Chapter 194 The Villain Lady Arrives 22
As Vivian finished her words, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.
Before everyone had completely recovered from the joy of Vivian's safe return, they were shaken by the sudden bad news.
Professor Leonardo's face became extremely solemn. He slowly turned around and looked at the team slowly approaching in the distance - they were the teachers responsible for searching and rescuing the missing students. They had solemn expressions and were carrying several stretchers covered with white cloth in their hands. Every step they took seemed extremely heavy.
Seeing this, the students stopped what they were doing and gathered towards the team, their hearts filled with indescribable panic and anxiety. Alice's reaction was particularly intense. She almost instantly rushed out of the crowd and ran straight towards the stretchers, as if to prove that all this was just a nightmare.
"No! This is impossible!"
Alice's voice was sharp and trembling. She tore off the white cloth on the nearest stretcher, revealing a familiar and pale face - that was one of her most capable "money bags" in daily life, a boy who always listened to her.
Alice's hand tightly grasped his cold wrist, tears rolling down like pearls from a broken string. She looked up and around, her eyes full of helplessness and despair, "Teacher, please, save him! He just fell asleep, right?"
Professor Leonardo and several teachers exchanged heavy glances. They knew that the scene before them was irreversible. But in the face of Alice's plea, they still tried to explain in a gentle tone:
"Alice, they... have left us. This monster riot was too sudden. We tried our best."
Upon seeing this, the Third Prince hurried forward, gently pulled Alice away from the stretcher, and held her tenderly in his arms, trying to give her some comfort.
"Alice, don't be like this. We are all sad to lose our friends, but you have to be strong. Although they are gone, their memories will always remain in our hearts."
Alice's tears wet the third prince's clothes. She buried her head in the third prince's arms, her body trembling slightly, as if she wanted to pour out all her sorrow. The classmates around her were also deeply moved by this scene. Some bowed their heads in silence, while others couldn't help sobbing.
"Why is this happening? We are just here for an adventure..." A female classmate cried as she hugged her friend tightly, as if she was afraid that she would lose her in the next second.
"Yeah, why did it have to be them..." another male classmate said with a sob, his eyes wandering among the stretchers, every familiar face made him feel heartbroken.
Professor Leonardo took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that he needed to be a pillar of support for his students at this moment.
"Children, this is the cruelty of the wizarding world. But please remember that every setback and loss is a test of our will. We must draw strength from grief and keep moving forward."
He looked around with a firm and deep gaze. "Next, we need to hold a solemn funeral for these deceased classmates so that their souls can rest in peace. At the same time, we must strengthen prevention measures to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again."
As Professor Leonardo finished speaking, the students gradually recovered from their shock and grief, and began to work together, with some responsible for building a simple altar and others for preparing items needed for the funeral. The third prince also volunteered to mobilize the forces of the Royal Knights to ensure the safety and solemnity of the funeral.
With the company of the Third Prince, Alice gradually regained some peace. Although she still felt unspeakable grief in her heart, she also realized that she could not remain immersed in grief. She began to take the initiative to participate in the preparations for the funeral, using practical actions to remember those friends who had passed away.
In the process of preparing for the funeral, some people's doubts and uneasiness gradually emerged. She recalled the series of events that had happened during this period, especially the words mentioned by Vivian - "Why is it that every time I am with Miss Alice, something always goes wrong?" This sentence was like a thorn, deeply piercing her heart.
Luna began to secretly observe Vivian, trying to find clues from her words and actions. However, Vivian seemed to be unaware of it, and still maintained her calm attitude, occasionally taking the initiative to help those classmates who were depressed. This made Alice even more confused. Was she really overthinking?
On the day of the funeral, the entire magic academy was shrouded in a layer of light sorrow. The students wore black mourning clothes, held flowers, and gathered around the altar. Professor Leonardo, as the main priest, slowly read the eulogy, and every word was full of deep affection and reluctance.
As the ceremony progressed, Alice's mood became heavier. She looked at those friends who had fought and laughed with her, but now could only lie there quietly, and her heart was filled with endless regret and self-blame. If she had been more careful at the beginning, could this tragedy have been avoided?
At this moment, Tariq slowly walked to Alice and said softly, "Alice, I know you are sad now. But please believe that it is not your fault. Sometimes, fate is so cruel. All we can do is cherish the people in front of us and try to live every day well."
Vivian's words were like a warm current, slowly flowing into Alice's heart. She looked up at Vivian, with a trace of gratitude and relief in her eyes. "Thank you, Brother Rick. I will remember your words and try to move forward."
The third prince's gaze inadvertently fell on the scene where Tariq gently put his arm around Alice's shoulders, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart.
He had never realized so clearly that his feelings for this girl of common origin were not only the care and respect between classmates, but also a kind of inseparable emotion growing quietly. Alice's gentleness and strength were particularly dazzling at this sad moment. Every drop of her tears was like a stone thrown into his heart, causing ripples.
He took a step forward, and each step seemed particularly heavy, as if the ground beneath his feet also carried his inner struggles and contradictions. The third prince approached slowly, his eyes showing both tenderness and determination that could not be ignored.
He calmly pulled Tariq away from Alice, and stood beside her naturally, holding Alice in his arms like a protector.
"Alice, don't be too sad." His voice was low and magnetic. He gently hugged Alice's waist and let her head rest on his chest, trying to comfort her with his warmth and strength. "Although your friends have left, their spirits will always be with you."
Alice felt the sudden warmth and her body trembled slightly, followed by a deep sense of relief. She looked up at Adrian, whose deep eyes were full of concern and tenderness, making her feel more dependent than ever before. "Thank you, Your Highness." Her voice was thin, but full of gratitude.