A profound sadness lingered between me, unable to stop crying, and Leopold, who couldn’t find the words to speak. The pain was so overwhelming that I almost wanted to pretend nothing was happening and lose myself in oblivion. However, I held on with sheer willpower, fearing something might happen to him while I was unconscious.

Was this touch that connected us really going to disappear soon…?

No, that couldn’t happen. I had to find a way somehow. I had grown up hearing all sorts of expectations and praise for having magical powers that surpassed even my teacher’s, so I couldn’t give up like this.

I gathered strength in my trembling legs and barely managed to pull away from him when suddenly, I heard the door open behind me. Wondering why someone would enter uninvited, I turned around and saw an unexpected figure standing there.

“Roscoe…? Why are you here…?”

I quickly wiped away my tears and asked, as Peter appeared with an embarrassed look on his face. He seemed flustered for failing to stop the child.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I’ll take him out immediately.”

The servants who followed him in grabbed Roscoe from both sides.

“Can’t you come here?”

“Do you know where you are!”

The servants scolded Roscoe in hushed tones, glancing at me for approval. But the child struggled and shouted.

“Wait! I can help!”

“What do you know?”

“You’re just a hostage, stop causing trouble!”

My head was already aching and my mind was noisy from crying so much, and watching this commotion made me sigh heavily. I cleared my throat and spoke to the child in a soothing manner.

“Roscoe, the situation isn’t good right now, so it’s better to talk later. Please go back to your room.”

However, Roscoe didn’t give up and forcefully shook off the hands holding him. Then he said something completely baffling that left me in confusion.

“I’m telling you, there’s a way for both of you to die on the same day!”

“What…?”

I frowned unconsciously and asked again, and Leopold warned in a low voice from behind.

“What are you doing? Take him out.”

The servants, who were as frozen as I was, began to move again. I hurriedly stopped them.

“No, wait, just a moment…! Everyone leave except Roscoe. I’ll handle this.”

“Hazel.”

“It might be worth listening to what he has to say.”

Leopold called my name firmly, as if to stop me, but I approached Roscoe with a resolute answer and extended my hand. The servants holding him stepped aside, and Roscoe raised his chin slightly, looking triumphant. Peter hesitated for a moment, then took everyone out.

“Can you explain how you can help me?”

I lowered myself to meet the child’s eyes, and Roscoe quickly nodded. I led him toward the bed. Leopold watched us with cold eyes, and perhaps because of that, Roscoe looked more nervous than I had ever seen him.

“The child is terrified.”

I brought him here, hoping for any chance, but with such an attitude, anyone would find it hard to speak. Yet, he seemed to have no intention of cooperating with me.

“A child? At his age, I was already fulfilling all adult responsibilities. Don’t coddle him. If he talks nonsense, I’ll deal with it immediately.”

To say such frightening words as if he meant them. I didn’t even have the energy to yell or argue. Hiding Roscoe behind me, I spoke weakly.

“Please don’t. I’m asking you.”

He couldn’t smooth the frown on his forehead but eventually turned his head toward the window. It wasn’t complete permission, but it was enough for us to have the conversation.

“Roscoe.”

When I gently called Roscoe’s name, he swallowed hard and began to speak.

“Our tribe has a tradition passed down through generations. It’s a spell for sharing life, but it can only be performed between a married couple. Once you ask the shaman to conduct the ritual and complete the spell, the couple can die on the same day, unless there’s an unforeseen accident.”

“Is that true…?” I asked with a trembling voice, and Leopold interrupted angrily.

“I warned you not to talk nonsense.”

At his cold tone, Roscoe shrank back and looked up at me. I sharply retorted to Leopold, “Be quiet. The conversation isn’t over yet.”

Leopold furrowed his brows but stopped there. I tried to calm my racing heart and asked Roscoe calmly, “Roscoe, this is such an astonishing story that I’m a bit taken aback. I’ve never heard of sharing life before. And a spell? I thought shamans disappeared long ago. Is there really a shaman among your people?”

