THBO 47

Chapter 47

I quickly turned around, but I couldn’t find the source of the sound at all.
Cecilia clutched her skirt and took a step back.
Did I hear it wrong?
Her chest tightened with a racing heartbeat, as if a bad premonition had grabbed her.
The darkness coiled in the garden had never felt this ominous before, and it seemed as though an invisible wall was slowly closing in on her.
As if she would be trapped forever, unable to escape…

Rustle.
Another step echoed.
This time, it was clearer, and Cecilia bit the soft flesh inside her mouth.
She spun around quickly in the direction of the sound, but still, the source remained unseen.
Wait.
Could it be… him?
She hastily lifted her head.
But the vigilance she had mustered was in vain; only the clean night sky, sprinkled with stars, stretched above her.
As she lowered her head again, tension gripped her chest as if it were tearing her heart apart.
This can’t be…
The Triangulum of Victors is a constellation that only appears in winter…
How on earth…?

Cecilia rubbed her cheek, trying to make sense of it.
The sky had changed its constellations.
The invisible intruder seemed to follow her with every step, the sinister footsteps echoing.
…Even though she had called out so desperately, Alicia didn’t come running.

She steadied her breath and straightened her back. Pretending to be calm, she took a step—but immediately sensed movement behind her.
…He’s following me.

Her nerves were on the verge of exploding.
Cecilia tried not to increase her pace, gauging the moment she would need to run.

Rustle.
One step.
Rustle.
Another step.
Rustle.
And now, much closer.

She shivered and froze.
She thought that if she stayed still, so would he—but she could vividly hear a step moving closer.
The impulse to turn collided with the fear of doing so.
Don’t come.
Stay away!

“…Alex!”

Cecilia exclaimed, immediately panicking.
She didn’t know why she had called out.
Even if she called, it wouldn’t make him appear, and if he did… that would be a problem.
Alexis shouldn’t be dragged into this danger—not for the Ruisen Empire, not for herself, nor for her parents.

She focused on her toes.
From now on, full speed, Cecilia Ruisen.
Now… she had to run…

“Ahhhhh!”

A hand lifted her off the ground, and Cecilia screamed instinctively.
She struggled desperately, naturally trying to slap the person in the face.
Until she realized the familiar scent brushing against her nose.

She restrained her hand just before hitting him and looked up sharply.
As expected, Alexis was looking down at her with a face of disbelief, and Cecilia shouted in panic.

“Where do you think you’re taking me!”
“Isn’t that what you should be asking?”
“….”
“I’m going crazy, really…”

Alexis muttered, half-grumbling, as he lightly adjusted his hold on her.
Following his advice to hold on tight, Cecilia obediently hugged her brother’s neck.
She knew this was no time for arguing.

Her senses were instantly filled with Alexis.
The rhythmic beat of his broad chest, the familiar scent from his shirt against her face, the warmth enveloping her entire body.
She buried her face in his shoulder.
Unlike the scolding she had given him earlier, she now felt a baseless certainty that everything would be fine.
She couldn’t help but be engulfed in this unearned relief.

Alexis watched a few strands of hair fluttering in the wind.
Cecilia probably didn’t notice, but she was trembling.
Though she wore a mask of calm, inside she was terrified.
You should’ve called me a little earlier.

He nearly spoke as if scolding her but bit his tongue.
The metallic taste in his mouth fueled his anger, dulling his reason.
His violet eyes swept across the surroundings.
Blue magic climbed the trees and reached into the sky.

Alexis, examining the massive dome-shaped barrier, chuckled softly.
“Monte-Perte, truly the height of incompetence.”

Whether Cecilia tilted her head or not, he stretched out his other free arm.
“Hold on tight.”
A silver blade gleamed as it gently rested on his hand.
Alexis adjusted his grip, savoring the warmth of the woman clinging to him.
“Want me to hold you tighter?”
“Tighter.”

Cecilia hugged him with all her strength. Alexis plunged the sword into the ground in one motion.
Simultaneously, the world shook violently.

