A few days later.

“Ah~! Finally!”

Bellmare! My hometown!

It’s a big city with an equally large port, it’s one of the main points of commerce of our continent.

Huge white walls surround the city on land. They violate the sea a fair distance with towers at the end.

Father used to tell me how those walls are thousands of years old and how they were able to hold any kind of attack, be it by sea or land. Most of them are just tales that probably never happened, but no one can deny this fact though: there’s no other city with walls like these.

The dreams are not as common as before. Yesterday I had another dream of Al daily life during summer with the princesses, but that was it. Nothing really happened.

We are approaching the city from the North. To our left, there’s a beach with boulders here and there. Some black haired women and children are catching sea fish like mussels and crabs.

“Must be tough for them.” Al murmurs.

“Hmm-hm.”

Some of them look at us as we pass by. Most greet us.

Even if their job is ungrateful, they don’t seem unhappy. Some children are playing around while the adults chat as they fish between the boulders.

“I assume your house’s in the richest part of the city?”

“Yeah, on the west side.”

“Hmm.” He nods. “Keep pretending to be mute for now.”

“Alright.”

We make our way to the gate.

The gate is a door-like metal structure. It’s size is only fitting for the huge wall. You could make 3 caravans pass through it side by side. People enter and exit the city as they please.

Two guards are standing in front of the gate. One of them notices us as we are getting closer.

“Halt.” The man raises his hand to signal us to stop.

“Is there a problem?” Al replies and stops the horse next to the man.

The guard doesn’t have any insignia on his shoulders. He must be a black hair.

“None whatsoever sir, but we have to check everyone who possesses a horse or any mounting creature. Please bear with me for a minute.” He winks at us.

“Ok then... “ Al replies with sigh.

“State your business.”

“Visiting an uncle.”

“You two’re brothers?”

“Yes.”

“Who might that be?”

“He works at the docks, that’s all we were told. We never met him.”

“Hmm… That puts me in a difficult position sir. We can’t let you in unless…” He looks at me, then he realizes something. “Ah! Is your uncle brother of you mother by any chance?”

“Huh, yeah.”

“Alright! I think I know who it is! Julius was always talking how he had a feminine nephew! He always told stories how he could pass by a dancer in a brothel and no one would notice.” He chuckles. “Oh sorry! Didn’t mean anything by it!” He looks at me.

I wave my hand as to tell him to not to worry about it.

He keeps looking at us.

And we at him.

Awkward silence.

“So…” Al breaks the silence.

“Oh, you can go! I’ll take care of the rest. Say hi to your uncle for me. I always liked to talk with him.”

“Ok, thanks.” Al nods and kicks the horse.

We pass by him and enter the city.

“You know, I kinda feel bad for lying to him like that.” I whisper.

“Meh, no big deal. Even if he finds out we lied later, he’ll just be pissed for a moment and then forgets about it.”

“I guess...”

We pass through the wall, the sunlight hits us in the face once again and we can see the city.

The city is made mainly of three story or more buildings. The streets are filled with merchants, fishers, sailors, and other people. Merchants with somewhat decent clothes are talking with each other, fishers are carrying carts full of fish, and sailors are carrying big boxes.

“Hmm.” Al’s looking at the docks.

Here on the North side, most of the ships docked are from merchants and fishers, while in the south there are bigger ships. Military ships.

“No wonder It didn’t work…” He murmurs.

“What?”

“Uh? Oh, just remembering something. I trusted one of my generals to take this city and he failed... Quite miserably. Looking now from the inside, I understand why.”

“What happened?”

“It’s a long story, but in a short and rude way, he tried to attack the city from the sea and land. The land forces would try to invade the city, while the sea's forces would just distract them from a distance. He assumed that the city would be forced to split their forces to defend both sides but turns out, they focused on the land.”

“And then?”

“From what I understood, the sea forces grew restless because the enemy wasn’t retaliating, and tried to invade sooner than they should. To pass through the walls, they had to funnel and get too close with each other. Once they were between the towers at the end of the walls, they were ambushed and annihilated by ships waiting in the docks.”

“What happened to the other side?”

“The land group? They weren’t able to get past the walls or destroy them. They had to retreat.”

“I see. What happened to the general?”

“*sigh* That dumb man was so embarrassed that he committed suicide. Stupid guy didn't even, at the very least, talk to me first.”