“Yes, it’s true. I was surprised too when I heard Hazel crying outside. I’ve never seen anyone cry because their husband or wife might die.”

“So, in your tribe, do all couples on the same day…?” I found it difficult to say “die.” As I trailed off, Roscoe shrugged and continued explaining.

“Not all couples, only those who choose to. Many have young children or elderly parents.”

It was a perfectly understandable reason. I nodded slowly, waiting for Roscoe to continue.

“Receiving the spell doesn’t mean you’ll die soon. People live as long as they can and then go to heaven. For couples who receive the spell, death is another blessing. It means the living partner doesn’t have to spend the rest of their life in sorrow.”

Hope began to blossom. The mere possibility that he might avoid death was worth investigating further.

“Do you know how the life-sharing works?”

“I don’t know exactly. Only the shaman can do it.”

Should I bring the shaman here, or should I go to the Ice Land with Leopold? I couldn’t be sure his body would hold out until then.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind. Whatever the case, I decided I needed to act quickly and asked another question, “What do you mean by unforeseen accidents?”

“Like a landslide or storm, or when we come down to Lawrence’s territory.”

“Oh, that’s…”

“It’s okay. Everyone comes here for food, ready to face death if necessary.”

“That’s what you call pillaging.”

While I was at a loss for words, Leopold sneered sarcastically. But Roscoe seemed unfazed by the negative connotation of the word.

“Pillaging! I see. It’s essential in winter, but fortunately, no one has died recently. Anyway, if you go to the Ice Land, Hazel can share life with him… I mean, her husband.”

The child finished with a proud expression. However, there was one thing that bothered me.

“Can’t you bring the shaman here?”

Roscoe rolled his eyes, trying to recall. As I anxiously awaited his answer, he finally spoke, far from my expectations.

“No. I heard once that the spell can’t be performed outside the Ice Land. The power weakens.”

“That’s just great.”

I cast a brief glare at Leopold, but he pretended not to notice and turned back to the window. Despite acting as childishly as Roscoe, I understood his feelings. I swallowed a sigh I had held back several times and lowered myself to the child.

“Roscoe, thank you for telling me. Can you go back to your room? I’ll come by later.”

“Okay. But Hazel, I’m hungry.”

“Oh, right. Just a moment.”

Roscoe rubbed his flat stomach with his skinny hand. Having woken up early, it was understandable, so I quickly stood up and opened the door. The servants and knights were still waiting in the hallway.

“Please take the child and provide him with a meal. Include meat and make it delicious, with plenty of food. And bring me some tea and soup.”

Roscoe, who had been peeking out from behind me, now looked at me as if asking for permission to leave. I nodded slightly, and the child stepped out, soon followed by everyone else finding their tasks.

Feeling somewhat relieved, I closed the door and turned around. But my vision darkened. When I looked up, Leopold was standing in front of me, blocking my way.

“Don’t even dream about it.”

He placed his clenched fist on the closed door as if threatening me and looked down at me intimidatingly.

“Sharing life? You’d have to be crazy to believe that.”

“There’s no reason not to believe it, is there?”

I retorted, refusing to back down, and Leopold’s face twisted further.

“Even if it’s true, do you think I would agree? It’s taking your life. Do you think I’d do something like that?”

In his slightly trembling voice, I heard both anger and fear. His reaction was so understandable that it pained me. Afraid he might notice my emotions, I deliberately acted coldly.

“You will do it.”

“You’re so confident.”

Leopold scoffed incredulously. I didn’t want to unnecessarily provoke a patient who needed stability, but he was already agitated. Thinking it might be better to end this quickly, I spoke with difficulty.

“You said you loved me, right? Did you enjoy experiencing my death?”

His deep green eyes shook violently as if a storm had swept through the forest.

“If I were to feel that pain exactly as you did… How about it? Is that what you want?”

I knew he wouldn’t be able to answer easily. The time Leopold spent after my death was filled with sights too painful to witness.

As I faced him, unable to speak, I eventually lowered my head. The sadness I had momentarily suppressed turned into tears, falling to the floor at my feet.