LOVELY DEATH

2 months later...

Sumire went to Aimer Country, a place far away from Brethren City and even North Le Frère, alone. She wants to stay away from the people who know her. She wanted to breathe freely and heal herself. Sadness can be expressed in a thousand different ways. The death of Mort left a mark on her psyche. Every time she remembers him it brought her to tears. Though she doesn't want to forget him, the maiden just wants to relieve herself from the pain and sadness she feels which torments her every single day.

She had a hard time convincing her parents to leave the Brethren alone. Chaise and Lunaire were delighted after knowing their daughter was enceinte and they would soon be grandparents. They are protective and take care of her, especially Chaise who prepares the room and baby crib for her unborn grandkid. The couple insisted on accompanying her due to her pregnancy but later gave in and respected her decision. Sumire has been living her life in Aimer for two months now and she can feel her 3-month-old baby in her belly. Her aura changed and she glowed even more beautifully than ever!

The amazing mountains, heaps of lakes, and small beautiful ordinary villages make for the most beautiful scenery in Aimer. Nothing is chaotic; everything is breathtaking. Though the place feels serene it doesn't ease her pain and sadness but Sumire still manages to smile at the scenic beauty of the countryside.

Sumire was having her bittersweet day. She was standing near the sea cliff admiring the beauty of the sun setting on the horizon with a few people strolling around. Wavy hair cascading down her back and her maternity white dress were dancing in the gentle current of the afternoon breeze. Humming on the music playing in her mind, the necklace where Mort's ashes were stored was in her right hand and she gently brushed it in her tummy. A half smile curved on her lips while tears sparkled which welled in the corner of her eyes.

It's been two months since Mort died, and she was still being hunted every second by the image of Mort hanging in the gallows. And with every breath she took, Sumire thought of following the man she loved the most in the afterlife. But when she thought of killing herself, she felt the strong presence of her baby in her stomach, as if it was telling her that she was not alone. The baby in her womb was her savior. It saves her countless times. And even though Mort is long dead, she feels he is with her. Sumire feels his presence even though he is no longer in the world.

Until to this day, Sumire still can't believe he is gone. That she won't be able to be with and grow old with him. He didn't even know that they were having a baby and won't be able to see their child grows. But even so, the maiden will make sure their child will get to know him. She will tell her baby how awesome their father is every day. She will never get bored telling stories about how she met their dad. And that she will love no man in her life but him.

"Don't worry, baby. Daddy will watch over us even if he's not here anymore. He loves you so much." Talking to her child, Sumire cried with bitter tears while caressing her tummy. She sat in the wooden chair near her.

Suddenly, she felt crept when someone eyed her. Alerted, Sumire looked around. Her eyes peruse the place to find someone who was staring at him to the point she could feel those gazes.

An old man at a far distance away from her, sitting in a wooden chair while holding a paintbrush, staring at her intently and seeming to be painting something. Sumire check behind her back to see if someone is with her and to make sure she was the one his looking at.

To her surprise, the old man was truly staring at her that even if she moved from her place, he didn't take his eyes off her. Sumire gulped hard, starting to get nervous that he might know her. She is confident that no one knows her in this foreign land. But it makes her wonder if this is one of the bad guys who lust after her. Though the old man looks very decent, she sees no hint of indecent desire in his eyes.

The maiden stood up and decided to approach the old man. Even though she was feeling nervous and had many bad thoughts lingered her mind, Sumire took the courage to confront him.

Sumire approached the old man and was surprised to see his painting. Her heart skipped a happy and exciting beat when she saw the painting. She is the subject of his painting. Though the enthralling scenery perfectly matches the dark surroundings and the sunset, she glows above anything else. Her position earlier sitting on the wooden bench is the same in the painting. What's even more surprising is the art style and signature were similar to Death, her favorite artist.

The maiden broke into sobs as she trembled with excitement. She is so obsessed with Death that she memorizes the art style. Sumire could tell it was her favorite artist's masterpiece by just touching the painting even she had her closed.

"It's you," Sumire murmured in disbelief as the old man smiled at her genuinely. The wrinkles are visible on the side of his eyes and forehead.

"Can I hug you?" The maiden asked excitedly and the old man nodded. Sumire quickly hugged him and stood properly.

"I am a fan of you. Super avid fan. I have a large collection of your paintings. And I really want to see you in person." Sumire said with a big smile plastered on her face and the old man replied to her using sign language.

