Sir Hildebrand carefully moves me, saying that it's not safe to stay in the same place for too long. I tell him that he doesn't have to, and he tells him that it's no problem; that it'd be a shame to leave such a beautiful man behind. I give him a look, and he just laughs. He's such a flirt. It's shameful, but he seems nice enough.
As we move, I ponder what he told me about killing whatever human he comes across. There must be more humans invading the country then. I didn't think much of it before, but the humans that raided Vernon as well as the human that attacked Arietta could be connected. They all must've come from Big Cimaron.
But why are they here? Are they planning something?
By nightfall, we reach a cave, and Sir Hildebrand gathers wood and sets fire by using the Embers of Eileen. I think back to what Clareta told me about him; that he was so focused on one thing that it scared her. Now I know what that focus was and that's to slaughter any human that crosses his path.
Before I met Yuuri, this wouldn't have disturbed me, but now it does. Sir Hildebrand is kind to me because I'm a demon. However, when faced with a human, he's most likely consumed by his hatred for humans. A hatred that I once harbored. One that I'm familiar with. That kind of hatred – it drains you. It chips away at everything that makes you the person you that you are until you're unrecognizable.
As Sir Hildebrand sleeps, I hear a female voice respond to my ponderings. You're right. Hate changes people in ugly ways.
My eyebrows shoot up. Are you the spirit of the sword?
Yes, I am, and you are Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld of Shin Makoku. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear prince. Her words are kind.
I'm no longer a prince. I say, factually. Ever since Mother retired from her position as Demon Queen, I lost my position as prince.
Once a prince, always a prince. She reasons, warmly. Your mother was the previous monarch, but there's more to you than that. You have such pride and love for your country. Your need to protect both body and soul is truly admirable.
This reminds me of what Arietta told me about being fiercely loyal and dependable to the people that I care about. I didn't see these qualities in myself before. I could only see the bad because of what I've heard others say about me behind my back and because of how I felt about myself. To have someone acknowledge these traits touches me deeply.
How are your wounds, dear prince? She asks, softly.
They still hurt, but I'll live.
There's no need for such bravado. Allow me to heal you.
Huh? But how…?
In that instant, a wave of relief floods my body, and I no longer feel the stings from my wounds. I marvel at her astounding healing powers as I sit up, and give myself a once over. Every single wound has disappeared. I can hardly believe it. Her healing powers are on par, if not greater, than Yuuri's.
Like yourself, I was once a fire-wielding demon, and I wielded a sword. In fact, I once wielded the sword that my spirit is in now. I fought to protect this country from the humans that oftentimes fought us. To make a long story short, I despised them, but over time, I learned that not all humans are evil, and so I conquered my hatred. Gavin has yet to learn to conquer his, unfortunately. She sighs. I wish that you were my wielder, but it's not that simple. I put skills above personality, not the other way around.
Are you saying that I'm weak?
No, and I didn't imply such. I can sense peoples' auras and tap into their hearts. However, I cannot determine a person's skill by doing this.
So that's why people duel for you.
That's correct. The duel is used as a means to find out which swordsman or swordswoman is stronger. As far as I can tell, you have a stronger heart, and Gavin is stronger in the ways of the sword.
I'll prove you wrong.
A warm laugh echoes in my ears. Please do, but until then, get some rest. You're going to need it.
Surprisingly enough, I managed to sleep through the night. As I wake up, I feel the same relief I felt when Lady Eileen healed me. She must've used her powers to help me sleep soundly, which is a feat in itself. For an ordinary demon, a few hours of non-stop healing would be enough to exhaust them or at the every most, kill them. After all, that's how Susannah Julia died.
Lady Eileen must be very powerful indeed.
I get up, and find Sir Hildebrand at the river, refilling his canteen. He must've heard me approach because he turns around, and stands. Upon seeing me, his eyes widen with surprise. "Wow, you look much better." Then he smiles. "Eileen must really like you. It took her over a month to heal me willingly."
I've thought of ways to bring up the duel. It's nothing to bring up so casually in conversation. So I concluded that the best way to propose the duel is by pulling my sword out of its sheath, and I do just that.
He stares at me for a moment with a blank look on his face.
The grip on my sword tightens.
