Third Event I

The things Laura hoped not to happen happened. It was a mess right now, and of all times, the journal showed a new event. Of all times, it had to appear when things weren't going well for her.

Laura was seen lying on the bed, covering her eyes with her skinny arms. The other night a sudden light appeared from the secret closet, and she couldn't hide her annoyingness.

Laura didn't bother checking what's in the journal despite the light bothering her through the night. She didn't feel like doing anything, but Laura knew things couldn't stay like this. She needed to pull herself up.

"Mary, water," Laura called, but then she remembered because of what happened yesterday. After the incident, Mary asked Lester to serve Laura in the meantime.

Instead of calling for Lester, Laura decided to get out of her bed and get it for herself. With the way she called for Mary, it was evident that she needed Mary in her life. But in the meantime, it wasn't time to call for Mary. 

Laura's eyes reached the secret closet and thought she should stop ignoring it otherwise, who knows Septus might throw a tantrum. She took the box out of the secret closet, got the journal out, and opened it.

When Laura opened the journal, the light blinded her eyes, making her shut it quickly and used her arms to shield herself. The light felt more intense than the last time she had seen it, and wondered why.

Once Laura opened her eyes, she was no longer in her room but in a place where people only dreamed of being in. Her foot was stepping on water, and when she looked up, it was bright, colorful skies that she saw.

It wasn't a dark room, but rather a light that filled the whole room. Laura was confused about where she was. It isn't some kind of error that Septus made, is it?

After a few seconds, the shaking stopped, and Laura looked around her, and no one was to be seen. Except for her reflection that reflects on the water she was stepping on.

"Where am I?" Laura asked herself, looking around. "Septus?"

"It has been a while, Laura. I've been waiting for you, and it seems like you aren't in your best condition today," Septus voiced ringed into her ears.

Laura frowned and nodded her head, and in exchange, Septus chuckled. Only the voice of Septus was present, but his physical body didn't appear.

"I'm sorry. It's just that things have been hectic the past two days," Laura answered, rubbing an arm.

"It's alright. Is there anything I can help you with?" Septus asked.

"No, I have to solve this problem on my own."

"I like that," Septus said.

"So, what's the third event?" Laura asked with determined eyes.

"I want you to eliminate Silence."

Laura raised her head upon hearing Silence. She thought that Erwin eliminated the organization group. But it seems like it was continuing, and of course, there's a leader behind that group.

"Do you know their motive?" Laura asked, rubbing her chin.

"I do, but that's for you to find out."

With the number of things happening to her, Laura didn't want to accept the event, but it could take someone else's life, and it might be hers. A cold breeze cold behind her back and she shivered.

Laura sighed and crossed her hands together. She thought that Septus is making her life harder. But she didn't have a choice but to accept it because it may take someone's precious life. And Laura didn't want anyone to be at risk or, worse, end up dead.

A meaningless death.

"I understand."

"Then I shall bring you back," Septus said.

"Wait!" Laura pleaded, clenching her fists.

"What is it?" Septus asked.

"Will Erwin die again?" Laura hesitated.

It took time for Septus to answer, and maybe him staying silent means a yes. It seems like Laura needs to reconcile her relationship with Erwin as soon as possible. She wouldn't want her biggest supporter to die and lose against Tine.

"It's alright. I understand I'll do something about it," Laura said.

"I knew it. It was wise of me to choose you," Septus said.

"I feel pleased to hear that," Laura laughed softly.

"You finally laughed."

Laura flinched, and her lips lifted ear to ear. Despite her chest tightening, she continued to put a smile on her face.

The past two days for her felt very distant. First, she did something to make her and Erwin in an awkward position. Second, she yelled at Mary, and since then, they both didn't talk to each other.

Laura told herself to solve her problems with Mary before solving her problem with Erwin. She wanted things to go smoothly, and she didn't want to live in a regretful life as she did in her past.

"Thank you," Laura smiled.

"You're welcome, my child. Now let's bring you back to your world. It seems like someone's worried about you," Septus said.

Laura closed her eyes, and once she felt her surroundings changed, she opened her eyes and was back in her room. Her eyes looked at the table, and there was a chocolate mousse.

It was from Mary who wanted to apologize and who was worried about Laura's health. After all, Laura hasn't been eating well.

Laura walked out of the door and asked a maid to call Mary, and the maid immediately followed. She thought that she would need to solve her own problems first if she needed to do the event.

The first step was to apologize to Mary, which isn't hard at all. At the same time, her other problem was Erwin. Just how will she apologize to him? Just having the thought of it, Laura thinks she deeply hurt Erwin's feelings.

It was a total disaster for Laura. Just why did she do that? The more she thought about it, she felt stupid and embarrassed. But it wasn't like Laura had a choice either. She was just scared to trust someone.

Laura turned her head, looking at the door upon hearing a knock. She felt her stomach sinking as she saw Mary. Mary avoided Larua's eyes and lowered her head. It looked likes Mary was scared of whatever Laura will say to her.

"Take a seat, Mary," Laura said.

"No, it's okay. I'll just stand up," Mary insisted.

"No, take a seat."

Mary hesitated, but at the same time, she didn't want to anger Laura any further. Mary took small steps and sat on the couch with her back straightened, and her eyes wandered around.

"I'm sorry," Laura apologized and slightly lowered her head.

"D-don't be. I should be the one who's supposed to be sorry," Mary panicked and bowed.

"No, it's my fault. I was just tired," Laura said. At the same time, Mary shook her head and sat beside Laura.

"It's alright," Mary smiled.

Laura bit her lip and hugged Mary. The feeling of having someone by your side is what Larua had missed. Laura hoped not to make the same mistake, and maybe someday she'll tell Mary more about herself.

For now, it wasn't time for Laura to expose herself.

"So tell me. The guy who came to your birthday party was Duke Erwin? I'm right, aren't I?" Mary asked as her face grew closer to Laura's.

Laura moved her face away and stayed quiet. What else can she say? There was nothing to hide about Erwin anymore. What Larua wanted to avoid was having rumors about her and Erwin.

The future was already a mess ever since Tine falsely accused Helga of poisoning her. Things just get crazier and crazier to the point where Laura didn't know what to do anymore.

Still, despite the many hurdles in front of her eyes, Larua didn't give up. She didn't want to be weak, instead wanted to become a strong woman—a woman who wouldn't fall after being killed once.

Larua thought that if only she knew Tine's real personality earlier, she wouldn't suffer as much as she did. It was a miracle that she was able to go back and have a second chance in changing her future.

Mary stared at Larua intensely, waiting for answers, and Larua sighed and told her how they both met each other.

From the orphanage till now, it was like fate that brought them together. As if they were both meant for each other. A mysterious guy and a mysterious woman.

 They were a mysterious combo who, at first, wasn't known to the empire, but was now known by all.

"It's just like a meeting that came out of a fairy tale book," Mary sighed dreamily.

"It's not like that. It's just a coincidence," Laura sighed and smiled.

Now that half of the weight is off Larua's shoulder, she'll focus on the third event. That's if she wouldn't think about Erwin as much as she did and focus on the road that she's on.

For now, 'just having someone like Mary by her side is fine.' Is what Larua thought.