Disclaimer: I don't own The Loud House, the brand, as well as all of its characters and settings belong to Chris Savino and Nickelodeon, all rights reserved.
Chapter 46: Leftovers.
Into the story:
"… - I also admit upon this sacred realm on causing misdirection on my loyal knight, Captain Triton, to abandon the influence of the evil witch, lady Priscella, in favor of gaining his undivided attention, for my greed, is in the name of love -
.
Upon the compromising confession, meant to cover all bases of truth and regret from the princess, the first hole on the wall becomes illuminated with a green shade, indicating the passing of the first test.
Being aware of the weight behind said confession, DeLola turns to face her knight, who, expectedly, watched her with a disapproving expression.
- Sir Triton, my handsome knight, I am aware of my mistake now, I sincerely apologize upon this sacred shrine for all of the issues that I caused you, from dragging you to this quest, to forcing you to abandon the support and love of your other important beings for the sake of catering exclusively to me, It was greedy and selfish to want your attention exclusively to me and to expect you to return my profound feelings without as much as a confirmation - She expresses from the bottom of her heart.
- Because of that… - The regretful princess looks back at the sacred text, checking the condition for the second challenge - I forfeit my right to stay by your side on this quest, as part of this oath, I shall now create a barrier between us - She finished with pouring, liquid emotion in her eyes.
- Impermeatum! - With no remaining hesitation, the princess casts the spell that would seal their fate, an unexpected rumble happens within the bag that Triton was wearing, revealing the diamond of Gluttony and Sloth obtained previously.
Then, to the surprise of both, a crack is heard, coming from the Diamond of gluttony, as the Yellow gemstone suddenly flashes white before shattering in exactly two, symmetrical pieces, each half then goes to one of the two, Triton's half, as well as the full diamond of sloth, return to the cowboy's bag, while DeLola's half hides itself beneath her pointy hat.
Soon after that, the real effect of the spell is applied, creating a wall of energy and dividing the dome in two, with the knight and the princess on each side.
Despite initial protest from the knight, the dome on his side begins to expel him with an air current, wrapping his figure in a bubble, as the original opening expands, allowing the forceful exit of the princess's esteemed companion, hopefully returning him safely to the surface.
The divide had been created, the most painful decision in the young life of the princess had been taken, and consequently, the second hole of the sacred wall had been illuminated, she had controlled her greed.
Now for the last part, "overcome", a promise had to be made, she needed no fancy translator to understand that, it was likely that wherever her knight were to be now, there wasn't a chance that her full words could be heard.
Regardless, she still wanted to direct these words to him:
- I, Princess DeLola, hereby promise, upon the judgement of the guardian that keeps this temple safe, that I will try my hardest to overcome the feelings that led to my display of greed for the affection and love of my most esteemed companion and loyal knight, Sir Triton, I will cleanse myself from all the impulses that caused him grief and confusion in the past and I will stay away from influencing his behavior and attitude towards his other loved ones. By doing so, I hope that I will eventually regain the right to see him again, away from malicious or selfish thoughts -
Having finished the hardest test in her entire life, the princess felt a twinge of relief within a sea of sorrow, as the final test of the ancient door is successfully cleared, allowing for the wall to crumble and revealing the gold-covered walls of the entrance of the temple, venturing further into the chamber, the princess finally reaches the resting place of the shiny, ocean blue-colored diamond, which was also readily available for pick up, no additional test standing between her and the valuable rock.
It was, after all, painfully obvious that the brave cowboy did not share the weight of this sin with the once power-hungry princess.
Without any additional delay, the princess, having nothing else to lose, reaches for the diamond and picks it up, prompting it to respond to the half of the diamond of Gluttony inside her hat, revealing it's beautiful, vibrant blue light.
The ultimate price might have easily outweighed the reward, but the princess was at least glad of finally conquering this test of greed, now, she had one and a half diamonds too.
The knight, whom she might never see again, also had one and a half, now, the quest for the rest of the diamonds had to be done on their own. And if the knight were to reject this mission, then the wish would never be granted.
She could only trust that wherever he is now, he is still interested in continuing this quest."
Back in the real world.
The white haired teenager boy doesn't even realize that a drop of water falls straight from his eyes into the page where her last entry had been submitted, his already sorrowful, regretful state becoming irreversibly powerful.
He missed her.
He missed everything about her.
Before, the decision that their parents had taken seemed absolutely reasonable, perhaps it still is.
But not anymore to him, he felt trapped, he felt caged, he felt drowned, the idea that he couldn't even approach her sounded absolutely ridiculous, he didn't want this.
He wanted nothing more that to go straight to her room, see her, hug her, and tell her that he forgives her, that he doesn't mind anymore, that he just wants to go back to how they were.
But now, all they had was this story, their only means of communication, their only hope for a better future…
… The leftovers of the relationship that they used to have.
He remembered everything, their promises, their games, their confessions, some more playful, some more serious, but they all meant something.
Gluttony, the one they both playfully shared.
Greed, the one that she had to conquer.
Sloth, the one that he had to conquer.
- Sloth… wait! - He thought to himself-
So that's why she left Triton with the sloth diamond!
Lincoln suddenly has a realization, their paths are separated, but that doesn't mean that it has to stop.
In fact, It cannot stop, he promised as such!
He was never going to back down, no matter how though the situation could get, he would continue with the story, he would fight to hell and back to find a way to be back together, the ball was on him now.
For his princess, he would do it!
And that meant that he would first need to get some obstacles out of the way.
- What? - The somber voice of the introverted teenager with black hair is faintly heard within the confines of her room, addressing the preposterous plan that her big brother was concocting.
- Ok, I know that doesn't sound normal coming from me, but hear me out Luz - Lincoln rapidly notices the concern of his sister with his plan - That man, Fernando, is not good news for Lola -
- Why would you think so? - Lucy inquires on his logic.
- …I heard some weird things that he was saying to my sister - Lincoln retired eye contact with his goth sister while eliciting a frown.
- Lincoln, where you eavesdropping? You know you are not allowed to do th-
- Yes I know! I am talking this with you because I trust you can keep a secret - Lincoln interrupts her with an annoyed expression.
- Ok, I will, but I can't help you with that brother, Lisa recently electrified the ducts, so now I can't get in - Lucy admitted shamefully.
- Lisa did what? why? - The albino asked confused while raising an eyebrow.
- We had a… disagreement - Lucy hesitated to provide an explanation, she was hoping to finish that subject right there.
- mmm… ok - Lincoln complied, those weren't the important questions here anyway - In that case, if you can't go up, please at least try to eavesdrop on their conversation, you live in the room right next to hers and these walls aren't exactly made of sound-proof materials - He proudly gave an alternative solution.
- …ok, i can try - Lucy gave an audible sigh before agreeing to her brother's plan.
- Thanks Luz, I knew I could count on you! - Lincoln jumped happily to hug his sister, although he quickly released by perceiving resistance to the hug.
- In that case, I'll get going, we can talk in the chat for anything ok? - Lincoln showed his phone to his younger sister as he prepared to leave.
- …what if I can't find anything wrong with him? - Lucy managed to let her main question come out of her mouth before her brother left.
- Uhh… well, I guess his name is cleared then? - Lincoln replied with a raised eyebrow, not seeing the point of the question.
- And are you ok with that? - The poem writer continued.
- …Well, I guess it is what it is? - The comic writer made a not very convincing smile.
- ok - The reserved sister answered plainly.
After that, both parties went on their own ways, Lucy continued her rest at her ever aging coffin, with a flood of thoughts left to arrange.
- Why do I keep getting involved in this? - Being one such thought.