After listening to Merka's words, Turing hesitated for a moment.
"I understand," Turing said.
Turing swallowed nervously, feeling the tense atmosphere gradually intensifying, making his already narrow chest ache.
For some reason, Turing had a premonition that what Merka said was right.
As a natural half-angel, he was special, he was strange.
Just a daring touch from Merka's pitch-black eyes was enough to make Turing feel like he would be inundated and destroyed by memories rising like tides in a vast sea.
"I..."
Turing reached out his trembling hand, slowly approaching Merka's deep, dark eyes. But just as he was about to make contact with Merka, Merka grasped Turing's wrist.
"Let's forget about it, Turing."
In the moment of Turing's hesitation, Merka changed their tone again.
Merka gave a slight smile to the puzzled Turing.
"Turing doesn't have to do things he doesn't want to."
"We didn't have a choice back then."
"But things are different now."
"At the end of the day, there's no need to force ourselves with these secrets."
"After all, these secrets don't really matter now, do they? As long as we defeat Oedipus, it'll be over."
Merka ruffled Turing's head forcefully. He sometimes felt as if Turing's head was as hard as iron, wondering if Turing could feel his touch each time.
"Oh... all right."
Hearing Merka's words, Turing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Honestly, Turing didn't want to deal with all those national secrets, conspiracies, and schemes. He just wanted to live a normal life with Merka.
"Let's not talk about those things for now."
"Oh, by the way, have you seen the 'grave' we made yesterday?"
Merka picked up a clay pot with soil sitting on the bedside, showing it to Turing.
It was decorated with colorful pebbles and the half-broken cigar Turing smoked last night, along with some cute little parts that Turing couldn't describe.
"You said Elizabeth was a very pure child."
"So I plan to plant a cornflower, symbolizing a pure and innocent girl."
"Once the flower grows, I'll seal it in amber to make a decorative bottle."
"Your birthday is in summer, right? By then, I'll memorialize all the friends you've lost over the years with corresponding flowers."
"I'll give them all to you."
"This way, you'll never have to worry about forgetting anyone ever again."
Turing looked at the potted plant in his hand that resembled some kind of ecological model, momentarily stunned. He gently cupped his hands and accepted the plant, placing it carefully in his palm. He thought memories always represented hurt and pain. But now...
It seems not to be the case.
Turing felt incredibly happy as he held the potted plant, lightly tapping the terracotta pot with his fingers, savoring the frosted texture. The deep-seated guilt that had been buried in his heart quietly melted away, replaced by a sense of gratitude, akin to the first snowfall.
As Merka once said, those who sacrifice themselves for their own sake do not desire guilt or pain.
They seek gratitude.
【I should hold gratitude in my heart, not guilt.】
【Otherwise, I will be wasting away in anxiety all day, which would truly disappoint Elizabeth.】
“Turing, get up. I have some matters to attend to today, and I'll come back to cook for you in the evening.”
“Just stay at home and entertain yourself today.”
Similar to yesterday, Merka stood before the dressing mirror, lightly freshened up, took out a thin winter cotton shirt from the hanger, and smoothed it out in his hands.
His bony, slightly veined, sexy hands crossed backwards, gripped the hem of his nightshirt from the bottom, lifted it off his body directly.
Merka had nothing to be embarrassed about, but Turing blushed a bit, even though she had seen Merka's body on the bed many times before.
Taking out the black wrapped body dress that they bought together on the street yesterday, Merka smoothed it out in the same way. The silky touch and gentle silk fabric clearly indicated it was made of expensive material, with the three-dimensional patterns on it fitting Turing's currently rather slender figure well.
According to the shop assistant's recommendation, clothing with low-key elegance suited the temperament of customers like Turing. Indeed, aside from Turing's innate nobility, Turing preferred to wear understated clothing, as only then could Turing avoid being bullied as in childhood.
"Stay at home... that's fine."
Turing took the dress, pondering something briefly.
"Oh, by the way, Dunkirk said there will be your investiture ceremony next week."
"The items you'll need for the ceremony are in the box."
Merka smiled slightly at Turing's reminder and replied, "I heard that just now."
"Anyway, she will come over tonight. I'll discuss the details of the investiture ceremony with her later."
"Oh, I see."
Turing nodded, understanding.
