After discussing the day's events and the information we each uncovered, we washed up with the prepared water. After a simple meal, the sun had completely set.
"You sent me a message."
"A message... Ah, the 'West of Love' message."
"Yes, I didn't make as many typos as I thought."
"It was useful."
Kyle smiled faintly and waved his hand, drying his wet hair with a towel. His movements were also gentle.
"Still, please tell me everything next time. I thought something had happened and was worried."
"I thought it would be faster for me to come to you than to explain it all."
I think it's because my feet are fast.
'I should ask them to create an autocomplete function.'
I thought about asking now, but I stopped. I was becoming sluggish, too relaxed. Just like me, Kyle also seemed relieved.
Recalling his explanation from a little while ago, we are seemingly trapped in this magic tower. The central gate leading outside is closed, and it's said to be a structure that can only be opened by injecting a specific force into it. It's probably a device designed to recognize the owner's magical power.
"When I tried to break it by force, the servants attacked me. Even armored corpses appeared. I saw about twenty of them."
"No matter how desolate this place is, corpses everywhere in the tower... Ugh, what terrible taste."
"By the way, what happened?"
"Nox, it's just a common occurrence. Nothing happened. I'm okay... Eup."
Just as I was about to say that I was okay out of habit, Kyle frowned and put his hand over my mouth.
"It's okay, but you have marks on your neck like this?"
"Hey. Oh."
What do you mean, let it go.
"When I think about it, you always lived with the words 'okay' on your lips. Even when things were far from okay."
"Oh, no."
Because it's not.
Oh boy! Let go!
In the end, after I bit his palm, Kyle pulled his hand away. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he wanted to laugh. I thought to myself that I was like a hamster.
I replied, taking a deep breath.
"What difference does it make if it's not okay? It won't change what has already happened, nor will it suddenly provide a solution to a problem that has none. So, it's best to adapt quickly."
Crying changes nothing. I didn't want to worry unnecessarily. So from then on, I got into the habit of trying to move past things as quickly as possible.
Kyle lifted my chin as he gently hugged me from behind. Then he lowered his head and whispered softly, his lips close to my ear.
"You're strong."
"It's an honor to hear these words from the owner of the north."
"Still, I want you to express your dissatisfaction from time to time and voice your expectations honestly. Even a foolish father would prefer to see that."
"...."
"You don't have to put everything into the word 'okay' and swallow it repeatedly. If you're unhappy, I will do my best to help with anything."
Kyle added, as if he had always wanted to say this.
"You need to lean on others more."
I felt that the kindness contained in those words resonated with me.
This person is kind to me as if it were the most natural thing. It's as if that kindness is the only proof of his love, as if he believes it's the most correct path.
Was I moved by his willingness to grant me whatever I wanted? Somehow, I felt a sudden desire to be a fool who had never been pampered in her life.
I leaned back slightly and leaned against him.
"Knox, that bastard, your wits are truly sharp. He reacts immediately if you try to exert even a little effort. I dug up quite a lot of information today, so my judgment might be twisted, but..."
"It seems that the income was good."
"Yes, quite a bit. But I learned a lot about Knox."
If he openly told me to prepare my mind, how prepared should I be? I didn't even know what the problem was.
"To be honest, I was a little scared, but now it doesn't sting. .... okay."
It's awkward to do something you didn't want to do.
However, his red eyes seemed strangely tinged with anticipation. I felt like I had to be brave.
I swallowed hard.
"... Hmmm. To truly be 'okay,' I think I need to sleep with Your Highness tonight."
"...."
"Your Highness?"
"Say something. If you just stare at me like that, I get embarrassed. You blockhead!"
"Pfft."
"...."
"Pfft, ahaha, haha. ... Yes, truly. I understand. Let's sleep together."
He laughed for a long time, kissed all over my face, and then hugged me as he headed to the bed.
His cleansed body smelled of soft and cozy soap. Satisfied, I burrowed into Kyle's arms.
Kyle stretched out his arm and wrapped his arms around me calmly, but his heart was beating very fast.
'Yes, this is life.'
It's a little childish and simple, but when I'm with him, I feel alive. As I struggle to survive day by day, I feel the vividness of reality. It's somewhat dangerous, a lot of work, but I feel rewarded every time I solve a problem with him. Finally, when I realized I had survived by changing his fate, I was overwhelmed with satisfaction.
However, this wouldn't last forever.
The 'miracle figure' had now exceeded nearly 90 percent. If only the work in this tower was handled well, I could fill it to 100 percent.
