20 Chapter 19

She was running as if death was chasing her. Her feet was aching like it was being ripped into pieces however, she didn't stop her legs from running. Amongst the crowd of players in the main street, her ragged hood stood out and caught the attention of every players she passed by. She was plenty enough tired as her pace gradually slowed down however, she never stopped running. Though her running constantly became a swift walk, the burdening feeling of each bullet of sweat never swayed her from stopping. Her goal was to hurriedly reach her uncle's estate and ask for help, that's what she was only thinking at that time. In that crowded road, it was inevitable not to bump into other people's shoulder. Every time it happened, angered glares and annoyed scowls of players were being directed at her. However, Lady Alice has her attention to something else. She just stood up from being knocked down and continued her way after each constant collision. Tears can't stop falling as she rushed away. Not from the pain of the wounds she sustained but for the fact that her maid whom she considered a family may never come back. Worries that the promise they made may remained unfulfilled. Fear that the smile she got used in seeing almost in her entire life may suddenly vanish and be buried in deep red of her own.

"Haa … haa …"

The sound of her panting became even louder. However, this along with her horried expression was outshined by a smile as she saw the estate from afar. On her way, even if she tripped several times, the thought of Amy being saved never stopped her from standing. Even if she crawled in stinky mud, her determination to ask for help was impregnable. That's how she loved her maid, Amy.

Finally, Lady Alice reached the gates of her uncle's estate. However, in that not surprisingly large estate, not a single knight was present. She reached the gate but not a single soul was spotted. Only whispers of silence were heard, not people. Despite her ragged self, still she can't help but had this shaky smile as she latched on the gate with her worn out hands.

"P-please … h-h-help …," she shakily whispered.

She remained silent after that. With her head momentarily bowed down, her smile quivered and the dry soil beneath her was soaked by her own tears. Her latches tightened as she whispered one more time.

"Please h-help m-me …"

Lady Alice stood in front of the gate hoping for someone to pass by. However, as time passed by, no one came. Time ticked as well as the hope of Amy being saved. As time prolonged, all of her hope were gradually being torn into pieces. The thought of her perseverance being flushed out slowly tortured her to the point of breaking down. At a later time, she just collapsed from her standing and while crying her eyes out, she finally began accepting the fact that Amy can't be saved anymore.

"Hick … hick …," her loud sobbing was as mournful as one could be.

On the other side of the gate, head knight Schilder appeared out of nowhere. What Schilder noticed right away was the crying Lady outside the gate of the estate.

"Who are you?" he aloofly said.

"!"

As if the cold darkness suddenly became warm, Lady Alice abruptly raised her head and suddenly burst into tears as she saw head knight Schilder glancing down at her on the other side of the gate. The head knight that time looked like a knight in shining armor from Lady Alice's eyes. Seeing Lady Alice's face, Schilder recognized her in an instant.

"Lady Alice? What are you doing here?"

"Hick … hick …," Alice can't utter a single word despite wanting to. Her overjoyed emotions kept her from speaking any further.

Schilder opened the gate and kneeled down as he assisted the severely injured and worn out lady to stand up.

"Why are you crying my lady? On top of that, why are you looking like th-," Schilder was stopped from speaking by Lady Alice's sudden embrace.

After standing up, Lady Alice immediately wrapped her scrawny arms around Schilder. With Schilder's bulky armor plus his seemingly broad back, the lady can't even completely wrap her arms around him. Schilder's eyes widen as he was caught in surprise.

"M-my lady?" Schilder stuttered.

Despite calling out for her name, Lady Alice just replied with her grieving sobs. Without knowing, Schilder just found himself tapping the lady's back in comfort. He was neither sad nor happy. He remained cold despite that depressing atmosphere; just like what he usually was. He wasn't sure if he could be of any help in terms of comfort but still he did what was something to be done particularly at that kind of situation. As the lady gradually calmed down, Schilder took the initiative to ask.

"Would you mind telling me what happened my lady?"

And while still in his embrace, Alice told him the entirety of what happened. Down to the major events up to the very minor details; she told him without any sense of wariness and doubts. At that time, only one thing crossed Alice's mind. It was to help and save Amy who sacrificed herself for her to escape. Though she somehow accepted the facts, she still has that lingering hope that Amy could be saved. While she was telling Schilder the whole story as if it was a fabled tale; out of nowhere, Schilder had a corner of his lip slightly raised. No one saw what his expression was and even if someone saw it, no one could tell what he was possibly thinking at that time. After the story came to an end, what came out of Schilder's mouth left Lady Alice in great confusion.

"You do not need to worry about a single thing, my lady …"

"But, we need t-," Alice pulled herself away and was shocked as to what she saw after.

Schilder was smiling along with his eyes. As soon as he opened his eyes, still with his smile intact, a very disturbing gaze met the lady's eyes. Alice immediately felt the sudden chilliness Schilder was exuding. It was hot and cold at the same time. Cold enough for one to feel the extreme pain as if one was being roasted in fire.

"I had this feeling that the lady's personal maid is fine so there's no need to worry," Schilder coldly asserted.

"But we need t-," Lady Alice also asserted her claim to save Amy but in the end, she was just cut off in the middle of her sentence.

"My lady … I already told you, that maid is … totally … fine ..."

Alice unknowingly shivered. She wasn't sure if it was a lingering fear or just the chilly atmosphere however she can already tell what was the head knight was hinting her.

'There's no way that Amy can escape that many pursuers much worse they were all trained assassins …'

'She just did her job as a loyal vassal of the dukedom. There's no need for you to concern yourself by some random maid, is what he was trying to say …'

Alice just bowed her head down and remained silent. She already know what the head knight was pointing to but still she can't hide the frustration of not being able to save someone she considered a family. Behind her back, she clenched her fist as tightly as she could. Hiding behind her hair, she bit her lips as if it was going to bleed. At that time, it wasn't the feeling of grieve but rather guilt.

'How frustrating …'

Alice took a heavy sigh. She remained her head bowed down and after that heavy sigh, a shaky giggle was heard.

"I understand …"

'I'm sorry Amy …You just risked your life for someone useless like me …'

Alice raised her head and with a smile, she said, "Can you let me see uncle, Mr. Knight?"

'In the end, I couldn't even save someone dear to me …'

"Of course, my lady … Follow me," Schielder responded politely befitting for a noble.

'How pathetic … I really deserve to die ...'

The Graciano gates opened and the lady entered the estate heavy-heartedly. With each stride of her legs towards the mansion, tears gently flowed down from her face. She cried in silence. Schilder at that time didnt know what the lady's expression was as what he can only see was the lady's calm back. While on their way towards the main mansion, again, Schilder had a corner of his lips slightly raised. No one saw it but at that time, his ruby eyes turned blue for a moment. After a couple of seconds, he grinned.

'You totally enjoyed yourself, huh? You even made the lady worry.'

'How cruel don't you think, sister Pollux?'