Chapter 37 - Prison

"Why- why are you just staring at me?" Colleen stammered, demanding as she sweated profusely. She wanted to be angry with him, but at the same time, she was too embarrassed to do so. "I'm asking you a question!"

The moment Kingsley lay eyes on her, he froze, the image of her sacred, naked body flashing before his eyes, and her words simply entered one ear and out the other, passing through his head without comprehension. It took a long moment before he could speak up.

"Uh- uh… I must apologize," Kingsley started awkwardly. "I shouldn't have entered the house. What…what did you say again?" His hands fumbled with one another, his fingers twisting and turning as he tensed. Fidgeting was a habit of his; a habit that comes up when he hides a certain emotion. Pain.

"I said, 'why didn't you knock'?!" Colleen shouted, squeezing her eyes shut as her face burned red. She had backed away to hide behind the corner of the wall, using it as protection from Kingsley's stares. She knew exactly what he pictured inside his head when he saw her, and it was more than just embarrassing. Her arms crossed tightly in front of her chest as she sensed those piercing eyes see through her clothes.

"I… I did knock!" Kingsley took a step forward as he desperately tried to explain himself. "But no one answered! I know you know that council officials, tribe representatives especially, have authority to intrude!"

"What…?" Colleen hesitated, pressing her lips together in a thin, grim line as she assessed the situation. She couldn't believe what she just heard – not the official's authority to break in, she already knew that. But, breaking in was only supposed to be used in urgent and extreme cases.

"What am I? A criminal?!" Colleen retorted accusingly. But her brows wrinkled, her pulse quickening with the possibility in mind…

Kingsley flinched, feeling a pang of bitter guilt rise in his chest. He lowered his gaze, whispering, "That…"

Colleen's blood stopped cold, Kingsley's failure to deny her words confirming her current status in the faction. "You can't be serious…," she said almost breathlessly, flabbergasted. It was something she hadn't even foreseen coming. What had she done wrong?

"I... I know you wouldn't believe this but-"

"But what?" Colleen stepped out from behind the wall as she interrupted him, veins bulging against her tanned skin in anger. She glared at him. "Tell me, Kingsley. Are you here to arrest me?"

Thick beads of sweat broke out across Kingsley's temples, slowly dripping down as he remained silent, and he clicked his tongue, turning to look away in guilt.

He was hurt, seeing Colleen and Kaiser together doing…that, but he couldn't show it. There was not the slightest bit of satisfaction he felt in having to arrest her, even after what he had witnessed.

He'd lost his sister, his boss was pressuring him to do something he didn't want to, he was burdened with the responsibility Winter entrusted him, he witnessed the woman he secretly liked having sex with someone else…and now that very same woman was furious at him. And he couldn't do anything about it, just like how he couldn't refuse Bon Banson.

Again, his chest tightened. It was painful. He couldn't breathe properly, let alone answer Colleen's question. With his head down, he was barely holding in the tears that were threatening to fall from his reddening eyes.

Today, he could see his world collapsing around him, lacking even the last pillar he had that held up his sky.

Colleen walked closer, lightly pulling his shirt in concern. "Why aren't you answering? I didn't know that the reputable representative of the great Storm Tribe was nothing but a pushover hiding behind a strong mask," she chided gently.

"You don't understand. This is for the best," Kingsley responded lifelessly. He could care less about his clothes being pulled on. He had lost his will to do anything, but for everyone's sake, he would continue on, even if they don't understand. Even Colleen.

Colleen let go of his shirt, turning around with a sigh as she gritted her teeth in irritation.

'Those eyes…I've seen them before,' she thought. Although she didn't want to admit it, she felt bad for Kingsley. Those empty eyes, wiped by loss and pain…those were the very eyes she saw when he lost his sister inside the dungeon. A part of her wanted to comfort him like how she did before, but another part of her couldn't bring herself to.

She could tell that he didn't want to do what he was doing, but the fact that she was being arrested still infuriated her. How could he agree to arrest her, but not defend her if the Chief of the council wanted her in prison? After helping him so many times, she couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed.

"Uh… I'm back?" Kaiser's voice interrupted, and he appeared in the living room, clothes now on. He stared at the two, darting his eyes between them as he was one who did not know how to read the atmosphere.

An awkward silence filled the room, and Colleen moved to cover her hand with her mouth, stressed. Kingsley was the first to break the silence, taking in a deep breath before he muttered, "I didn't know the two of you were close."

Kaiser turned. "Whatcha say-?"

Kingsley let out a long sigh as he sat down comfortably on the chair, crossing one leg over the other, returning back to his firm, authoritative self. He side-eyed Kaiser, his tone of voice rather pointed as he said, "Kaiser Dyingstar, I'm currently in the middle of an investigation here. It would benefit me greatly if you would tell me your true relationship with Colleen."

"Oh, don't get started now…," Colleen said through her teeth, seething in anger.

But Kingsley disregarded her, raising his brows at Kaiser to have him speak, his smile dangerously polite.

Kaiser turned to Colleen, and she glared at him, and anyone but this dumb*ss could see the fire in her eyes. "I'm…going to be Colleen's…husband?" he said hesitantly, as if he were waiting for Colleen's confirmation.

Colleen facepalmed for the nth time today.

The corner of Kingsley's mouth twitched, feeling his heart bleed. He wanted to scream, but could only do so inwardly as he maintained his radiant smile, trying his best not show any bitterness towards Kaiser or his willful statement.

'Don't lose your cool now, Kingsley. An official must remain professional at all times. Don't make Colleen look down on you more and more…'

Kingsley slowly stood up, his smile trained and sharp. "Hahaha! Is that right?" he laughed, though it was incredibly fake. "Well, congratulations…" He held out his hand, offering it, and Kaiser shook it obliviously.

"...And enjoy each other's presence in prison."