"It failed... All the Royal Selection Candidates refused..." Carlisle, holding Subaru's hand, walked out of Priscilla's Mansion, their shadows stretching long on the cobblestone path. Subaru's Fingers were ice cold, yet her palms were sweating with a cold dread.
"Subaru."
Carlisle's voice jolted the dazed girl awake. When she looked up, she saw the knight gazing at her, a certain resolve settled in his blue eyes.
"The White Whale... and the Witch Cult have appeared, haven't they?"
These words pierced her chest like a sharp sword. Subaru's face instantly turned pale; she realized... he had heard, heard everything.
No... please... don't go... not again... She prayed frantically in her heart, but fate never showed mercy.
"I'll return to the Mansion first." Carlisle gently tidied her wind-blown bangs, "I'll ask Felix to look after you. Once I've resolved"
"No!!!"
A scream tore through the twilight. Subaru clutched his arm tightly.
"You can't go! You absolutely cannot go!" Her voice was fragmented, "You'll die... you'll definitely die...!"
Tears splashed onto their clasped arms. Carlisle froze; he had never seen Subaru like this, like a drowning person grasping at the last straw.
"Listen," he met her gaze, "The White Whale, one of the Three Great witch Beasts, is indeed dangerous, and the Archbishop of Sin is also troublesome..."
A warm hand caressed her tear-stained cheek.
"But we haven't fought yet, who knows the outcome?" He flashed a confident smile.
"That's not it!!"
Subaru shook her head frantically, her hair sticking to her tear-streaked face.
"You don't understand... If the White Whale's mist swallows you... everyone will forget you... even your very existence will be erased...!"
Her cries drew the attention of passersby, but at this moment, nothing else mattered.
"Please... don't go... don't go back..." Her voice trembled uncontrollably, "That's right! I can... we can leave the Royal Capital right now, go to Kararagi, go anywhere...!"
Carlisle gently held her cold Fingers.
"Subaru, calm down. If even I"
"Forget that Mansion!" Subaru suddenly shrieked, then seemed to shrink her neck as if startled by herself, "I'm sorry... but... please...!"
Tears flowed incessantly as she gestured incoherently.
"That mist... it will dissolve your body... your existence will be forgotten by everyone! I... I saw it with my own eyes...!"
"With your own eyes?" He clearly didn't understand. "When? Where?"
Subaru bit her lip hard, blood seeping between her teeth.
"Please believe me! Just this once... just this once, will you listen to me?"
The knight fell into thought. In the distance, the clock tower chimed the hour, startling a flock of white doves.
He finally spoke, "But what about Lady Emilia, Ram, and the villagers?"
"We can warn them! Send a messenger right now"
Her words suddenly stopped. Subaru realized that the White Whale had already appeared on the only road leading to the Mansion. Her knees buckled, and she almost fell to the ground.
"You really will die... Don't go... Please..."
"Subaru, calm down."
"Why! Why do you have to go and die! Idiot! Fool! Arrogant knight!"
Carlisle looked at the distraught Subaru. He finally asked the question that had been perplexing him.
"Why... is Subaru so certain that I will die?"
Carlisle's voice was soft, yet it struck Subaru's heart like a heavy hammer. She froze, her pupils contracting violently.
He didn't know... How could he know... how he was swallowed by the gray mist in that loop... how he turned into specks of light even earlier... Subaru's Fingers began to tremble uncontrollably. The lingering sunset glow fell on Carlisle's profile, outlining the exact contours she remembered, the knight who would smile at her in the morning light, the fool who always had "It's alright" on his lips.
What to do... How could she make him understand... He believed her so much... A crazy thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
Return by Death.
Tell him... tell him the truth... If it was Carlisle, he would definitely believe her... As long as he knew he would die, he would definitely stay... But then, a bone-chilling coldness crept up her spine. Subaru remembered that dark hand, the feeling of her heart being threatened.
Would she truly die... if she told the truth... But... She looked up, at Carlisle's worried gaze. His blue eyes were as clear as ever, reflecting her disheveled appearance.
It doesn't matter... Even if I die... as long as he can live... Subaru took a deep breath, her nails digging deep into her palms.
"Carlisle..."
Her voice was as light as a feather falling.
"Actually... actually..."
Subaru's voice sounded as if she had used all her strength to squeeze out those few words.
Carlisle watched her silently, his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with confusion and worry.
"I... I... have Return by Death!"
The words finally burst out.
Subaru suddenly lowered her head, closing her eyes tightly, like a prisoner awaiting judgment.
Would he believe her?
Would he stay?
Or would... Her heart was pounding almost out of her chest, her ears filled only with the roar of blood rushing.
Then
"Thud."
A heavy weight suddenly crashed into her arms. Subaru's body swayed, and she instinctively reached out to steady...?
She slowly opened her eyes. Carlisle's body leaned limply against her, his head resting on her shoulder, as if he had suddenly lost all strength.
"Carlisle?"
Her trembling fingers cupped his face.
Then the world collapsed at that moment.
Carlisle's eyes were still open, but that clear blue had lost its focus, his pupils dilated into vacant darkness.
Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin, leaving a warm sensation on Subaru's Fingers.
"...Eh?"
T/N- What do y'all think about this plot twist.
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