"So can you tell me a little more about her condition?" Alice asked, following behind Theron with a nonchalant smile. Scratching his chin, Theron contemplated for a moment. "As far as I know, she was poisoned by Abyss Waters. Or at least something close to that level of potency." "As far as you know?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "I was unfortunately not around when she got injured. And when she did... well. I was too far away to stop it. I’ve taken her to a few doctors in hopes of getting her condition solved yet none of them gave me a positive answer. "All they said was what she was afflicted with rather than a solution." Theron shook his head with a sigh. ’Was it done by someone with a grudge against you? Targeting your loved one when you’re away." Alice asked curiously. Who would even think about harming the family of a nine Sigil Lord? Not to mention the fact that he can use the power of Oblivion. Doing so would just be suicide. "I believe it was a personal vendetta." Theron scratched his hair. There was a troubled expression on his face. Almost as if he didn’t know what he should do. "Ohou~ Seems like your personal life is rather complicated." Alice laughed, patting him on the back. "Even if I’m a Lord, I’m still human." "So what are you struggling with? Perhaps I can give you some counselling." Alice suggested. [Pft, as if you can give any worthwhile counselling when you haven’t even kissed.] Cayla smirked. Theron scratched his chin. "My wife has always been rough around the edges. And... She’s not exactly a good person." Alice raised her eyebrow. "If that’s the case, then why are you doing so much for her? As a Lord, I’m pretty sure you can find anyone you want." It may not be the right approach but as the pinnacle of humanity, even if he was a little forceful who could say no? But in response, Theron flicked Alice on the forehead. "It’s complicated. But if I abuse my position as a Lord, do you think Allura and Gin would sit by after teaching me so much?" Theron sighed heavily. Though... Considering what Gin said last time they met... "I owe my wife too much. Even if she’s done something bad, I’ll make up for it." Despite being a Lord, the chain around Theron’s neck was his wife. When Gin delivered the message of Bella being injured, he was livid. He wanted to get Gin to tell him who did it but Gin refused to budge. His words from that day were still clear in his mind. "Theron, I know your wife is important but brace yourself. We’re not going to help." That day, he felt a sense of betrayal. From the two people he looked up to the most and the fact that they turned their back towards him. But after all this time, he understood their perspective. Yet despite all of that, he couldn’t simply turn away from her. Not when he owes his life to her. "That’s... a little idealistic, don’t you think?" Alice raised an eyebrow. "Everything she’s done, you’ll make up for it? If she takes a life, how will you bring it back? Or if she ruins something so precious there is no replacement, can you simply just shrug it off by giving the victim something else? "Doing more good for the world doesn’t justify the acts she’s committed. Sometimes there is no redemption and you can only spend your life trying your best. But you trying your best doesn’t give her the ticket to do bad things." Alice shook her head. "Since you’re a good person, I’m telling this to you straight knowing you won’t just blast me to pieces. What you’re doing is just selfish gratification and avoiding the responsibilities." ". . ." Theron was silent. His eyes slowly turned to Alice who began to sweat. "You’re not going to suddenly decide to kill me now right?" "Didn’t you say you were telling this to me straight because you know I won’t blast you to pieces? What happened to that confidence?" Theron chuckled. "It still doesn’t change the fact that you’re a Lord!" "Haha, seems is your true personality after all. The first meeting was just an act wasn’t it?" Theron smiled. "Urg... you knew?" Alice grumbled. "Of course I did. How many people do you think I’ve met up till now? I can tell when someone’s piecing together something. Of course, the hardest disguise to see through is one where they mix a bit of themselves into it. But when they become relaxed, the truth always comes out." Content orıginally comes from 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✶𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲✶𝗻𝗲𝘁 Alice scratched her hair. To be found out at the very start... She had dropped her guard since her off handed disguises had always worked rather well. "Bah, forget it. I’ll make a better disguise next time. So what are you planning with your wife then? Are you going to get her healed then let her do whatever she wants again?" Alice asked. That was her biggest issue. From the sounds of it, Theron wasn’t a bad guy. But his wife on the other hand... If he