Chapter 50: Come Stroll with Me

Despite her words, Tina had no storybook on hand, nor the ability to conjure a timeless, heartwarming fairy tale from thin air.
Was she supposed to recycle those old, worn-out tropes and recite them to Althea?

Or was that Althea’s true intention?
“Don’t worry, I brought books.” As if reading her mind, Althea offered a perfectly normal smile, betraying no inner turmoil.

“You travel so far and carry these space-wasting things?”
“…”

Tina’s teasing concern met a moment of silence from Althea. “Space-wasting? You’re right. These books, and the memories they carry, not only take up space in reality but occupy a huge part of my heart. I can’t let them go.”

If she could, she’d discard everything, severing all ties to the past.
“Just a heads-up—don’t be too shocked when you see my books.”

They walked from evening into the night, neither speaking again until they reached the inn’s entrance.
The streets were empty, save for the occasional whistle of the bleak autumn wind.

“It’s a few degrees colder than yesterday. Winter’s almost here.” Althea unlocked the door, casually asking, “Miss Tyna, have you seen Kellivir’s winter?”
“Kellivir? No, I’ve never been there or seen its winter.”

“Is that so? What a pity.”
For a fleeting moment, Althea’s face betrayed deep disappointment before returning to normal, as if nothing happened.

She rummaged through her bag for the books, continuing, “You wouldn’t know, Miss Tyna, but Kellivir doesn’t really have a winter.”
“No?” Even in the simulation, Tina had only been there briefly, unaware of its seasons.

“Right. Kellivir’s in the southern continent—its coldest days don’t bring snow, earning it the name ‘Kingdom Without Winter.’”
Althea paused. “But did you know, in 972, Kellivir saw a rare snowfall? It killed crops and left many frozen or starved.”

Tina wasn’t sure why Althea brought this up.
Was 972 the year of the simulation? Quite a coincidence.

“No need to overthink—it’s just me rambling. Listen and let it pass.”
As she spoke, Althea pulled out a thick stack of storybooks. “Snow’s nothing special, but a vast snowy land can feel lonely. Yet no matter how cold the environment, it’s never as cruel as a human heart.”

Her words carried weight as she handed over the books.
Six years later, the covers remained pristine, but the pages had yellowed, worn from frequent reading, bearing traces of repairs.

“What? Think they’re too old?”
Only when it came to memories did Althea’s smile hold a trace of warmth.

“…Your Majesty’s quite nostalgic.” Tina felt a heaviness in her chest.
The queen, who saw jewels as mere gravel, looked so forlorn over these ordinary books it tugged at the heart.

“Indeed. That’s why I want to revisit them today. I hope Miss Tyna will give me that chance.”
“Alright, Your Majesty, lie down. How about The Knight and the Princess?”

“Mm.” Althea tucked herself in, leaning against the headboard.
Tina sat at the bedside, holding the worn book, reading softly, “Once upon a time…”

Althea slipped into memories.
It used to be like this.

The knight, beloved by the princess, was not only a valiant warrior but skilled in arts that delighted her—cooking, puppetry, storytelling.
The knight stayed by the princess’s side until the end, culminating in marriage.

That was the ending the princess desired, the one she had to achieve.
The blue-haired figure before her overlapped with the black-haired girl from the past—the gentle tone, the tender gaze, just like before.

If only this were the ending…
Exhausted from the day, Althea’s eyelids drooped, and she drifted into sleep, a sweet, unguarded smile on her lips.

“Lilith?”
Tina hadn’t finished when she heard steady breathing. The queen leaned tightly against her back, arms wrapped around her waist like a stuffed toy.

“Asleep?”
Sleeping like that? What kind of position was this?

Tina carefully set the book down, untangled Althea’s arms, adjusted her to a proper sleeping position, and tucked her in.
“Sigh…”

Seeing Althea revert to her old princess-like self, Tina felt a pang of guilt.
All those lies—how much had they hurt her?

“Sorry.”
Tina gently kissed Althea’s forehead.

That was the most she could do, as bad as she was.
“See you tomorrow.”

She stood, closed the door, and left.
“How long will you keep up this act?”

Althea opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling.
She’d felt the warm touch on her forehead and heard Tina’s murmurs.

Was a single “sorry” all she could offer for six years of deception?
Did even this warm memory only move her briefly?

What would it take for Tina to give her heart fully?
See you tomorrow, Tina.

…

The next day, as Tina donned thicker work clothes to head to the café,
she met the manager, who looked evasive.

“Um, Miss Tyna, you don’t need to come to work anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Tina, holding a tray, was baffled.

“Someone paid your tenfold penalty fee for quitting. I can’t stop you from leaving now.”
“Who? I never said I was quitting!”

“They’re in the shop. Talk to them. Have a nice day!” The manager left without giving her a chance to ask more.
“Long time no see, Tina.”

Althea sat in her usual spot, the innocence and purity of last night gone.
“Today’s the Winter Solstice Festival. How about a stroll with me?”