'Then, I have to go back.'
Surprisingly, the moment I thought about it, a chill embraced my chest.
Should I go back?
Perhaps sensing my body stiffen with tension in his arms, Kyle pulled me closer and patted me slowly.
"Just... what if I go back?"
How long had I been here? I don't really have any problems with my body now. When I go back, will I be able to remember what happened in this world? Like a dream you forget the moment you wake up, I wonder if I'll forget everything. No, is there really a way for me to go back alive?
I asked the system quietly.
"If you meet all the miracle numbers, can you really go back?"
After a moment of silence, the system replied.
[If you want.]
The letters remained unbroken, and not even the shining blue rim trembled. Somehow, I felt chilled by this one word.
I impulsively reached out, my hand extending between Kyle and me, reaching for the system window. It was as if it was visible only to me and invisible to him, yet I tried to grasp it.
Naturally, my hands cut through the air. The part where my fingertips touched felt stiff, and the system window blurred.
Instead, Kyle's hand came over and held mine tightly.
"Why?"
"...."
Warm. His scarred hands were so vivid and warm, almost overwhelmingly so.
"... It's so realistic."
Obviously, this place is from the novel, Heart of Winter. I didn't even read it to the end; no, I stopped halfway through and forgot about it for a while. Now, it was a system. In an unreal world created by someone, I was a character born with a 'setting'.
What used to be a simple book made up of mere black type was now a world where it felt strange and awkward to touch my skin and feel it vividly.
'It's just unreal.'
When did I become so immersed in this world? Somehow, I felt caught between two worlds.
Did he notice my slight agitation? Kyle whispered, applying slight pressure to our clasped hands.
"Because it's real."
It was a kind but resolute sound.
"Isn't it a harsh place for Your Highness?"
"I can't deny it. But it's okay."
'Kyle Jane Meinhardt' lived as if struggling in an unfortunate background, and tragically died as a result. However, as he held me in his arms and clasped my hands tightly, a smile so happy and full came to my mind.
"You have it."
Okay. Also... I hope such a kind person isn't simply born with an unfortunate fate, and that it doesn't end meaninglessly.
I shook my head and buried my head in his arms again.
The 'miracle figure' was almost 90 percent, but the 'extraordinary interference rate' was just over 30 percent. Even if it was just to raise those numbers further, I had to be more diligent starting tomorrow. I have to do my best. I must save him. It doesn't matter if this world is unreal or real.
Before falling asleep in Kyle's arms, the system window I saw earlier vaguely appeared again. I felt like I was seeing it again.
[If you want.]
The next day, Kyle accompanied me to Knox's lab to protect me. Apparently, he was worried that I would be threatened by him again.
"Well, that's not a bad idea. Today's experiment will be more radical than other days."
Knox, whom I met at the restaurant, nodded calmly, as if telling Kyle to do whatever he wanted. His usual half-hearted smile felt particularly ominous.
"What is the contract...?"
"It's not a violation. Because there are things that can be helpful to the child. I'm a talented person in this field, so can you trust me?"
Kyle took a sip first, and then I looked at him, choking on the drink I was holding.
"I trust you. That's it, and we've eaten, so let's go up quickly."
"Are we starting with such intensity today?"
"You shouted at me to be prepared. Still, if you push it too hard, Your Highness will draw his sword first."
"Yes, yes, I'm very careful. Shall we go upstairs?"
The three of us slowly climbed up the spiral stairs.
Knox, who was carrying the burden, started walking first. Kyle put his hand on the hilt of his knife, ready to intervene between the two of us. And I stayed close behind Kyle.
Over Kyle's back, Knox's white hair fluttered like snowflakes.
"We have all experienced death once, and we are the ones who have overcome it. We are united for wealth, studying magic for the most eternal and greatest power."
We hadn't even arrived at the lab yet, but Knox seemed to have decided to tell me everything today. A torrent of words flowed from his mouth.
"'Empty Soul,' Rookitt is like our medium. Salina, 'The Undertaker,' loved him, and even though she knew his soul was gone, she didn't give up. As for 'Drowning' Rosalie, I'm not interested in the story of those two, but she continues to pursue research she couldn't achieve in her lifetime. She wanted to do it, and she wanted to reign like a queen with it."
"...."
"And I, the 'White Ghost,' am merely moving on all those boards to satisfy this endless curiosity."
Knox, standing in front of the lab, turned to Kyle. He was a pale man, unsettling to behold.
"Kid, what's your real name?"