"Oblivious Fate"

By: rorudesu-chan

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Chapter 34: Entwined Day, Tenebrae Kingdom

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Noctis approached the bed. Spotting her bandaged hand, he grabbed hold of her fair wrist. To her surprise, Stella felt the metal hilt of her weapon beneath her fingers. Noctis had taken the liberty of giving it back to her personally.

"You kept your word." Stella said, gazing upon her retracted rapier.

Noctis turned around. "It would seem so."

She did not reply back. Without another word, Noctis took a step forward. Stella suddenly gently clutched the sleeve of his white polo. She held firmly to him, not wanting Noctis to go without hearing what she still wanted to say.

"Let go." he whispered coolly, trying to brush her hand away without getting his fingers into contact with hers.

"I'm not sorry," she said, sternly. "I'm not sorry about what I almost did to the Crystallite."

"The damage has already been dealt with. You have lost the battle."

She tightened her grasp. "Yes, I have."

"I'll be leaving now."

"It… might be best that you should…"

He escaped her hold. She didn't want to let go, but she did. Stella had to. There was still something she wanted to say to him. However, it seemed that it had to wait until they meet again.

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Remembering the events that had occurred on that night made Stella depressed and angry. Betraying her friendship with Noctis had already brought about its consequences. But she knew all too well that no one else was to be blamed except for her. Stella wholeheartedly took the mission, accepting whatever outcome it would give, whether it was good or bad. Regretting the choice to carry the responsibility was too late. It was utterly ludicrous as well.

But there was one thing that Stella allowed herself to feel guilty about. She didn't get the chance to tell Noctis what she wanted to say before he walked out on her that night at the hospital. With her confession, Stella hoped that it would at least lessen the hurt she had purposely given him.

That was the reason why she was on her way to Somna's office. The Tenebrae Princess had decided that she would secretly inform her closest confidant about the resolution to her inner remorse. Stella was quite confident in this one. She knew that she would be able to lessen the pain of someone important to her without breaking the promise she made to Tenebrae. To get herself another chance and possibly, her final one, Stella knew that she needed to twist her words even by just a little. Stella hoped that Somna would understand her this time as much as she always had before.

Arriving before the Ambassador's office, Stella took a deep breath. Things should go smoothly tonight as she made sure that no one would be able to interfere with their midnight conversation.

After knocking twice, Stella gently opened the door. She stepped inside afterward, realizing that someone was sitting before a fireplace. But she wasn't a hundred percent sure if it really was Somna who sat in front of the cackling fire though, since the tall chair concealed the identity of the person with its backrest. So on cat's feet, Stella quietly stepped closer behind the chair. She then heard coughing sounds followed by silence afterward.

Fire in the hearth? Coughing? It was indeed Somna. The Ambassador loved watching flames dancing on the grate every time she caught the wheeze. It was the type of non-medicinal therapy which she alone recognized as 'helpful'.

Stella finally felt at ease. Poising herself properly, she began stating her resolution.

"Somna… I know it's late. But there's something you should know." Stella paused for awhile, thinking about the appropriate words to say since she needed to properly deliver her reasoning in a frank, yet polite manner.

"I've been thinking about the things that have happened lately," Stella continued. "My memories… the truth about my identity and so much more. All of it has helped me understand why I'm still here and what my position really is in this kingdom. However, I've also been thinking about what you told me the other night. You said that you wouldn't be happy unless I was…"

Silence. Stella did not hear any reaction. Ignoring it, she went on.

"I think… the reason why you uttered such words was because somehow, you saw through what I couldn't. I am happy, until I realized that I was only lying to myself. I am not sad either, but something has been troubling me lately and I know what I have to do so I would be able to move on with unburdened thoughts. Please don't take this wrong way. I'm telling you these things because I want to be honest with you."

Again, silence.

"My promise of not leaving Tenebrae anymore is something that I intend to keep forever." The Princess declared. "But, in order for me to be able to let go of my troubled thoughts, I have to break that promise for just one day. Tomorrow, and only tomorrow, I go back to Regius University. There, I will settle an unfinished business with Prince Noctis."

For the third time, there was still no response. Stella heard nothing except the cackling of the fire and the coughing of the Ambassador.

"This may not be the smartest decision that I've come up with," she admitted. "But this isn't the most reckless choice that I've taken on either. I have a strong feeling that this is the only way I can start my life here in Tenebrae without the worries that my 'past' life had brought..."

Stella breathed in deeply. After a long explanation, she felt her throat run dry. But it didn't matter, as long as she was able to say what she had been pondering on for the past few days while she sauntered around the kingdom.

