The Engineer's Obsession

Chapter 15

I didn't bother to move away from him, it pains me to see what happened to the one and only man in my life.

"I knew from the start that this was your plan" I whispered, tears streaming down my face with the raindrops.

It still came a shock for me, he's gone. I still remember his last words before leaving us. If I could turn back the time, I would have gotten a bit of strength so I could stop him.

"He's gone!" I heard a chuckle from behind.

I know who it is.

"Of all the people, why are you the only one coming back and not him?" I asked as if putting the blame on her.

"Eveline" I snickered.

"I just came here to tell you that you'll be dead like him if you don't leave" she laughed.

So she's gonna kill me too, huh?

"I won't, I'm just warning you as your sister" then she teleported in front of me sitting.

Her hand reached my womb and I screamed due to the pain I felt. I tried to smack her hand but she didn't budge.

"And I don't want my nephew to die" her sinister smile always creeps me out.

"This is the last time we'll see each other, this is my parting gift, sister. Be well" she said then vanished.

"That fucker, what did she do to my baby?" I tried standing but the stinging pain made me collapse again to the ground.

My breathing became heavy and slow and soon I was gasping for air. It's like my lungs are being crushed and my womb's being pierced by thousands of needles.

"H..el...p" I said under my breath and crawling thru the mud.

I heard the hoofs of galloping horses nearby and I tried to call for help.

"Mademoiselle?" I heard a familiar voice call.

My vision was starting to blur but I still can see the Duke, trying to get me inside his carriage.

With my strength left, I pointed at the pile of metals and uttered "K-... Ka... Rl"

He successfully transported me from the ground to his carriage. He made me drink something before I passed out.

...

When I opened my eyes, there are all sorts of stuff placed on shelves like ammunitions, potions, herbs, and other odds and ends. I knew right away that I was inside the Duke's carriage as it's a little bit shaky.

"You have awoken, madame" I heard him say, how does he know?

I didn't respond to his statement and instead, I sat and pain struck all over my body.

"You have quite the tolerance, madame. You might surpass Mr. Winters" he added.

I  scrunched my forehead out of confusion.

"Tolerance for what?" I asked.

"Your body, madame, just like Mr. Winters, your body will become a mold" he answered.

"Mold? What? Why?" I'm really, really confused at this point.

"You will die if not prevented, madame. A miracle was bestowed on you and the spread of mold slowed down, you still have time and I know just where to go"

A miracle? Is that what Evie gave to me? But I was in pain, why could it have been a miracle?

After all the talk about me, I remembered Karl.

"K-karl? No, I need to go back, Duke. I don't want to leave Karl" I panicked and scanned the carriage for an exit.

"You don't have to worry, he's with you" he responded that made me lose my cool.

"No! You don't understand, Duke. He's not with me, I don't need him inside just my heart and memory, I need him beside me" I cried and there was a sudden silence until the Duke chuckled.

"I didn't leave him for I knew madame loves him so, he's in a flask beside you" he calmly explained.

I looked beside me and there really was a not just one flask but three.

"Which flask?" Confused as I can be, again asked.

"The blue flask"

I grabbed the blue flask and there was a description in it. Karl's name was written and I started to cry.

"What's the point of having his flask if he's not living" I sobbed.

Yet, the Duke chuckled again.

"I believe the madame knows what to do. He has left his will to you, didn't he?"

Then a flash of memory came to me.

"If I don't make it, I know you will find a way"

Does that mean...

"He can be revived?" A glint of hope fired me up.

"Yes madame, they can be revived. Though, I cannot be of help to you with their revival" I sighed in disappointment.

"I am but a humble merchant that cannot perform a miraculous revival" he added.

But I was wondering, he actually did lots of miraculous things that a normal human cannot.

"What are you?" I subconsciously asked out of curiosity.

"That's the second time in a day that I'm asked that question but even I can't quite answer that" he nonchalantly responded.

I didn't ask another question after that and rested hugging Karl's blue flask.

So that's his reason for saying that I will find a way. Stupid and selfish Karl, didn't even think of what would I feel.

I didn't know where we're headed to, but as long as I have this little hope beside me, I will find a way for us to meet again no matter how long it takes.

The carriage stopped and I sat again, not letting go of the flask.

"We have reached our destination, mademoiselle"

The cart opened and the blinding lights of the outside world welcomed me.

I stepped outside and inhaled the humid air. It's not the best air I've inhaled but, I guess that'll do.

"Where are we?" I tried to recognize the place we're in but to my disappointment, I can't recognize it.

The ground was also covered by a shallow coat of snow and there were dark branched trees. Well, I guess it's better than the view from the cabin.

"Are we in the village?" I added.

"No, madame. Follow me"

I followed the Duke and a big metal gate greeted us along with the huge white mansion that looks like it was built from years ago but it was well maintained.

"Welcome, to your original home"