In my eyes, there were only her smile. In my heart, there were only my love for her. In my mind, there were only memories of her. In my everything, there were only her. Althea .

A day would not be called a day without her beside me. A sleep would only be dreamless if she were not in my dream. Living would only be meaningless if I cant keep her in my embrace .

Each day , each moment , each seconds that we spent, felt like an eternity . It was not a waste. Instead, the time that we were together felt like a gift from the heaven.

To the point, that I felt like a really big reprisal was waiting for me . In exchange for the incredible happiness that was granted to me right now.

What did she have, that make me so smitten by her? She was not perfect like a thoroughly bred noble women. She was not as beautiful as the princess in the fairytale.

She also had her flaw. But, because of that flaw, because she was imperfect, that she was perfect for me.

She never show her frailty in front of the others. Always, crying by herself when she felt lonely, behind this rock that contained so much of our memory together. She suck at cooking. Easily surprised by the lightning. She was blunt with her word. A bit hot tempered some time. Never ask for help from anyone. Always, always, trying to solve problem on her own.

But, all of this was what made Althea, Althea.

She would stop crying when I comfort her. She would be mad when I tease her cooking. She would feel at ease in my arm when there was lightning. She would always confess her love for me out of nowhere. Easily pissed off when other girl made a move on me. Would act meekly and embarrased asking for my help when her problem got out of hand. Always...looked so frail...in my eyes...

I'm a coward. Easily intimidated by others. Always being bullied by my peer. Having a good look was only making the trouble became bigger, as I don't have the strenght to fought back. Not talkative and obediently received beating by them. Even get misunderstood as a mute.

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But, Althea. She, when she was by my side, I could become braver. She was my source of courage. A fire wouldn't stay burning without coal and she was my fuel, the kind that gave an everlasting burning in my heart. With her, I could talk a lot more. She gave me confidence. She gave me strenght. She gave me trust. She gave me...love...

She is the kindest I have ever seen in my life...

So why...

"The last heir of the king have been found! As soon as the sun rise above the horizon on the first day of spring. Her head would no longer be with her body!"

They laugh maniacally. Like there is no tomorrow. Overjoyed, to exact the revenge on behalf of their king to the royal family.

"Althea!" Unlocking the lock using the key that I stole from the drunken Krisveil's guard, I finally met her.

Disheveled, her body look so thin, there were only skin and bone. Her eyes that was usually filled with light. Had lose its shine. Like a doll that had its string been cut. She was lifeless.

"Rastus" She smiled. Her frail hand touched my cheek. It felt cold.

"how come you're in the capital? Do you leave your meal, you look so thin. Your eyes were baggy, Didn't you had any sleep?" Her voice was hoarse but still sounded sweet in my ear.

Tears forming, I hug her closer. How could they be so cruel toward this girl.

"let's go, we will be leaving the capital as soon as we escaped from this place"

She smiled...again. Gripping her hand, we ran together. Her legs were weak but she still had the energy to ran. I felt sorry for forcing her but if we didn't do this, tomorrow would be the last day before her life been ripped out of her body.

So, I ran.

"she escaped!!"

We ran together , hand in hand.

"Where did they go?!"

In my mind, there were only thought of escaping.

"In the courtyard ! Don't let them go!"

I wouldn't let anything or anyone to separate us.

"Haah, haah" I panted.

"Rastus..."

I gripped her hand tighter, so tight . So tight...

"why?..."

But she let go.

"Althea?..."

She grinned.

"Rastus...I love you"

Her face look so happy.

"I love you so much"

Pearl of tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

.

"You worked hard enough" She brought her palm forward, touching my cheek that was drenched.

I can't fathom it.

"why?.."

She stared at me in the eye.

"so, rest" Her cold hand now felt warm.

"rest for a long time and forget about me" Her words was contradicting to her voice. She was quivering. Hesitating.

"Al..the..a"

Slowly, my vision turn dark.

Along with everything ...