Once Klein realized Alice truly intended to drop the proposal for now, his smile grew a little more genuine:
"I have a way for you to talk to her.
"But could we try something else first? For example, I could write Vice Admiral Iceberg a letter..."
Alice hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded.
The letter to Edwina was easy to write. Klein had already mentioned Alice's schooling to her before; now he only needed to bring it up again and settle the matter.
The real complication came when Reinette Tinekerr appeared.
Alice clearly remembered the messenger she had asked why she had no head on her neck. When she saw Reinette arrive carrying four heads, she guiltily took a few steps back.
That only drew Reinette's attention.
Four pairs of red eyes settled on Alice. After a brief thought, she quietly edged behind Klein.
Klein stepped aside, exposing her to Reinette Tinekerr's gaze. Under Alice's incredulous stare, he said:
"You can deliver the reply to her."
Reinette Tinekerr gave Alice a long look before biting down on the envelope and leaving.
The moment she was gone, Klein turned to Alice. "If you're so scared of her, why did you say that back then?"
Alice covered her face with her hands and answered weakly, "My mouth moved on its own..."
After a pause, she lowered her hands and insisted, "I'm not afraid of her! I'm an angel too! At most, we're evenly matched!"
Klein offered no opinion.
It was like punching cotton. Alice instantly lost all desire to talk. She waved a hand. "I'm going back. Call me if you need anything."
With that, she tipped backward. Klein watched in astonishment as she fell toward the floor, only to vanish before she hit it.
Alice's body landed heavily