Xenia dropped her shoulders as she excused herself for a while from Jayra. She wanted so air, so she made her way to the nearest roof, which was coincidentally the one she had already walked through with Darius last night. It was when they went to the parapet, the place where he opened up everything to her about his father’s death.
Walking up, the guards greeted her with utter respect, to which she greeted them back with a curt nod.
“Back here again…”
As she expected, the view atop the roof was great during the dayti. That part of the wall was facing the Miran Ocean, the sa ocean that separated Ebodia from the Kingdom of Valcrez.
Slightly spreading her arms, the late afternoon breeze felt nice as it washed over her. It was becoming rather chilly and bracing by now, the inevitable winter creeping ever so closer with each passing day.
Walking further, Xenia only halted when she suddenly saw a familiar figure standing on the parapet..
‘Clara?’ Xenia thought.
Well, that was awkward… She was about to turn around and leave when Clara turned around, their eyes eting as a wave of familiarity washed over them.
The latter slightly bowed and greeted her, so Xenia did the sa. Now that they’ve seen each other, it would feel weird if she just left like they haven’t t. Besides, it was her intended destination, and it wasn’t like Clara owned that part of the castle.
With a breath, Xenia walked towards the bench that the guard had left there and quietly sat by.
“I was surprised to see that there was an available seat here, so I asked the guards how it happened,” Clara started as she casually sat beside her.
‘This feels weird,’ Xenia mused, scooting over to give Clara her space.
“See there? Darius and I would always play around that part of the castle when we were kids,” Clara reminisced as she pointed towards a particular part of the wall. “I used to go to that wall and walk around without fear back then…”
She then inhaled deeply, letting out a loud sigh as she continued, “Darius would always just watch , not saying a single word even if he was enjoying himself. He’s quite a man of a few words, you see, and that vexed .”
She chuckled, “So instead of doing it the old-fashioned way, I tried to gain his attention by putting myself in danger. It wasn’t my brightest idea, but I trusted him. And as I’ve thought, he will always be there at just the right ti to always save , even though he doesn’t really look like he cared at all.”
Xenia didn’t comnt. Instead, she listened as Clara narrated more and more stories about her and Darius’s childhood. And as the conversation kept going, the princess knew that there was sothing at the end of all this. Despite herself, she sohow felt jealous at knowing how fun Clara’s childhood was with Darius around. It was like the two of them were inseparable in her mories, and she would never have that even if she tried.
She looked at the sky when Clara finally wound down, having her mont of silence as they simply basked in each other’s presence…
“That’s nice, having soone you trust beside you. Soone who you wholeheartedly cherish,” Xenia genuinely thought aloud.
“I’m sure Darius also felt wonderful having you by his side, having those mories with a special friend like you, Clara…” She truly ant it too. She knew that Clara was a nice woman, but she wasn’t that naive to not feel the lingering tension hovering between them.
Xenia knew… Clara didn’t look at Darius like how the others did. Her eyes… They held a deep emotion towards Darius, and it had honestly bothered the princess ever since the day she t her.
ɴ[0)ᴠᴇʟ “Darius and I shared a lot of mories together, both good and bad…” Clara sighed. “I witnessed it all with him, and I stood beside him always, constantly watching his back just as he did to mine. He had pains and burdens, most of which he tried to carry alone, and yet I shared those burdens with him…”
Clara then looked her straight in the eye. “Darius and I have a strong bond, and I refuse to let anyone destroy it. I will not have those tis we had together perish just like that. I will fight for him no matter what. As such, I will fight you in the fifth trial, Xenia.”
She almost had a faint smile as she then added, “So make sure you pass the four trials. I’ll be very cross if you didn’t even give a proper fight.”
Xenia could only return the smile as she saw Clara’s determination. Having a faint smile of her own, she said, “Don’t worry, Clara. You’ll definitely see in the trial by combat. And those mories that you were saying… I’m sure they won’t perish no matter what happens between us. They’re already a part of Darius; mories that had made him who he is right now.”
She then sincerely added, “As a woman, I understand your heart, Clara… But as Darius’s woman, as well as being soone who loves him deeply, I will not tolerate anyone getting in the way of us creating new mories for our future.”
Having said her piece, Xenia then stood up from her seat. “I’ll be taking my leave, Lady Clara. I truly hope that in the future, after all of this is over, that I can see you not as an enemy, but as a friend who both cares for the welfare of our King and the kingdom that he is protecting. Soone who would set aside her feelings just to consider what it was that our King would want…”
With a genuine smile, Xenia turned around and started to walk away from her. Perhaps one day…
“You’re just an intruder! Not even a Cordonian! Soone who doesn’t care about this place… H-His kingdom…”
Clara’s sharp and accusing voice pierced through Xenia’s back, making her halt her steps. The anguish in her rival’s tone was apparent, one that she had constantly heard from the woman ever since they’ve began butting heads with one another.
Xenia let out a loud sigh. Without looking back, she replied, “I may be an intruder, but Darius is already my kingdom… My ho… That alone makes Cordon a place I care for, seeing as this kingdom is Darius’s.”
*******************
July 30, 2022 AN: Yehey!!! We suddenly reached another hundred Golden Tickets (GTs) so 5 chapters were released for today. Thank you sooo much my lovelies. Don’t forget to continue on voting especially on August 1 for GTs since our Golden Tickets ranking resets monthly. *Kisses and hugs*
PS. More Bonus Chapters once we also reach Thousand Powerstone Ranking weekly and once our book receives Super Gifts. Enjoy the weekends guys. Always keep safe and God Bless.
Reviews
All reviews (0)