Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind. It was the memory of the day when she first met Luis. It was about the talk they had in the garden at Suarez' family manor.
'Is this what he meant when he said, -"I want you to live your life to the fullest from now on. Not just make revenge your life's goal."?'
'Is this the emptiness he was talking about?'
Thinking of this, Alicia's lips trembled, and an indescribable emotion surged inside her heart. With a shutter of her lips, she finally uttered two words.
"Thank you."
Luis was surprised by Alicia's sudden 'Thank you'. But looking at her reserved attitude, he seemed to have understood something. Chuckling inside his heart. He said.
"There's no need to be reserved in front of me. Instead of 'Thanks' just call me sweetly, I would prefer 'Hubby or Darling."
Hearing his joking tone, Alicia felt some dissatisfaction in her heart. She knew she shouldn't think too much about it, but somewhere inside her heart, these weren't the words she wanted to hear from him. She wanted him to give her a serious reply. Even if it was an assurance...
"Um." She just gave a short reply, masking her emotions. Then, with a cold snort, she pouted and said. "Hmph, what husband?! It's not decided yet!"
Luis had expected this answer from her and had said those words intentionally to improve her mood. But looking at her cold expression, he felt something was wrong.
'This isn't right.'
'Why is she angry?'
'Is it...'
Suddenly, realization dawned upon him as his eyes became serious.
'Hah~'
With a slight movement, he got close to her.
*Sigh*
'Seriously, this girl...'
Luis held Alicia's tender hands, which were cold and wet. Maybe due to the rain or because of her ice affinity, but it didn't matter. Because at the moment those hands which contained the power of an F rank... seemed fragile. As if they could break at any moment if not handled delicately.
Alicia, who was taken aback by Luis' actions. Let him hold her hands as she felt the warmth permitted through his palms. This feeling was rather comfortable and soothed her depressed heart.
With a faint smile on his handsome face and tenderness in his eyes, he called her name softly.
"Alicia..."
"What is it?!"
She asked in a bland tone. But the next moment her turquoise eyes met his gray affectionate eyes and a bubbling emotion emerged inside of her. Under her cold eyes, yet an expectant heart, he said word by word.
"We, who were brought together by destiny, are going to spend our entire lives together... My thread of fate has already been entangled by yours and this knot is something I want to keep as it is forever... Even if you ever want to escape this destiny of yours... I won't let you go... May it be selfishness of mine... But it doesn't matter... As long as we are together... We are bound to find happiness together."
"So, Alicia, let me be selfish this time. And from now on... Be mine!"
His bold declaration made Alicia's heart flutter. At a loss for words, her pale white face turned deep crimson as the sudden happiness overwhelmed her heart.
"Hmph, you are so possessive." Though she said that she didn't deny him. Because in her heart, she was bubbling with joy.
When she looked at Luis beside her. Alicia's cold expression melted, and a beautiful smile blossomed on her fair face.
Because of the emergence of this warm feeling, her cold heart melted as if the melting of winter snow at the arrival of spring.
Maybe this was the start of Alicia's spring as her flower of eternal love blossomed. Her cold and lonely winter was finally coming to an end as this beautiful white rose would blossom to a new beginning at the start of her eternal spring.
*Cough*
At this moment, an embarrassed cough broke the ambiance between them. Alicia's beautiful smile stiffened as she glanced at Dellard coldly.
"Young master, the battle is coming to an end!"
Luis nodded solemnly and replied, "Very well! Let the support team check for any casualties!"
"Yes, Sir!!"
Receiving his orders, Dellard immediately set out.
***
On the other side, most of the ruins were already destroyed. Large pits, craters, sword marks and the bloodied ground soaked with the blood of assassins were left as the aftermath of this short one-sided battle.
"This seems to be the last one." Lumine mumbled as she chopped the limbs of the C rank assassin who was agonizing and wailing in pain, barely keeping his life.
From her stable breath, it could be understood just how simple this battle for her was. Tapping on her mana bracelet, she sent a message, then commanded.
"Bring the captives and follow me!"
"Yes! Madam!!"
...
Sometime later, at the location specified by Luis.
Ronald, Lumine and Jack arrived with their respective teams.
"Good work everyone!"
"Yes, sir"
Looking at everyone, Ronald nodded with appreciation. Then his eyes fell on Lumine as he noticed some unusualness. 'It seems she has also found out.'
Sighing in his heart, he didn't say anything and quietly waited for the arrival of Luis and Alicia.
***
When Luis arrived with the support team. Everyone in the raid team was also looking at him. All of them are veterans and in this mission, it was Luis' first time participating, moreover, as a commander. Looking at their gazes full of admiration and respect, the results were quite good.
Giving a short speech and appreciating the hard work of the team members. Luis let them leave with the support team and rest.
Now the only people left were Luis, Alicia, Ronald, Lumine, Jack and the six unconscious captives. Five of them were assassins wearing black battle suits, and one of them was in a priest's robe. From his attire, his identity can be ascertained. It was the person with the most contribution to this battle. Without him, this raid wouldn't have been possible. Ren Varnish, the direct disciple of Pope.
"Mental Protection artifacts are removed from his body, right?"
"Yes, young master!" Jack replied.
Luis smirked and said, "In that case, let's start the performance."