"Yes, I know. So I am inviting you to my exclusive exhibition for about 10 of my fans worldwide. And you are one of them." The old man was mute but Sumire can understand sign language since she studied it when one of her movies had the male lead mute in real life and in his character. So, to better understand the male lead and communicate with him, she studied sign language. The maiden nodded. Her heart leaped up for joy.

"I am so honored that I was one of those you invited. I've been wanting a signature from you personally." Sumire replied by using sign language which delighted the old man. He was so impressed with her. She'd not just be a beauty but with a brain.

The old man gently ruffled Sumire's hair which made her chuckle. The maiden can't still believe she met him in this place. She's so glad she chose to stay here. It's fate.

"You can have this." He uses sign language again and then gave her the painting. The old man handed over an invitation card with Death's pseudonym and a seal on it. He also gave her the exact location of the place where the Exclusive Exhibition will be held.

"Thank you so much." The maiden gratefully said and bowed after him. The old man flashed a smile and left the place.

Sumire's smile reaches her eyes. She couldn't conceal how delighted she was now. It brought her spirits up. She felt fully and wonderfully alive. Happiness radiated through her and she can't wait.

The maiden returned home and prepared her dress for tomorrow's occasion. She saw on the invitation card that the exclusive exhibition will be done by tomorrow.

Standing in front of the human-size mirror, Sumire was smiling from ear to ear as she looked at the crimson red gown with long sleeves. It was a fitted v-neck with a little open at the bottom. She even dressed herself in the outfit. Sumire felt so good right now but her smile quickly faded when she remembered Mort.

"How I wish you were here so you could meet my favorite artist. I remember we even competed for five of his paintings at the Viccini auction house. And it's obvious now that you were letting me win that time." Sumire laughingly said as if she was talking to Mort behind her back while looking at her reflection in the mirror. Sadness flitted across her face.

"I miss you." She added. Overcame with sadness, tears jumped out of her eyes.

After Sumire gets ready for her clothes, she next prepared the first painting of Death that she ever owned, which Blanche gave her as a gift on her 18th birthday. She has decided to bring the masterpiece with her for the autograph of her favorite artist, Death. Sumire was so excited that she went to bed early with a smile on her face.

The next morning, Sumire drove up the long country road until she found herself driving alone inside the mysterious misty forest that seemed to be going into the mighty mountains without noticing the danger signboard on the road. It was a restricted area, forbidding anyone to enter the misty road. Howls of wolves echoed inside the forest. Hours later, she arrived at the place looking surprised when a majestic castle greeted her eyes that were covered in mountain mist. Small rays of morning sunlight give a picturesque view of the place.

The mighty fortress stood at the top of the mountain with red spider lilies growing wildly around, guarded by a number of gigantic trees. It was built in perfection.

Sumire felt she was lost in the middle of nowhere and found herself in a dark fairyland. She shivers in the cold. The maiden enters the massive castle door, which is ten times bigger than normal doors. She walks inside. Eyes cruising the place, the numbers of tenebrism art opened up to her hanging on the walls vary in size.

Each painting depicts the dark side of humans. Sumire scans each detail of one of those arts as her eyes shimmer in happiness. She took another few more strides until she found and opened the second door.

Sumire was standing petrified at what she saw. The grand castle throne greeted her. A fascinating exhibition of art neatly arranged in the place. Each wall has six frames of paintings of the same woman with different expressions.

Sumire was stunned to see herself in the paintings. And what makes her frozen cold is the biggest frame in the front behind the oversized, bejeweled chair; the throne. The maiden slowly approaches the painting which looks exactly like her. It was her. Her eyes were clouded in tears and spontaneously rolled down on her reddened cheek, Sumire's finger traced her image in the frame.

It was a surprise. Sumire couldn't believe what her naked eyes were seeing. She asked herself what she had done in her previous life to be surprised like this by the artist she idolized. The maiden held her tummy as she was immersed in the painting in front of her.

"Mort..." Sumire uttered the name of her beloved when she remembered him again. She didn't even bother to look for Death because of how happy she was feeling right now. Her day is now complete.

While staring at the masterpiece, Sumire didn't realize that a tall, dark, and handsome man suddenly appeared, standing so close to her back while giving her a sultry gaze. A big arms crawled and encircled possessively on her waist. She could feel his warmth embracing her. Sumire turns around and meets the man's broad chest. With the man's intoxicating scent, she knew him right away.