A deathly scream echoed as the sky groaned and vomited violet lightning.
The earth twisted and cracked.
Trees, stripped of soil to stand on, toppled into the crevices; some were struck by lightning and engulfed in flames.

It was a disaster.
A divine punishment for angered gods.
Cecilia, startled by the roar, glimpsed a scene of utter devastation.
Everything in the landscape was destroyed, falling into ruin.
The wind cut sharply as if shredded, and even the stars seemed to vanish from the night sky.

“Impossible…”

Trees collapsed where they could no longer withstand.
The fire devouring a massive willow spread to the ground.
The cracked earth devoured the flames and sent smoldering smoke into the sky.

“Stop it.”

Perhaps hearing her faint whisper, a solitary, calm figure let out a small chuckle amid the chaos.
“Right… it’s impossible.”
“….”
“I wonder what vermin dared to invade Sharten.”

Crash!
The world shattered.
The sky cracked like broken glass, a perfectly apt description.
Night fragments floated down like snowflakes, and Cecilia reached out in awe.
A white fragment settled on her palm and dissolved.

Alexis was already running.
Even carrying an adult woman, his movements were sleek, like a predator.
Shaking in his arms, Cecilia tightened her grip.

…Alex.

She repeated the name inwardly, too afraid to say it aloud.
The ruined landscape collapsed into the cracks of night.
The white streaks of the night sky cleared, and the winter stars slept in place of the summer stars.
The wind was fresh again.
The chirping of insects returned, and Cecilia blinked at her surroundings, finally able to breathe.
A disturbing mirage, like waking from a midsummer nightmare.

“Woof, woof!”

At the urgent and familiar bark, she looked around.
“Dog!”

Alicia had been barking, desperately searching for her owner.
The small dog leaped into the air and returned with something in its mouth.
Wait.
She didn’t eat it, right?

Cecilia gasped in relief as the squirrel in the dog’s mouth was still alive.
Just as she was about to scold it to let go, the squirrel’s eyes shifted from icy blue to ordinary brown.

“Al…exis…”
“I know.”

Alexis seemed to see what she saw and let out a grim smile, muttering short, rough curses.
After calming slightly, he whispered in a sigh:

[Blanche Houston.]
The magical transmission pierced the air.
[Immediately relocate all personnel in Sharten Palace to Fonlepre with Her Majesty the Empress.]

Whether Blanche replied correctly or not, Alexis stopped and carefully set her down.
It seemed they had safely exited the garden.
The gates of Sharten Palace stood tall, welcoming them.

“Alex… who was it? Who intruded?”
Cecilia held her brother’s shirt and asked.

The man simply smiled.
Calm, serene, like the moonlit sea.
She frowned at his overly peaceful expression.
Could he really remain silent even now?

But, as feared, Alexis remained silent.
After a moment, he knelt and patted Alicia’s head.
“Well done, Al.”

Alicia tilted her head cutely, and he nodded.
“You can let go.”

The dog opened its mouth, dropping the squirming squirrel.
His violet eyes swept over the small rodent.

“Gone, then.”
“…Alex… right now…”
“You must return, sister. It’s unfortunate the retreat ends like this, but staying here is too dangerous.”

He rose, remaining distant, avoiding her gaze as always.
Crash!
Thunder roared somewhere, lightning flashed elsewhere.
Cecilia kept tugging at his sleeve, seeking attention.

After a few tugs, Alexis sighed briefly, then drew his gaze to her.
A determined expression.
Eyes sharp as if containing darkness.
And paradoxically, a stubborn gaze that seemed ready to cut through darkness itself.

Seeing his resolve, Cecilia gripped his sleeve even tighter.
His skin felt cool against her fingers.

“Alex.”
“I can’t say no.”
“…I wanted to thank you for saving me.”
“Ah, yes.”

Alexis exhaled deeply and freed her arm, brushing her hair back.
He stroked her cheek one last time and withdrew his hand.
Stepping back decisively, like drawing a line between life and death.

“Go, sister.”