As she stepped outside, the memories all came flooding back. The sweet smell of happiness in the air, the soft touch of love.
The dew felt cold on her bare ankles. So unlike his gaze… always warm. This was nothing new…. Thoughts of him always came up at times like this.
She could almost hear the moving castle's rusty arms walking toward her.
This arose the question she always hated answering. Mostly because she could never think of a good answer.
Why had she left?
She sometimes answered the question by saying that she felt suffocated in the castle where no one understood her. Sometimes she said it wasn't proper for an unmarried woman to live in a house with a full-grown man. Even if they were in love.
She looked at the puddles left off from the rain. No matter how much she regretted her decision, she knew that she'd never be able to go back in time and change her actions. No matter how lonely she was without him. His parting words rang clear in her head.
I respect your decision, Sophie. No matter how much I love you, I'll never be able to give you the life you deserve. He kissed her forehead. But someday, I swear I will. His voice had been trembling. And with that, he let her go.
In the end, it all came down to her leaving. If she hadn't left, nothing would have happened to him. He wouldn't have been gone.
Slowly, slowly, she felt her lids becoming heavy. Her body went limp.
When she awoke, the world was pure and white. And there he was. Waiting for her with a smile on his face. Their pain and suffering was over, and only happiness awaited them.