“Oh…”

“Pity I didn’t get another chance to attack this city. If I was here, things would have been different.”

“Hmm. I doubt that. My city is invincible!” I say so, with confidence!

“Sure sure.” He replies nonchalantly.

“Oh!? Wanna bet?”

“Don’t be stupid.” He gives a light chop on my head. “Now shut it for a minute. Guards are coming.”

I look forward, and sure enough, three guards appear out of a corner. How did he sense them?

They pass by us while chatting. They have light blue insignias. Light blue mages.

“Let’s go.”

“Hmm-hmm!”

We pass through the docks and make our way to the west side of the city.

For a while, there are only old and somewhat filthy streets and buildings, but as we get closer to our destination, the streets start to get larger and clean. The buildings also change accordingly. As we move on, they look newer and more decent.

I start to recognize these parts of the city. Nostalgia starts to take over.

“Oh look!” I point to a restaurant at our left.

“Hmm?”

“That’s where we are going to eat on our day off!”

It’s a modest looking restaurant, by noble standards of course. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s also not the most expensive. People usually gave me curious glares when they saw me eating there.

It's not everyday that you see someone from one of the most important families on the continent eating on a modest restaurant.

“I must say, I’m surprised. I thought you would pick one more expensive and classy.”

“I’m a pampered woman, but not that pampered.” I frown at him.

“‘Woman’,” He replies sarcastacly. “Right.”

“... What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing my lady.”

Someone looked at us curiously as we passed. He probably heard our conversation.

You want to play that way, uh? Ok, I’m in.

“You see that next crossroad?”

“Yup.”

“Look at our left once we get there. That’s the street where we'll spend all day.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh-oh-oh-oh.” I laugh, deviously. I want to make sure he notices that.

“What? Is that supp—...” We reach the crossroad and Al looks to our left.

The street is huge and goes on at least one kilometer. The whole street is full of clothes stores. There are dresses, jewelry, accessories, and much more on display in every store.

This is the infamous Pink Street. The dream of any noblewoman.

“... This is going to be a nightmare…” He murmurs. “I should’ve never made that promise.”

*giggle*

I’m just kidding with you. No way we are going to waste all day here. I want to do more fun things with you.

But he doesn’t need to know that.

…

…..

…….

We are now on the west side of the city. Unlike the rest of the city, there are only mansions here with a fair sized property. Each property is surrounded by roads, so it makes look like that each property is an island with houses in the middle, and the roads are rivers.

My mansion isn’t far away. I can already see it from here!

It’s a three story tall large building.It’s bigger than any other mansion here.

… After all, my family is one of the most important families in this continent. They must show it.

We pass by some nobles on the street and everyone is giving us strange stares. It's only natural, since we are the only black haired people here. Everyone else is a mage.

I know I must ignore them, but those stares are starting to bother me.

“How far is it?”

“It's that one right over there. Look!” I point at my mansion.

“I see it. Just a little more then.”

“Hmm-hmm! Can't wait!”

...

After a few minutes, we reach the steel gate of my mansion.

Like in the gate of the city, there are two guards guarding the gate. But this time, the gate is closed and the guards have green insignias.

“What do you want, black hairs?”

It’s Arnold!

“Sir Arnold!”

“Uh?”

“It’s me! Can you recognize me?”

“My lady?” He looks at me up and down, like the other guard. Then he focuses on my face. “Lady Nora! It's really you!”

I get down from the horse and run to him.

“Haha! Come here!” He hugs me. “I was really worried about you! When I heard what happened… I feared for you! Thank the god that you are alright!”

“Hmm-hm! It was rough, but we managed to get here. I’m so happy to see you again!”

Arnold is like a second father to me. When I was here as a child, he was the one who took care of me and walked with me when I went to shopping.

He lets go of me and takes off his helmet. His rugged but nostalgic face and green hair appear.

“Oh my lady. What’s with this hair?” He touches my hair. “And this man's clothes?”

“I had to dye it and dress like a man. It was to protect ourselves.”

“My lady, of all the people, you are the one who doesn’t deserve to walk around with this shameful color and clothes...”

“Hehe.” I try to laugh it off to change the subject. Arnold was always like this. He is a good person, but… I’m hoping Al can ignore his black hair comments.