Pupils dilated, a single orb of tear rolled in her cheek when she confirmed it was Mort. He was smiling handsomely as he stared deeply at her. Petrified in her place, Sumire witnessed with her own eyes how Mort was hanged on the gallows. She even had his ashes inside the necklace with her. So, how come Mort is now in front of her? It's so unreal but Mort's warmth and scent linger on her nostrils. He seemed to be real.

Eyes fluttered, Sumire blink one after another. Asking herself if it's just a dream. She knew it was impossible that Death's castle was full of her pictures. Damn, she pinched her skin telling herself to wake up. But she only gets hurt. The maiden did everything to convince herself it was all just a dream or that she is hallucinating. Mort was just looking at her, amused. Enjoying the view right now.

"Damn, it hurts," Sumire complained. When she opened her eyes, Mort's hair was sexily disheveled and a pair of green eyes hovered over her.

Her heart begins to pound. She stood there, feeling a desire run from my heart, to my chest, and down toward her inner thighs. He moves forward. His finger touched her neck, and tuck the hair behind her ears. His eyes lock on her and Mort leaned, closing in on the space that separated them. Their lips met, and the moment Mort's tongue pressed Sumire’s lower lip, she parted her mouth welcoming him into the warmth of her mouth. His tongue slipped inside her insistent mouth, exploring and savoring the moment.

A moment later, her hands slipped from his neck as her fingers gripped his dark hair. Her hands felt like warm embers, raising a fire from within him. His hand crept to her waist and his chest pressed against hers. Their kiss was passionate and long. Sumire ended the kiss and pulled away from his tight embrace which is now back to her senses.

"How are you alive? Who exactly are you? Are you Mort's twin? Am I dreaming? I fucking saw you with my two eyes how you died. I even got this! Uncle Chadwick gave it to me after he cremated your body!" Sumire yelled loudly at him and was about to burst into tears.

She was damn confused about what was happening. Her mind is now in mess. She no longer knows what is the truth and what is not. Or is she going crazy?

"Didn't Narco tell you the plan?" Mort asked which made her look at the man she thought was dead. Sumire frowned.

"What do you mean? Narco hasn't even appeared to me since you were sentenced to death." The maiden replied, still baffled on her feet.

"Oh, I expected that. Although I thought all your emotions were just acting while I followed you these past two months. Because it was part of the plan that you pretend I'm dead, that am no longer exist in the world anymore to convince everyone in North Le Frère. So, he didn't really tell you? That brat..." Said, Mort. Stride backward, Sumire slightly staggered while head shaking in disbelief. She felt like going insane after knowing he is alive.

"Are you crazy? I fucking saw you...Damn it. You're dead! I saw it. I fucking saw it. Everyone saw it!" Lips trembled, Sumire is starting to get hysterical.

"Yes, you are right. I was obviously dead but the person who was on the gallows 2 months ago was not me. It was a puppet. A mere clone made by Chadwick. I asked Narco to tell you everything. Ha... What else did I expect from that kid." Mort didn't know whether to laugh or what. Sumire, on the other hand, finally shed her tears.

"I fucking hate your son. I'll kill him when I see him." Sumire cursed as the tears coursed down her cheek. She killed Narco several times in her mind.

"Did you really think that I will leave you knowing that you are pregnant? Sumire, I did prepare to die any second before I met you. But once I met you, I vowed to myself that even Death cannot separate us. Not in this lifetime. I can't let you raise our kids alone." Mort said sweetly as he hugged her fragile body which start shaking uncontrollably.

"I love you," Mort added sincerely. Sumire buried her face in his chest. A great sob escaped her and she hugged him back, soaking her tears on his fitted shirt.

"Do Klauss and the others know this too?" The maiden mumbled between her sobs and hiccups.

"No. Just me, Narco, and Chadwick." Mort replied and raise her chin. He cupped her face and gently wipe her tears using his thumb.

"But how did you know Death was my favorite artist?" Sumire asked, pouting like a kid, wondering why Death wasn't coming out. Now, she was thinking that this was part of a surprise from Mort. To introduce her to "Death".

"Oh, I am Death myself. The Death you admired for a long time. I am the artist you desired the most." Mort said which made Sumire fall silent, stunned, and stared at him.

"Just how many secrets did you hide from me?" Sumire asked as the hunk flashed a mischievous smile. Mort scooped her into a bridal style.

"Darling, we still have a lot of time to unveil them. For now, let's get married and make more babies."