* * *
So ti later, things had finally cald down.
The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the room as it painted the sky in hues of orange and purple.
“I think they’re finally done crying.”
“I could still cry more, you know…”
“Sniffle… too…”
Ariel and Rachel looked up at with watery eyes, their voices thick with unshed tears.
I couldn’t help but laugh, relieved that the worst seed to be over.
“If you two cry anymore, you’re going to dehydrate yourselves. Co on, let’s sit down.”
To my relief, they didn’t put up much of a fight.
I guided them over to the sofa and sat down, flanking them on either side.
Perhaps it was the soft cushions or the warmth of our combined body heat, but as we settled into a comfortable silence, a sense of peace settled over .
I leaned back, closing my eyes for a mont as I listened to the soft sounds of their breathing.
Ariel and Rachel were now leaning against , their heads resting on my shoulders.
Their eyes were still red and puffy from crying, but there was a sense of contentnt in their expressions that ward my heart.
“Heh…”
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
I shouldn’t be laughing.
And yet, the sight of these two girls, who had every right to hate , clinging to with such trust and affection… it filled with a warmth I hadn’t realized I was missing.
“Is this amusing to you, Young Master?”
Rachel’s voice was sharp, laced with a hint of annoyance.
She turned her head away, as if embarrassed to have been caught crying.
But even her attempt to appear angry was adorable.
I almost blurted out the words before I could stop myself…
“Well, you are rather cute when you’re flustered.”
Oops.
Too late.
I looked up to see Rachel staring at , her eyes wide with surprise.
“Ehhh…?”
Her voice ca out as a soft squeak, and I watched in amusent as a bright red blush spread across her cheeks.
“Um… I… What…?”
She was completely flustered, her usual composure nowhere to be found.
It was… strangely endearing.
Rachel was always so composed, so in control of her emotions… it was almost as if the events of the past few weeks had stripped away her carefully constructed walls, revealing the vulnerable girl beneath.
A strange tightness gripped my chest, and I stood up abruptly.
“Ariel… Rachel…”
I turned to face them, my heart pounding in my chest.
There was sothing I needed to say, sothing I should have said a long ti ago.
“I’m sorry.”
I didn’t even know where to begin.
How could I possibly put into words the depth of my regret, the sha I felt for all the pain I had caused?
So I kept it simple.
But the sincerity in my voice was undeniable.
“I never ant to hurt either of you…”
And yet, that was exactly what I had done.
In the most cruel, most selfish way imaginable.
I couldn’t even begin to imagine what they must have gone through, seeing like that, on the brink of death.
The sheer terror, the helplessness, the despair…
-Brother! No! Don’t do this!
-Y-Young Master… Please… Don’t say such things! To just… give up on life… how could you even…?
It wasn’t just who had crumbled that day.
While I had shattered and broken, consud by my own self-hatred… they had withered alongside .
A bitter taste filled my mouth, but I forced myself to smile.
This ti, I wouldn’t cry.
I would smile.
Because that was the least I could do for these two girls who had shown such unwavering love and support, even when I was at my worst.
“I promise…”
My voice cracked with emotion, but I pushed on, pouring every ounce of sincerity into my words.
“I promise… I’ll never leave you again.”
I felt them stiffen slightly in my embrace as if surprised by the conviction in my voice.
I tightened my grip on them, drawing strength from their warmth.
“I won’t run away anymore… I’ll keep fighting… for as long as it takes…”
My throat felt tight, but for so reason, the tears wouldn’t co.
Perhaps I had already cried all I could that morning, standing by the window.
All that remained now was a sense of… peace.
A fragile peace, easily shattered, but a peace nonetheless.
“So please…”
I whispered, my voice barely audible.
“Will you… stay by my side?”
I had hurt them.
I had made them cry.
But if there was even a shred of love left for in their hearts…
If they were willing to give another chance…
Then maybe… just maybe… I could finally leave the darkness behind and bloom into the person they deserved to be.
“Will you… give another chance?”
I had no right to ask such a thing.
And yet… I couldn’t help but hope.
“Yes…!”
“Sniffle… Of course, we will…!”
Their answers ca without hesitation, filled with a love and acceptance that brought tears to my eyes.
“Thank you.”
I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
I pulled them close once more, burying my face in their hair as a wave of gratitude washed over .
***
anwhile, on the road leading to the Lishite Dukedom…
A single carriage sped along the path, its horses’ hooves pounding against the dirt road.
“Please… please…”
The carriage was adorned with the royal crest, its golden surface gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Inside, a young woman with long, flowing platinum blonde hair sat hunched over, her body trembling slightly.
Her sapphire blue eyes, normally so full of life and laughter, were dull and lifeless, her gaze fixed on so unseen point in the distance.
Her lips, usually curved into a mischievous grin, were drawn into a tight line, her teeth worrying at her lower lip.
She looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown, her entire body radiating an aura of barely suppressed panic.
“Please… Raiden…”
The na escaped her lips like a prayer, her voice a mixture of desperation and longing.
She was looking for her knight.
“Don’t leave like this… Please… Don’t leave behind…”
Her voice broke on a sob, her carefully constructed composure crumbling like a house of cards.
The carriage sped onward, its destination clear.
The Lishite Dukedom.
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