a/n: My mind is toying with the idea of putting Oblivious Fate on hiatus. Its not my muse's fault because its working just fine. I wonder what's wrong... Hmm. Should I or should I not put this fic on a short break? Anyways, while thinking it over, here's ch31~ Hope you'll enjoy~ :)
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 31: Burdened Hearts
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The silent heavens loomed over the country-kingdom of Tenebrae. The moon, which had come to a full circle, irradiated the night sky along with its tiny glistening companions. The cool wind of the evening gently caressed the trees and the sea, blowing the leaves across the land and creating ripples upon the water's surface, respectively. A peaceful night like this was always the liking of Tenebrae's people. Its tranquility calmed troubled emotions which a particular sovereign needed so much as of the moment.
Looking over her palace's balcony, Princess Stella Nox Fleuret saw the beauty of her beloved Tenebrae. The city lights were a dazzling sight and the noise from its people was not noise at all to her ears. Rather, it was the sweet melody of a nation whose sense of unity was rooted from its birth. Of course, there were feuds every now and then but the government of Tenebrae saw to it that all conflicts find its proper solution.
Peace and justice were the words that were carved in the hearts of the Tenebraeans. Stella smiled at this thought. Yet, she couldn't lie about the fact that had often bothered her since the time she finally recalled that she was Tenebrae's crown Princess. Stella wondered how long the peace in her nation would last. She was secretly afraid that when her mother turns over the crown to her, she might not be able to live up to the expectations of its people thus tearing down the peace which the former Tenebrae Kings and Queens of the past have worked so hard to achieve. She was also afraid that she might tarnish her Father's memory by becoming the sovereign which couldn't even protect her own people like what he had done in the past.
But Stella wouldn't give up. She would fight against all odds. Since the day her memories were returned to her, though she was still not sure how, the road to her future began. It was the road which needed time and careful thinking to come up with the right decisions. This was the new fate which destiny has established for her—at least that's what Stella thought.
But in truth, fate still has other plans for her. Stella's journey toward monarchy had to wait a little bit longer.
A short haired brunette peeked into the balcony's entrance and saw what she had thought she would see. The Ambassador was honestly glad to see her beloved friend, safe and sound and back in her home. She wanted to greet her personally, but knowing that there were a few things in her life that have changed, she hesitated. Maybe she could talk to her tomorrow, when conversations could be formally discoursed, the brunette thought.
The night was a silent, peaceful one. Even with the sound of the cicadas shrilling in the bushes of the palace garden underneath the balcony, Stella heard the creak of the glass door, opening slowly and then closing immediately. She grinned and playfully called out the only person who would know where she would spend a serene night like tonight.
"Would you like to join me, Somna? The moon is truly beautiful tonight."
Realizing that her presence had been found out, the Ambassador willingly stepped into the balcony. Somna gazed upon the girl who wore a crimson-colored, casual sleeved dress matched with two inch step-ins. Her silky blonde locks fluttered backwards, riding the cool evening breeze. As Somna stepped closer, she noticed Stella's carefree poise: Her elbows were propped upon the stone surface of the balustrade while her chin rested on her left palm. Her gorgeous ocean blue irises stared lovingly upon tonight's full moon.
Somna wanted to settle herself beside her. But the thought of standing beside the presence of a Tenebrae monarch shot across her mind thus making her stand behind the princess instead.
"Good evening, Princess Stella."
Stella was surprised by her formality. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Where is this coming from, Somna? I've never heard you call me that before."
"Since Her Highness has recalled her memories, it would be fitting to go by what is proper," Somna humbly replied. The soothing breeze swept her brown hair backwards. She was enjoying the night as well. Especially that their beloved princess was back home.
The Tenebrae Princess giggled gently, turning her eyes back into the pale moon. "It would be more fitting if you simply called me 'Miss Fleuret' just like before. After all, I am still an Ambassador, isn't that right?"
"Of course you are, Princess… I mean, Miss Fleuret." Somna smiled, respecting her request. After all, she wasn't used to calling her friend, 'Princess'. Maybe when in front of the Queen herself or before the Council she should address Stella appropriately. But when it's just the two of them, Somna agreed it would be fitting to simply call her 'Miss Fleuret'.
"How are you, Somna?" Her head leaned upon her right palm this time.
"Me? I'm fine… I guess."
"I'm glad to hear that. Good health is important especially when you go through labor."
Somna was surprised. She was completely caught off guard by Stella's comment. Her face suddenly warmed up, showing a faint hue of red upon her cheeks.
"M-miss Fleuret! I-I'm not—"
Stella chuckled. "I'm joking, Somna. I wouldn't know unless you really are."
"Wha?! D-don't make fun about things like that, Miss Fleuret!" Somna contradicted, feeling a sudden palpitation in her chest.
"I won't. I'm sorry." She grinned.
