Though that was said, Tina didn’t have any storybooks on hand, nor did she have the ability to fabricate a classic fairy tale that could move the world from scratch.
Was she supposed to take out those old, overused clichés she knew by heart and recount them to Lia once more?
Or could it be that this was truly what Lia wanted?
“Don’t worry, I brought books.” Lia seemed to have guessed what Tina was thinking and responded with a smile so ordinary it was almost unnerving, as if her heart was truly untroubled.
“You went so far and still carried these things around taking up space?”
Faced with Tina’s concerned complaint, Lia was silent for a moment.
“Taking up space, you’re right. These books, and the memories they carry behind them, not only take up space in reality but also occupy a large piece of my heart, making it impossible for me to let go.”
If she could, she would want to leave everything behind and completely sever ties with the past.
“But just a heads-up, don’t be too surprised when you see my books later.”
The two walked from dusk until deep into the night, and after that, neither spoke another word until they arrived at the inn’s doorstep.
The streets were now deserted, with only the occasional howl of the autumn wind cutting through the silence.
“Today’s dropped a few degrees from yesterday, winter is coming soon.” Lia took out a key to open the door and asked as if exchanging polite small talk, “Miss Tina, have you ever seen winter in Kellyville?”
“Kellyville? No, I haven’t been there, let alone seen its winter.”
“Is that so? That’s really a pity.”
At that moment, Lia’s expression briefly showed profound disappointment before returning to normal as if nothing had happened.
She busied herself searching through her backpack for the books, all the while continuing, “Miss Tina, you might not know, but Kellyville actually doesn’t have a winter season.”
“Hm? It doesn’t?” Even though Tina had only been in the simulation briefly, she naturally had no clear idea of what Kellyville looked like through the four seasons.
“That’s right. Kellyville is located in the southern part of the continent, and even in its coldest times of the year, it never snows. That’s why it’s called ‘The Kingdom Without Winter.’”
Lia paused, then added, “But did you know, in 972, Kellyville saw a rare snowfall. That snow killed many crops and consequently froze or starved many people to death.”
Tina wasn’t sure what Lia’s intention was in mentioning this.
972—was that the year in the simulation? Quite the coincidence.
“You don’t need to worry about it; just consider it something I wanted to tell you. Take it as you will.”
Amid their light conversation, Lia had already taken out a thick stack of storybooks.
“Snow isn’t anything special; a land covered in white snow can inevitably make one feel lonely and desolate. But no matter how cold the environment is, it’s nothing compared to how cold the human heart can be.”
Lia’s tone was suggestive as she handed the books over.
Six years later, the book covers were still well preserved, but the pages inside had yellowed with time and showed signs of wear and repair from frequent use.
“What’s wrong? Do you think these books are too old-fashioned?”
Only when talking about memories did Lia’s smile carry a trace of warmth.
“…Her Majesty really is quite sentimental,” Tina thought, feeling somewhat heavyhearted.
A queen named Lia, who regarded all jewels as mere grains of sand, yet for these few utterly ordinary storybooks, displayed such a forlorn expression that it was hard to feel anything but sympathy.
“Yes, that’s why I wanted to revisit them today. I hope, Miss Tina, you’ll give me a chance.”
“Well then, Your Majesty, lie down and let’s start with ‘The Knight and the Princess,’ how about that?”
“Mm.”
Lia pulled the covers over herself and leaned back against the headboard.
Tina sat at the bedside, holding the worn storybook and carefully reading aloud, “Once upon a time…”
Lia fell into her memories.
Once upon a time, they had been just like this.
A knight deeply admired by the princess from the bottom of his heart, who was not only brave on the battlefield but also skilled in various arts to amuse the princess—cooking, puppetry, storytelling.
The knight had accompanied the princess all the way to the end, and in the very end, they married happily.
This was the ending the princess hoped for and the one that must be reached.
The blue-haired figure before her overlapped once more with the black-haired girl from the past. Whether in the gentle tone of her voice or the tender, watery eyes, it all seemed just like before.
If only this were the ending…
After a long day of traveling, Lia slowly closed her tired eyelids and drifted into a deep sleep.
Only at this moment did a pure, sweet smile, completely unreserved, grace her lips.
“Lia?”
Before Tina had finished reading the entire book, she heard calm breathing behind her. The girl was leaning tightly against her back, holding her waist like she was clutching a doll, refusing to let go.
“Fell asleep?”
Sleeping while sitting? What kind of sleeping posture was that?
Tina carefully put the book back on the table, gently untangled Lia’s arms wrapped around her, laid her down in bed, and tucked the covers over her again.
Seeing Lia so rarely revert to that princess-like state, Tina couldn’t help but feel a bit cruel.
How many lies had she told her? She didn’t even know how deeply she had hurt her heart.
“I’m sorry.”
Tina lightly kissed Lia’s forehead.
She admitted she was cruel; this was all she could do.
“See you tomorrow.”
With that, Tina got up from the bed, closed the door, and left the room.
“How long are you going to keep playing this act?”
Lia opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
She had felt the warmth on her forehead just now, and she had heard Tina’s muttered words.
After six years of deception, can all you do really be just a simple apology?
Even this most tender memory only touches you for a moment?
What must I do to make you entrust your heart to me completely?
Well then, see you tomorrow, Tina.
***
The next day.
As Tina put on her thickened work clothes, preparing to go to the Café and continue her shift, she saw the manager first—but the manager’s expression was evasive.
“Um, Miss Tina, actually, you don’t need to come to work anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Tina looked confused, still holding a tray.
“I mean someone has already paid ten times the breach-of-contract penalty for your resignation. Even if you don’t come to work now, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Who? I never said I wanted to quit.”
“That person is still in the Café. If you have anything to say, you can take it up with her. Have a nice day!” The manager left without giving Tina any chance to ask more.
“Safe and sound, Tina.”
Lia sat in her usual spot. Everything was as usual, except the innocence and naivety from last night were gone.
“Today’s the Midwinter Festival. How about coming out for a walk with me?”
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