Disclaimer: For context, please read first It's been rough, hasn't it?
This is a sequel of that story...
You can still read it, but for better "experience", I highly suggest to read the aforementioned fic first. Anyways, on to the story...
ONE YEAR HAS PASSED...
It was that time of the month again...
That special week of the month...
The time that finally, Master will spend time with her again...
After the wholesome moment they shared a year ago, Shaula slowly began to open up more and loosen up a bit. Gone were the times that both of them are awkward to each other—even though she still latched to him and hugged him "too tightly".
As time passed by, both of they began to be more comfortable to one another...
For Subaru, he slowly begins to understand Shaula's unfortunate situation.
To guard the watchtower to prevent the witch cult to come near the seal that locks away the Witch of Envy, she is left only to utilize on the scarcity of her resources—mainly in food for nourishment.
His heart aches when the Star Keeper delightfully explained how she eats different kinds of Mabeast meat just to survive. The raven-haired knight internally cursed and berated the supposed "Great Master Flugel" for his incompetence and sheer idiocy to not only leave her all alone but not taught her—forcefully if needed— basic survival skills like cooking and foraging so that she could at least prepare and eat something decent.
He also learned and realized that despite her clumsy and at times "push-over" and "clingy" personality, she could at times be a level-headed person and actually hold a decent conversation. He truly enjoyed their time together—despite being always being suffocated with her hugging him "too much" and her—at times— child-like adoration and glee.
He decided that a few aching body pain—and possibly a few broken ribs— are a small price to pay for Shaula's "therapy and healing sessions". Besides, there's always his contracted spirit Beatrice and Emilia to heal him. "But seriously, these issues could have been prevented if Flugel was responsible enough..." his inner thoughts irk him to no end...
For Shaula, having someone to talk to really helps her cope up from 400 years of isolation. Someone to share her anxiety, pain, worries, and doubt, she can finally expresses her pent-up frustrations towards someone—and not just babble to herself.
Despite her hazy memory on how her former Master looked like and knowing Subaru's name, she still adamantly and insisted that he was—and still is— her Master based on his scent. As such, she wasted no time expressing herself—from physical advances of hugging him closer to her chest to venting out her anguish, remorse and frustrations towards him.
Even though she feels a bit of regret of hurting him indirectly, her pent-up frustrations — both intimately and resentment— supersedes it as she tries to make up all the lost time she had in her life.
Like can you blame her? Four-freaking- hundred years is a pretty big number— despite being a humanoid Demon Beast, the emotional and mental toll it took really damaged her. And thus, it's time for a little payback...
As such, she really make the time she spent with Subaru count: cuddling and hugging him non- stop(which of course he reluctantly complies) , pouring her heart out all the things she wanted to say to him (even though the black-haired knight told her like a million times that he's not Flugel but eventually just gave up trying to convince her and just accepted it), and being together from mudane things like eating and cleaning the tower to amazing stuff like stargazing and bantering one another.
Truly, such quality time with her "Master" really lifted some heavy burdens she shouldered all throughout her life. But it doesn't mean her emotional baggage are resolved: separation anxiety, paranoia, trust issues, her slight obsessive-compulsive disorder —in which she fears of losing her fading memories of her Master— which promotes her to excessively shower Subaru with compliments to fish out validation that she's needed and loved, and so forth...
Because deep inside, she feared that Subaru will go against his word and leave her again— like what happened to her 400 years ago by her "Master"...
On the last day of their "quality time" together, the Star Keeper was both confused and uneasy when the following conversation played out:
"Shaula, I have something for you, but before that, can you blindfold yourself first?" Subaru proposed as he handed her his orange scarf. He was internally excited on how'll she react once she sees the surprise.
'Huh?! Is this the BDSM you told me before, Master? What type of foreplay are you going to do on me?" the dark brown-haired lady jested as she reluctantly took the piece of clothing and wrapped it over her eyes.
"Wha?! NO! It's not like that! And how the hell do you know such stuff?!" the raven-haired knight interjected as his face was slightly burning up from blushing. "What the hell did Flugel teach this girl?!" he muttered as he tries to compose himself. "Now I really want to punch that guy when the time comes..."
Shaula chuckled at her "Master's" demise as she adjusted the blindfold to a comfortable position. As her vision was enveloped by the darkness, her fear and doubts started to creep in her mind as well...
