Beauty /Albedo x Reader/

[9] Headquarter

Albedo wondered why did it hurt.

His visit to the library happened after he came to check Lora's house from the outside only, he just happened to pass by the library, meaning to give a greeting to the h/c haired girl then left. Upon arriving, he was greeted with a sleeping figure which enticed him to stay a little longer, to see deep into the sleeping girl.

The reason behind his chest throbbed the moment his azure eyes found the stain of tears on Y/n's cheeks, trails of tears kept pouring after one another. Her shaking self, so as her trembling lips muttered "Dad," over and over again.

He wasn't Y/n, therefore he couldn't understand or knew what was in her head, nevertheless his chest tightened. For once, he felt as if he was suffocating, he couldn't breathe一all because for the girl he wasn't sure his feelings of.

He wanted to place his palm on her, to wake her up from the frightening slumber一he didn't do it nonetheless. Instead, his eyes trailed over the table, a wooden small box came to view. 'What is this?' he wondered whilst having his hand traced over the polished wooden box.

He flipped it open, finding pills in a bag of small plastic, and a syringe place in the middle. He picked up the pills, daring himself to give it a sniff一memory came surging his head.

'The smell is the same as her old room...' He turned to look at the syringe, having another whiff of it only for it to be the same. 'Has she been consuming this?'

The unknown substances itself gave a strong scent, he remembered the same scent from when he visited Lora's house一even from the living room, he smelled the same unpleasant odor.

When he turned to look at her once more, the puffy eyes were dwelled with the dark covers under her eyes, her lips left a taint of faint blue, he finally knew why she'd always scented like drugs.

Though, it may not be visible, he reminisced how her eyes never glinted anything, not even a glimmer of hope glistened. All filled with reluctance transpired with hollowness.

Had she always been this lonely?

He wanted to vow to protect the vulnerable girl, but he knew better the word 'vulnerable' didn't suit her. That she was far stronger, a charming prince in a white horse wouldn't be her necessities.

...

Upon leaving the library, his mind couldn't help but replay the moment he saw the most fragile part of her一the way she woke up to every morning一 he presumed. Stepping out of the library, his feet itched to return and stay with her, his mind was clouded undoubtedly.

"Oh, you came to the library, I see. Why didn't you inform me?" a voice gentle and sweet called out, snapping his attention to the specific brunette librarian. Her usual smile painted her gentle face. "Lisa."

"...I'm sure you've seen her condition, Albedo. Don't worry, I won't try persuading you to take her side again一"

"For that matter, do not fret about it. I've made my final decision, Lisa. But does she use it frequently?"

Lisa's eyebrows raised slightly. "Use what? Use as in using veil? Yes, she has always been using one一" Lisa fell silent, her emerald eyes fell on his azure ones, sighing in process. "It seems like you've found out. I was hoping it's Y/n who'll confess to you一but yes. I'm not sure for how long." She crossed her arms.

"She told me it was her medication for her panic attack, that she was "diagnosed" with an illness that can't be cured by her stepmother. I investigated the drug, but it was a bit... odd," her frown resulted for her to halt the words from continuing to fall from her lips, "heroin. What I found to be more odd was that she didn't seem to have any of the side effects."