Curse 18: A Second Chance

Huh?

I slowly opened my eyes—

".... Huh?" I spoke, being very confused.

Huh?

Huh?

... What?

When I opened my eyes fully, I saw that Peri's forehead had a hole in it. His red blood was pouring.

... Huh?... Huh?

"...Peri? Peri?" I felt my whole body shaking.

Peri's body fell to the floor; he was still holding on to me.

"Peri? Peri?" I kept repeating his name. I slowly gripped his now cold hands. His warmth left him.

"Huh? Is your head bleeding? What's wrong?" I whispered, knowing fully well what happened to him.

I sat up and slowly shook him to try to wake him up.

"C-come on, now. It's not sleeping time, silly!" I laughed.

Drip. Drip.

Tears falling.

"Ahaha! Come on, Peri! Stop making jokes!"

I felt my whole body shaking like crazy. The world around me was closing in. I could feel my very soul break.

"Peri? Peri!? PPPEERRRIIII!!!!"

I turned to him and tried to stop the bleeding from his forehead.

"PERI! SOMEONE COME QUICK! SOMEONE HELP HIM!" The rest of the river burst from inside of me.

"SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! HELP ME SAVE HIM!"

The bleeding from his forehead was getting worse. My hands were stained with his blood.

"KING! PRINCE CLARUS! PRINCE MATTHEW!" I screamed.

Peri! PERI, PERI, PERI, PERI!

PERI! PERI, PLEASE COME BACK TO ME! PLEASE DON'T DIE!

DON'T LEAVE ME IN THIS WORLD ALONE!

"AMISSUS! EVEN MIRARI! SOMEONE! ANYONE, COME HELP ME!"

No one was coming! Where the hell were they!?

Why wasn't anyone coming to save him?!

"D-DARK CLOAK! DARK CLOAK, COME KILL ME!" I screamed. I looked around. "I DON'T CARE RIGHT NOW! YOU CAN TOY WITH ME AFTERWARDS! COME KILL ME RIGHT NOW!"

I looked back at Peri's face.

His once adorable face was now full of despair and shock.

Who would do this!

"Someone... SOMEONE HELP ME—!"

Bang!

I felt something pass through my forehead.

Thump!

My body fell right next to Peri's lifeless body.

I heard footsteps. Echoing through the halls. Wait. The halls are painted red...

One. Two.

I saw two pairs of knight boots in front of me.

"How strange. You're shot with my magic bullet, yet your consciousness isn't fading all the way." I heard a discordant voice. "I wanted to kill you alongside the king, his sons, and the rest of the knights this morning. I already found out about the dark flower from your garden. I'll look some more after finishing my job."

... What...?

I felt something press on my forehead once more.

"Too bad for you, Tristis. Maybe if you got another chance, you could've stopped me. But life doesn't work that way. Now then..."

I heard a clicking noise.

"... Good night." I heard the voice chuckle after saying that to me.

I narrowed my eyes at Peri behind those boots.

... Peri. Per—

Bang!

With that last noise, I met the darkness once more.

***

Cold.

It was cold.

A sea of darkness overlapped my very body.

I could feel my body releasing its worries, its stress, its desire.

Ah. What a wonderful feeling—

"Peri?! Peri!"

I heard my own voice in the darkness.

Wait a second...!

Bang!

I heard the banging noise in the darkness.

... I have no time for this! I have to...! I have to...!

I widened my eyes.

"I have to save Peri!" I screamed, with tears bursting out of my eyes.

Slowly, I was panting like an animal that was thirsty for water.

I glanced around, figuring out where I was. It took a moment, but I realized that I was inside my room and I was leaning out of the window frame.

I touched my lip and felt some liquid on it.

No, more like it was the moment when I was vomiting my insides out of the window. I looked down, and I could see the mess I made. However, I couldn't see the dark flower anymore.

Did the dark cloak take it already?

I got off the frame of the window and wiped my mouth.

Did I go back in time? It seemed like it...

I slowly wobbled, shaking on my feet, and went on my knees.

I then went on all fours, more tears starting to fall.

Thank goodness.

For once, I was so happy to die.

The sight of Peri being killed like that. The way he wasn't moving, the way his warmth left his body. I think my whole soul shattered at that moment.

But wait. Peri!

"Right! I need to find Peri—!"