Stella fell quiet for awhile. Hearing no reaction again, the Princess decided to check up on her fellow Ambassador. She soon realized that it was rather queer that Somna hadn't responded to her statements at all. Normally, the brunette would kindly retort to the blonde's words whether she was right or wrong. These active replies made most of their conversations longer, a habit which Stella had known for Somna to posses.

"Somna," Stella said, clearing her slightly arid throat. "I think I've said too much. Hopefully, your silence means that you've understood well the things which I've just told you."

A few seconds have elapsed but still, the Princess did not get any response from the Ambassador. Things might still be sinking into Somna, she thought. Stella began walking towards the door. But before she could leave the brunette to ponder on things, the Princess finally got the reply she had hoped for—although it wasn't from the one she was expecting.

"I am very, very pleased that you have finally come back to your senses, Stella."

Stella halted quickly on her feet. She knew that raspy voice; she knew who it came from. She didn't want to spin around to look if her speculation was true. But her body felt like it had a mind of its own. Hesitantly turning, her blue irises widened at the sight of that person in front of her who was now standing on her feet.

"Q-queen Se-seraphine!" she stammered. "H-how?"

Stella clenched her fists. She didn't know how it came to be that the person she was talking to the whole time was Seraphine, and not Somna. But whatever the logical explanation was, she'd rather not know, for Stella was too bothered by the fact that her mother now knew the things that she strictly shouldn't. Of all the people to be mistaken with, it had to be Seraphine. And of all the things Stella didn't want to share, it had to be this decision to go back to Regius. But what had made the situation even worse was that the Queen had completely misunderstood her thoughts, based on how she reacted after Stella was finished talking.

Queen Seraphine smiled weakly. She examined her daughter's features carefully. There was a look of confusion and fear at the same time as depicted by her slightly parted lips and creased forehead.

"What is wrong, Stella? Is it a sin for your mother to be happy with her daughter's choice?"

"No! I don't think you understand, my Queen," argued the Princess.

"But I do, Stella." Seraphine sharply replied. "And as I sat here in front, listening to every word you said, you brought immeasurable joy to this old woman's heart."

Bringing a palm before her mouth, Seraphine coughed harshly. Stella couldn't help but wonder if the Queen was fine or if she wasn't. If it was the latter, then she might still have the opportunity to at least 'trick' Seraphine into thinking that she was just imagining things and that she just needed some rest to get better again. But Stella was mistakably wrong. The Queen also had a secret of her own which she had no intentions of admitting to her daughter. Stella will just have to find out about it by herself.

"If you think the reason for my 'unfinished business' with the Caelum Prince is about me killing him, you are wrong, my Queen." Stella sternly affirmed.

Seraphine frowned. "Do not say false things. Of course, you will kill him. It is for Eneas, your beloved Father-King. Not for me."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. Taking the life of the murderer's son will not bring your husband back to life."

"But it will bring justice to this land, Stella!"

"What justice?" Stella glowered. "Justice is not found on revenge. If Prince Noctis is killed, the Caelum Kingdom will seek the one who murdered him. I wouldn't mind if they take my life in exchange for his death because I know what I did calls for a punishment. But I would mind it if his murder ignites a war which will take away so many innocent lives… The cycle goes on and on, Queen Seraphine, unless someone decides to act morally correct and sacrifice for the greater cause…"

Seraphine was speechless. She refused to believe her own daughter's reasoning. She just wanted to be repaid because the Caelum family had taken away the person that was hers and Tenebrae's. Was that just too much to ask?

"You speak like this," Seraphine suddenly retorted angrily, raising a finger to her. "Because you have fallen in love with that Prince!" she pointed at her, repeatedly. "This is not you, Stella."

"Perhaps you are right," Stella gritted her teeth, "this is the Stella who may become a much stronger Queen than you someday. The future Queen who will know the difference between right and wrong and what should be and should not be done."

"How dare you compare me," she gritted her teeth, "to you who do not have the slightest idea how painful it is to lose the only thing you cared most in this world?!"

"Then that must've been your problem all along! Father cared for everyone, though he loved you and me a degree higher than the people of Tenebrae. Your world must've revolved only around him. These must be the reasons why you couldn't let go of Father's death. You have become selfish."

Seraphine froze. Stella's words stung so much that her heart pained, literally. The Queen hung her head low, clutching her chest tightly. Somehow, her daughter was right.

"Do not speak to me as if you know everything, Stella! How could you? How could you love that murderer's son more than your own Mother?!"

"I never said anything like that, Queen Seraphine. Why do you always insist that I feel something for Prince Noctis?" Stella glanced away. "We're not meant for each other. I know that, in fact, I've accepted that truth already."

Turning around, the Princess began walking towards the door. "Let us end this conversation. Tomorrow, as you've heard, I shall go to Regius. My promise to you and to Tenebrae will not be forgotten. I will return here immediately. And then," Stella continued with a hint of pain in her voice, "I won't go back there again."

