The night was deep and cold, thunder roared outside incessantly with lightning leading the dance. The castle walls shook with each loud bang but kept its habitants safe from the rain.

Yet inside one of the bedrooms, a young man was wide awake and staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep and drenched in a cold sweat.

He tried, and tried, and could try until the end of time, but Sieg Warheit could not for the life of him get the images of Victor and Siela out of his head. Losing both his friends to fate would do that, but when they were his closest friends he found it harder to do anything other than mourn. He had been doing nothing but mourning for months now and it felt like he was in a pit that he couldn't dig himself out of.

The creaking of his bedroom door caused him to shift his head to see who was there. Standing in the doorway was a woman in her early twenties, a short haired brunette in a pale yellow night dress and holding a candle in her hand. It was because of that light that Sieg could see the concern on her face.

"Sieg, are you alright?"

Her voice had been almost hard to hear over the thunder, but the warrior sat up to address her.

"What do you think?" His tone had been sharper than a knife and Arcia winced in response to it. He immediately felt regret and apologized. "You didn't deserve that."

"It's okay. I understand." She walked into the room, softly closing the door behind her before walking over to the bed. She sat down next to Sieg and took a long look at his face. It was pale and contrasted with his neon red hair. Arcia put her free hand on Sieg's forehead. His skin was damp with sweat and cool to her warm touch.

"Another nightmare?"

He didn't answer. There was no need to when the answer was so obvious. And she didn't press further. Putting the candle on the bedside table she tried her best to comfort her friend, and she would be willing to do anything to help him.

"Victor and Siela...it's been months since they left me and yet..."

Lowering her hand Arcia kept her eyes on Sieg's to keep him focused on her and not the nightmares he had been having. She understood his pain better than anyone, and thus knew how to best keep him from drowning in his own sorrow.

"Everything will be alright, Sieg. Just know that I am here to help you when you need me."

His first impulse would have been to rebuke her words, but he hadn't the strength nor desire to do that. His only desire was to tell the truth now, like he always did. "I'll be fine, as long as you're with me."

With a loving gaze Arcia raised herself up to bring her lips to Sieg's. She also brought her hand to his cheek, lightly touching his skin with her fingers. Her lips were soft and though she was inexperienced in it, the kiss was immaculate for the weary Sieg.

Arcia smiled lightly, "You want me to stay with you tonight?"

Such a thing to do, especially between a man and a woman and out of wedlock, was seen as taboo in the church. Yet these two trusted each other to the point that they were willing to defy such a rule. That, and while it wasn't spoken aloud, their feelings of trust were outweighed by the love they shared for each other.

For Sieg needed her, and she desired to help him no matter what rules would be broken in the process.

He didn't turn her down, "Just don't get in trouble for this."

She kissed him again, her touch refreshing to his weary mind and heart and lowered her hand to the mattress.

"Let's sleep now."

He nodded once and went to get comfortable on the bed. Arcia blew out the candle before she laid down next to him.

Laying on their sides facing each other, all Sieg saw was the angelic smile of Arcia as he finally drifted off to peaceful slumber.