Page 17
“I’m the one who made you, I can kiss you whenever I want.”
“What about the clones’ consent?”
“You don’t have any. You don’t have any will either. That’s why you can’t be Mina.”
For the first time, fear stirred in my chest. Hearing those words, the same ones that had haunted my mind when I was young, now spoken by the very figure who starred in my nightmares, sent a tremor through me.
I hadn’t wanted this.
“Then why did you make me?” I asked calmly. “Is it Mina’s turn to become a doll?”
His eyes widened. “How do you know this word? It’s only used on Earth.”
Oh, god. Suppressing the urge to slap myself for the blunder, I cleared my throat, but he spoke over me.
“You have her memories too? What a strange copy you are. How have I never seen you before?”
I almost let out a scoff. Accepting every possible scenario—except for the truth in the right front of him—was terrifying. I was truly amazed by his determination.
“Yes, yes. I have. So tell me… Are you happy now?”
“You still haven’t given me a reason to answer.”
“Are you happy?” I only repeated.
“I…”
“Are you—”
“No!” His urgent shout silenced me. “I’m not. Not for a single day. Satisfied? Now be quiet and sleep.”
I blinked back tears at his honest tone. “Why…?” I kept staring at him through the bars, realizing there was more than just iron between us. There was a whole world. A vast galaxy. This corner that resembled a dungeon was a physical manifestation of the countless secrets I didn’t know about my dear Remi.
It shouldn’t be like this. The boy who had once been my paradise was slipping through my fingers. If only I’d held him tighter, if only I’d communicated with him sensibly…
Regret lingered, yet I was acutely aware that: unlike him, I’d managed to overcome my inner demons and find peace. Raymond, on the other hand, was in a terrible state, and in a way, I was to blame. Despite being young and inexperienced, I’d shattered another innocent soul like myself and ran away. I was selfish and cruel. I did this to him.
Ah, my beautiful witch-self. It’s so cruel of you to pour your venom into an innocent soul.
“Why?” I whispered weakly. “What happened? What’s the reason for this distance?”
If you still love me so much, how can you bear this? Why don’t you come and hug me? Why?
Cautiously, I slipped my arm through the bars and touched his face, stroking his pale cheeks softly.
Seeing his surrender to my touch, I pressed my lips together. His weary expression was too much to handle. Remi had never grown up. I’d escaped the labyrinth we built, our deception, and had been able to live with love all these years without him, but he… couldn’t do that.
He couldn’t leave the dollhouse.
What an obedient servant you are, Remi.
“Mina…” I began again, taking another step ahead. My body was now completely stuck to the iron bars. “What would you do if Mina were here right now?”
Raymond’s pupils dilated. At this sight, the tender emotions I pushed into the shadows welled up once more. Those eyes were sincere, loving, humane. The more I stroked his lashes, the more my nose filled with longing.
“I wish to… hold her.” His face fell. “To feel her near. Maybe… to sleep. Just sleep. I haven’t known a peaceful rest in years; I fear I’ve forgotten how it feels. I just want to fall asleep in her embrace. Just once. That would be enough.”
I drew him closer, until the space between us vanished and our faces brushed in proximity. Despite the cold iron bars dividing us, I could feel the warmth of him.
