Chapter 1058: Allura’s Care
Kicking her legs back and forth, Alice had a happy smile on her face while Allura carefully combed her hair.
All this time, no matter where she was, no matter what she was doing, she had neglected the condition of her hair.
Thankfully, due to the flow of energy in her body, keeping her in fighting shape, her hair avoided damage.
But even so, she could still tell the difference between brushing and not brushing.
Twirling her hair between her fingers, she could feel how soft it was after brushing.
"There, much better right?" Allura chuckled, placing the comb in Alice’s hands.
"Make sure you brush your hair in the morning and night okay?"
Feeling Allura’s hand pat her head, Alice nodded and stored the comb away carefully.
"It’s a precious item given to me by Velouria when she first adopted me. I think it’s only fitting I give it to you." Allura exhaled softly, hugging Alice from behind.
Blinking her eyes, Alice glanced back, wondering why Allura was hugging her all of a sudden.
"Allura?" Alice mumbled in confusion before Allura let go and smiled.
"Alright, I’m also feeling a bit better now. Can you tell me more about what you went through in the Inverted World? I’m sure that with the others there, you had to omit some things the others shouldn’t know."
"Ah! Almost forgot." Alice jumped onto her feet.
Quickly pulling out her pouch, she rummaged through before pulling out a bottle of mead.
"Drinking before sleep? Don’t tell me this is a habit?" Allura rolled her eyes but Alice quickly shook her head.
"No no! Erm... I don’t usually drink before bed. Only if I drink too much and get drunk... But that only happens rarely!" She confessed like a guilty child when confronted with something they’ve done.
"This is for you. I thought erm... you might like it."
Alice lifted the bottle with both hands as Allura blinked her eyes.
"For me?"
Picking up the bottle, Allura was about to say something when she noticed the familiar design of the bottle. It hadn’t been on her mind but now that she saw it again...
Her breathing sped up momentarily as she glanced at Alice.
She almost couldn’t believe what she was holding in her hands. Hesitating for a moment, she reached for the lid and opened it.
In an instant, the aroma of Ayrian mead drifted through the air as Allura’s lips trembled.
Ah... This nostalgic scent. How long as it been?
Grabbing two cups, Allura poured two portions out before handing one to Alice.
Taking a sip first, she could feel her entire body relax as memories flooded her mind.
Those days when she would run off with her subordinates to the tavern for a drink after work. Their laughter echoing as they celebrated for no reason at all. Simply the fact that they were all there in that moment.
While Allura was bold with her sips along with her posture, Alice was more conservative this time. She wasn’t as daring as she was when drinking with Eryn, her drinking buddy.
But that’s only because she’s drinking with Allura right now, someone whom she saw as a mother.
Though... Now that she was here, Alice was feeling a hint of hesitation.
Would Allura appreciate being called mom? Or would she feel awkward about the whole ordeal.
Would it be accepted or would it be reluctance.
In a moment like this, Alice realised how selfish she had been.
Projecting her own desires onto Allura and simply hoping she would accept.
"You know, mead wasn’t actually the best thing about Ayr." Allura chuckled.
"It was actually the meat you had with it. As strange as it may seem, especially considering the reason for Ayr’s existence, Abyssal Beast meat was actually a delicacy there.
"Most people would be against eating it if not properly dealt with due to the blood. But Ayr had a method of making it safe to eat, thanks to Velouria’s blessings of course. That small hint of blood actually gave it a ’spicy’ taste and was highly addicting if you enjoyed spicy foods." She laughed.
Though Alice’s smile twitched as Abyss meat had to be carefully drained before it was safe for consumption. Yet Ayrians actually liked to use the blood as a spice?
"Now then, tell me about your journey in Ayr." Allura patted the bed next to her as she enjoyed the mead.
Alice started telling her story. From the moment she arrived to the moment she left. Every detail spoken about with nothing left out.
Her meeting with Kaden, meeting with young Allura and even the pink apron incident.
The mention of that caused Allura to laugh as she quickly rummaged through her storage and pulled out an old but cared for apron. The same one that Alice saw in the Abyss and surpassingly, one that Kaden didn’t destroy.
When Alice spoke about Velouria’s handiwork, the outfits that she created, Allura was naturally interested.
One by one, Alice set them out on the bed.
Seeing this old but familiar designs, tears welled up in Allura’s eyes before she quickly wiped them away.
Seeing and hearing the interactions that Velouria had with Alice, it’s as though a cloudy memory became clear for Allura.
