came back in.Thea waited a little longer before finally deciding to leave.No one would have guessed where she was hiding.She came out of the chimney and quietly headed for her room.Unfortunately, the calm she felt was short-lived.Someone was already
Year 1863Thea laughed."No way...Kay? Are you kidding me?" She turned her face away from him. "Stop your acting. I told you it wasn't funny."One day, after Kate left, Kay had told her that he liked Thea. But Thea just brushed him off. She couldn't believe someone could like her.Kay's hands clenched tightly. His lips were only inches away from hers. He knew he had to stop before it was too late. Kay painstakingly pulled himself up."Sorry, I..." Kay stood up and rubbed his face. "I'd better get out. Please take a rest.""Kay..."Kay had his back to Thea. "If anything goes wrong, I'm in my study," Kay said. He had to get out of there immediately. Kay was afraid he couldn't stop himself.***Thea went silent.She could still feel his breath on her face. Thea couldn't describe how she felt. She knew Kay had liked her once, but she didn't know that it still continued to this day. She could see his intense g
Year 1853 Sometimes, gray is seen as a sign of an impending storm. But in this moment, the thick gray clouds hung in the sky, marking the start of the autumn season. Miss Yerez looked at Thea and Xander who were already standing in her room before she even told them to come. She narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here so early?" Xander beat Thea and replied, “Miss Yerez, I'm sorry we barged in without permission, something's bad about to happen to Thea last night, that's why I was here since to protect her.” "You're staying the night here?" Miss Yerez was taken aback. "What happened? Why both of you didn't inform me anything?" "It's late at night and we don't want to disturb your rest, moreover it hasn't happened yet, Miss. Ben and the other kids are planning to do something again to Thea." Miss Yerez sighed. That kid was always causing trouble lately. But she couldn't do anything. She didn't have the heart
Year 1863 Kay leaned against the wall watching the crowd. He purposely hid himself in a corner of the hall. No wonder Harry told him to cover his face. It turned out that the mayor was holding a masquerade banquet for the nobles, politicians and dignitaries there. Kay wasn't interested in these things. For him, there was something more important than just getting together in such an obscure way. Kay was not a party fan. He was forced to give up his intention of leaving there and returned to the hospital. Kay would just come back thinking the same thing. He placed the glass in his hand on a nearby table. He had better join the others too. Just then, someone past in front of Kay, leaving behind a very familiar scent. Kay cursed himself. Even the smallest things were remind him of her. It was really annoying. But he couldn't help and think. Could it be her or someone else? Kay's brain wasn't really
Year 1863His eyes, which had been fixed on her, slowly returned to focus. That man continued to stare at her and unwillingly moved all the way back. His body had almost disappeared behind the corridor, but his head was still looking back to her.If his assistant hadn't come after him, Kay could have talked to Thea longer. He warned her to go back home and not stop anywhere else. They still have a lot to talk about.Thea pulled up her hood again and absentmindedly headed home.Her cheek temperature returned to normal, becoming even colder after reading the message in her hand.She quietly left the mansion and headed somewhere.“Ah, you really came?” Xander fiddled with the cigar in his hand and nodded curtly at the woman who entered through the window of his office. He had to applaud and admit that this woman was indeed the best of her kind.Thea lowered her feet from the window frame quietly and sat across from Xander. "Please refrain from doing unnecessary things and don't send no
Year 1853The gazes of the two different people met again.When Blake stared at the little girl, an uneasy feeling rose abruptly.He bet he'd seen this little girl before, but found nothing in his memory. It wasn't that his brain was at low capacity, but rather that there were other important matters dominating his head right now.Like the baron in front of him.He snorted.This stupid guy always gave him a headache.If only he could make him disappear...Blake shook his head and instructed his subordinates to take care of this matter quietly. He pulled the reins of his horse and swerved away from the scene.His eyes and Thea's met before he turned around.and the discomfort returned.Thea looked at the man who sat on the horse without blinking. She was certain that the person had a higher position than that baron based on his clothes and demeanor.The chaos was taken care of according to procedures. But no matter how long Thea waited, none of them called out to her.She sat in the co
Year 1863There is always the first time for everything.This was Thea's first visit to Kay's hospital during the day.The autumn vibes is so vivid.Leaves separated from the branches and scattered throughout the garden. A breezy wind played with the ends of her hair which sticking out of the hood.Even so, the air was still warm and the weather still friendly.She wondered, why did the same place look so different just because the times had changed?Is it possible that humans can also change if their situations are different?Thea talked about her who always being in the dark.If her parents were still alive at this time, she might also be able to wear pretty clothes and have a cherished hobby or profession.Like Lady Florence.Maybe she could also stand beside Kay with more pride.A lot of silly thoughts started to mess her mind since last night. She knew this wasn't the time for this. She