“So that gentleman is…” He turns his gaze to Al.

“He’s my Servant.”

“... Yeah.”

“His name is Alddan. He’s really good fighter and protected me until now!”

“I see. Then I am grateful to you sir.”

“Sure.” Al replies with a cold voice.

Al’s mad about what he said isn’t he?

Arnold looks at me again. “My lady, please follow me, I’m sure your father is eager to see you.”

“Yes!”

He signals the other guard and he opens the gates with Physical Magic. Then he runs ahead.

“He’s going on ahead to make sure that your father is ready to meet you at the entrance. Follow me my lady.”

Arnold turns his back and starts walking. I follow him but I don’t sense Al coming.

I look behind. Al’s still on the horse, but his expression is serious. He has a menacing look.

“Nora, let’s get out of here.” He says so, with a serious tone.

“What...? Why?”

“I have a bad feeling. I don’t like the way those guards reacted.”

Reacted? They didn't react... Suspiciously? I don't think so.

“What are you saying? Oh, is this because what Arnold said? Don’t mind him, he’s just like that. He may say those things, but he never harmed anyone.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what?”

We came all the way here, just to turn away...? We have at least talk with my father! He’s the only one who can fix our problems!

“...”

“C’mon Al, it’s going to be fine. We just need to speak—”

“My lady?” Arnold calls me from the distance.

“Just a minute!” I turn my attention to Al again. “Trust me on this. Please. My father can help us! Otherwise… Why did we even come here?”

“...” He closes his eyes as if thinking about something. “*sigh* Fine.”

He gets down and leaves the horse where it is.

“C’mon, it’s over. We can finally rest.” I smile at him.

“...”

Despite what I said, he’s still with that expression.

Our trip was long, dangerous and stressful. I guess it’s natural to be cautious even at the end.

“Let’s go!” I give him my hand and pull him.

“...”

“My lady, is everything fine?” Arnold asks, still waiting for us.

“Yes! Just needed to talk with Al about something.”

“I see. Let’s go.”

We walk towards the entrance of the mansion. Arnold walks in front of us while we stay in the back.

It’s good to be back. The garden and trees around us, the big fountain in front of the mansion… Everything is like I remember.

The doors in front of the mansion are already open.

“You’ll see Al, today we’ll sleep in proper beds and eat a good dinner! And also take long baths!”

“...”

“Thank God! I mean, what we ate wasn’t that bad, but… You know...”

I’m trying to liven up the mood, but it’s not working. His expression is still serious. It’s as if he’s ready to kill someone.

I guess I should let it be for now. In a few minutes, he’ll see that we have nothing to worry about.

We enter the mansion. Inside there’s a large entrance with the height of two floors. In the center, there’s large stairs that lead to the second floor. There’s balconies on top of the stairs and on both sides that overlook the center of the entrance.

My family’s fortune is not a joke. Expensive carpets, paintings, furniture and lamps decorate the entrance. Whatever an entrance needs or doesn't need, we have the most expensive of it.

On top of the stairs, there are three people. My father dressed in white and his Servant Maoru, and my mother’s Servant too, Lach. Other than them, the room is practically empty.

“Father!”

“Nora!”

I let go of Al’s hand run to him. I get past Arnold.

He descends a few steps and opens his arms.

“It’s really you! Come here!”

I run up the stairs and hug him.

“Oh my darling girl. I feared the worst! What happened? Are you alright?”

“Yes father, I am, thanks to Al. He protected me until now.”

“I see. Obviously he would.”

“Father you have to help us! We ran away because I was afraid that we were going to take the blame! It wasn’t us! It was a maid!”

“I know my darling, the queen was already on top of that. Me and her already talked, I can guarantee your safety.”

“Father…” I hug him harder.

Finally, these days of running are over!

“The queen is a woman of great knowledge. May God help her in these dark days.” Arnold comes up and stands beside us.

“But you can’t guarantee my safety, isn’t that right?” Al voice comes from downstairs.

I let go of my father and look behind.

Al’s standing in the middle of the entrance, looking at my father with a hostile expression. If looks could kill, my father would be dead.

“Al?”

“Tell your men to come out. I can sense all over this room.” He yells.

“...”

Father stays silent, but then he snaps his fingers.

“Sir!” Many voices can be heard across.

