Never Let Me Go Chapter 0
Sheba sat on a wooden bench outside the dining hall, her hands folded together on top of her lap. Her mind reeled through what happened earlier that day.
I believe that Solomon's strength will turn this world into a brighter place. If there's anyone who forgot about what this person has done and is still suspicious of him, stand in front of me!
"I guess I really did say all that…" Sheba mused. She understood where the other species came from, and she couldn't stand another magician tarnish Solomon's name. All of that came out in a mad rush, like a surging energy that blew from her body. It was a different kind of magic, and she was happy to prove herself to Solomon.
Her cheeks turned a shade of pink when she remembered Solomon's reaction. His initial surprise that transformed into genuine respect towards her made her heart melt. He wouldn't look down on her, and they watched the sunset before returning back home. At dinner, however, Solomon was talking with the others as if nothing happened. Sheba tried to grab his attention, but she ended up stress eating due to his heartless cold shoulder.
"Maybe we're not a couple after all," Sheba sighed, feeling embarrassed for even thinking she had a chance. Solomon must have strong feelings for Arba, and their relationship was just too impenetrable. Arba was supposed to help her, but nothing was working.
"Who said that?" A deep, familiar voice crossed her thoughts. Sheba looked up and saw Solomon standing next to her. His dark blue, braided hair dangled past his shoulders, tussled. She yelped and jumped out of her seat.
"Wh-Who?"
Solomon nods, feigning ignorance.
Sheba stammered to answer, her cheeks having turned to a bright apple red. Solomon smiled, a glint of amusement crossing his expression. He placed one hand on his hip as he leaned forward. Sheba's eyes widened when she realized how close their faces were.
"No one said we're not a couple."
Sheba stared at Solomon, her mouth agape. It took her a minute to shake herself out of her trance; she looked down to hide her heated cheeks. Solomon reached down and gently lifted Sheba's chin upward. He looked into her eyes, his amusement switched with something different. Sheba couldn't quite figure out if he was searching for something in her expression or if he, too, was awestricken. She guessed it was the former.
"Then again, no one really said that we're a couple, either." Solomon whispered and pulled back, much to Sheba's disappointment. "I have to go and meet with Ugo."
"You can't just say all that and then leave! Ugo can wait!"
"Isn't it your bedtime?"
"I thought you said you were going to stop looking down on me!" Sheba crossed her arms and scowled. "I'm a big girl, remember!"
"Right. A big girl with a big appetite."
Sheba pulled back to punch Solomon in the chest, but shakily restrained herself. Solomon chuckled and placed his hand on top of her head.
"I'm sorry," Solomon said. "We can talk in the morning, how's that?"
Sheba looked up, expecting Solomon to leave without waiting for her answer. To her pleasant surprise, he waited for her answer. Sheba's lips turned upward.
"Yeah, I would like that."
Solomon returned her smile with his own and soundlessly walked down the tiled halls. Sheba watched him leave. In the past, she always wandered in his shadows and admired the light he radiated. The path she followed was the path Solomon led her on, and she felt like she could trust him to lead her to a better place. In a way, Solomon had already created a better world, but their mission was far from complete. With David still out there, their resistance needed to be ready.
Soon, Sheba thought. This conflict will end. I will protect Solomon from those who stand against him…
"So how did it go with Sheba?" Ugo looked up from his papers. Solomon sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"For once, I don't know what to say to her."
"Sure you do." Ugo tilted his head to the side. "You saw the way she defended you."
Solomon remembered how Sheba slammed the end of her wand into the ground. She stood defiant as she called to the other clans, her voice filled with confidence. He sensed something shift in her, or perhaps it was something that shifted inside him. Sheba's declaration to protect him, and to tell him that everything will be alright, resounded in him in a way he was still trying to comprehend. He knew she loved him, and he knew how much she wanted his attention. Was he, however, willing to make that step forward to say the same? To feel the same towards her?
"You need to stop seeing her as a little kid, Solomon." Ugo handed him a book on his desk.
"I know. It's just.. I want to protect her still. She says she will protect me, but I'd just bring more danger to her." Solomon sighed as he flipped carelessly through the book. "I don't know what would happen if I lost her."
Ugo stared at Solomon for a moment before cracking a bright smile. "Your need to protect her shows how much you care for her. Maybe you should see where it takes you."
Solomon looked up. He pictured Sheba waiting for him at the market, fidgeting around with her wand in hand. Her pink locks would be neatly brushed and braided on her sides. She would look around, expecting him to appear from thin air when she least expected it.
Solomon murmured, "Perhaps I should get her a gift or…"
"Hm?"
"Nothing. By the way, what was the book you just gave me?"
Solomon's attention was split between Ugo's eagerness of the new research he handed him and over his newfound feelings towards Sheba. He needed to take some more time to figure this whole thing out.