hile, until the flickering candlelight was extinguished by a gust of cold wind, plunging the surroundings into utter darkness. Slowly, she followed out, but the young man''s figure was no longer visible in the foyer.
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Edith watched his forlorn figure, and in that instant, her heart became as clear as a mirror. Raphael''s premonition was right—today, once he left, it would be an eternal farewell! If she let him go like this, she would lose him forever.
Without thinking, she impulsively dashed out the door, disregarding her anxious friend, Charlene, calling out to her from behind. With a loud voice, she shouted the name of the person who meant so much to her at that moment:"Raphael! Raphael!"
In the darkness of the night, his desolate and solitary form finally merged with the blonde youth she had just envisioned on the edge of the cliff in that dreamlike melody.
Raphael halted his steps in surprise, then let out a bitter smile without turning around."Why must you chase after me again?"
"If I let you go like this, I will regret it for the rest of my life," Edith firmly spoke.
"Why... are you saying these words?" Raphael''s voice trembled."Especially now? I won''t be able to take another step if you do."
"But I can''t let you go either."
"Are you deciding my fate for me, Edith?" Raphael suddenly smiled, his voice quivering."Then I will stay, only to be with you until the very last moment. Let them catch me, let them take me to the guillotine; death will be so sweet, for it''s the ending you have bestowed upon me!"
"No, let me go with you!" She abruptly rushed forward, embracing his waist from behind, calling out in agitation.
Raphael raised his arms in disbelief, hesitantly placing them on the warm hands clutching his abdomen."Have you truly made up your mind, Edith?"
She didn''t answer, but instead tightened her hold around his arms, pressing her cheek forcefully against his back. After a while, she felt a few cold droplets of water fall onto her hands.
As they mounted the horse, Edith still clung to him from behind. After leaving the city gates, she cast a deep glance back at the shrouded darkness of Paris. It was at this moment that the maiden truly realised there was no turning back on this journey of escape. She had left behind her past loves and vows, forever bound to the man in front of her.