Guards with crossbows appear from all over the place! They come out of doors, shadows and hiding places and surround Al. Some are downstairs with him while the rest are on the balconies. Everyone is aiming at Al, ready to shoot.

This… Cannot be happening…

“F-Father…?”

This... has to be a joke. This has to be a sick joke!

“Sorry, Nora.”

“W-why—”

“Tell your men to back down. I won’t hesitate in killing all of them if you force my hand.”

“It won’t happen, Servant. Look around, every guard here is a yellow mage or higher, and there’s also the two Servants behind me.”

“Then you are underestimating me.”

“I know, but I’m hoping that I can appeal to your sense of honor.”

“...”

“Your presence will provoke a war between the four nations. You are the reason that the others are invading Coelburg, ‘looking’ for you. While in truth, they just want to snatch you away and use you for their own selfish reasons.”

“What? What’re you talking about father?”

He turns his attention to me.

“Killing someone from the royal family is considered an attack to the country—”

“—and since our family is not from Coelburg…”

“Or any country, we are considered foreigners.”

“Then… The Unity Treaty…”

“Yes.” He turns his head to Al again. “As we speak, the armies are harassing citizens who just might be you. There are reports of fights between soldiers and citizens. Unrest will become a serious problem at this rate. Armies will clash if things keep going like this.”

“B-but why aren’t the kings making sure that doesn’t happen!? Why aren’t they working together to look for us!?”

“Because despite the official reason Nora, they just want an excuse to conquer something. Even if their ultimate goal is to get your Servant, they want to get something for themselves while they are at it. For example, they can disrupt Coelburg’s trading routes to give themselves an edge.”

“But…”

My mind is blank.

“Servant, if you have any decency, if you care about other people’s lives, or if at the very least you have any concern for my daughter safety, let yourself be killed here. As long you live, my daughter, and everyone else, will be in danger.”

I look at Al.

He’s looking at my father, still with that same expression.

He takes a deep breath. “Sorry, but I still have a goal and I don’t plan to die before I reach it.” He answers with determination. “Spare your men's lives and tell them to lay down their weapons.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“I see...” He drops the bag on the ground and summons a red bow in his left hand

No no no no no!

“Wait Al! Stop!”

My order gets through and he stands where he is. He is unable to move.

“NORA!!!”

“Wait! Let’s talk about this!” I look at father “Father! Please! There must be another way!”

“There isn’t Nora.”

“What if we fake his death!? We both passed as black haired people!! He could continue like that!”

“I considered it, but it’s too dangerous. If he were discovered, our family would be in destroyed by every contry. Even your aunt wouldn’t be able to protect us.”

“B-but!”

“Nora! It’s no use! Annul your order! I can’t even use mana! I’m going to die if you don’t do anything!"

“W-wait!”

This can’t be happening! This can’t be happening!!!

I’m crying uncontrollably.

This is a nightmare!!! Please! Someone, wake me up!!!

“Milady, if there was, I’m sure your father would’ve—”

“No!! Father! I’m begging you! There must be another way! What if—!”

“Nora, there isn’t.”

He raises his arm. He’s going to snap his fingers!

!!!!!!!

I have to do something!!!

“AL FORGE—MMMMHHH!!!!!”

Someone grabs me from behind and covers my mouth with a hand.

“MMHHHHH!!!!”

It must be Maoru! I keep biting his fingers but he doesn’t let go!

Al’s struggling to move. His body is relaxed, but his expression is tense. He’s trying to move as hard as he can.

“Someday you will understand. And I hope you’ll also forgive me.”

I hear fingers snapping.

“NNNNNNNN!!!”

Every soldier fires their crossbow and arrows fly towards Al.

*FUUUSH*

*FUUUSH*

*FUUUSH*

*THUMP*

*THUMP*

*THUMP*

His body is penetrated by dozens of arrows. His head is hit by three arrows.

“MMMMNNNNN!!!” I scream as hard as I can.

He falls on his knees.

“... bas… tards…” He murmurs as his body starts to disintegrate.

His legs are starting to disintegrate into red particles. Those particles dissipate in the air after a few seconds.

“NNDMN—ET ME GO!!!” Maoru finally releases me.

I run down the stairs as fast as I can.

“Milady wait—”

“Let her go Arnold.”

“B-but…”

I keep running. His legs and arms already disappeared. The arrows who were in those parts already fell on the ground.

