She seemed a little worn out. She knew the mountain of pain behind her tears would never let her go. But still, she didn't want to look back.
"I'll fix everything," Victor said, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "No matter how far you go, you're not alone—I'm with you."
Alia stayed silent for a moment, then wiped away her tears. Lowering her head, she softly replied, "There's nothing left to fix, Victor. I've chosen my own path."
But in her voice, there was a bittersweet tenderness—an invisible bond with Victor that would never truly be fulfilled. Then, unable to resist, Victor gently pulled Alia into his arms. One hand wrapped around her back while the other rested under her chin. Alia looked at him, momentarily surprised. But Victor offered a soft smile and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Princess Alia," Victor said lovingly, his voice laced with a strange gentleness, "my dearest… don't cry. I'm here for you. Nothing can stop you now."
Alia remained quiet for a while. Tears shimmered in her eyes, but Victor's tenderness softened something deep within her. She tried to wipe her eyes again, though her voice still carried the shadow of eternal sorrow.
"You don't understand, Victor," Alia said quietly. "The path I've chosen—it's mine. Sometimes I try to find a little peace... but I know, nothing will ever be the same again."
Victor bowed his head. "I know, Alia. But I still want to stay by your side."
A strange calm settled between them, as if their hearts were trying to understand one another—though their paths were slowly diverging. Then Victor gently squeezed her shoulder. He noticed Alia seemed to drift slightly, her body yearning for release from the heavy weight of exhaustion and mental pressure. She slowly fell into a deep sleep—finally getting rest after a long period of emotional and physical pain.
Victor wiped the sweat from her forehead and gently helped her lie back on the bed. A strange emotion stirred in his heart—he realized he could no longer bear to cause her pain.
"Sleep, Alia," Victor said in a quiet, soothing voice, as if he knew she needed peace. "Everything will be okay. Just rest."
Victor sat beside her, gazing silently at her face. In his eyes was a deep sorrow—he understood how hard Alia's life had become. But he also knew, no matter how far she went, it would remain his responsibility to protect her—through any danger, at any cost.
And so, Alia drifted into a deep sleep, while Victor sat beside her, keeping time with the rhythm of her breath. A faint smile crossed his face, as if the pain and worry inside him had lightened just a little. Watching her sleep brought him a strange peace. He gently pulled her closer, his touch warming her, surrounding her with a sense of safety.
Alia's head rested softly near his shoulder, and Victor wrapped his arms around her protectively—determined that nothing could harm her.
"Good night, Alia," Victor whispered, his voice filled with affection. "Just sleep… I'm right here."
There was a deep sense of duty in his eyes—but also a peace, knowing that for now, Alia was safe. He rested his hand on her head and slowly surrendered himself to the quiet of that moment.
Eventually, Alia awoke to find Victor holding her gently. She stayed still for a moment, her gaze softening as she tried to absorb the weight of reality after sleep. Victor's arms were still wrapped lightly around her, and the warmth of his breath on her neck stirred an odd, lingering feeling.
She looked at him quietly for a while. His face was calm, almost smiling in his sleep, as if savoring this one peaceful moment with her. But a quiet conflict still echoed inside her—did she truly want this comfort?
Alia slowly tried to move her hand, but even in his sleep, Victor sensed it. He pulled her closer again, smiled, and murmured sleepily, "Where do you think you're going, princess?"
Alia froze for a moment. There was no harshness in his voice, no command—just deep, honest love.
Victor hadn't opened his eyes yet, but his voice was laced with a tenderness that struck deep within Alia's heart.
"Victor…" she whispered, as if questioning herself.
Then Victor slowly opened his eyes and locked them with hers. They stared at each other in silence for a few long seconds—just eyes speaking to eyes, without words.
"I know you still don't trust me," Victor said softly, "but I won't let you go, Alia. No matter how far you run—I'll always be by your side."
Alia smiled. "Victor, you're such a strange, stubborn, clever, and dangerous man."
Victor chuckled. "And you're no less, Alia."
She laughed. "Come on. Let's go out."
They went for a walk in snowy Scotland, standing outside a hotel in the icy breeze. Snow was falling, dusting the world in white. Just then, Victor slipped on the ice and fell. Alia laughed and teased, "Can't even keep yourself on your feet?"
