Chapter 251 - The real him

A/N: This chapter (and the preceding chapters to follow this) is the reason for the reader discretion/warning on the synopsis. Enjoy reading!

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Amidst the chaos, the turmoil of the world, Jonathan stood, looking at the fallen pillar which separated him from his child and the king of Feuersturm. He closed his eyes, thinking about the king of Feuersturm. The ninth king, they called him. His family was murdered by this body—and Jonathan knew well as he came back to the tower with blood on his hands. The blood of the Feuerkriegers. 

"Father."

Jonathan turned to the one who spoke, it was L.u.s.t, who was occupying the body of a noblewoman. 

"It is time to return." She said. "We've warmed up the countries of Zuerst."

Jonathan stared at L.u.s.t with a blank gaze.

And she smiled as she noticed this.

"Mother…" she said. "Will soon awaken."

**

Feuersturm is no longer safe—nor the main capitals of each country in the first continent. No one could tell when the attacks will occur again, so the best course of action to take is to get somewhere far, somewhere hidden.

The provinces.

"Why is Feuersturm's defense so weak? I thought that we were all secured…" One of the citizens who boarded the train moving towards one of Feuersturm's province, said. 

"I heard that it's not just us. Every country got ambushed, and none were prepared."

"This just shows how lax the imperial families got since the great war."

"They said the most to take the damage was the three sister countries—Elizabethian, Antonettian, and Victorian."

The gossips were unending, and so Owen had no reason to hide it to Rosemary anymore. Rosemary stared at Owen, "are we going to die?"

Owen's eyes widened. "No, no, Rosemary. We're not going to die. C'mere."

He then lifted Rosemary up and then sat her on his lap. "No one's going to die. As long as I have you, and you have me, we're going to be fine."

That's right. After they arrive to the northern province of Feuersturm, they could start a new life and hide from the war. It was this province that was the refuge of the common folk even back at the great war from year 100-300. Owen closed his eyes and embraced Rosemary close to him. As long as Rosemary's safe, he doesn't mind leaving everything behind. 

"Papa…" Said Rosemary, who was looking at the window of the train. "Who's… that?"

Owen slowly turned his head towards the window, and as he did so, screams followed, the train shook, and people had panicked. Owen instinctively shielded his body to Rosemary as the glass shards rained down inside the train. Breaking through the moving train was a man—a young man whose hair was a black as night and eyes as red as fresh blood.

"Where is she?" He then stared down, and then finally his eyes caught Rosemary's emerald eyes. 

"Ah." The man was wearing a bloodied butler's tailcoat, and he had no emotion in his face.

"The final piece."

**

"Stay with me," the king whispered as he ran carrying Faustina with one arm. He then broke through the wall with magic, and landed towards the courtyard of the castle. She had hold on tightly to his body, afraid to even let go or see his face.

The king knew he had to take her somewhere safe.

The royal city, nor the capital, is no longer an option.

They had to go somewhere far…

Somewhere no one will be able to find them.

"Faustina." He then parted away from her for a moment. In that very instant, their eyes met. Ruby gems looking through sapphire ones. Two different worlds connected through war and peace. Turmoil and beauty. Death and life.

"Will you come with me?" He asked. 

Faustina stared at the king's honest, blue eyes. There was no wall in him now. 

Slowly, she nodded.

And with that, he claimed her lips once again.

--

The first continent had reeked of destruction and death—and amidst that turmoil was a girl, a little girl, crying. She stared at the woman who was burning as she walks nearer and nearer towards her. Soon, Faustina was able to see the woman clearly.

"Eu…Eula…?"

Faustina woke up instantly, sitting straight as she catches her breath. Her forehead was damp with cold sweat. Her hands were now trembling. What was that dream?

Faustina's eyes widened as memories began to surge in back to her mind.

Her eyes widened in fear—

"Orwell!" She said, "Maddie—"

No. This can't be. Where is she? Did Jonathan come and take her? What about the king, what about-

"Faustina?"