“AL!!”

But when I reach him, the last parts of his body already disintegrated, even the bow and the blood on the ground. Only the arrows that killed him remain on the ground.

I can no longer feel his presence.

“No! Nonono! Kee…”

I kneel where he was.

It’s all my fault! I should’ve… I should’ve...!!

“Waaaaahaha!!”

“Milady…”

“Let her be. Everyone, leave the room, give my daughter some time to herself.”

“... Yes, milord…” Arnold replies.

I hear everyone’s steps. They are all leaving the room.

“Al… *sniff* Aal… *sniff* Aaaaa…”

I’m stupid! I’m worthless! I’m not fit to be anybody’s friend, much less master.

“Kuuu....”

Why!? Why did this happen!?

There's nothing... There's nothing here... He's gone, and it's my fault...

!!!!!

I feel something strange. I try to look around but can’t. My head is stuck in place. No one is holding me, but my body is stuck. I cannot move.

No… I can’t move at my will, but I am moving… Backwards. I am crying, but like if it was reversed.

All my movements are being repeated, but backwards.

I hear steps again, but different. Like if they were reversed.

”…drolim ,seY ...“

”.flesreh ot emit emos rethguad ym evig ,moor eht evael ,enoyrevE .eb reh teL“

”…ydaliM“

I hear father’s and Arnold’s voices again, but they were too weird. I didn’t understand well what they said.

Then I raise and run backwards.

What is happening!?!?

The arrows raise in the air and Al’s body is reappearing again.

Al!?

I’m running back up the stairs and Maoru holds me again.

Al gets up and the arrows come back to the crossbows. Al's fine, like if he's never been shot.

Maoru lets go of me and I’m back looking at my father.

“Quick, cancel your order.” An ominous voice says that.

What…? Who’s…?

Then this strange feeling dissapears.

“I considered it, but it’s too dangerous. If he were discovered, our family would be charged for treason and destroyed. Even your aunt wouldn’t be able to protect us.” Father says it, again.

Don’t tell me!

I look back. Al’s standing in the middle of the room.

H-he’s... alive!

“Al! You’re—”

Then I remember that voice and what happens next. If I don’t do something, Al’s going to die!

“Al!”

He looks at me, just like everyone else.

I know father is right. I understand his reasons. I know that killing Al would prevent anything serious from happening.

But.

Simply existing is not a crime. I will not allow them to kill him just because he was summoned. If anything, I should be the one to take the blame, because I summoned him.

“Forget my order! Defend yourself!!!”

*pumfussh*

One moment he was standing there, the next there’s only air. He disappeared! No… That’s not right. He just moved. He’s using Inner Magic!

“Wha—”

“How…”

No one knows where he is. For a brief moment everyone is looking for him, but right after:

“Where is—gah!!”

“What the—Gaaaah!!”

Everyone below the balcony on the right side of the room is dying, one by one. Just like a flash, everyone is having their throats cut open by a lightning shadow.

He’s too fast, just like in the tournament. I can’t even see how he’s doing it. If I didn’t know any better, I would think it was some kind of monster.

I can also feel negative mana following that thing. At least 20 thousand mana units. It must be as a counter measure in case anyone tries to kill him with magic.

“S-S-Shoot him!!!”

“H-How!? I can’t even see him! Neverm—aaah!!”

“N-No! Blegh!!”

Arrows appear out of nowhere and kill everyone on the balconies. Al must be shooting them as he kills the men on the other side.

My expression turns dark.

Even though this is not our fault, even though this was forced on us, even though I know I won’t regret this decision of protecting Al.... This scenario is still gruesome. It’s something I don’t want to see ever again.

“Lach, Maoru, stop him!” My father yells.

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

"Arnold, you stay here."

"B-But... Yes sir."

Both of them draw their swords. Maoru’s using a longsword, while Lach is using two small swords in each hand.

*PUMWUSH*

Two things pass by me. They did. Just like Al, both of them are using Accel Magic.

*clang* *clink*

Three shadows are fighting in the middle of the room. Sparks appear everytime two of them touch each other and clashing sounds, louder than any blacksmith’s hammer could ever hope for, can be heard a hundred times in just one single encounter.

And just as I was about to wonder how long it would last:

*POOOM*

One of the shadows throws the other one against the left wall.