Year 1853“Stop!”"Everyone stop it!""The Earl is here!"All the people involved in fistfights and wrestling were pulled one by one until they stopped moving.Thea's small body was lifted by someone.She struggled and swung her arms and legs wildly, as hard as she could, trying to free herself.The man holding her snorted, threw her aside and pointed the tip of his rifle. Thea who had only seen red slowly regained her composure. She looked up and saw someone wearing a knight uniform.The screams and curses that had been throwing at each other dwindled until they finally fell silent. It was because of the pressure exerted by the person sitting on the horse. Even Odgez who was used to finding a gap in the narrowness this time did not act out.They raise their awareness, at what they considered the enemy."Someone explain what's going on here?" a deep voice rang through the noise and spread in e
Year 1863She was blind.She always pretended to not see.Thea caressed Kay's cheek carefully.After a walk in the garden, the sleepiness didn't come so they headed to the library. Kay picked up some books on medicine and read them. He said there was a case at the hospital that needed immediate solving.Thea left Kay who sitting alone and lost in his world. She searched something for herself and ended up with several books on the topography of the kingdom.She had no idea how much time had passed. When she returned to the centre, Kay, who had been sitting, reclining reading, was now lying down with his eyes closed. The book in his hand rested on his chest.Thea looked at Kay who had fallen asleep. She rarely came across a situation where Kay was so exhausted that he fell asleep unconsciously. She always saw him awake wherever and whenever she was nearby.She sat beside him, took the book slowly, and put it on the table
Year 1853Thea's bluish lips opened slowly."Water…""Here."As soon as Xander heard Thea's voice, he rushed to fetch water from the kettle and gave it to her. Every movement of his body screamed excruciating pain. Even though Lubez had treated him, this wound would not heal for a day or two."How do you feel?"“I feel like I just came back from hell.”“Glad to be back…” Xander held her hand and smiled. “…together.”Xander told Thea how long she was unconsious and how Lubez made Odger to solve his problem with Baron Norman. “It was a mess.” He concluded the story. “Odger barely hanging out there. Lubez take him out forcefully. Now they are on edge everyday."It was a story a week ago.Thea woke up everyday but that was only for a fleeting moment. They didn't hired any doctor and let her be thinking that she was exhaustion beyond me
Year 1863 “Young lady, Master looking for you,” Sloan greeted Thea at the door and quickly delivered Blake's words. "Uncle looking for me?" "Yes, he's waiting in the office." "Okay, thank you, Sloan." Sloan bowed and instructed the maid to prepare tea and carry it to Blake's office. Thea went straight to Blake without changing her clothes first. She knocked on the door and Blake's voice came from inside telling her to come in. Her decision was not wrong. Because as soon as Thea came in, Blake immediately dropped his instructions and Thea came back out. Sloan and the maid carrying the tea passed her in the hallway. "Young lady, the tea?" "Ah, I'm sorry, but I'll be out again." "Can't you just sit back and enjoy it for a moment? You just got home," Sloan coaxed her. "Sorry, Sloan. Next time. I have to get going so I can come back before Kay,” Thea waved and soon disappeared around th
Year 1853Lubez spurred the horse as fast as he could.Today, Thea's meeting was supposed to take place at the front of the hall before entering the town market.But he saw no one at the promised point.He got off from the horse, tied its reins and looked for that kid. He ran here and there looking around.“Son of XX!” Lubez didn't stop cursing Odger in his mind. His small body infiltrated the crowd smoothly. No one tried to rebuke or care about the rifle slung behind his back.The appearance looks natural because Lubez put his flashy soldier badge on his chest.Lubez had indeed left his unit, but he did not return his badge. More precisely, this badge, he stole it again after return it the country. As to how he could commit this dishonorable theft, he blamed it entirely on Odger.“….where are you kid?” Lubez kept looking.And his body stopped moving abruptly.The people aro
Year 1863Kay's heart seemed to have stopped beating.He couldn't remember how to make his way through the hospital halls as fast as he could, leaving Sarah, Kate and Florence far behind.Rupert followed a step behind him.Arriving at the emergency room, he ran his eyes across the room and scanned everyone.'Where?!'Among the sea of patients lying and groaning in pain, he didn't see a single red-haired woman lying in there.His fear reached a climax as his gaze fell on the cloth-covered wheeled bed leading out to the morgue.“Brother! Where's Thea?" Kate who came to him was also looking for her.Sarah pointed to a young woman at the end of the room. "Th-there."Kate and Kay's eyes immediately followed the direction of her index finger.…what?Kay leaned himself against the nearest pillar."That's not Miss Thea!" Rupert's voice rang out.The fou