Chapter 255 - Cold distance

It has been a week since Faustina had been avoiding the king—and in that week she was able to think about what just happened. There were times that they ate at the same time, and whenever they would meet gazes, both of them would avert and find it awkward. Now, Faustina just feels like something was off. In the entire week the king tried to approach her, but as he was about to speak, Faustina would find an excuse.

Like right now.

"Faustina, you see, what happened, I—"

"A-ah, right. I figured I was about to do something t-today," Faustina said with a nervous smile on her face. "S-see you later!"

And so she ran.

It already had been a week. Whenever Faustina would look back, the king would look down as if he had committed such grave sin that his gloomy disposition bothered Faustina greatly. Faustina had been thinking about it for a while—about the king's advances.

Although she didn't dislike it…

"So it's—"

"WRONG!!!"

Faustina felt as if her crystal orb was going to break. She was communicating with Michelle in a private line that glamours her location.

"It's wrong to do that without asking if it's alright!" Michelle said on the orb. "Is your friend alright? With all the things happening here and people are trying to take advantage of her? The nerve!"

Faustina let out a nervous chuckle. She told Michelle everything, but not exactly some accurate details. First, she told Michelle it was her friend and her boss… and so when Michelle heard of it, she let out her very own criticisms. And Faustina knew that Michelle was right.

"By the way, how are you, Faustina? I heard Feuersturm really took a lot of damage."

"I'm alright," Faustina answered. "How about you?"

"Magierstadt defense is impeccable. Thankfully there isn't any attack." She said. "But classes were stopped so we're simply eating and doing nothing in here."

They talked for hours until Faustina noticed it was already dusk. 

Her days always pass like this—eating, doing nothing, and then sleeping. The process always repeats and there are just variations that aren't even that significant. But Faustina was just thankful there was a roof over her head and she wasn't caught into the war. Although the ambush stopped and there is still no move from the forsaken nor the warlock generals, the rulers of the first continent are given time to talk and plan. 

But there was something else that had happened. 

The second continent was no longer in reach.

"It seems like they got the entire continent protected with a strong magical barrier…"

Faustina heard one of the maids saying that as she went out of her room. She was now walking into the hallway, ready to eat her dinner early. She doesn't want to see the king nor talk to him, because things had gotten awkward and heavy between them after that.

Truth to be told, even if Faustina did not find it unpleasant… she still had the time to think about the essence of consent.

She wasn't that dumb.

And he should know that.

**

Faustina swore to herself she wouldn't let anyone rule her nor would she let anyone use her. She was no longer a Heilen—she knew the truth now about her origins. Her gaze had been clearer and she was more oriented. Whereas the king…

His composure had dwindled.

Faustina thinned her lips as she saw the king sitting in the chair. 

It seems like he finally caught her this time.

The two of them, once more, ate dinner in silence. When Faustina finished half of her meal, she stood up to go back to her room.

"Wait." 

Faustina froze, but she shouted to herself she ought to escape.

"Can we talk?"

It has been a week and the king was always looking like he wanted to tell her something. And Faustina felt a strange feeling of not wanting to hear what he has to say.

"I'm… going to do… things," Faustina had ran out of excuses, but she ought to avoid him at all cost. 

She couldn't see the king's expressions, and it was better this way. She didn't want to be swayed by her heart. It was time she put into practice what she's been telling herself.

She won't let herself be used.

"Faustina… just… just a minute?" He asked. "Please."

Faustina didn't reply, and simply walked out of the dining hall. She felt a strange clenching in her heart, as if it was being smashed flat. But deep in Faustina's mind, was a little voice that was telling her that she did the right thing. 

Before, she used to be someone who obeyed and let other have their way with her. 

Now, she had to be different.

Because she's changed.

"Faustina!"

Faustina turned around, seeing the king panting. It looks like he rushed to chase her right here.

"Your majesty." Faustina said.

The king's sapphire blue eyes were looking at Faustina with emotions she couldn't tell. He looked like he had run. 

"I…" He began to approach her. "Can I—"

"No," Faustina said firmly. "Don't come close."

The king then froze, and then stared at Faustina whose ruby eyes were lifeless and blank. She was staring at him with sheer indifference now, contrary to her stuttering just several hours ago. 

But Faustina had enough. All it took was to clear her mind and to practice what she was preaching on and about.

To be her only prime mover.

Her master of her very own self.

Not the king's toy, nor someone meant just to do something from him.

The king was rendered speechless, and he hasn't move from his spot as he heard Faustina's cold words.

"…What do you want from me, your majesty?" Faustina asked. "…I…" The king gulped after a lengthy pose. "I'm… sorry…"

His head bowed down as he uttered those words. Faustina then averted her gaze, not knowing what to say.

"I did something wrong." He said. "I don't know if you remember—"

"I do," Faustina exclaimed. "I remember."

The king stared at Faustina, who wasn't even looking at him now. She was still indifferent, and she didn't display any sign of wanting to see his face, even. It has been a week since she avoided him… and the king figured that it was justly, so. 

"I see." The king then lowered his gaze. "I'm really sorry, Faustina."

"…about what?" Faustina probed.

"Huh?"

"What are you sorry for, Your Majesty?" Faustina asked. "Is it because I remember what you did?" 

"No," the king denied. "It's…"

Silence.

"It's what?" Faustina challenged. "Are you really sorry?"

The king lifted his gaze now to say a word, but none came out of his mouth. She was looking at him with such hurt evident in her face. 

"Why?" She murmured. "Why are you telling me you're sorry? What are you sorry about?"

There was no response. Faustina wanted to laugh. 

And she was so ready to forgive him, too.

Faustina bowed at the king before taking her leave. 

"Glory upon the Feuersturm Empire."

**

"Priestess,"

"Hm?"

"What happened to the country?"

"They momentarily stopped," Sheila exclaimed, "but I think the next wave will come soon, so it isn't safe for anyone to set foot into the capital or the royal city."

Orwell then stared intently at Sheila who then fed him again. He remembered that she was the one who saved him too.

"Priestess,"

"Yes?"

"Where are we?"

"You're in the infirmary of this province. The magicians have cast a protection spell in this entire province and glamour to make it look like nothing but a rice field, so don't worry much."

Silence.

"Priestess,"

"What?" 

"Thank you."

Sheila blinked at the unexpected word that came out of Orwell's mouth. "For what? For feeding you?"

"For saving me." Orwell smiled. "And that, as well."

--

Sheila had been thinking about it for a while—

The joy of being thanked.

It's been a while since she heard those words from anyone. For many years, she was bound to be a servant of the imperial family. And not even once did she hear a word of a sincere thanks just when she does the littlest action. She knew it was only natural for her to nurse Orwell, and she didn't expect any word of gratefulness for it.

So when he said that, her cheeks flamed red and her heartbeat sped up like never before.

Was it a fever? The feeling of being overwhelmed?

Sheila buried her face in her pillow. The night was already deep, but she's still worrying about things like this. She felt silly. There is a war—she couldn't be thinking about the most insignificant things. Sheila groaned as she punched the mattress lightly.

Maybe she should just sleep.

Or so she thinks.

Sheila immediately reached for her staff as she senses a presence—

But then before she could even grab the wood of her medium, strong arms wrapped around her as she feels someone sitting by her bed. 

Sheila's body relaxed as she feels the familiar warmth of the man embracing her, with his face buried beside her neck.

"…What seems to be the problem," Sheila softly said as she gently wrapped her arms around his back. 

The man then embraced her tightly.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?"

Sheila's expression softened.

"Of course you may," she smiled. "My king."