Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1368 Don't you dream about it every single day?
As night deepened, the moonlight quietly disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds. The wind occasionally swept past the windowpane, making a very slight rustling sound, like the breath of the night. Even the chirping of insects could not be heard outside the window. Only the faint sound of clinking glasses could be heard downstairs, probably because the bartender was still testing her masterpiece.

She was one of the most habitual night owls on Cloud Whale Sky Island, usually not going to sleep until two or three in the morning. Alice and Rorona were also part of this night-lover group; the former played games, while the latter was so engrossed in alchemy that she lost track of time, sometimes even needing reminders to eat. It's hard to imagine how she managed to live alone in Lotdana City before. Or perhaps it's precisely because she's no longer living alone that these flaws have gradually surfaced?
Ovira was once a key member of the all-nighters' group, but she was passively affected. The curse prevented her from sleeping, and she could only pass the time by reading and writing novels. Occasionally, Alice would drag her to play games, or the bartender would invite her to taste her masterpieces. Later, with the help of Ling, her insomnia symptoms disappeared, and the only remaining effect of the curse on her was her fear of the dark. Therefore, Princess Bemang ruthlessly rejected Alice and Celia's pleas to stay and withdrew from this group of people who shared joys and sorrows.

As soon as it was time to sleep, the princess felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, causing her to involuntarily relax her shoulders and let her eyelids droop. Everything she saw was blurry, as if seen through a layer of fog.

This was a habit Ovira deliberately cultivated. Ever since regaining her ability to fall asleep, she always forced herself to go to bed at a fixed time. Sometimes, when she was engrossed in reading or when her mind was overflowing with inspiration, she would reluctantly close the book or manuscript, leaving them for tomorrow, never letting them affect her sleep quality that night. Over time, her body adapted to this routine, the whole process was natural, as if a year could completely erase the traces left by the past nine hundred years. And the ultimate purpose of doing so was simply because Princess Beman wanted to experience the feeling of being able to close her eyes and fall asleep immediately when sleepiness washed over her, without having to fight against her body's instincts.

That might be an ordinary experience for others, and some people even deliberately go against it, enjoying the vast space and time of the quiet night alone, like Alice and Sheria. But for Ovira, it was so novel that she was immersed in it for a long time. Every time she fell asleep smoothly, it felt like a small victory, bringing her a good mood for the next day.

But that night, as sleepiness crept in, the princess suddenly regretted it. Why did she deliberately cultivate such a habit? Wouldn't it have been better to keep her original routine? Staying up all night once in a while wouldn't have been a big deal, at least... she could have spent more time with him.

Ovira pressed her lips tightly together, trying hard to suppress the urge to yawn, but her drooping eyelids and barely concealed weariness betrayed her. The young man tidying her desk casually shoved a book he had finished reading back onto the shelf. As he turned around, he saw her head bowed, bobbing up and down until it hit the edge of the desk. He jolted awake, sitting up straight and muttering, "N-no, not sleepy, I'm not sleepy at all, Ling..."

Before he could finish speaking, he lowered his head again.

Lin Ge observed this, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips, a gentle amusement flickering in his eyes. He wanted to ask, but fearing to disturb her, he walked to the desk and lightly tapped the surface with his knuckles, producing a crisp sound, as if reminding her of something. The writer looked up abruptly, gazing at the young man with a dazed expression, her eyes revealing a clear innocence.

“If you’re sleepy,” Ling said, his voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the quiet night, “go to sleep.”

"I...I'm not sleepy yet..." Ovira uttered this lie against her instincts only through sheer willpower. It wasn't easy, especially for someone who rarely lies and was on the verge of falling asleep. Normally, the princess would be smug about her quick thinking, but now only one thought occupied her mind: Am I really not sleepy?

This lie, which couldn't even fool herself, was naturally seen through by the young man at a glance. He felt helpless, wondering if Ovira was ignoring his intelligence or his eyes: "Do you think I'd believe that?"

"Hmm?" Ovira even started to seriously consider why Ling didn't believe her. Was it because her acting wasn't convincing enough? Or was it his intuition that kicked in? What an illogical ability! If that's the case, then no one can lie to Ling.

Completely unaware of the real problem, it seems that drowsiness has seriously interfered with the writer's thinking ability.

"But," she couldn't figure it out, and it seemed there wasn't time for her to figure it out anyway, so she simply used cuteness to brush it off, pouting and muttering, "I'm really not sleepy, I just look a little sleepy..."

This is what it means to feel sleepy.

The young man had to adopt a sterner tone, sounding like a parent disciplining a disobedient child: "That's too willful, Ovira. Since you're sleepy, go to bed early and don't make others worry about you anymore."

Her Highness opened her eyes wide and suddenly came to her senses, not because of the young man's tone, but because the words sounded familiar. She had heard them from someone else before, although that person was no longer with her.

"Don't be so willful, Ovira. Go to bed on time and get some rest. Don't make everyone worry about you anymore."

That happened shortly after she had escaped the curse and before she had learned to adjust her sleep schedule. On a quiet night like this, she was staying up late as usual, wondering whether to finish the novel she hadn't finished last time or to write down the inspiration in her mind to accumulate material for future creations. She was completely unaware that a figure was secretly observing her from outside the door, casting a deep gaze at her.

