"Do you regret it? What you did. Repeatedly putting your life in danger for others." Amber asked her softly.
Alicia pondered the question.
"When I saw some movies where people threw themselves in front of a person about to be hurt, I always thought they were silly." She let out a laugh. "I guess... it's because I did not understand what it means to love someone and be loved."
She remembered what had happened earlier.
"When I was out here, shut out of the palace, it was Harvey who showed up for me. So you do not need to thank me for it. Because what I did had nothing to do with your feelings for him."
Alicia also remembered the times Paulina would have been hurt because of her, but the girl had willingly sacrificed herself, especially when Alicia was about to be executed for killing Beth, and how she had gotten out of the palace before the doors were closed. "Paulina too. I would have done the same for her."
Amber laughed sadly. "Paulina is always silly. She knows nothing but loyalty."
"And sobbing too," Alicia added lightly, and they both laughed even though this was a heavy conversation and both had tears in their eyes.
Alicia smiled at Amber. It was nice to meet her. She hadn't thought they'd connect like this. Maybe it was because she had lived in Amber's body for a while that she felt this emotional.
When Amber turned to wipe the tears out of her eyes, the mark on her neck caught Alicia's eye, and she also touched her neck, surprised to find it was also in hers.
She recognized the mark.
"Why... do you have that mark?" Alicia asked Amber curiously, pointing to her neck.
Amber's mood changed at once, and sadness filled her eyes as she said, "We are both connected to your Prince. It's a soul tie between the three of us. Unfortunately."
"What... does that mean?" Alicia asked hesitantly.
"The witch's blood is strong. They can either make his kind stronger or ruin them if they are not prepared for it. Just like that potion can heal the strong ones and ruin the minds of the weak ones." Amber explained.
"Beta's nightmare." Alicia breathed softly.
"There were two witch souls in one body. Didn't you think it'd affect him greatly, no matter how strong he is?" Amber asked, referring to the mark.
"Is that why... he is still unconscious?"
"Probably. And both of our souls cannot dwell fully in the body at the same time. It means it will continue to affect his soul until he can overcome it. Or until the soul swap stops. And if that happens and his soul is tied to that of a witch, he is going to be very strong. An unbeatable Alpha."
"How do you know this?" Alicia asked curiously.
"It's almost the blood moon and my birthday. I have been receiving a lot of enlightenment in my spirit. Also... I got a glimpse of my mother's life." Her eyes were sad, but she had a faint smile on her lips.
"She looked just like you. But younger." Amber's eyes lingered on her face, and Alicia could tell she was remembering Anne.
"She was in love with a Prince. She even begged him to mark her so he would be saved. I'm not sure from what." Amber said it lightly, almost laughing.
"Prince Wilder," Alicia mentioned his name softly, remembering his gravestone.
"Did... he?" She asked. If Wilder had done that, there was a probability he would have been saved and become stronger, right?
"He didn't do it." Amber shook her head. "The only thing she succeeded in doing was having him accept the bracelet she crafted herself. I didn't know my mother was that silly." Amber giggled with tears in her eyes. "I recognized that bracelet. She had one too, which she always wore. She... must have lived a very tough life longing for him." Amber sniffled and quickly cleaned up her tears again.
Alicia could feel her pain. She felt bad too. And the worst part was that Anne had not been able to rest in peace after all this time.
"She shouldn't have ended up with Cedric," Amber spoke in a dark voice. "He should die."
"And what about the moon kingdom?" Alicia asked her quietly. "What... do you intend to do during the Blood Moon?"
Amber looked exhausted. She stared at her deeply and sighed. "I have wanted revenge all my life, Alica. You will never understand it."
It was true that she would never understand what they all went through. But if she were Amber, she would want revenge too. And that was why she decided not to be selfish. Whatever Amber chose to do, she would not fight it. She would leave it all to fate.
"But right now..." Amber continued. "I don't know how I feel seeing you trying so hard to protect those I want to ruin, even when they treat you so badly."
Did she have a choice? She was doing it for the people she cared about. For Harold. For Paulina, who had found a home here just like her. For Williams. For Harvey. For Luciana. For Lance. And for... Susan.
"You... are a strange person," Amber said to her while still smiling sadly. "And... I am honoured that y-your soul found my body." She said in tears. This time, she didn't try to hide it, but she let her tears fall.
Alicia used a hand to cover her mouth as tears fell down her face.
Amber's smile was shaking since she could not stop her tears. But she still tried to keep the smile on as she said, "May we meet again, Alicia."
"May... we meet again, Amber," Alicia replied in tears just as Amber dissipated. Her last words to her were, "Goodbye, Alicia queen."
She just knew that was the last time.
She could feel it. Her mission here was coming to an end, even though she wasn't exactly sure what it was.
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