"Sir Peritia! You need to slow down!" I heard Amissus's voice coming from the hallway.

Slam!

I heard my door get slammed open.

"Tristis! Tristis, you okay?!" Peri said in a panic.

I stared at Peri.

Frozen.

Unable to move.

Peri went closer and held on to each of my shoulders. "Are you hurt?! I heard that you were hanging by the window and wouldn't wake up no matter how much Amissus shook you!"

"...P...P..." I couldn't say his name.

"Huh? What's wrong, Tristis? Your face seems paler than before." Peri frowned at me.

"P...P...!" I closed my eyes tightly.

"Hey, what's with you, Tristis—"

I launched myself at Peri. I was embracing Peri's warmth from his body.

"Peri!... Peri! ...Peri...P-Peri...!" I buried my face in his chest. "Peri! Peri!... P-Peri...!"

"T-Tristis! W-what's with you?" Peri sounded flustered. He was trying to move me, but I reacted and held him tighter.

"Peri! Oh, Peri...!"

I won't let go. I don't want to let him go.

Peri was alive.

He was here.

Alive. Breathing.

The tears wouldn't stop falling. I couldn't put myself together.

The overwhelming joy of seeing Peri alive and well had broken down the dam that I built to show him that it was alright up to this point. But I didn't care anymore. I had him back now! I'd rather 'sleep' a thousand times than have him die on me again!

I smiled.

It was an actual, genuine smile from a long time ago.

Sure, I had smiled at whatever had happened so far. Those weren't fakes.

However.

For the first time in a long time, I felt the need to be closer to Peri. I won't let anyone harm him like that ever again.

"S-serious, what's happening?!" Peri, panicking.

His voice. His sweet and adorable voice!

I was hearing it again! I could feel his warmth! I could hear him without the world shattering!

Thank goodness! Thank goodness that I was cursed!

"Peri..." I looked into Peri's eyes. "... please. Let me hold on to you some more before breakfast."

I saw Peri's face turning red. I could also see Amissus covering her mouth while blushing as well.

"U-um! B-but breakfast has already been made by Amissus and I so..." Peri whispered. Peri looked back at Amissus. "Right, Amissus?"

"..." Amissus blinked at Peri. She coughed on her fist, her blush never faded. "Thank you for the meal!" She bowed to Peri.

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Peri barked at Amissus.

"Ehehe! Ahahaha!" I pushed Peri's body on the floor.

"W-whoa!" Peri freaked out.

"Ahaha! Ahaha!" I was laughing nonstop. Every time I tried to stop the tears, they kept falling.

I guess there's no getting around it. Peri was the very person that I treasured the most besides my mom and dad, the old lady, and even Laetus and Sedatus.

No.

Right now, I only needed to stick with Peri very closely!

I need to protect him! Until I figure out his killer, my curse, my goal, my mission—they can all wait.

I need to save Peri. I need to keep him alive. That was all that mattered to me.

Not even the dark cloak would stop me from doing so!

"Peri... Peri..." I snuggled on his chest.

Peri. Don't you ever leave me again.

***

After Peri told Amissus to fetch the doctor alongside with the king and the two princes, he gave me the same thing like last time.

I took the two meds and swallowed them without a care in the world.

Currently, I was enjoying Peri's delicious breakfast!

It was pancakes with some orange juice! I, of course, was sitting really close to Peri.

"Mm! This is really good, Peri!" I beamed and leaned on his arm.

"U-um, sure!... Um, mind giving me some space? I need to eat, too, you know?" Peri muttered.

"Ah! Sure!" I took his fork and gave him a small half of my pancake. "Say, 'Aaah!', Peri!" I brought the fork closer to his mouth.

"You don't need to—"

"Please~?" I begged him with a singing voice.

"..." Peri grunted at me. He gave in and ate the pancake!

"Yay!" I poked another one and put it near Peri's mouth. "Say, 'Aaah!', Peri~!"

"Why is this happening!?" Peri closed his eyes tightly, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"A-ah. S-sorry..." I whispered and put the fork down. "I just... you know? I just felt like feeding you, Peri..."

"T-there's nothing wrong with that, Tristis! I just didn't know how to react after the morning news!" Peri laughed, his free hand behind his neck.

"I'm glad that you're feeling well, Mistress Tristis! So all you needed was to see Sir Peri to feel better!" Amissus gave me a great smile.

