Rico still has a sad expression on his face. Albe took a deep breath and opened his mouth more, barely able to speak.
"Only I know how to make poison. ....... I can't explain it. ......
"So you think that if I can move my body, I can explain to you how to make poison?"
Albe nodded slowly.
"I see. That's good enough for me.
Rico's words brought a look of surprise on Albe's face.
"Actually, the University of Agartha has already analyzed the poison to some extent. Then, I will call the university staff over here, and they can answer your questions. I'll tell them to try not to talk and just nod their heads as much as possible."
Rico looked into Albe's eyes as he said this. He did not make eye contact and just looked up at the heavens.
After a while Rico turned on his heel and left without saying a word. When she turned around, an indescribably good smell tickled Albe's nose. He sensed that this was not a perfume, but a scent that belonged to this woman.
Albe watched absently the back of Licorette as she was leaving. Probably he would never see that woman again. This thought made him regret that he had not had more conversations with her. I wish I had asked her such and such questions. ....... Some vile questions also pop up in my mind. I wonder how that woman will react when I ask them: ....... No, she would probably remain expressionless. She would act as if the question had never been asked. I had a hunch.
As she left the room, Licorette turned around and looked at Albe. She bowed quietly and left the room.
Albe was satisfied. He was able to see for the last time the face he had thought he would never see again. Normally he would never feel that way. But now I am satisfied even with such a trivial event. Albe slowly closes his eyes, wondering if that is why his heart is so weak.
Albe slowly closes his eyes.
That night, Rico was in his bedroom waiting for Linos to arrive. In front of her, her son Idea was sleeping on the floor. She gently stroked Idea's head as she covered him with the blanket.
At that moment, she heard footsteps. These were the footsteps of Linos.
"Oh no, that was a nice bath."
Linos came into the room, wiping his head with a towel. He smiled at Rico and slowly approached the bed.
"Are you asleep already?"
He smiles as he looks into Idea's face.
"Yes. ....... Thank you for being such a good sleeper, as always.
"You fall asleep within a minute of getting into bed, don't you?"
"As you can imagine, that's not the case. ....... We sleep together and chat, and they soon fall asleep."
"All my children are good sleepers, but Idea is different."
"Maybe so. ......"
Linos and Rico looked at each other, and Linos picked up Idea and put her on the bed right next to him. Rico looked into Idea's face again, smiled happily, and kissed her on the cheek.
Linos was already lying down on the bed. Liko moves closer to him. Linos hugs him gently.
His body is warm, probably because he has just come out of the bath. Wrapped in his warmth, Liko exhales slowly.
"By the way, how was he?"
"...... yeah. They seem to be listening to you and Mei."
"I see. That's Rico for you."
No, it's not true. After all, we didn't find out about the antidote to the poison. ......"
"That's not true. Rico has done enough. Thank you."
Linos then put his lips to Rico's cheek. But she looks unhappy.
"What's wrong?"
"Somehow, I saw my future."
"What do you mean?"
If I had not met you, I would have become like him.
With that hideous face and body?
"No, not really, but ....... You only focus on the bad parts and make your own situation worse. And then you resent your surroundings. ......
"Indeed, Rico seemed to be like that when we first met. I don't know, she seemed to have a shadow on her back. ....... I remember the first time we met at the Imperial Palace. Yes, at the Prime Minister's urging, I got down on my knees and greeted Riko. Rico rebuked me for not kneeling down.
"Yes, that's right. ....... That's what happened: ....... At that time I saw everyone around me as an enemy. I didn't notice the people around me and the kindness they showed me, and I thought that I was right and that anyone who denied my thoughts and actions was evil. I am sure that if I had stayed the way I was, I would have lost my life without realizing the love my father and mother had for me. It's horrible to think of that.
Rico grabs Linos' pajamas as he says this. Rinos gently squeezed her hand.
"But Rico, you recognized that kindness. I wish he could have recognized that at some point. Yeah, well, Mei told me about him in the bath earlier. It seems that May and the others were right about the hypothesis on how to make the poison. The only thing left to be done was to mix the poison, but that was the one thing he was adamant about not talking about."
"I'm sure it's hard to explain with words."
"That's what May said. He was probably mixing that poison by feel. It seems unthinkable for a person who works with chemicals, but that's how he was making the poison. Maybe the climate, temperature, and humidity change the formula slightly."
"That's right. I'm sure May and the others will reveal the formula in the near future."
"Oh. Apparently, they're going to try dozens of different formulas. It's really going to be a man-over-man operation. He explained it to me in detail, but I had no idea what he was talking about. I almost got into hot water because of it."
"Well, ....... Well, that's just like May. But then again, she might have to stay up all night again. We'll have to be careful. ......
"Oh. I've thought about that. I've told Zhiwan and Roni to come home on time, and of course I told May about it earlier. And I have a secret plan.
"Secret plan? What is it?"
I'll send someone to pick up Idea.
"Well, what about Idea?"
If Idea goes to get her, May won't be able to say no.
Well, he's a bad man.
"Whatever."
Llinos laughed and dimmed the lights in his room.
In the dim light, Rico felt Llinos' body approaching him. Linos embraced Rico's body again. Riko was wrapped in his warmth and felt happy from the bottom of her heart.
After a few moments, Linos' body separated from mine. He gently unbuttons Rico's pajamas. She wriggled shyly.
"Rico, I love you."
"Linos, I'm with you."
Linos hugged Riko tightly and laid her on the bed. Riko unconsciously put her hands around his body.
A slight warmth enveloped her whole body. Feeling that warmth, Riko was very glad that she had married him. .......