He laughs, darkly, and brings a hand to his face. "You too, huh? I should've known." He whips his sword out, and becomes a different person than he was before. "I won't hold back just because you're pretty."
I frown at the slight, knowing from experience that he's using the word pretty to undermine me, as if my beauty is the only thing I have going for me. In the past, the maids as well as other servants and guards around the castle had referred to me as pretty with the same vehemence. They'd say that my looks were the only good trait about me.
The hurt from those memories transform into fury as I charge at Sir Hildebrand, who stays put. I let out a cry when I make my move to strike, but he meets my sword halfway. Our swords clash with a clanging sound that used to make me cringe when Conrart first started teaching me how to use a sword.
He pushes at me and I push right back, our arms and swords shaking at the contact. I'm unable to keep this up for much longer and he shoves me back with a force that I wasn't expecting. As I'm stumbling backwards, he takes advantage of my moment of weakness to attack.
A searing pain jolts through my body as his blade cuts my arm, instantly drawing blood. Quickly, I jump back to put some distance between us so that I can recompose myself, and access the damage that has been dealt.
This isn't good. The wound he inflicted is deep, and it's on my right arm of all places. The pounding pain spreading through my arm will leave me no choice but to abandon my sword.
"Heh," he scoffs. "Is that all you got?"
I ignore the throbbing in favor of continuing the duel. I dash towards him, summoning my fire to engulf my sword in flames. Briefly, I see his eyes enlarge at this before I swipe at the air, sending a wave of fire at him. Having no time to dodge, he shields himself with his arms as the flames knock him onto his back.
I move to stand over him, and point my sword at his neck. "I won. Now give me the sword." I demand.
"Or what?" He snarls. "You'll kill me?"
My forehead creases. "No. Doing so would be unjust and unnecessary."
"You don't say?" He grins, evilly. "Tell me, Lord von Bielefeld, how do you think the victor of these duels are decided?"
Before he can think, he has me on my back, and he's lunging at my neck with his sword. Acting fast, I catch the blade, preventing him from hitting my neck. Some damage is dealt, however, on the palms of my hands. I grimace at the burning sensation, but I ignore it as best as I can so that I can push his sword to the side. Right after, I grab my sword off the ground, and stab him in the shoulder.
He yelps upon impact, and recoils, dropping his sword in the process. I jump to my feet and point my sword at him to prevent him from making another move. A short silence follows and I glare at him, holding my breath, keeping up the appearance that I can still go on, despite my injuries.
He holds up his hands in surrender and sighs. "You're lucky that you're cute."
After the duel, we part ways. Sir Hildebrand refuses to be healed by me. He refuses to talk to me too. He just shakes his head and takes off, leaving me peeved and indignant.
Don't mind him. I hear Eileen say. He's always been like that. Much too stubborn to accept help from others.
I see…He's the same as me in that respect. Whenever people try to help me, I do my best to turn them down because I'm much too proud to accept their assistance. I always think that if I let them help me or worst yet, I'm forced to accept their help, I'm weak, and that makes me feel pathetic.
There's no shame in relying on others. Eileen says. Please remember that your strength, your need to continue living is something you possess when you open your heart to others.
I immediately think of Yuuri and his goofy smile and his kindness. He's given me more than anyone ever has, and I feel that I give so little in return. All I do is pester him, and I'm the worst company he can possibly have. Now wonder why he tried to get me out of his room in the past. No wonder why he left me all those times to go speak with Conrart and Lady Flynn, and anybody else. Then I scowl as I remember that damned bastard who had his eyes set on Yuuri.
King Saralegui of Small Cimaron. The man who betrayed Yuuri, and has done nothing to deserve his trust yet managed to earn it somehow. The man who Yuri held hands with and smiled at with such a familiar warmth that twisted my stomach.
I fall to my knees.
Lord Wolfram! Lady Eileen gasps.
"Just happy to see you." Yuuri had said.
It was a lie.
"Happy to be with you."
My whole body quivers and I can hardly breathe. A wave of nausea passes through me, and I clutch my stomach.
All of those words were a lie. A damned lie.
I retch, and empty the contents of my stomach.