I blinked at Amissus. I looked back at Peri before smiling.

"Yup! His cute face brightens up my day!" I giggled after admitting that.

"This is no time for your teasing!" Peri narrowed his eyes at me.

"Ehehe! So adorable!" I held on to my stomach. Seeing him like that really made me all warm and happy from the inside.

"Hmph..." Peri looked at the king and the two sons. "And why aren't you three stopping this?!"

The king laughed and raised both of his hands. "I may be a king, but I would never interrupt a lovely moment with young people!"

Prince Clarus laughed and stroked his chin. "Sir Peritia. It seems like you0r maiden has fallen harder for you!"

"D-don't be stupid! Something must've happened!" Peri announced. He then held on to both of my shoulders. "And I'm betting that it got something to do with you vomiting and bursting into tears, right? Well, you could tell me anything if it's bothering you!"

"..." I blinked at Peri.

"So? What's been bothering you to act this way?" Peri asked me with a sad look.

I looked to the side and thought of it for a moment.

Let me see.

I could tell that he knew about me doing my research. The chances were that he was simply playing the 'fool' to make me feel safe enough to do it.

So, most likely, he was waiting for me to speak honestly.

And— I will tell him someday.

But that moment of him dying from that moment of truth was still haunting me.

I would tell him about it, but my sanity would break down in front of everyone, and I don't need that. Besides, I already thought of a plan to capture that monster that killed my best friend.

Still though, he deserved SOME kind of answer that was the truth.

And so, with me smiling at him, I spoke my mind that seemed to take a long time: "I'm simply happy to have you with me, Peri! You're the most precious person ever, and I want to keep protecting you as much as you want to protect me!"

"H-huhhh?! What's with that excuse—"

"Peri. Look into my eyes." I brought his face closer. "Do you really think I'm lying about that?"

Peri stared at me. And I stared right back at him.

His eyes softened, his determination seemed to be wavering. With a small breath, he held on to my face. "... No. Your eyes aren't—"

"Oh, brother! Can't you two stop that shit and let the rest of us eat!" I heard Prince Matthew speak.

I looked at him with a curious look.

"Now, now!" The king patted his son's head.

"Behave, Matthew. It's just a sweet moment!" Prince Clarus laughed and folded his arms.

"How could you two be royals?! These commoners need to be thrown out and their village—!"

"Master Matthew. Kindly shut your mouth before, how do you say, 'I'll wash it with soap'!" Amissus said from behind us. I looked and saw her with a calm expression.

"Amissus?! Are you questioning my authority as a noble?! I should have you fired—!"

"Master Matthew! Sorry for being so bold, but when it comes to love, I shall not back down. You can demand me to strip all my clothes right now if it'll make you feel better, as always. But!" Amissus narrowed her eyes in seriousness. "What Mistress Tristis and Sir Peritia share overwrites my whole way of life as a maid here. I know it was only yesterday, but their love for each other is very strong!"

"Why does everyone—hold on. Hold on a damn minute! I forgot that you made Amissus do that, you jackass!" Peri stood up, with me holding on to his arms.

"I was just going to say the same thing. Brother, why did you make one of our maids undress?" Prince Clarus seemed angry at his brother.

"Matthew. You had many wives to choose from, yet you did this to one of four maidens. I'm sorry, but I would need to talk to you before the knights in training come to the castle." The king explained.

... Huh. Now that I thought about it, Matthew did do that, huh?

"Hey, I think I know a way to make him pay for his actions AND help with the lesson I have inside of my head!"

"You do?" Peri asked me.

"Yup!"

"And why are you still holding on to me?" Peri sweated.

"Because I want to," I answered bluntly.

I turned to the king. "In return, I would like to share a question for you, king."

I turned serious.

"Did you hear about the dark flower appearing in your garden?" I slowly furrowed my brows.

The two princes and the king widened their eyes in surprise.

"... I see. Then, would you like to do me a small favor?" I smiled at them.

This kills two birds with one stone. First, I'll teach the knights about the ways of using weapons and I'll be able to track down the killer! All I needed now was some prep time and to place the pieces together!

I hugged Peri's arm tightly.

Don't worry, Peri! I shall save you this time around!

I blew steam out of my nose.

"Space..." Peri groaned, but patted my white hair despite me being all clingy!

Right!

Time to set up a foolproof plan!