Stella was about to exit the room when suddenly, an Ambassador appeared before her. It was Spargo, coming in to check the commotion that was happening moments ago. From his room across the hallway, loud voices were heard as disputing words were exchanged. It made him wonder who would have an argument in the middle of the night.

"Princess Stella!" Spargo greeted, sidestepping to give way for the blonde monarch to pass by.

Stella nodded at the Ambassador in response. She wondered how Spargo would interpret the scene she had left behind.

Darting his attention to the person standing across him, the Ambassador realized that it was the Tenebrae Queen herself. Her face looked desolated as her posture seemed as if she was a tall building on the brink of crumbling down. These were not good signs. Not for the queen and especially not for her health.

Stella halted in her steps, glancing over her shoulder. "Spargo," she called.

Spargo immediately turned his attention to the young Fleuret monarch. "What is it, Princess?"

"Please tell her that I'm sorry for all of my rude remarks tonight," she said softly. "I wish that the two of us will understand each other better next time."

Bidding the Ambassador a good night, Stella stepped forward, disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.

"Next time…" Spargo mumbled. "If…"

The Ambassador quickly returned his attention to the Queen and scuttled to her side. Falling down on her knees all of a sudden, Seraphine swathed her hands upon her face. She coughed loudly and deeply as if she was about to expel her heart out.

"You're Highness!" Spargo exclaimed, bending down to support the old woman by her side. He was worried that the circumstances might eventually come this far.

Seraphine coughed once more before retrieving her hands from her face.

Blood. There was blood splattered upon her palms as if she had mercilessly slaughtered a game. Her hands trembled at the sight of the crimson blotch. But the old sovereign was not shaken. The blank expression on her face completely contrasted with what the Ambassador beside her looked like.

"Queen Seraphine!" Spargo's eyes widened. "I shall get you some help! Would it be alright if—"

"No," the queen whispered, clutching the Ambassador's sleeve. "Do not go anywhere. Stay."

"Pardon?" Spargo asked, furiously. He was about to stand up to get some assistance when the queen sharply refused.

"My Queen! What are you saying?" he asked again, worried for the queen's situation.

"It will be fine, Ambassador," Seraphine muttered. "It… will be fine."

Spargo's eyebrows met. "Princess Stella must know about this situation of yours. As the only heir to the Tenebrae throne, she has to be informed that the Queen is very sick."

Seraphine feigned a very weak smile. With the strength she had on her arms and knees, she staggered her way to stand up. But to no avail, her frail disposition prevented her from even sitting upright. Limply, Seraphine allowed herself to lean on Spargo, who at that time unceasingly gave support to the queen's feeble physique.

"Do you intend to tell the Princess about this?" Spargo said softly. "Or would you rather keep this sickness of yours as a secret like what you did with the other one, Queen Seraphine?"

Seraphine slowly closed her eyes. She knew what Spargo meant by 'the other one'. The kingdom of Tenebrae still did not know that their beloved princess was still alive after the incident that occurred about ten years ago. It was only the Queen and her Council of Ambassadors who knew and painstakingly kept the truth. The reason for the secrecy was the same as to why no one ever told Stella that she was the Fleuret heir long before everything played out. It was all in the name of protecting her, the beloved daughter of the late King Eneas.

Opening her mouth slightly, the Queen began to speak hoarsely in a very low tone.

"I intend… to carry this sickness to my grave, Spargo. I do not wish… to bring her even more pain. I… have given her too much of it already…"

The Ambassador kept his silence, frowning at the sad words of the sickly monarch.

"She is right…" Seraphine grinned weakly once more. "I have… become selfish. I have placed my own happiness before hers… she should have known that she was our Princess, Spargo… she would have not left my side for a very long time… if only… I refused the Council's order…"

Spargo scowled, embracing the monarch tightly. "There was nothing else we could do. You said it so yourself, Queen Seraphine. Allowing Princess Stella to grow outside the palace walls would not only teach her to be strong for herself. But, it would also protect her from whoever was responsible for killing King Eneas."

Seraphine pursed her shivering lips in a tuck. Tears forcefully pushed themselves out of the corners of her eyes.

Fate was cruel. The old Fleuret monarch had learned this truth the hard way. The birth of her suffering sprouted from her husband's death. And the death of her life would conceive a new dawn of pain for Stella.

Fate was unfair. However, Stella still had to wait before realizing this woeful reality.

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a/n: How was this chapter? Please stay tuned for the next one. The next update is sort of a counterpart of this chapter. Meaning to say that while there are events that took place in ch34, there are also events which simultaneously happens in 35. The difference is the setting and time of the day in the two chapters. :) Please Review/Comment/Criticize! THANK YOU!! Hope you guys enjoyed this update. :)