The journey after that is long and difficult, especially with a fever, but with Lady Eileen's help, I'm able to persevere. Every now and then, she'd use her healing powers to soothe my aching body, and her previous words ring true with me. With her by my side, I can get through this for she has given me the strength I need to push forward.
Two weeks pass before we reach the outskirts of Shin Makoku. My fever had delayed the trip back, but during that time, Lady Eileen assisted me in bringing the fever down, and getting rid of it altogether. It's a relief to be well again, and I thought I'd feel that much better to be home, but I don't.
From up on the grassy hill, I look down at Shin Makoku, seeing the little dots of people moving about, going about their day.
I wonder if Yuuri is back yet, and how he did on those tests of his. Then I think of how easy it'd be for him to speak to Conrart about it. It's be easy for him to talk to anyone about it, really. Everyone besides me, that is.
"You're the best."
I hold my hand as I recall his touch, his words, and his brilliant smile. It's still a dream to me, I think. A dream that won't come true.
"I don't belong anywhere." I say aloud.
That's not true. Lady Eileen insists. All of your memories that flood into my mind when you touch me tell me that your home is here. Yes, you have been taken for granted on many accounts, but haven't you done the same to others?
I'm about to disagree when I think of how I've treated Conrart with such disdain only because he was half human. I disregarded him as my brother and cast him aside. I've taken my mother for granted simply because of her flirtatious ways. The maids, even my own men, which fills me with deep shame.
Your ability to read my heart is awfully invasive, I point out.
At certain times, I'll stop, but when it really matters, I won't hesitate to do so. She says, resolutely.
That's cryptic. I reply. Care to elaborate?
I don't know whether she's willing to answer or not because I hear an explosion she can do so. I start when I realize that the sound came from town. Quickly, I make my way into town, and locate the source of the disturbance.
Fire has been set in the market place, each wooden booth catching up in flames. Citizens run away from it, screaming, and yelling for help. Amidst the chaos, I see two people. I assume them to be civilians.
Go on, Lady Eileen says with urgency, most likely feeling my need to spring into action. I'll absorb the flames.
Okay, I say.
I take out the Embers of Eileen and dash into the fire. At first, I expect to feel a little burned at least, but much to my surprise, I don't feel anything. If anything, I feel stronger.
Once the fire is extinguished, I discover that the people I thought were citizens are actually humans. They appear to be taken aback by the fact that I just absorbed the fire they created. One recovers quickly from the shock and steps in front of the taller one.
"Flee, little sister!" The woman shouts.
"But, Ingrid…"
"Do as I say!"
"You're not going anywhere!" I say, using the fire to trap them inside of a fiery circle.
The taller woman whimpers and runs to her elder sister's side. Ingrid doesn't even flinch. She merely stares at me and demands. "Let us out of here or you'll be sorry!"
"What could you possibly…?" I gasp as I feel a familiar sensation pass through me. It's hard to breathe, and I grip my chest where my heart is pounding, frantically.
Ingrid holds out an esoteric stone, and gives me an impish smirk. "I will shove this down your throat if that's what it takes to kill you." Bravely, she approaches me, intending to do what she just said.
"Damn," I grit my teeth, doing my best to fight through the pain. I wonder if Lady Eileen feels the same.
I'm okay, she assures me. Esoteric stones no longer affect me. So don't worry. Just hold me up, and I'll take care of them.
You don't mean…
No, I have no intention to kill. I'll hurt them, but they won't sustain fatal injuries. I promise.
All right, I tell her, raising the sword. I trust you.
I hear her smile.
"What?" Ingrid gaps as Lady Eileen forms a fire lion, and launches it at her. Upon impact, she lets out an anguished scream, and is thrown back into her younger sister, who's also struck by the lion.
My body is alleviated of the esoteric stone's power; I presume because Lady Eileen's attack destroyed it. Then she consumes the flames once more, along with the fire that the sisters caused. I catch my breath as I walk over to the sisters, seeing that the attack knocked them out.
"Your Excellency!" Someone says and I turn to see that it's once of Conrart's men.
"Bring them to the castle for questioning!" I order.
"Sir!" He salutes and gets to work.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I spot a trio of figures in black, hopping on the roofs, and see that they're heading towards the castle. Damn it. Had the sisters been a distraction?
I sprint to the castle.