*BAAAM*

The shadow who hit the wall was Lach. Her chest is crushed and her face is lifeless. Her impact damaged the wall, leaving cracks on it. For a brief moment, it was like she was glued on it, but she falls forward right in the next instant.

“LACH!!” Maoru screams.

He stops and looks at her. For a brief moment, I could see his figure. Meaning…

*CLANG*

… Al takes the chance to strike him because he wasn’t in his Accel mode.

Pieces of a sword appear from the impact and Maoru is sent flying to the opposite wall of Lach.

Just like Lach, Maoru damages the wall and falls on the ground, but on his butt.

Al stops and I can see him again.

“Lucky. You noticed at the last second and managed to block my attack. Otherwise you would be cut in half.”

“Geeeh…”

Al’s holding his bloodied bow. Does that mean… He fought them with the bow? Just like if it was a sword?

He summons an arrow on his right hand and aims at Maoru.

“AL—” I stop myself.

I was going to tell him to not shoot, but if I do, I might put him in danger, just like before. I’m never going to do that again.

“We surrender, Servant.” My father declares with a loud voice.

Al looks at him sideways, but still aiming at Maoru.

“You do? Why should I trust someone who lays traps?”

“You shouldn’t. But that Servant is very important to me and a dear friend to my daughter. Are you going to make her suffer even more? More than you already have?”

Al looks at Maoru, pensive.

“Besides—”

“Don’t, *cough* milord! We can still beat him— geeh!!” Lach does her best to talk, but she’s still squirming on the ground in the middle of the other guards corpses.

“As you can see, both of them can’t fight any longer.”

“Servant’s healing effects are impressive, old man.” Al replies.

“That is true.”

“What’s stopping them from attacking me from behind once they heal?”

“Me.”

“...”

“I’m right here, am I not? Just shoot me if they try anything.” He opens his arms.

“...” He lowers his bow, but keeps the arrow in the string. “Order your Servant to not move.”

“Fair enough. Maoru, don’t move.”

The symbol on Maoru’s hand shines.

“And the other?”

“She’s my wife’s Servant.”

“I see.”

I don’t know if they noticed, but Al’s changed slightly his stance. It must be to be better prepared in case Lach tries anything.

I hope she doesn’t...

“What now, Servant? You won. What do you plan to do?”

“Stuff.” He shrugs.

Father frowns at his sarcastic response. Even I was caught by surprise.

“You…” A vein pops up in his forehead.

“Nora.”

I look at him, not sure what to say.

“I’m really grateful for what you did. I bet it wasn’t easy, but you still chose my side. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.” He bows his head.

“N-No, I…”

He raises his hand in the air.

“Let me finish. I can’t die, there’s something I must do first. At first I followed you and ignored my objectives for many reasons. But now, I can trust you and you’re in good hands. So, I’m giving you two choices.”

“Choices?”

“I have no longer a reason to stay here with you. I must go somewhere. I need to confirm something. You can either follow me, or stay here. If you stay here, I’m pretty sure your father can protect you and give you a good life. Or maybe not, you know him better than me.” He shrugs nonchalantly. “If you follow me, there’s only going to be more of... This…” He looks around at the corpses.

I understand…

“Heh, or maybe you could order me to stay here with you, but that would suck for me. Don’t misunderstand, I would love the company bu…” He notices my frown. “Yeah, sorry. Bad time to make poor jokes.”

“What makes you think my daughter won’t stop you later? What makes you think she won’t order you to come back?”

“She won’t. I trust her.” He answers with a smile. “I also don’t think you’re going to force your own daughter to do anything.”

“...”

“Seems like I’m right.” Then he looks at me. “So? Your choice?” He asks while grabbing the bag from the ground.

I look behind and see my father, the man dressed in white. His connections are far and wide. If I stay with him, I might not have a normal noble life ever again, but I’ll live comfortably.

Then I look down the stairs, where a man stands in the middle of pools of blood. He himself is dirty with blood. Drops of it fall from his bow. Just like he said, if I choose him, my life is going to be a difficult one. Blood will be shed... And I’ll be there to watch...

I could also stay here and order him to stay… No, that’s not an option! If I did that, he would never forgive me. That thought is more frightening than any other.

I...

I choose:The bloodied manThe easy life

*********************

Don't use the table below. Use the one above.