Faustina's eyes widened upon hearing that voice. Her body moved on its own—immediately he sprung out of the bed and ran towards the source of that voice. The voice she desperately wanted to hear. Her legs fell weak and he had caught her to his arms immediately.

Noah noticed that Faustina was trembling, and so he lifted her up.

"Faustina." He embraced her tentatively. "Hush. It's alright."

He was gentle with her. "Don't worry. I'm here…"

He then sauntered towards the bed, and sat down. He sat her into his lap as he embraced her tight. Faustina was still trembling. Was it out of fear?

"Faustina…"

"Orwell… Maddie… everyone…"

"Faustina," the king then parted her away from him momentarily. He stared at her eyes.

"They're safe."

Faustina's eyes widened.

"That night, I made sure no one will be left behind. Sheila and the knights were able to rescue everyone in the castle, along with the citizens." He said. "We will be planning soon afterwards. This is a temporary retreat,"

"Right now, you're in the castle of the Northern Province of Feuersturm." He said. "We're alone right now in here. Sheila and the others are on a separate castle."

"Why… are we alone?" Faustina asked.

"Because," the king kissed her forehead. "I can't risk it."

"Risk…?"

"There might be a spy in the castle planted by the forsaken," he said. "And I don't want you to be taken away."

Faustina thinned her lips. It was as clear as day now.

"I'm… I'm the forsaken's daughter." She said. "Aren't I supposed to be the one you should be suspicious with?"

The king and Faustina exchanged long gazes. Afterwards, the king kissed her lips, claiming her mouth once more. The kiss was gentle.

"Faustina," he said. "I'm not suspicious of you."

Faustina stared at the king's sapphire blue eyes. There was no façade now.

Just the truth.

"Even though I'm his daughter?" She asked.

"It doesn't matter who your parents will be."

Faustina clenched her fist. "Your majesty, your compromised body was healed." She murmured. "You no longer need me… so… why?"

The king then cupped Faustina's cheeks.

"Why?" He asked.

Faustina's eyes widened as the king kissed her, yet again.

It was Faustina who parted away from the kiss.

"No, y-your majesty." She said. "We can't do this."

It was the truth. "There's nothing between us."

She stood up, and even with her weak knees, Faustina forced herself to walk away from the king. She needed to go somewhere far from him. Maybe in another room, or so. Maybe a bath.

Faustina then went away from the king and opened a door.

She blinked, realizing the door was not meant to be an exit but a door to the bathroom.

"Oh," Faustina blushed. And as she was about to close the door…

A strong arm then seized her by the waist, and another hand behind her legs. The king lifted her up bridal style, and then went inside the bathroom.

He didn't bother to close the door, and went ahead, sitting Faustina by the sink.

The bathroom in the castle was bigger, but this wasn't considered to be even small.

"Faustina," he said. "Do you think there's nothing really between us?"

Faustina's eyes widened as the king leaned to her neck and gently licked upwards to her ear.

"Do you remember the night I visited you in your dormitory room?"

Faustina's eyes widened as the king's hands dr.a.p.ed around the back of her knees. Slowly he spread her thighs and dragged her gently to the edge. Faustina held on to the king's strong back. Now she had noticed that his robe fell down, exposing half of his body.

"Faustina," he murmured. "Do you not remember?"

"I don't—"

The king then gently nibbled Faustina's neck.

"Ngh!"

The king parted away from Faustina, and then he leaned to kiss her lips. This time, he parted his lips to glide his tongue on her mouth, and with Faustina's gasp, he found his entrance. The king's hands explored. The blade of her shoulders first, and then to her pale and slender arms.

"Your majesty—"

"Noah," he corrected, as his bare hands lifted her dress, exposing the lower half of her body. He then held her waist, and then his fingers traveled upwards, until he was cupping her b.r.e.a.s.t.

Faustina drew a sharp breath. "Noah—"

He kissed her gently.

"Push me away or tell me to stop." He said. "That way, I'll know there really is nothing between us."

He then fondled Faustina's b.r.e.a.s.t in circles.

"You can run only this one time," He then licked her neck.

"This is the real me, Faustina."