"Subaru?"
"Yes, Shaula?"
"You won't leave me like this, right?"
"..."
Silence engulfed the ambience of their conversation as all of her negative thoughts started to amplify through each passing second. Her body starts to slowly shake and sweat as her Master didn't gave her a response.
As she starts to panic and was about to shout, a warm embrace enveloped her as it tightly squeezed her — as tight as he can of course— and place his head over her shoulder.
"Shhhh...No, I won't. Please trust me. Just give me at least thirty minutes. I'll be back for you, I promised." He whispered through her ear as he soothes her nerves by stroking her hair.
Such warm comfort eases her frantic heartbeat as her breathing steadily stabilized. Although not fully convinced, his assuring voice makes her believe on his word.
"Okay...I trust you, Subaru..." she resigned as she was guided by him to sit on a chair. Sitting up straight, she accidentally bumped his head with her chest, which made Subaru flustered even further.
"Why does this always happen to me? Focus Subaru!" the black-haired boy slapped both of his cheeks and shakes his obscene thoughts away. Seriously, as much as he truly care for the dark brown haired- lady, he has already set his heart for Emilia.
After finally composing himself, he slowly walks away to set his plan to motion...
Due to her "impaired vision", Shaula's other senses heighten up as she patiently waited and "entertain" herself by observing every sound and scent she can perceive on her surroundings.
Unbeknownst to her, her doubts and fear once again creep in to her, as voices started to echo through her subconscious mind...
"Here's he goes again, leaving you behind once more..."
"He's lying..."
"He really doesn't care for you..."
"A pathetic excuse for an apprentice..."
"Scattered-brained and annoying, that's you..."
"He really didn't want you at all..."
Shaula tried desperately to fight her negative thoughts away by focusing all of her attention to anything her senses can register to them.
Subaru's scent slowly fading away...
The light closing of the door...
The muffled voices as he talked to himself...
His footsteps getting lighter as each step echoed farther and farther away...
Faint lighthearted chuckles as unintelligible sentences are muttered back and forth...
Softer echoing of footsteps...
...
...
...slowly...
...
...
...
..!..
...Subaru's scent completely disappeared...
...
...
...
Terror filled in Shaula's heart as she wanted to rip off the blindfold and chase him but she doesn't want to disobey him either. As she begins to panic —her heart beats rapidly and her breathing started to be irregular— the Sage Apprentice tries to think of something, ANYTHING, to reason out and what action she'll take.
Eventually, as time passed by, she slowly crumbled from the negativity and slumped forward from her seat— covering her face with her hands she sobbed and wept her heart out.
Why?
Why?
Why did he lie to me?
Why does he want to leave me?
Does he not truly care for me?
Was everything all just one big lie?
Is she destined to be alone forever?
To be isolated?
To be lonely?
Her shrill cry of misery reached its peak when she cried and wailed loudly— her heart slowly shattering...
Then, it was true all along...
"I don't deserve any happiness..."
Suddenly the door slammed open as someone run towards her and embraces her tightly. Stroking her hair with one hand while rubbing circles on her back with the other, Subaru frantically soothes the poor "scorpion" lady's heart.
"I'm so sorry Shaula! I should've known it was a bad idea to leave you alone like that. Please, I'm here! I'm here..." he pleaded as he consoles her. "Man, I screwed up badly..." he muttered as regret sets in.
"Please, please don't make me do it again! I was scared...so scared that you really did leave me...I know that I'm not that smart and clumsy...but it doesn't mean I'm that dense...so please Subaru...don't ever leave me..." the brunette cries even further as her fear get the best of her as she cling on to Subaru.
The paired stayed like this for a while until the Star Keeper's condition stabilizes— at the expense of Subaru's body being "crushed", which he internally deserves it. As time passed by, the raven-haired knight looked at her and continued soothing her. "Man, if you think about it, despite having a rocking body, she looks like a kid here..." he mused as his warm eyes gazed through her green eyes.
"Again, I'm really, really sorry about that Shaula. I was going to surprise you, but it seems that it's already ruined." He lamented as he kept on hugging the poor girl in his arms. "Damn, I should have accounted her trauma in the first place..."