Victor glared. "Little princess, don't do that. I don't like it at all."
"Oh really?" Alia teased.
The two of them burst into laughter. Amid Scotland's snow-covered natural beauty, Alia and Victor tasted a new chapter of life. After all the conflict, pain, and struggle—they finally shared a light moment.
Victor got up with a serious face, brushing off the snow. "Alia, do you know you're terribly mischievous?"
Alia grinned. "Oh? Are you calling me mischievous?"
Victor narrowed his eyes. "Yes. And you must be punished."
Alia widened her eyes. "You wouldn't dare—"
Without warning, Victor scooped up a handful of snow and threw it at her! Alia squealed and jumped back. "Victor!"
Victor smirked. "What will you do now, little princess?"
Alia quickly grabbed a handful of snow. "I'll show you exactly what I'll do!"
A full-blown snowball fight erupted! They threw snow at each other, laughing freely in the crisp cold air.
Eventually, breathless and giggling, they both collapsed onto the snow. Victor said, "I admit it—you're a fearsome opponent."
Alia, victorious, smiled. "You already knew that, Mr. Victor."
Victor looked into her eyes and softly said, "But you know something?"
Alia tilted her head, curious. "What?"
Victor leaned closer. "I love your smile the most."
Alia froze for a moment. The cold wind blew around them, but with those simple words, warmth flooded her heart.
She stayed quiet, then smiled gently. "Victor, you really are a strange man."
Victor shrugged. "Didn't you know that?"
Alia nodded. "I did. And I also know… I never want to forget these moments."
Whatever may come, this moment was theirs—laughter, mischief, and a touch of weightless love.
But then, sitting on the snow, something strange happened.
In the distance, near the hills, a dark figure briefly appeared—then vanished into the snowy mist.
Alia narrowed her eyes. "Did you see that?"
Victor's gaze sharpened. "Yes... there was something. But what?"
They both stood up, alert. The air suddenly felt heavy, charged with a mysterious energy. Scotland's cold wilderness had taken a more ominous tone.
"I think we should check it out," Alia said, curiosity sparking in her voice.
Victor hesitated. "This is the part where we get into trouble."
Alia smiled. "So, should we just go back without a little adventure?"
Victor sighed, but the mischievous spark was back in his eyes. "Alright, let's go see who—or what—is hiding in the shadows."
They walked cautiously toward the hills, determined to uncover the mystery behind the shadow…
What would happen now? Was this shadow just imagination—or something very real?
Alia and Victor moved carefully through the snow-covered path. The air was biting cold, and silence surrounded them. When they reached the hillside, they paused.
"Where did it go?" Alia whispered.
Victor scanned the area. "Could be a person—or maybe not. Stay alert."
Suddenly, behind the rocky ledge, they heard the faint sound of footsteps on snow.
Alia clutched Victor's hand. "Did you hear that?"
He nodded and moved forward cautiously, drawing a small knife—always prepared.
As they turned the corner, they caught a glimpse of a person in a long black coat—but only for a second. The figure vanished into the mist.
"Still think it was our imagination?" Alia whispered.
Victor's expression turned serious. "They were watching us. Now they're gone. The question is—why?"
They moved quickly in that direction, but after a short distance, the trail disappeared. Only one strange mark remained on the snow—as if something heavy had been dragged.
Alia bent down. "What could this be?"
Victor touched it with his gloved hand, his expression grim. "I think… we've stepped into something much bigger than we imagined."
Alia stood slowly. One question echoed in her mind—who was that stranger? And why were they following us?
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept past them. The snow grew heavier. In that eerie silence, it felt like even the wind carried whispers.
"Victor, do you hear that?" Alia asked in a hushed voice.
Victor nodded slowly. "Only the wind… but something feels off."
Just then, a faint tremor shook beneath their feet. Victor quickly pulled Alia back.
God—what was that?!
Something beneath the snow was shifting. Cracks formed, and from one of them, a black mist began to rise.
Alia stepped back, startled. "Victor, this isn't normal!"
Victor narrowed his eyes. "No, it's not. And we need to get out—now."
But it was too late.
From that crack emerged a shadowy figure—its form indistinct, but its glowing eyes pierced the mist.
Alia's breath caught. "Is that... a human?"
Victor froze. "I don't know. But one wrong move—and we're in serious danger!"