Prince Of Darkness
Chapter 9
Duo remained in his room, still embracing Hilde, unaware of the time that has passed. Time seemed irrelevant to him at the moment, all he cared about was the young girl he held in his arms. "Duo?" Hilde whispered against his chest, her warm breath tickling his skin.
"Hn?' he muttered not once releasing her from his embrace.
"How do you find your salvation?" she questioned softly.
He sighed and said quietly, "I wish I knew, all I know is that I have to do it for myself."
All of a sudden he felt moisture against his skin as his damp shirt pressed against it. He then looked down at Hilde, tears glistened down her cheeks. Duo gently put his fingers under her chin and lifted her head up to face him. "Please don't cry," he said as he wiped the tears away gently with his thumb.
"I'm sorry, I'm being silly. I know I shouldn't cry but Duo," her voice cracking as she tried to hold back the tears, but her attempt was futile and she ran out of the room sobbing.
Duo's arms were still held out not understanding fully what she had just did. He heard her door shut down the hall and slowly lowered his arms to his sides. "Hilde," he whispered as he looked at the door of his bedroom. Duo couldn't decide if he should go to her room or just leave her be. 'Hilde, what's wrong?' he thought sadly. 'I can't let her go on like this, I must find out what's wrong,' he said as he walked to the door and opened it.
He walked down the hall to Hilde's room and stood and paused in front of it. He could hear her gentle sobs emanating from the room. Without knocking, he let himself in. The room was dark, the curtains drawn to keep the light of dusk from coming in, Hilde's sobs filling the room. Duo's heart twisted at the sound and made his way to the bed where Hilde was laying, face buried in the pillow. Duo softly padded across the room and sat down on the bed next to her. He gently placed his hand on her back, causing her to pause momentarily. "Hilde, what's wrong?" he said softly.
Hilde slowly turned her head and sat up to face him. Her eyes were glassy from unshed tears and her cheeks were moistened by those shed. "I...I...can't...he..help..you," she muttered between sobs.
Duo gently pulled her body up against him, holding her against his chest as she trembled as she cried. He ran his hands through her hair, trying to soothe her. "Knowing I can't help is just eating me up inside," she whispered half-heartedly against his chest.
"Hilde, this is a battle I must fight alone. I did this to myself and it is up to me to get my salvation. Don't cry over something that I have done to myself, please Hilde," Duo cooed softly in her ear.
Her crying finally ceased and she raised her head to look up at him, a smile of hope on her delicate face. "Duo?" she whispered faintly.
"Yes?"
"Does it count if I forgive you?" she said sweetly.
Duo placed a soft kiss on her lips and smiled, gazing into her eyes deeply. "I wish it did Hilde, I sure wish it did."
"Duo?"
"Hn?"
"Can we look at the stars tonight?"
He stroked her hair and kissed her tenderly on the forehead, "Of course princess, anything with you."
"I think we should go down and tell Horus that you are ok," Hilde said as she rested her forehead on his.
"Yeah, poor guy has to put up with me everyday, at least we can do him a little favor eh?"
She giggled and replied, "I could put up with you for the rest of my life, you're not that bad."
He got a devilish look in his eyes and he tackled her to the bed, pinning her underneath him and sitting on her. "Are you sure?" he said playfully.
"Why of course," her voice echoing with laughter. "I would be crazy not to," she said as her voice softened as well as her eyes.
All he could do was smile at her warmly. He leaned over and placed a very soft kiss on her lips and looked her in the eyes. "I love you," he whispered against her lips. "Come angel, we've got a worried bird to console," he said jokingly.
Duo hopped off Hilde and helped her off the bed. Duo escorted her out of her room, his arm linked with hers. They descended the stairs to find Horus still perched on the back of the chair, staring at the fiery blaze in front of him. He raised his head as he heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. "I see that you are all right sir," Horus said as the couple neared them.
"Yeah Horus, I'm ok for now, sorry for worrying you old buddy. Hey Horus, hungry?" Duo asked.
"Now that you mention it, I am. Miss Hilde, are you hungry?" Horus asked the young maiden.
"I am actually. I do hope you plan on cooking?" she said, directing the question at Duo.
"Of course, I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't. Come this way," he said leading Hilde towards the kitchen. Horus followed them down the corridor.
Duo pulled out a chair at the little kitchen table and Horus rest upon the window sill that was next to the table. "It's not fancy since I don't have hours to prepare it."
Duo got busy and was able to make something out of the things he found around the kitchen.
As soon as he was done, he placed a plate in front of Hilde and Horus, and in front of the spot he would occupy. On each plate laid a sandwich. "It's not much, but it will do," he said as he took a seat next to Hilde.