Somna sighed. "It's alright. Anyways, I'm very happy to know that the Doctor allowed you to come home much earlier than expected. Though I can't help but wonder about your treatment. You have to see a psychiatrist for a couple of weeks, I heard."
"Oh, that? Hmm…. I told him that I didn't need one since all my memories have come back."
"Yes, about that. I wish to know if I may," Somna's eyes gazed down. "How were you able to retrieve them?"
Stella remained quiet for a moment. She thought about her answer carefully before she replied the Ambassador's question. "I'm not sure how," she said, turning around. "He's the only one who can tell me."
Somna slightly tilted her head to one side. "He?"
"It doesn't matter." Stella gently shook her head sideways. "I won't be seeing him anymore, that's why."
"Won't be seeing who? Who are you talking about, Miss Fleuret?"
Stella took a deep breath, slowly releasing it into the air. "The Prince who favored me with his kindness in exchange for my betrayal…"
"Ah, I see." Somna's lips curled downwards. "In that case, it's too bad. But, why wouldn't you be seeing him any longer?"
"Because I'll stop attending Regius starting tomorrow. Since the mission is over, there wouldn't be any other reason for me to stay there, right?"
Somna nodded, frowning. She knew she was supposed to be happy because Stella wouldn't be going anywhere anymore. But instead, she felt the other way around. The Tenebrae Princess realized her sadness through her silence.
"I'm finally here to stay which means that I'll be out of trouble most of the time." Stella turned around to face her, keeping an arm upon the stone balustrade. "Shouldn't you be happy for me, Somna?"
Somna feigned a grin. "Of course, I'm happy. But," she frowned again. "I wouldn't be happy if I know that you aren't."
Stella quietly wondered what she meant by her words. "Don't worry, Somna," she said, smiling. "Just being here for my people secures my happiness. I wouldn't ask for anything more. Besides, it is the best decision that I do stay here for my Queen."
"Yes, she would like that. The years of separation do take its toll."
"It does. For my part and for Queen Seraphine's part as well."
The gentle evening wind breezed across the balcony. Stella's flaxen tresses swept against her face, tickling her features as she stood before Somna.
"It's getting rather late, Miss Fleuret." The brunette beamed a wide grin. "Perhaps, we should continue this tomorrow."
"Tomorrow and the days after it wouldn't do well. I have plans, you see." Stella replied, tucking a swaying lock of hair behind an ear.
"I understand. We'll have tea sometime, then. Good night, Miss Fleuret."
"Good night, Somna."
Stella watched as her fellow Ambassador spun around, heading for the glass door. Taking a few steps forward, she opened her mouth as Somna's name was called out.
"Somna,"
The brunette stopped on her tracks, facing the Princess. "Yes, Miss Fleuret?"
"Did you know?" Stella smiled, lightly. She wanted to get a couple of things off her chest. "The Queen ordered me to kill the Caelum Prince… for real, this time."
Somna frowned, opting to stay and listen to her dilemmas. "What do you mean by 'for real, this time'?"
"I honestly thought that I could kill him before even if it wasn't clearly stated in the mission." Stella laughed. "But it turns out that I was wrong. I couldn't, actually. I think I can't even do it until now."
The woman tucked a wisp of her short, brown hair behind an ear as she continued to listen eagerly to the Princess.
"So I refused the Queen's orders."
"Miss Fleuret…" Somna muttered in a low voice. She was saddened for Stella's decision. But she felt that the Princess must've done it for a reason. A good one, perhaps.
Stella turned around, propping her elbows upon the balustrade again. The ruffled end of her dress swayed backward, following the direction of her fluttering blonde tresses.
"It's alright." The Tenebrae sovereign coaxed. "Killing Prince Noctis wouldn't bring my Father back to life, anyway. It'll only cause trouble for this kingdom. Tenebrae's a peaceful land, don't you think? I wouldn't dare disturb that reign of peace for some desire drenched in pure revenge alone."
"But what did the Queen say?" she asked, concerned for the Queen's reactions as well.
"She said that in refusing what she wanted me to do, I have given in to my feelings and chose a boy over my loyalty to Tenebrae." Her voice quivered. "Such an unreasonable speculation, no? If I did go and kill him, wouldn't that start a war between Caelum and Tenebrae?"
"You did the right choice, Miss Fleuret."
Stella swiftly spun on her heels, looking directly at Somna. "Did I? Did I really make the right choice? What I did was not for me or for this emotion that my Mother thinks. I did it for Tenebrae, the land which my Father had died to protect."
Somna kept her silence and listened further to Stella.
"After King Eneas was killed, Tenebrae didn't pursue their plan of a war against the Caelum Kingdom. They knew that our forces were nothing compared to theirs which was why they decided to wait for the right moment to strike. However, when King Neleus and his wife were assassinated in the International Kingdom Conference four years ago, Queen Seraphine was saddened by the forfeited chance of killing the Caelum King by her own hands. Still bearing the grudge of her husband's murder, she vowed to take revenge instead on King Neleus' son, Prince Noctis."
