While everyone was thrilled to see Reid, Luke gently patted Alderic’s shoulder. His chestnut eyes were filled with complexity, showing the intention to talk. Quietly, they retrieve to a corner. “I want to tell you about this for a while," Luke determines, “we have to talk about this.” Unlike everyone else, they know that the fact that Reid has been injured is far worse and more complex than that. The pattern, that acting ways only belong to a person… the worst of all. Reid nearly died today, so what will happen tomorrow? The emerald eyes fell in concentration on the wall.

He knows that person... too well. Enough to know that once he has set a goal, blood will fall. Taking a cigarette out of his pocket, he inhales, hoping the bitterness of the smoke would somehow enhance his thinking. Breathing out a trail of smoke, he frowns, “This is my fault. I led him to us.” That’s right, he was too negligent in evaluating the situation to decide to provoke him on that day. Approaching him as part of a plan, using him like a chess piece. The admiration for him just grows quietly day by day. Never in his wildest dreams would he think a chess piece in his plan would control his feelings like this. The moment he realized, he soon drowned in those ocean eyes. The bitterness of the cigarette dyed his heart. Looking at the man in front of him, Alderic can say the same. They have both found a person they want to protect in the most tantalizing circumstances. Passing the cigarettes, Luke shakes his head, “She doesn’t like the smoke.” Alderic chuckled, “What kind of magic did they cast to make us like this?" Since when can the most fearless and restless duo on the battlefield leisurely chat together like this? Since when can they enjoy life freely like this? And since when did he develop the habit of smoking?

For the first time, he was scared. Scared of losing him and everything he has.

“I say, we withdraw from the plan and protect them quietly. You can leave that mad dog to me.” Luke grips into fist. Leaving a trail of smoke, Alderic sighed, "If things can be that easy, I will gladly break his neck by myself.” Cigarette in hand, thousands of strategies run through his mind. What should they do? Laughing to himself, what’s left to be done? Did Demian Lionel Sylvester, his dear father, plan this from the start? Luke can’t seem to control it any longer, grabbing Alderic’s shoulder tightly, his eyes fiercely, “You telling me to just stand still and watch her die while doing nothing?” He pulled Alderic’s collar, “You know, I won’t accept that.” “I know”, Alderic laughed in self-mockery, “But you and I, we both know what my father could do.” Luke hesitated right the moment he heard that name.

There is only one option for them... In replying, "Give me a few days, I will handle this," Alderic steps on the cigarette, leaving, “In the meantime, I count Theodore on you.”

Surely, knowing Alderic, he can turn around the situation somehow. Then, why was his heart full of fear? He has to find her, tell her the words buried deep in his heart. The truth truly makes him afraid. However, deep down in his heart, it encouraged him to take that chance, regardless of the outcome. He has to do this. He knows something is coming, something that will cruelly take her away. He has to do this… before it’s too late. His feet moved on their own, his mind eagerly searching for her presence. Dived into the journey to search for Cecil, he has tried the room that belongs to her, the familiar places where Luke would see her there. Yet, Cecil is nowhere to be found, even in the room where Reid is resting soundly. Even the nurses do not know where she went. With thorns scattered along the narrow road, Luke thought he was so close to finding her, yet so far. Everything is as if she just completely evaporated from this world, and now, at this very moment, anxiety is rising more than ever.

Where is she?

Only one place to go.

