Chains in the Deep - Chapter 3

At this moment, my mind is exceptionally clear.

I have never feared death, but I do not wish to die.

Twelve years of marriage, Alistair neither loves nor hates me. His feelings towards me are, in the truest sense-blank.

That’s why we can reach this point so “peacefully.”

He is over forty now, with time etching marks on his face, yet it does not diminish his refined and handsome demeanor.

I gaze deeply into his eyes, clearly telling him, “I will not die.”

Alistair merely furrows his brow slightly.

“I anticipated that this day might come, so I prepared a ‘safeguard,'” I continued, “If you intend to kill me, I will activate it. It will make you… change your mind.”

“I will not change my mind,” Alistair’s gaze remains calm and unwavering, like a frozen lake, “When the sun fully rises, it will be our time to say goodbye.”

“Then,” I nearly plead, “since this is my last moment of life, please give me a little more time. I want… to reflect on our past.”

He props his hand against his forehead, appearing somewhat weary and impatient, but he nods nonetheless, “Fine. But this isn’t a fairy tale, Vivian. Don’t expect to move me with memories.”

In fairy tales, a clever and beautiful maiden tells stories for a thousand and one nights, eventually touching the heart of a tyrant and saving her life.

Fairy tales are beautiful fantasies. And Alistair and I have been married for twelve years, our time together far surpassing a thousand and one nights.

Twelve years, I have failed to move him in the slightest, how can I hope for this brief moment?

“I simply want to reminisce about the past,” I say softly, “and, incidentally, tell you some things… you don’t know.”