Alfred caressed the ring on his finger. He felt very troubled, but tried not to show his worries to Alexia. She was definitely holding in her emotions. No one could possibly be calm towards a painful, inevitable death.

The Ash Death begins by toning the skin a sandy gray, miniature cracks forming until the body becomes completely solidified like a statue, ending their life. With time, the body becomes brittle and turns into dust with the slightest force, their ashes flowing to the wind.

Chills ran through Alfred's spine. "I have to do something about this!"

"I'm back!" Alexia went through the door Alfred fixed in the morning carrying a large load of laundry in a basket. Alfred quickly met her and took the basket from her hands.

"Don't strain yourself."

"What are you saying? I've never felt better!"

"…"

"C'mon, don't look at me like that. Haha. Would I keep anything from you?"

A pang of guilt filled Alfred's heart.

"Let's go to the mayor's art room."

"You want to paint?"

"I want you to paint! You never told me you were so good!"

Over the past few days, they traveled all across the town. There wasn't a place within Renlo left that she wanted to go, except the mayor's art room. If he tried to bring her out of Renlo, she would vehemently refuse, not wanting to infect others with the Ash Death.

Most of the priceless pieces were taken with the mayor to his other residence a few towns over, within the Vermillion City, which also housed the Renbach house. But the room was still decorated with the mayor's less important pieces.

They left the house hand in hand. The town was deathly quiet, but they enjoyed having the whole town to themselves. As long as they had each other, they wouldn't feel lonely.

Alfred clenched Alexia's hand. 'They'll come anyday now.' Alfred thought, giving the empty road and horizon a sideways glance.

Alexia pulled at Alfred's hand, hurrying him to come over.

The mayor's house was truly extravagant, but could not compare to the church's gaudy exterior.

As they entered, the scent of dry paint and clay filled the air. Unfinished pieces of work were strewn across the room and a small window at the top illuminated a special sitting area for lighting around this time of the day. Another large window near the rear of the room allowed a lot more sunlight to enter the room and the dust twinkled. Alexia took a deep breath and finally mustered up the courage to ask what's been in her heart since yesterday.

"I want you to paint me."

"Hm?"

"I have always wanted to be the model in an art piece, even though my looks are a bit lacking. Haha."

Alfred knew this was probably something Alexia wanted to do before she died. How could he refuse her?

"Sit down." Alfred said stoically, but in his heart was he wanted to express his undying love for her. Six months wasn't enough time.

Alexia slowly sat down with grace, politely folding her hands over each other and placing them on her lap. She wore her usual blue dress, except her hair was braided. She seemed to be specially prepared for this. Alexia even practiced a cold expression like most models.

Seeing her acting like this, Alfred slowly sat down on a chair and prepared a paintbrush. As he looked past the canvas, Alexia's cold expression turned to her usual slight smile when they're eyes met and she deeply bowed towards him before reverting back. Alfred thought of how he saw Alexia in his mind and his hand started to move on its own. He recounted all the traits he held highly in her. 'Loyalty, compassion, kindness...'

Before he realized it, it was already dusk. And Alexia already fell asleep. Alfred felt like he was in a meditative trance while painting, he didn't even realize he finished. He turned his gaze from Alexia to the painting and his eyes widened.

"This is…"

He painted her just as she sat, but everything else was completely different! She was dressed in a knights uniform similar to Celtia's battle armor and had a small shield placed between her hand and lap. Her legs tilted to the side with her usual gentle smile. The dreary art room became a meadow-like scape that was endless and the sunlight seemed too gather around her. Alexia wasn't an astounding beauty, but this painting gave her an aura that wouldn't be inferior to many depictions of the goddess Celtia by grandmasters in the arts!

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

What was most surprising to Alfred is that he drew himself in the picture! Not Alfred's appearance, but Lucius's!

Alexia who only had eyes for Alfred, and Lucius who only had eyes for Alexia.

"Hmph!" Alfred coldly draped the painting and promptly found a new canvas. 'What nonsense.'

Alfred hastily recalled Alexia's original pose and drew it perfectly onto the canvas.

As the sun rose, Alexia had awoken. She didn't see Alfred and quickly grew restless. As she saw him in a corner sleeping, her heart finally uneased.

Alfred was in a meditative trance and as Alexia approached him he opened his eyes and returned her beaming smile.

"Morning"

"Good morning."

"Did you finish?" Alexia asked excitedly.

"Nn." Alfred sat up and walked towards the painting she wanted. He unveiled it, and her eyes widened.

"This is perfect!"

"I'm glad you like it."

Alexia marveled at the painting for a long time, her eyes glistening. She clutched the painting to her chest, holding back her tears.

"I feel so self-centered for wanting this. Haha."

"Not at all."

"I'm sorry for bothering you over this, Alfred."

"It's not a bother at all!" Alfred said with a stern voice. "You think I wouldn't even do this much for you?" He was furious! Alexia has rarely ever asked anything of him, always doing everything on her own!

"…okay." Alexia flushed red, hiding her face behind the painting. 'He's like a completely different person…' Alexia thought.

"Let's go." Alfred grabbed her wrist forcefully.

"W-Wait!" Alexia tripped on the long drapes of a painting that wrapped around her feet as she turned around to look towards Alfred.

As Alexia looked towards the uncovered painting, her heart almost stopped, not because of her appearance, but because of the man staring endearingly at her!

"… Who is that?"

"Just some guy I drew from my imagination."

But the current Alfred would never draw another man in a painting with her, at least that was impression he gave off. More importantly, both the wedding rings were colored gold and the eyes of both figures were the highlight in the painting! As the man's eyes looked strikingly familiar to how Alfred usually gazed at her. The man's cold, yet passionate exterior and appearance was very similar to the current Alfred's countenance!

"But he has your wedding ring on." Alexia said. The painting was extremely detailed and she could make out the engraving on the ring.

"Its nothing, really." Alfred turned away trying to pull her away from the painting. 'I should have burned it! Why did I cover it up? Did I want her to see it in the depths of my heart?'

"Alfred, what's going on? You're acting strange." Alexia asked worryingly.

"I…"

Alexia reluctantly revealed an understanding expression. As far as she was concerned, she wouldn't live past the week, and really did not want to strain their relationship. Alfred was the only person she had. If she lost him…"If you don't want to talk about it, I under-"

"NO!"

"Alfred…" Even though she asked, she was very reluctant to hear it. For Alfred to struggle to tell her this much… even she began to fear the what Alfred would say.

"… I…I'm not… A-Alfred."

"…what?"

"BOOM!"

Large shockwaves blew the windows in, causing a typhoon of shards to fly about destroying most of the art pieces around them.

"ALEXIA, GET DOWN!"

"Eh?"

Alfred covered her body, the shards swiftly approaching.