Behind the door (2)

There were points that led to this conclusion.

First, it was connected to the study hall, so it belonged to the mind domain. There was a possibility that what happened before her was still the young Adelaide's subconsciousness land, but it was unlikely. There's no way the young Adelaide could have seen this side of Alfred, especially with the mind of a naive six-year-old.

At that moment, Adelaide also felt no connection to this place. In other words, everything outside the study hall was not hers, but someone else's.

'Then there's all these illogical events. A shawl appeared from thin air, and morning came when it was pitch black just a second ago.'

'If what I'm thinking is right, this might actually be so useful.'

"Brother, what were you reading?"

"They're letters."

"From home?"

"No." Alfred's answer was void of emotions. He picked Adelaide up, put her down on the bed, then sit in front of her.

"Do you want something to eat? Look at how thin you are."

'The old mother mode, again.'

"No, I'm good."

"Before that," Alfred talked slowly. "Can you tell me what the people that took you look like?"

"…sorry?"

"I know, I'm so desperate that I'm asking for an illusion to tell me something even I don't know."

Adelaide did not reply immediately. She looked at Alfred's slightly trembling hands and his distressed expression.

'He really loves his sister. Even the Alfred in this suspicious place cares for her this much.'

"Brother, you really do love Adelaide."

"What are you talking about, mentioning yourself in third person like that." Alfred's smile was weary, but the look in his eyes was gentle. "Of course, I care about you. You're my only blood and flesh left."

'Should I feel guilty?'

She invaded and took over someone else's nest, like a cuckoo bird. The original Adelaide's life was unfortunate indeed, but she had an older brother who cherished her more than anything else. Yet, she lost her body, and the remains of her soul were nowhere to be found.

As a normal, lowly mortal, the new Adelaide slash Ly had no idea where living beings go when they die. Would they ascend, or return to ashes and dust? If the second phrase was true, then one's existence was nothing more but that of a firework.

'On second thought, why the fuck do I have to feel guilty? I am a victim, too.'

She did not ask to be put here. She did not die and got transmigrated by luck; her life was actually on track. She was dragged out of the body and shoved into this. She basically had to clean the mess that the previous kid made.

'To hell with all the unfair moralities. He said blood and flesh, right? I really am his blood and flesh.'

Then, with the most innocent face she could muster, Adelaide looked at her brother and started to describe what she used to call "the three bastards".

"They wore white coats, brother, like what scientists wear. There were three of them, and two of the names are Fred and Oliver. The leader had a pair of brown cold eyes, and from their conversations, they used to be mercenaries."

"Their appearances were hidden under masks, but they look like…this?"

The three bastards appeared out of nowhere. However, unlike Adelaide and Alfred, they did not move and stood still like statues.

'I have the authority too?'

It was a pleasant surprise. She needed more confirmation, but if she was really in Alfred's dream and could do this, then maybe she could create similar effects when invading other people's dreamland too.

'Let's try once more.'

"So, they look like this?" Alfred stood up from his seat and took a closer look at the three statues. Adelaide was originally from a peaceful environment, but even she was sure there was killing intent in his eyes.

"Yes, they…look exactly like that." Adelaide took small steps towards her brother with one hand holding a coffee mug. It was the mug from Ly's modern apartment, and that confirmed her thoughts.

"Don't worry, I'll get rid of them." Alfred smiled. "I got a hint. I don't care if this is some unrealistic illusion. You three are unlucky if that's not the case, but you have to pay."

'…are you sure that's what you could say in front of a six-year-old?'

Adelaide's eyes were fixated on the three unmoving bastards. Her left hand tried to touch Alfred's fingers, but unlike before, there was no one there.

'What?'

The place before her was disintegrating in real-time. Everything was quickly disappearing, leaving behind the white fog. Even Alfred was nowhere to be found.

Adelaide got a hold of the red string. Other places were still there in the distance. Some flickered, some reappeared after a minute or so, while some remained solid the entire time.

'Did he wake up?'

She went back to her room of subconsciousness and pressed her hands on the wall. Unlike Alfred's place where she could go through easily to get in, hers was closed like an impeccable fortress. Except for the door, there was no way to get in or out.

Knock knock.

Adelaide knocked the wall several times just to make sure. It was solid indeed. Her eyes wandered towards the scenery outside the still opened door and landed at where 'Alfred' used to be.

'I need to check on him.'

She closed the door and woke up.

As expected, Alfred was sitting on the bed with a grim expression.

"Brother?" Adelaide rubbed her eyes. Although her mind was clear, her body was in the same condition as someone who woke up in the middle of the night.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Not at all. I'm just thirsty. Did something happen?"

"I don't know."

"You had a bad dream?"

"No, little sister, I don't usually wake up because of nightmares." He chuckled, then hesitated before asking her.

"Say, Adelaide, did you ever tell me about the ones that kidnapped you?"

'Oh?'

"What do you mean?"

"I think…I suddenly remembered what your kidnappers look like. There were three of them, half of their faces covered by masks, and they wore white coats, right?"

"Yes."

"But…why am I only recalling something this important right now?" Alfred frowned in confusion. "I don't forget things easily."

"Did you really tell me about them?"

To be fair, forgetting things is something normal for people. We are not machines, and our brain does not have enough storage capacity to store it all. However, to Alfred who possessed good memory, it was unacceptable to forget such crucial details.

Even normal people would never forget such things. Especially if it involves the well-being of their loved ones.

'The thing is, I've never told him about them.'

"I did, brother. I told you yesterday when we were at the academy."

"Did you? But how could I…" Alfred frowned in disbelief. Adelaide did not know if he was doubting himself or doubting her words, but based on the level of trust towards his sister that he had shown, the second scenario seemed unlikely.

"Yes, I'm sure. It was when we were about to fall asleep."

However, she could push the blame to extreme relief and sleepiness.

"…I'm sorry, that was unreasonable of me."

"No, we were both tired. In fact, even I forgot that I told you about them until you asked. Fatigue hit us hard."

"Really? But…"

'Geniuses and their stubbornness, really.'

"You remember what happened now, so don't worry anymore. Your memory is fine, brother. If not, you wouldn't be able to recall it. You told me no one is perfect, right? So don't fret over these things. I know you care about me."

Alfred's eyes widen a little at her words. His serious expression softened, and the usual exclusive smile appeared once again.

"Yes, yes, my little Adelaide is no longer a thoughtless child. You have deep thoughts now, like a small adult. Who knows, maybe your soul is that of an adult already."

'Stop being so sharp. That's scary.'

"Not that I mind though. I'll get you some water, then we'll go back to sleep, okay?"

"Okay."

Adelaide's eyes followed her brother's silhouette who came back from the other side of the room with a small glass of water.

"What did you dream about, brother?", she casually asked.

"It was a trivial one. I was stressing out at the academy late at night because of exams and stuff."

"Was I in your dream?"

"No, I don't think so." Alfred let out a small laugh and took back the glass. "If you were there, it would have been a much better dream."

He did not look like he was lying.