"Oh Duo it's just fine, thank you," she said as she looked at the food before her. "When you grow up on almost nothing, you learn to appreciate the simple gifts in life," she said as she looked out at the night sky, trying to hide her sorrowful gaze. Every time she talked about her life, only sad memories seemed to resurface. Duo knew how hard her life was and he truly felt sorry for her. He wish he could have saved her from that horrible man and those painful memories that he has caused. Duo draped his arms around her shoulder for comfort and she leaned into his embrace. He place a kiss on her soft hair and inhaled the overwhelming fragrance of wild flowers. Horus observed this display and his heart warmed. His master had finally found someone to heal his bleeding heart. In a matter of days, she has changed him in ways he never thought possible. "Miss Hilde, that man will never bring harm to you again," Horus said and Duo nodded in agreement. "If he even lays a finger on you, he will be dead where he stands, compliments of me," Duo said coldly.
"I just hope it never comes down to it," Hilde said softly as she entwined her fingers in his tightly. "Let's not worry about it now," Hilde said trying to change the mood of the conversation.
Duo kissed her lightly on her temple and said, "Right, let's eat, I'm starving!"
Hilde giggled and took a bite of her sandwich, she liked hearing his happier tone of voice rather than his icy one, it always sent chills down her spine. Duo looked down at Hilde who was eating her sandwich happily, all of a sudden he had a great idea. He decided not to share it, he didn't want to spoil the surprise. A sly grin spread across his face at the thought and Hilde noticed this and looked at him strangely. "Are you up to something?" she asked quizzically.
"Oh nothing Hilde, just thinking about something, nothing to worry about," he said non-chalantly.
Hilde then turned to Horus for some answers but all he could do was shrug, he had no clue either. "Oh ok," she said giving up on the subject at hand. After they were finished eating, Horus flew into the library and sat by the fire and Hilde and Duo went upstairs. Hilde kept looking at Duo, trying to figure out what was running through his mind. "Hilde, meet me in my room in an hour ok?" he said as he paused at the top of the stair case. "Sure thing," she said and walked to her room. With a sly grin on his face, Duo walked into his room, he just couldn't wait for what was about to happen.
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An hour had past and Hilde left her room to go to Duo's. She lightly rapped on the door. "Come in Hilde," he called.
Hilde let herself into the room where Duo was awaiting on his bed. "Are you ready Hilde?" he asked as he sat up.
She had a confused look on her face as she said, "For what?"
"Don't tell me you forgot?" Duo said giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
"I know we are star gazing but I didn't think we were going anywhere as well."
Duo walked over to his armoire and pulled out a blanket and tucked it under his arm. He walked over to Hilde and took her hand. "Come with me my lady," he said as he escorted her out of the room.
Hilde had no idea on where they were going, this was all new to her. She thought they were just going to stand on the balcony and star gaze. They walked down the stairs and to the front door. Duo opened the door for her and they both walked outside. A chill breeze blew threw the air sending a cold breeze to dance across their faces. "Follow me," he said as he took her hand and began walking.
After a few minutes it finally dawned on Hilde as to where they were actually going. Before she knew it, they were in the middle of the castle gardens, the one she has relished in every day that she has been here. Hilde's eyes went wide, this place was even more beautiful at night. The moon's light cast a gentle glow on the night blossoms as they blew gently in the breeze, their sweet aroma filling the air. Duo led Hilde down one of the paths, one that Hilde never ventured down. The path led to a remote spot on the outskirts of the property. It was a small cliff that overlooked the valley and was covered with lush green grass that gently swayed in the wind. Duo led Hilde by the hand and they walked to a little spot a few feet from the edge of the cliff. Duo laid down the blanket and sat down, pulling Hilde down into his arms.
"Oh Duo, this is absolutely beautiful. I never knew this path led to here." Hilde looked up at the star filled sky and sighed and she nestled against Duo's chest for warmth.
"I used to come here to think a lot. I thought this place would be wonderful for star gazing, plus, every time I saw you out in the garden, I wished that I could have been there with you. But since I can't go out in the day, that wish would never come true. Now, I am finally able to be with you, and I don't have to wish anymore," he said as he looked out at the vast sea of stars.
She looked up at him and her eyes met his in a loving gaze. The cool breeze blew loose strands of hair across her face as her eyes never left his for a moment. Duo slowly leaned over and kissed her softly and slowly, his hands gently caressing her back as he embraced her tightly, deepening the kiss even further. Duo paused and rested her forehead against hers and whispered upon her lips, "I love you."
"I love you too," she replied as she collapsed into his warm embrace.
They held each other throughout the night, both gazing up at the sparkling heavens that were above. It was starting to get cold so Duo decided that they should go. Taking her hand in his, they walked back to the castle, the moon the only thing lighting their way. When they got back to the castle, they decided to call it a night, it was late and it had been a long day for the both of them. Hilde went to her room to change into something warmer and then made her way to Duo's room. With a light rap on the door, she let herself in. Duo had lit a fire in the fireplace to try and warm up the drafty room a bit. Duo was already laying on his bed when Hilde came in. Hilde looked at him and he smiled at her and waving her over in his direction. Hilde crawled beneath the covers next to him and curled up beside him as he put his arms around her and pulled her as close as he could. Duo kissed her forehead tenderly and whispered, "Good night my love."
"Good night," she whispered back as they both shut their eyes and went to sleep.