Chapter 279 - Sustaining the Lady's Happiness

279: Sustaining the Lady's Happiness

"A Heilen?"

King Alexander Octavius turned toward Sheila, the priestess of Feuersturm. She nodded, "yes. It seems that the Heilen clan has been healers for so long. To sustain your life, we can extract the Heilen's blood or we can create a contract with a Heilen."

The king sat on his throne, fist on his chin.

"Aren't they extinct?"

"The first king has met one," said Sheila. "He said the Heilen child is found deep within the mountains."

"A child." The king exclaimed. "More so that we cannot retort to the contract."

Sheila nodded.

"The quickest way is death."

**

Several weeks later…

I heard from the priestess, that upon further investigation, the Heilen child we were about to extract powers from was already a sixteen year-old girl who was living with an unidentified woman.

"It seems like she's living with a mountain witch doctor."

"I see."

Killing a sixteen year old girl…

"That reminds me," the king whispered. "It would be sixteen years from now when that day happened."

I changed the plans then.

I did not know what came into me—but instead of killing the girl and extracting her mana, I wanted to give her a contract instead.

"It's tyrannical." Sheila remarked at me as I sheathed my blade, ready to leave the palace at any moment now.

"Killing her will be more merciful. Would you want a pitiful child to actually be bind to you for all eternity?"

"If it mean I'll be able to stop the prophecy," he said, "then a single child's life would be nothing."

**

"My lady, forgive me."

I saw her, that night.

Her eyes were looking at me with fear. Underneath the moonlight, she looked so small, yet she stood strong.

The forsaken.

"Give master's body back!"

He was able to get away.

--

I took the child to my care at the castle. Sheila complained day and night, telling me my decision was irrational. At some degree, I do agree too. It will be a lot faster to absorb her mana.

But…

I keep getting drawn to her.

Multiple times, I would try to approach her, but I end up absorbing her mana that I was depleted from.

Every time, she would fall asleep. I would look at her, and realize that indeed—she was just a child.

"She has an affinity to multiple elements." I said. "Bring Orwell Lotheringwood to teach her."

Sheila furrowed her brows. "Your majesty, y—"

"Do as I say." I persisted.

Sheila had no choice but to obey. And at this point in time, I wondered to myself, if I really was a tyrant.

**

I sent her to Magierstadt to train her body to be more accustomed to magic, and also to better her mana flow. Because if I don't do so, her mana will only flow towards me and she will be left to die.

The first king did not agree to my decision, but he was still amused.

"There's something about her," I said. "That feels hidden."

'Do you think she's pretending?' the first king retorted back to me.

"No… I think it's something that she's not aware of herself."

I felt a strange, unpleasant feeling in my c.h.e.s.t.

Why was I feeling that way?

To find more answers to my question, I went to sneak a final glance when she slept. I know to myself—that this was ungentlemanly. It wasn't something that I am supposed to do.

And yet…

The ugly feeling inside of me screamed of her. I wanted to see her.

But…

Why did I do those things?

She won't remember.

And that alone made me feel horrible.

In the province, she was kept safe. But it turned awkward for the two of us. I really wanted to talk to her, to tell her that I was sorry.

"She's avoiding me," I told Sheila.

She was the only person I could confide in.

I wanted to face her head-on. I really do.

But then, I found out that she was gone.

I realized that it was all too late. I was such a fool. I pushed her to the edge—and now she had gone missing.

--

I was able to attack the forsaken and take her back with me.

I watched her bandage my wounds.

I don't deserve her.

But…

Even so…

I wanted her. I love her.

If only I could keep her with me forever, even if that meant that I would take her from the rest of the world, then I would do so.

But she has the freedom to choose, and I know that if she would not choose me, she will still be better without me on her side.

And I just want her to be happy, nothing more. I will cast all of my selfish d.e.s.i.r.es aside, if that meant she will be happy.

And that's all that I pray for.

I looked at Faustina. The healers said it was already a lost cause, because her body was beginning to reject nature in itself.

Yet still, I will not give up on her.

I will never give up on her.

"Faustina, please come back to me." I whispered as tears began to drip from my eyes. "Please come back…"

"I will not ask for anything else. I will not ask you to sustain my life. I will not ask for anything from you. I just want you to come back… and live… live happily…"

I held her hands tight as I closed my eyes, praying to God. Praying to God that she'll still live.

"I love you…"

Suddenly, I felt a small thumb c.a.r.e.s.sing my tears away.

"Don't cry…"

I blinked.

Basking in the morning light was Faustina who had woken from her deep slumber.

"Good morning, your majesty…"

I immediately went on top of the bed and wrapped my arms around her.

I sobbed as I hugged her.

God, I love her.

"I love you." I whispered in her ear. "I love you so much…"

She wrapped her arms around me, "I love you too…"

I parted away from the embrace.

She smiled at me warmly, through her tears.

"Your majesty, I have a request."

Whatever it is, I was willing to grant. Anything in the world, I will give to her.

"I will offer my life, and everything I can give you, Faustina,"

"Then…" Faustina leaned into me, and then her lips found mine at the crack of dawn.

"Sustain my happiness," she c.a.r.e.s.sed my cheeks. "Noah."

I grinned and kissed her forehead as the morning glow welcomed a new chapter in our life.

"I will do so forever, my lady."

--END--