The passing of time wears down all memories. And even for Allura, she had to admit that her passion may not be as strong as it once was. The reason for her actions, the emotions tied to her promises.
But now that she was reminded of it, everything came flooring back. A renewed desire to fulfil Velouria’s will.
To ensure the world would not be changed through Nyer’s actions. The violation of the natural order.
Then, just as Alice was about to stop, she noticed Allura’s gaze and paused. It’s clear that she wanted to hear the rest, even if it included the battle against Nyer and Velouria’s death.
With little choice, Alice continued and Allura listened in silence.
The battle between Apostles, past Allura’s new attack inspired by Alice yet one that she hadn’t made herself.
Each ’step’ pushing her closer to the core of severance and perhaps...
Had she actually thought up of such a strike in the past, she might’ve achieved Oblivion far sooner than expected.
After all, the core techniques within the technique are similar to the pinnacle of offensive abilities at this moment.
Then came the battle between Gods, Nyer’s intervention. Velouria’s death and the replacement of Alice’s heart.
By the end of the story, they were now deep into the night with Alice feeling rather fatigued. Yawns kept escaping her lips and her eyes were struggling to stay open.
In the comfort of Allura’s presence, Alice found it difficult to stay on guard.
A rather cute sight if Allura had to say so herself.
Placing the cups mead on the bedside table, Allura pulled the covers over Alice.
The moment Alice’s head touched the pillow, it’s as though sleep dragged her by the ankles. Her consciousness fading and with Allura gently patting her shoulder, it was hard not to fall asleep.
"You’ve gone through a lot. Take this moment to rest okay? Don’t think about anything. Just relax your mind. I’m here." Allura whispered.
All of the pressure Alice was feeling escaped in an instant. Her body sunk into the bed, her muscles relaxed.
It was a strange but welcome feeling.
"Tomorrow we’ll be meeting the royals for the final steps of the negotiation. You’ll need plenty of rest."
"Mnm..." Alice nodded slowly, her voice almost inaudible.
Seeing her like this, Allura was reminded of how ’young’ Alice was actually. The fact that her soul only manifested after the incident and yet... she had to carry such burdens.
The weight of the world resting on a pair of delicate shoulders.
On the hopes of a girl who barely knew the world would in turn come to save it.
The desire that even through all the suffering she endured, she would make the right choice.
"How cruel..." Allura muttered with a helpless smile.
Pity in her eyes as her fingers stroked her hair.
"You don’t know half of it." A voice echoed out.
Golden chains appeared on Alice’s wrists momentarily as Abyssal energy stirred. A cluster of energy gathered by the bedside table and Cayla appeared.
Alyss had borrowed control for a moment so that Cayla could talk to Allura.
"She actually left out quite a lot you know? The doubts she’s faced. The breakdowns, the realisations of what she must do." Cayla folded her arms with a sigh.
"Long time no see." Allura chuckled. Though she half expected Cayla to be a little... bigger.
"Yeah. Long time no see." It wasn’t exactly a hearty reunion considering they had little interaction with one another. Even in the past. They knew of each other, greeted one another.
Calling them friends wouldn’t be an exaggeration but it wasn’t to the level of Cayla actively seeking Allura out.
She was more focused on what Velouria was doing.
And for her, there was only one reason why she would be out here in this moment.
"What do you think?" Cayla asked as Allura tilted her head.
"About what?"
"About Alice. Do you think she has it in her? To save this world?" Cayla exhaled while Allura carefully brushed Alice’s hair aside.
"It’s not about whether or not she has it in her. Rather, it’s about our willingness to place the burden on her right?" Allura smiled.
She knew what Alice was capable of. This girl was more receptive to the world than people thought.
She may put on a brave front but deep down, she was like a child who’s maturing with each passing day.
Rather than seeing Alice as the young adult her physical appearance may suggest her to be, it was better to ask whether or not they were okay with pressuring a child to save the world.
In which case...
"And if we’re talking about willingness... Absolutely not. If I can resolve things for her, I would. It’s why I pushed myself but... It seems like I’ve only burned what little time I could’ve had with her instead." A bitter smile appeared on Allura’s face.
"You can still have those times you know? Just stand by her. Support her and show her you’re there. She craves family love more than anything you know?" Cayla tightened her fingers.
It may be going against Alice’s wishes but Cayla had to say it. If she didn’t, Alice would simply keep it buried deep down without ever saying anything.
She stared Allura in the eyes.
"Do you know what you are to her?"
