Chapter 9 Even if you don't love me...

The next morning, the first warm rays of sunlight shone into the large room. Caline was still sleeping soundly, it seemed that since she had no small tasks every day, she was getting lazier.

Lu patted her face with his cat hand, and Caline curled up in the warm blanket. Last night, she stayed up until 2 a.m., so she couldn't get up now.

If Lu guessed correctly, he had already met Athelisa somewhere. But it can't remember anything.

"Hey Caline, wake up."

"Aren't you going to go on a mission?"

"....What's with the mission?!..." Caline replied in a sleepy voice.

"There are no small daily quests, but there are points in the end. The system will calculate the accumulated points, later on, if you don't have enough points, you will return."

"..."

Caline stretched and sat up. The whole night I thought about such nonsense that I forgot the time. Staying up too late at night will indeed be intensely tired!

She found Athelisa's facial expression hard to understand. Why could she look at her with those sad eyes?

His eyes filled with sadness as he stared at her, looking into those eyes. Her heartfelt like it was about to break into pieces.

.....

In the palace, Athelisa still holds the necklace left by the late Queen. Her eyes are red, maybe it's because Athelisa cried last night?

The bracelet was gripped so tightly that there were marks on her hand.

"...."

"So sad huh? Athelisa Campbell?

"It has nothing to do with you."

"Hah...okay."

......

Athelisa resumed her unfinished business. Athelisa put all her mind into her work, not letting herself be distracted even for a second.

In the afternoon, when the sunset shines through the window. Athelisa knew that she had been working non-stop, she forced herself like this to forget about yesterday. Let yourself be immersed in work, not interested in the world around you.

As expected, Caline didn't come today, Athelisa rubbed her temples. The Caline of today is no longer the person she used to be...

She is far different now than when she was a child, it must be said the complete opposite.

Caline now is cold, and stubborn, unlike when she was a child. Caline as a child was lovely and arm, and obediently listened to her words. The feeling of separation from Caline grew.

Even if you don't love me, I will hold your hand for the rest of my life. Even if you are angry or if you or I die, I will follow you forever and ever.

....

"Lu, don't you think I'm too cruel to Athelisa?"

" What ?"

"Athelisa's eyes looked at me then, making me feel extremely confused."

"You still can't let go?"

"It's not that you can't let go, it's that you can't let go..."

Caline looked at the starless black sky above the sky. Lu jumped on the sofa, she looked at her.

It was true that Caline had run out of medicine, and should have warned her not to get too close to Athelisa in the first place. But now it's too late, this feeling has taken root and pinned to her heart forever.

"I should have warned you not to go near Athelisa in the first place..."

"Even if you warn me, this will still happen. It's already my destiny, even if I try to stop it, I can't stop it."

"Stop talking nonsense, you have to return to your real-world no matter what. That is the law."

"Why not give it a try?"

"Try what?"

"It will hurt anyway, before that. I want to be happy next to her, when it comes time to return to the real world, at least I have no regrets."

Lu looked at her in surprise, but if so... would she be able to stand it?

Next to the dangerous Athelisa, the bad guys lurking to usurp the golden throne. But the evil mandarin wanted to kill her to monopolize the throne. There were so many dangers that could take her life at any time.

And yet Caline still wants to stab her head in?

Could it be that she's been lonely for so long that her desire for warmth is crazy?

Don't even need your life? Just for love?

"Caline...she...."

"I must have been lonely for too long, so the desire to be warm is crazy. It's pitiful, isn't it?"

"..."

Caline took a sip of her tea, maybe she was right. She has indeed met someone willing to love her for the rest of her life. She certainly is.

...

Next morning.

Caline eagerly entered the palace, with only 2 days left until Athelisa's 19th birthday. She wants to visit the palace to visit Athelisa, she misses Athelisa...

Athelisa is lying face down on the desk. She didn't sleep well last night. His eyes were dark and puffy, and he seemed to have lost a bit of weight.

Caline walked in gently, stroking Athelisa's hair and intently studying her face.

Long curled eyelashes, high nose, red lips....Caline carefully observed every little bit. Why didn't she pay more attention before?

Caline leaned in a little closer. At that moment, her long, curled eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes to look at Caline.

"If you keep staring at me like that, I'll kiss you."

"Ah...Athelisa?!"

"..."

Athelisa stretched her shoulders. She gathered the things and papers on the desk. The face is still sleepy and yawning continuously. After making sure she had put away all the important papers, she confidently pulled Caline's hand away.

Along the corridor, the servant happily bowed to both of them.

Entering the bedroom, Athelisa let go of her hand.

"What did you bring me here for?"

"Sleep, I'm still very tired."

"Sleep? After all, how many days have you been awake?"

"Never mind that."

Athelisa pulled her to the bed, then hugged her to sleep. Caline could only lie still and say nothing, occasionally nuzzling Athelisa's neck.

She raised her hand and gently touched Athelisa's eyelashes.

"Caline, if you do that again, I won't be able to sleep."

"But I am not sleepy..."

"....Then it will be enough for you to just lie still and let me hug you."

Athelisa hugged her tighter. The scent of wisteria on Athelisa's body enveloped her, feeling very comfortable.

She wanted to know more about Athelisa.

....

Caline fell asleep at some point....

When she woke up, it was already noon. It seems that Athelisa has already taken the lead, beside her, there is no one.

Caline sat up and looked around. At this moment, Athelisa brought in a tray of tea and cakes. She put it on the table, then walked gently over to Caline.

Athelisa kissed her forehead.

"Are you awake? I saw that you were asleep so I didn't wake you up."

" No problem ."

Caline sat down, she took a sip of tea. This is rose tea made by Athelisa herself. It's so sweet.

"You don't like it?"

"No, it's delicious."

"It's fine if you like it, I think you don't like the taste of it."

"Is this tea made by someone?"

"Yeah, I wanted to do something for you, so I went to the kitchen to make tea."

"The bartender is very good."

Athelisa looked at Caline and smiled slightly.

Caline looked at Athelisa, she suddenly regretted the hurtful words she had said to Athelisa the previous afternoon.

She hesitated, about to speak, but stopped.

"What do you want to tell me?"

"Yeah, before, I shouldn't have said that to you."

"Did I hurt you? The eyes that were looking at me at that time seemed to carry a bit of sadness." She continued.

"It's okay, it's over. As long as you come back to me now, okay? Right ?"

"Aren't you mad at me, Athelisa?"

"Why should I be mad at you?"

"Because I said those words to you, it's still rude."

Athelisa laughed, she picked up the cup of tea. Take a sip. As expected, her Caline is very cute, it's hard to be angry.

"Have you ever seen me angry with you?"

" Never. But why ?"

" Secret ."

"...."

Because I want to treat you well, I don't want Caline to be sad at all. I want you to be happy every day.

I want you to be happy even with the smallest things.