The Sage Apprentice rustled within his arms and looked down. "Man, she really is pissed off huh?" Now, his own negativity sets in. But before it when further, Shaula snapped him out...
"No, its okay, Master. I'm not mad at you, I'm just afraid that you might tricked me, that's all. So please, continue the surprise..." she muttered as guilt starts to set in on her because of her breakdown.
...
...
...
"Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to."
"Yeah, I'm positive about it..."
...
...
...
After assuring that everything will be fine, both Subaru and Shaula slowly stood up— with the former cupping the latter's face to wipe the remaining tears.
"Oh! But you still have to close your eyes though...so, how about this?" the black-haired knight mused and steadily cover Shaula's eyes with his hands. "It's to make sure you'll not sneak a peek. And the same time assure you that I'm here."
Shaula suddenly had butterflies in her stomach as a shade of red crossed through her face. Sure, she teased, hugged, and cuddled Subaru before, but for him to do these things in his own volition has a different effect to her...
Abruptly, her hands became to start shaking, her heart began to pace faster, and an uneasy —but not uncomfortable— feeling bubbles up within her. These feeling only appear when her "Master" would hold her hand, hug her back, comfort her, etc. Such small gestures carried a different kind of warmth, calmness, and security.
As much as these sensations were so unnatural, confusing, and a bit scary, at the same time she didn't hate it and actually wanted to know and understand why such "feelings" only surface out only when Subaru does these on his own.
If she could wish for it, she wanted this "warmth" will not fade away and stay with her as long as she lives...
As the pair slowly walked — with Subaru still covering her eyes and leading the way— they eventually came to a halt. Slowly, he unravels her eyes and the brunette lady saw was...
A table full of different kinds of assorted food: roasted meat, assorted sides, bread, and different slices of cakes and pastries. A candelabra on the center of the table—which illuminates the room and gives a certain aura of class and serenity. Wine glasses, plates, and utensils lined up while two bottles of what she assume to be liquor sitting on a bucket full of ice. Two chairs are placed on both ends of the table and moonlight shines brightly at the side of the table, setting up the peaceful and serene mood just right.
Such sight truly takes her breath away as such display both confuses her and excites her.
"Well, since it's been one year since I made that promise that I'll not leave you, I decided to hold a celebration on that anniversary. I know it's a bit too excessive but I really mean it though; you're special to me as well. Like Emilia, Beatrice, and others, you are precious to me and I promise to take good care to you too."
"I didn't expect you to break down earlier so I'm really sor- Wait! Are you okay, Shaula!?"
Subaru babbles on and on but suddenly stopped when he looks back to Shaula — who had tears trickling down on her cheeks. In panic, Subaru apologizes again and again until the Sage Apprentice interrupted him—while sobbing:
"I'm not sad it's just, I really didn't expect this at all. Is it really okay for me to experience such happiness? To be this joyful? To be loved back? To be cherished and be part in your heart?"
Slowly, Subaru cupped both of her cheeks and wipe some of the tears with his thumbs. Shaula placed her own over his as she relished such warm and sweet gesture. Looking at her, Subaru delivered the final blow to strike down Shaula's insecurities.
"Of course you are, I did promise to not leave you, didn't I? So don't worry, Shaula. I'll always be here with you, so that if you'll struggle and fall back, I'll be here to catch you no matter what..."
...and with that, the "scorpion lady" was rendered speechless as her "Master" took her breath away and stole her heart once again...
Meanwhile, in the Miload Mansion...
"ACHOOO!"
"Lady Emilia, are you okay?! Do you have a cold?"
Otto initially panicked as the silver-haired half-elf suddenly sneezed out of nowhere as they had their internal discussion on the different agreements, treaties, and meetings the Emilia camp would have on the next day.
"I'm fine, Otto-kun...But I have a very strange feeling, though. I'm not sure why, but I'm feeling as if my position is starting to slip..." the silver-haired Royal Candidate mused while placing a finger on her chin— slightly confused as to why she's feeling this way...
Author's note:
And it's done! Hope you like this story... Again, thank you so much for the constant support and love you guys gave to me. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section and please do continue to support as well.
This will be the last fic I'll publish as I'll be on a short hiatus because IRL stuff has been getting heavier and needs more attention. Don't worry, I'll still continue to write, but will not publish monthly like I always do.
With that, thank you so much and see you in the next fic. Take care.