Somna gasped. Analyzing the facts stated by the Princess, she immediately realized that Stella was the one tasked to do the deed which Seraphine was already incapable of doing because of her age.
Stella slowly approached her fellow diplomat. Feigning a carefree smile, she brought a hand upon Somna's right shoulder. "I think I must've said too much."
"It's fine. Not one word escapes from this night. Rest assured on that, Miss Fleuret."
"Thank you. I'll be turning in then." Retrieving her hand, Stella excused herself from Somna and headed towards the door.
Somna suddenly called Stella's attention, feeling the need to say something further. Something that she hoped would comfort her feelings of uneasiness. It was all too evident in Stella's face. She was quite troubled because of the decision she made. Deep down, the Princess was afraid that she might have done something to cause the Queen's unhappiness—if ever Seraphine felt such.
"Miss Fleuret!"
Stella halted on her heels. "What is it?"
"In refusing your Mother's order, you spared the innocent lives in this kingdom as well as the life of the one whom you hold close to your heart." Somna grinned. "I whole-heartedly stand by your decision."
"Thank you," she whispered. Stella quickly turned around, not allowing Somna to see a grateful smile curved on her lips.
Her feelings lightened. The burdened that her heart carried was lessened because of Somna's words and Stella was entirely thankful that the heavens above had granted her wish: for someone to come and tell her that what she did was right and for the good of all.
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The café waitress gladly smiled at the handsome monarch as she filled his glass with the red colored liquid that poured off the bottle. The Prince observed the wine trickling down slowly. Quiet, he was. His mind was too preoccupied at the moment that he did not hear the pig-tail haired waitress asking if he wanted more. Fortunately, she was answered. Not by him though, but by his friend. Lacertus kindly informed the girl that his silent pal was just fine with half a glass of the red drink. She smiled and excused herself after checking to see that she had finished filling in their glasses with the bittersweet liquor.
"I thought you didn't drink, Noct," commented Lacertus while helping himself with a glass.
"I don't," replied Noctis, reaching for his glass of wine. He brought it upon his lips and hesitantly drank the red liquid.
Lacertus grinned, wryly. "Sure you don't," he said, taking a mouthful of wine as well. He glanced upon the sleeping figure on his right and chuckled slightly. "Guess Celer couldn't take another shot."
Noctis traced his friend's gaze as well. He realized that Celer had been lying down upon the table's sofa for quite awhile, wasted from the liquor. No wonder the drunken arguments were replaced by low muffles of snore, he thought. Lacertus speculated that Celer must've passed out the moment he tried to argue with him about how Noctis secretly wanted to win the cotillion for one purpose: to see Stella in a 'sexy' bathing suit at Costa del Sol.
"Leave him be, Lacertus." He smirked, feeling the wine's effects kicking in. "There are more important things to think about."
The cheerful grin plastered upon Lacertus' face slowly turned into a frown. He agreed with Noctis. There were much more important things to ponder on.
Settling his empty glass on the table, Noctis propped his two elbows on the surface and crossed his fingers together. "I've already informed Arkenis of the situation."
"Sir Arkenis?" Lacertus asked, finishing his drink. "What can he do to help? We've been searching for two days already, Noct! Do you think he can still—"
"Relax, Lacertus," coaxed the Prince. "We said that we'd do anything we can to find Sal. That's why I asked aid from Arkenis."
Lacertus sighed. "Whatever… Tch. Where the hell is that guy anyways?! Disappearing without a trace… What's up with that?"
"I don't know either. But we'll find him." Noctis closed his eyes. "Definitely."
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a/n: Did this chapter clear out any questions regarding Stella's past? Tell me if it did, alright? Please Review/Comment/Criticize!! THANK YOU!!!
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~*REVIEW REPLIES*~
(30. Heartwarming Reunion)
Warangel88: I'm happy that you liked the cliffie~ I'm definitely crossing my fingers for luck that this fic won't go beyond 50 chapters. Hehehe.
Selena: Thank you. I'm glad you thought that the previous chapter was good. But somehow, I'm intrigued. Hehehe. What do you mean by 'a tad bit childish'? Lol! I was hoping that the Stella/Seraphine reunion wouldn't seem that way. But I guess it couldn't be helped... So how did you come up with that kind of conclusion? I'm interested in knowing... :D
Bmonti: Wow Bmonti! I'm loving your conclusions! *wink* Of course no one is stupid enough to actually tell that they're the one who killed a person! Anyways, hope that you'll keep on reading the next chapters so that you'll see for yourself who is the one who really killed Stella's dad. :) And thanks! I'm also very, very happy that this fic was able to survive until this chapter number. :)