However, Ovira wasn't scolded. Her older sister, Xia, was very gentle and never scolded anyone; she only offered meticulous care and patient, detailed guidance. After learning why Ovira couldn't sleep, she said the words above. Although she said, "Don't be so willful," there was no hint of blame in her tone, only a relieved smile.

What was Xia Xia so happy about back then? Ovira had never been able to figure this out. She had been thinking about it since she closed her eyes, in her dreams, and even while eating and reading. Only today did she vaguely understand the answer.

Perhaps, her feelings at that time were the same as Lin Ge's now.

Some crucial truths in life often take a long time to understand, but by then they are no longer the people they once were. Just as a river always flows forward, one cannot step into the same river twice. Should one feel sad or regretful about such a thing? But miraculously, the princess did not feel that way; on the contrary, she was content.

As long as she knows that both Xia Xia and Lin Ge treat her the same way, she is content.

Therefore, Ovira stopped being willful.

"Then, I'll go to sleep now?" She blinked, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and asked tentatively, "Goodnight, Lin Ge?"

"Yes, goodnight." The young man paused, as if remembering something, then said softly, "Sweet dreams, Ovira." Dreams as beautiful as they used to be.

Ovira, still half-asleep, nodded gently in agreement. Ling reached out, seemingly to pat her head—a habitual gesture among young people, initially developed with Medien, and somehow spreading to others. In a sense, could he see these girls of similar age as younger sisters, hence the naturalness of this gesture? The only exception was Saint Charlotte; he had never made this gesture towards her, or perhaps he had, but the young man had simply forgotten and refused to acknowledge it.

Although memories remain in the past, they can be modified in the present.

Ovira stared blankly at the young man, watching his hand, outstretched yet suspended in mid-air. For some reason, facing those eyes, Ling hesitated, unable to stroke her hair as naturally as before. He probably couldn't understand that this feeling wasn't due to distance, but rather because his inner emotions had been reawakened. The struggles and hesitations of mortals had taken root within him, destined to one day bear new fruit. Was this the change the girl named Saint Charlotte wanted to see? Was this the real Ling she and Alice longed for? It was still uncertain, but perhaps it wasn't a bad thing?

Linger's fingers curled slightly, pulling them back to his side. He smiled at the girl before turning and walking out of the room without hesitation. Ovira stared blankly at his departing figure, and for some reason, suddenly felt a strong urge to speak, to call him to stay, just as he always had stayed with her in the past. He had said, "If you can't sleep, I'll stay by your side." So even with her eyes closed, Ovira was no longer afraid of the darkness, colder than the deep sea. She felt incredibly at peace, even wishing that darkness could last forever, because as long as it existed, the young man would always exist. Although she couldn't see him without opening her eyes, even a princess in her dreams believed he was always by her side.

“…Ling Ge.” She spoke hesitantly, her voice very soft, almost inaudible.

The young man had reached the door. He stopped, leaned on the doorframe, and glanced back at Ovira. Although his gaze was as gentle and calm as ever, the princess suddenly felt as if she had been seen through. The young man knew everything she was thinking, what she wanted to say, and the feelings she was unwilling to express openly.

For a fleeting moment, Ovira actually wanted to shout it out, even if Lin Ge knew, she would still shout it out, as if to provoke or show off. But such a thought only lasted for a moment, and the next second she backed down, and the words that came out of her mouth naturally changed to something else: "...N-nothing, I just wanted to ask, what was your original purpose in coming to see me tonight?"

"It's alright." The princess said, thinking to herself, "I've never been a particularly courageous person to begin with."

So it's quite reasonable to choose to back down at this time, right?
It was only then that the young man realized he hadn't said those words to Ovira yet.

He was initially drawn to the princess's messy desk, then got busy helping her revise her plans and discussing novel writing. In the end, he even forgot the purpose of his visit to Viola.

Fortunately, it's not too late to say it now.

His lips tightened slightly, and he said in a serious tone, "Thank you, Ovira."

"Huh?" The girl was caught off guard by his sudden thanks and was momentarily speechless. "W-what's going on? Why are you saying that all of a sudden..."

"It was Alice's suggestion."

Lin Ge didn't hide anything and directly betrayed the genius player: "Didn't you send Alice to comfort me? She even reminded me not to forget to thank you. I think what she said makes a lot of sense, so—"

It turns out that Alice was behind this.

This isn't sarcasm, but genuine praise. A genius gamer who commits one evil deed a day, unexpectedly one day does a good deed, and the beneficiary is none other than herself. It seems she hasn't forgotten the kindness of staying up all night playing games with her.

Ovira nodded in satisfaction. Alice's grateful nature made her seem even more human in Princess Bemang's eyes.

Seeing her so happy, like a child, with two dimples on her cheeks, Lin Ge couldn't help but smile. But he quickly suppressed his smile, reminded her to go to bed early, and then turned and left the room. Before leaving, he thoughtfully closed the door for her.

The young man's shadow vanished through the crack in the door, and Ovira felt a sudden emptiness, as if she had lost something important, like a pen without ink, a book without words, or a novel without its soul. She waited a while longer, her ears keenly listening for every sound in the corridor, but Linge didn't return; she could only hear her own breathing. His departure was swift and decisive, which was somewhat disappointing.

"never mind."

Princess Beman muttered to herself as she climbed into bed, pulled the covers over herself, and as the back of her head sank into the pillow, she was still thinking: I'll see her in my dreams anyway.

Because she dreams of that person every single day.

　Give me some cats
　　(End of this chapter)