allows her to roam free, even if he was a good guy, Alice couldn’t accept healing someone like that. Theron was silent once more. Even if he finds the healer for his wife, what then? He can’t simply allow her to continue with her antics. "I’ll think about that when she’s finally healed I guess." "For a Lord, you are rather indecisive wouldn’t you agree?" Alice sighed helplessly. "Well... it’s complicated." Soon, they arrived at a mansion provided by the City Lord. Guards could be seen around the estate patrolling the area and making sure it was safe. They weren’t really there for Theron’s safety but rather his wife’s. A vase was thrown out of the window. "Oh dear..." Theron muttered, seemingly unphased. "Oh dear???" Alice widened her eyes. "She’s not in a good mood today." He sighed. Not long after the vase, a table was tossed out followed by a mattress. Then... the bed frame. Alice turned to Theron who continued to walk without care. ’He’s used to it!?!?’ [I mean if you think about it, just throwing crap out the window is far more acceptable than the stuff you do.] ’I mean... yeah but still!’ Entering the mansion, Alice could hear furious screams coming from upstairs while Theron was talking to one of his attendants. He was mostly asking about how she was doing. According to the attendant, the madam’s mood has been especially bad after coming to this city. "She probably thinks it’s a waste coming this far for just a rumour with no proof." Theron scratched his chin. Ever since the incident, she hated going out, especially when there’s a risk of people seeing her face. So coming this far, increasing the risk of exposure for a rumour, was probably wasted effort in her eyes. Regardless, Theron wasn’t going to stop. Guiding Alice to the second floor, Theron had the attendants prepare a spare room if Alice wanted to stay a little longer. "When we go in, try not to react too much to her wounds. She’s a little self conscious about it." Theron smiled helplessly. While he didn’t know why Alice wanted to see his wife, a part of him believed that she had a method to cure her. Or at least alleviate the effects. The people Allura and Gin know aren’t exactly normal to begin with. Having extra talents that go beyond common sense was rather standard. "Don’t worry, I’ve seen plenty of f*cked up sh*t in my life. A small mutation isn’t going to put me off." "Seen?" Theron raised his eyebrow at Alice. "So you’re in disguise?" He asked, causing Alice to cough. "And before you say it’s a figure of speech, it didn’t sound like one. It’s not the same kind of joke when blind people say ’I see’." "Safety okay! It’s just for safety since I can’t exactly have more people see what I look like." Alice rolled her eyes. "So you’re probably wanted by quite a few people if you’re taking a disguise. Either that or you were trying to take advantage of me but didn’t want to expose yourself." He was spot on with both guesses. "Don’t worry, if you can help my wife, I’ll do my best to fulfil any wish you have." "You probably shouldn’t hand favours out like that you know? That’s how you get taken advantage of in the first place." Alice pointed at the door. Behind it, they could hear more things being thrown around. "I’m aware. I’m only saying so because you’re acquainted with Allura and Gin. Let’s wait a little longer, she rests for a moment before throwing one last thing." Theron suggested. And as predicted, a moment of silence stretched on before the wardrobe was thrown against the ground. Raising his hand, Theron gave the door a slight knock. "Bella, I’m coming in." He spoke, pushing the door open. Following behind Theron, Alice saw the mess around the room and her smile twitched. If she hadn’t known any better, she would’ve thought a beast ran through this room. But as she stepped out from behind Theron, her entire body froze up. Ice ran through her veins. Her pupils constricting in shock and anger. Through the dishevelled hair, through the bandages, Alice recognised that face. "Pft! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Alice leaned back, howling in laughter from the pits of her stomach, confusing Theron. A surge of killing intent erupted from Alice’s body as she curved her lips up into a maniacal grin. She had injected Bella with her blood as a last ditch effort, thinking she would die. A shame but it was the best she could do. Yet now fate has served her up in front of her! Even if Theron was here, so what?! In front of her was the enemy who took away the life of her first friend. Snapping her finger, Alice dismissed her disguise. Her bloodshot eyes glared at Bella. "Yo b*tch! Remember me?! Did my blood feel f*cking good!?" Alice roared in laughter. Bella, turning around, widened her eyes. Her pupils trembled as she saw the familiar hair and face. Nightmares flashing through her mind. "You..." Theron put the pieces together. Alice was the one who poisoned Bella!