There she was, caressing the flower petals in the greenhouse. The soft sunlight danced on her hair, standing out the dazzling crimson color. Just like a graceful rose bathing in the sun. The first time they met, she was just a little girl, wearing big glasses. Cheerfully, clumsily pumping into him. He can still remember the soft girl fitting perfectly in his arms, blushing from his touch. Remember how beautiful she was under the moonlight, the softness of her lips. And now, here she is. She was Cecilia, his companion, the love of his life, of him. Noticing the footstep, Cecil turns around. Her forest-like eyes have nothing but him, and her charming smile is only dedicated to him. Spreading her hands, Luke falls into her loving embrace. A simple hug easily eases away all his frustration. Though autumn has come, bring along the cool breeze. In her arms, he can’t feel anything but warmth. Burying his face in her neck, Luke hungrily devours her sweet scent. The kind of soothing scent that only she owns. If only he could stop at this moment forever... ignore the world out there. Noticing the man in her arms acting strangely, Cecil can’t help but be worried. Her hands, gently caressed his back, telling him everything was alright. They don’t have to say anything... they don’t need to, for their hearts have tied into one.

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Lifting her chin, Luke placed a kiss on her soft lips. A kiss bore all his longing. Yearning feelings invaded his heart. She has taught a heart that has forgotten what it feels like to love. Together, immersed in the sweet nectar of love, devouring those lips endlessly. He loved her... so much that he couldn’t even bear a minute without seeing her. The moment she held the key to his heart, this body, this life, all hers. Splitting her trembling lips, his tongue hungrily pouring all his love, all his botheration, to hers. He was hoping somehow she could understand those hidden feelings. He doesn’t want to let go… as if he is scared, the moment they are apart, she will disappear with the wind. He scared this all nothing but a dream… a fantasy. Desperately, desirably.

“Luke, it’s alright. I’m here”, Cecil finally able to catch her breath. The kiss of the man she loved, seems different today. A kiss of devotion…and sadness. The chestnut eyes of him looking at her lovingly. Then, a rain of kisses fell on her hair to her eyes, and her hands. Carefully, patiently, the kisses were, sending Cecil to the edge of happiness.

To her surprise, he kneels before her. The sunlight reflects on his hair a warm tea color. A velvet box with a silver moon carved appeared before her, glittering under the sun. With a warm smile like the sun, the soft gaze of him falls upon her. The moon glittering, just like the dance that night.

“No matter how the wheels of fate turn. No matter what awaits us ahead on this road. There will always be an invisible connection, to our souls forever be united. This symbol here is what I have sworn to you and only you. To protect, to cherish, and to hope for a future, with you by my side.”

Before her, a silver rose bloomed vividly under the warm sun. The rose, gracefully yet fiercely, just like her. So that’s what he sees. Growing up, Cecil soon has familiar with the curse words of her hair color. Blaming herself for being born with this curse, taking away all her loved ones. Yet, he was the only one… the only one who sees this crimson color beautifully, like a rose. Tears of happiness fell down. The feelings of him, the love of him, enough to explode in her heart. Her teary eyes, now glistering as if thousands of stars were in the sky, drowned the man in it.

“I loved you since the first time I met you. I love you so much that I have greedily just wanted you to be my own. I love those charming smiles, those bright green eyes. I love you… So much. Loving you has made me realize I’m something more, something great. I love you… I love you…”

The hand holding the ring trembled. His voice spoke quietly, beggingly, melting her heart. How could she not fall in love with this man?

“Will you marry me?”

How could she say no? Summoning all her strength left, she gifts him a smile. So dazzling, so sweet, “I do”, all the things she wanted to say. In the end, only those words. Luke carefully put the ring on her finger. The silver ring fits perfectly in her hand and shines brightly in the color of love. Holding her hand, he whispers, “I love you to the moon and back. The rose of my life is what is embroidered inside the ring."

Receiving the gift, Cecil could not hold her happiness from gushing out. The next thing she knows, Cecil is already nesting safe and sound in the arms of Luke. Holding on to her so tight, the two felt that the higher beings had put the constant flow of time to a stop just for the lovebirds to enjoy the sweetest moments of their entire life. If only…he can stop time. Buried the truth deep in his heart…The memory that deserves to be cherished. For the last time, let him be selfish this time.

Nothing in the world has the power to interrupt this. Nothing can obscure the beauty of love now. Fate is kind enough to allow the two to meet each other in this space and time, out of others.

Intertwined fate.