"What's taking so long?" Alfred paced back and forth in front of the dazzling building. It stood three times higher than the surrounding homes, and even the mayor's. He could see the time pass as the shadows circulated around him.

"It's almost dark out…" He looked towards the setting sun, drowning in his thoughts. He entered a meditative trance to calm his mind, but once the sun set, he couldn't hold his angst in much longer.

Just as he was about to open the door, Alexia and Findor stepped through the overarching entrance.

Alfred saw his somber face, but Alexia looked as bright as usual. As Findor began to open his mouth, Alexia took a deep breath.

"Haha. I can't do it. Sorry, Alfred."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, master Alfred. We've been trying the whole time. I fear she will…"

"I guess I don't have any talent." She smiled bitterly while shrugging her shoulders.

Talent? This was clearly a disability! Even commoners could reach the early Materialization Stage once their spiritual veins were forcefully awakened!

"This isn't fair..." He mumbled, turning his head towards the ground as he retreated backward, leaning his body onto the statue. "THIS ISN'T FAIR!" He shot his fist towards the sculpture of Celtia and it crumbled slowly as cracks sprawled across it, falling to his knees.

"Alfred!?"

"Master Alfred!"

"…this isn't fair at all…" To give him something so precious and take it away. 'God, why are you being so cruel to me?'

"Is my life a game to you!?" The little qi he had in his spritual veins burst forth. It was sharp and full of murderous intent, scarring the ground beneath him.

"Alfred, I'm alright. I've been feeling better since this morning. See?" She twirled around and her blue dress fluttered beautifully.

Of course she would feel that way. Alfred started feeding her body his qi since she awoke! At most she would live for six more months!

Lucius cursed Alfred! All these years he spent mistreating her, and he only gets half a year to be her husband? 'This damn ingrate!'

He banged his head against the base of the statue, and blood flowed from his head and hands.

"Alfred, stop!" Alexia cried. "You're hurting yourself."

Seeing her words unheard and the puddle of blood accumulating on the floor, her heart cried.

"Please!" Alexia screamed.

Alfred's eyes widened at her voice.

"Alexia…"

"Please stop hurting yourself." She could barely hold her tears in and covered her mouth to muffle her voice.

"Master Alfred, I must get going." He felt regretful towards this matter. He felt this was the only way to repay Alfred and he failed his task. He hung his head low, waiting for Alfred's anger to flare at him.

"You may leave." Alfred didn't bother to turn his body to send out Findor. His heart was in disarray.

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Momentarily stunned by Alfred's response, he quickly regained his composure.

"I hope we meet again, master Alfred." Findor quietly walked away with a heavy heart. There wasn't much time left until the town is burned to the ground. He could only regretfully leave as there was nothing else he could do to help Alexia.

Akexia looked to Findor's direction until he could no longer be seen under the darkness.

"Let's go home." Alexia said with a beaming smile that seemed to illuminate the night.

Alfred looked around Renlo. It seemed to be a ghost town at this point. Not a single soul could be seen or heard in the distance.

There was only the two of them and Alfred had long calmed down. He grunted and plastered his body across the rugged ground. Alexia politely sat next to him, dirtying her beautiful blue dress.

He looked up at the stars, the small lights that decorated the sky. Before long, Alexia also looked at the stars and closed her eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm thanking Celtia for giving you to me."

"Hmph."

"Haha. Don't be like that. We would have never met if she didn't wish it."

"She's taking you away from me."

"Maybe she's making the time we spend more precious?"

"…I don't want to talk about God." Alfred slowly raised himself from the ground and dusted his clothes.

"…Let's go home."

"After I finish praying." She clasped her hands and Alfred patiently waited by her side. She sniffled and sneezed after a breeze blew past her.

"Its getting cold. This isn't good for your health." Alfred reprimanded.

"It's okay. I'm done."

"What did you pray about?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about God?"

"This is about you."

"I asked him to let me live the rest of my days without worry with you by my side."

"…"

"Haha. You said you wanted to hear-"

"I'll protect you, forever."

"…" Alexia could feel his arms reaching around her, pulling her close.

"And I'll never leave you..."

Under the glistening moonlight, Alfred's clear gaze was mesmerizing. His blunt reply and fixed gaze really made her speechless. His domineering posture wasn't inferior to Celtia's sculpture and the moonlight outlined his lean figure and manly traits.

His embrace was comforting. But she wanted more. More of Alfred… All of him.

She mustered up her courage and moved Alfred's hand to her bottom and pressed her chest against his.

"Is it okay?" Alfred wasn't an idiot. He knew what Alexia wanted. But Alexia wasnt someone he wanted to coerce into having sex with him.

"… I trust you."

And two bodies shared their warmth under the moonlight.