Devotion
Part One
Chapter Three: Renning
A/N: Well, this chapter is kind of sappy, but I still kind of like it… Also, I'd like to thank Nami-san625 for her help/ideas for this chapter!
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Renning sighed as he walked down one of Castle Crimea's long, winding hallways. He looked down at the beautiful yellow flowers in his hand as he walked towards the library. Pale yellow flowers…they had always been her favorite. Another sigh.
Am I really doing the right thing? Well, it's probably too late now…
He let out one last sigh as he turned the corner and walked into the royal library. Seated in one of the chairs was the beautiful azure-haired woman Bastian and so many others had fallen for: the Lady Lucia.
As he stared at her, the maiden just-so-happened to look up from the book she was reading.
"Oh! Duke Renning! Can I help you with something?"
"Yes…I actually wanted to talk to you about…something…"
"Hm?"
"Well, I was planning on visiting the cemetery and I was wondering if you'd accompany me."
"You want me to accompany you?"
"Of course! Besides, Elincia doesn't know about what happened…"
"Oh, yes. I'd nearly forgotten about that…"
"So, you'll come?"
She smiled.
"Of course, Milord."
"Excellent!"
He took her hand, and she rose just as Elincia walked in. Seeing the two, a bit of a smirk formed on the queen's face.
"Oh, Lucia, Uncle Renning, I'm sorry to interrupt."
"Oh no, Elincia. It's nothing."
"Well in that case… Lucia, may I speak with you…in private?"
"Y-yes, of course, Your Majesty."
"I'll wait for you outside then."
"Alright, Duke Renning."
"Yes, thank you, Uncle."
Once she made sure her uncle was out of earshot, the Queen turned to face her foster-sister.
"Well, Lucia, it's nice of you to tell me about this."
"Queen Elincia, I'm not sure I know what you're talking about…"
"Don't play dumb with me! I know about you and Renning…how you two are actually a couple!"
"What?! Elincia, that's not--"
"Lucia, you really shouldn't lie to your queen."
"I'm not! Elincia, why--"
"Oh please! First, the flowers--which I must add just happen to be your favorites--, then when I walked in… And to think, all of this behind my back! I mean, maybe if you'd told me…"
"Elincia! It's not what you think!"
"Oh I'm sure it's not. Seriously, do you take me for a fool? Of course! Now, I'm sure you two have somewhere romantic to go, so we can just discuss this later!"
With that, the queen stomped furiously out of the library, nearly running into Renning in the process.
The Duke turned to Lucia.
"What's her problem?"
Lucia stared at him, crossed her arms, and replied.
"How should I know?"
"Oh, well…"
Her expression softened.
"I'm sorry for being so rude, Lord Renning, it's just…"
"Don't worry, Lucia. I know how…demanding…my niece can be. Would you still like to join me?"
"Of course, Milord."
"Great!"
--
"She actually accused you of lying to her? Isn't that a little…over the top?"
"I suppose."
"It's even more hilarious that she would accuse us of being…a couple!"
"It would be quite…silly, wouldn't it?"
She shivered at the thought.
"Are you cold, Milady?"
"Oh, a little, but--"
"Well, in that case…"
Renning placed his cape around her shoulders.
"Thank you, Milord."
She tried to conceal her blush. Luckily for her, Duke Renning had already turned his head.
"Well, here we are…"
"Right…"
Lucia looked down at the small headstone.
Elisabeth Mae Crimea
Her gaze then turned to Renning, whom was on the ground crying. Lucia knelt down beside him.
"My lord…"
"Lucia, I'm such a failure…"
His voice was just a whisper.
"Duke Renning, that's not…"
"It was my fault she died. I was never a good father."
"Renning, that's ridiculous! It wasn't your fault…"
"If only I'd watched her better… She never would have fallen in the river…she never would have drowned…"
"Renning, you weren't even there. It wasn't your fault."
"But if I hadn't left her with a servant, it never would have happened. She was only four…she didn't deserve to die."
"My lord, you never could have known something like that would happen… It was, in no way, your fault."
"…That's not what my wife said…before she left me, of course…"
"Renning, she was crazy for leaving you…anyone can see that. Any woman would be lucky to have you."
"Lucia, you know that's not true…it's…crazy!"
"Is it?"
Lucia reached up and kissed Duke Renning.
"Lucia…"
She looked away.
"Milord, I'm terribly sorry. I never should have--"
He pressed a finger to her lips.
"Don't. My only concern is how we'll explain this to Elincia, but I'm sure we'll think of something.
She laughed and he kissed her.
And that was when he saw what so many others before had seen…the true love he had for this one girl.
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A/N: Well, there it is! Hopefully you all liked it.
Oh, and you know what's weird? As I was writing this, my dad came home with a yellow rose…for me. :D (I guess for doing well in school or something…)