Chapter 39 - Luma Valentine P3
Chapter 39 - Luma Valentine P3
*****
When we returned to the villa, we found Lena in the front courtyard with Sophie. The girl was swinging a wooden sword. We stood by at the entrance of the courtyard and watched them for a while. Lena noticed us right away, but Sophie was so enthralled in her training that it took her until she stopped swinging her sword and turned around to speak to Lena again to notice us.
"Miss Elise!" She hollered as she ran over to us and jumped into my arms. "You're back!"
I caught her and held her up where she could sit on my arm. "Hi, Sophie. Are you training with Lena to learn the sword?"
She nodded excitedly. "Yep! I want to help prevent anyone else from getting kidnapped."
I put her down, got on one knee, and patted her head. "Only if you want to, okay? You don't have to get stronger for anyone but yourself. I'm getting rid of slavery on the entire continent, then the entire world."
Her eyes got serious, but she still bore that happy smile. "I'll help you! I know you can do it, Miss Elise. That day you rescued me, I could tell both you and Miss Maya have incredible power."
"You could tell that?"
She nodded. "I can read someone's mana by holding their hand. I got to hold your hand and Miss Maya's hand that day. You have an ocean of mana. And so does Miss Maya. Her mana is almost as deep as yours."
I smiled. "Yeah, Maya has a lot of mana, too."
"And so does Miss Lena! I got to hold her hand earlier. She has an ocean of mana, too!"
"Yes, and so you never have to worry about danger. If you want to get strong I'll help you, too." I gave her a smile. "Since Lena is helping you learn the sword, I can help you learn to control mana."
She grinned and glowed with blue mana, manipulating it into a stream that circled uh. "I can control it a little."
"That's really good, Sophie. I'm sure you'll be great at it."
"Yeah!"
"And I can teach you magic, if you want," Maya added.
She nodded, smiled, and said, "I'd love that!"
"It's getting late now," I said. "That meeting took a while, and I'm hungry. Shall we have dinner?"
"""Yeah!"""
*****
After dinner, it was still only 19:00. Maya and I were planning to start our night at 20:30. I decided to laze around in the lounge for a while and rest since most of the day was spent in high gear.
First I got poisoned and almost lost this body, but Maya was able to heal me with her pink mana. She is becoming more like my wife Maya every day. Pink is her soul and origin color. I smiled at the idea of their similarities, but the thought that they might be one and the same made me worry.
Why would she be here? They should be in Eden taking care of things in my place, but Lady Luna told me nobody was powering the World Tree. Only her. Are they really here?
I'm afraid to know.
It would explain why I feel a stronger connection with Maya, Rhia, Aira, and Lena. Even Serah and Stella.
Maya Velinova, Adele Borealis, Adara Australis, Luma Valentine, Liliana and Aliana Seraphim.
And Alice seems similar to my aunt. Her public name is Xana Alexandria, but her actual name is Allison. Well all adopted Alexandria as our surname when our family took over the throne. We have an actual surname, but I've been Elysia Alexandria since I was born. And here, my mother's name is also Evelyn.
Did they do all of this? To help me adapt? Everything does feel familiar.
Second that intelligent phantom beast showed up, and I obliterated it, but now everyone will know Elise can wield extreme levels of mana. I already showed off a bit with detonation above the school, but launching an enemy into space is extreme by that standard. I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow.
Hopefully it will be fine. I don't want to deal with a bunch of excited young adults asking me a bunch of questions. But I supposed that's what I get after using Light Nova above the capital.
Anyway, third was the meeting with the monarchs. I revealed my identity to them, and although a couple of them were very resistant, one already knew of Transcendents. Lady Luna was here a thousand years ago, and Maya pushed me to pray to speak to her, which worked out very well.
It was really nice to hear Lady Luna's voice again. It's been so long.
"Are you alright, Eli?"
Lena's voice dragged me back to reality. I found myself hugging a pillow.
"You had a strange expression on your face. It was like sadness, worried, and happiness all rolled into one."
I shook my head. "I'm okay. I was thinking about things."
"If you want an ear to listen, I don't mind."
"No, it's okay. It's something I need to think about on my own. I can think about it later. What's up? Do you want to do anything? I've got some time."
She hesitated at first. I could tell she had something important to say or do. "There is one thing."
"What is it?"
"I'm not exactly sure. It's something that I felt compelled to do the day we met. And the more I've gotten to know you, the more that compulsion has increased. And after what you did today, I can't ignore it anymore."
"What is this compulsion?"
"My family is a family of knights."
Like Luma.
"While I am destined to not be a knight, until then I want to fulfill the duties I feel I need to fulfill."
"What do you mean destined?"
"When I was younger, my family and another family in Weltwald arranged a marriage between me and their eldest son. He's ten years older, twenty-eight now. When I graduate from the academy I'll have to marry him… and be a…"
She had tears in her eyes. I jumped up and wiped them away without even thinking.
"Eli?"
I smiled warmly at her. "That sounds awful. So you believe you're destined to give up your dreams because you are in an arranged marriage?"
"Whether I believe it or not, it's my future." She shook her head and slapped her cheeks.
Heh, a classic 'pull yourself together' move.
"Elise, until my marriage I want to dedicate my service to you. I will be your blade."
What?
"I'll guard you and whenever you need a blade, I will be ready. This I swear on-"
"Stop right there. Absolutely not. No oaths."
"Huh?" She looked at me, stupefied.
"I don't want an oath from anyone. Besides, if you were to swear your loyalty to the Weltwald royal family?"
She shook her head. "If I swear my loyalty to anyone, I want it to be you."
"I won't allow that. If you want to do those duties out of your own free will, that's fine. But you will not swear loyalty to me. I don't even allow Serah and Stella to do that."
"I see. Then, if it's okay, I will do everything without an oath."
I nodded. "Okay. If that's what you want to do without swearing an oath, that's fine."
"But, Eli, may I ask why not?"
"Why I'm refusing an oath?"
She nodded. "Yes. You answered so quickly and adamantly. I feel as though something happened." She suddenly seemed like she had a headache and held her right hand to her temple.
"Lena?" I readied healing magic.
She held her hand up. "I'm okay. That was strange, but it's gone."
"What was it?"
"Something like a headache. It felt like my mind was overloaded for a moment."
"But you're okay now?"
"Yeah."
"You should get that checked out by a doctor just in case."
"Sure. That was strange, so I probably should."
Given everything she's said, maybe I should tell her about me.
"You asked me why I refused your oath. I'll tell you, but…" I paused.
She looked at me with anticipation, like she was trying to think up possibilities.
"Lena, I need to tell you something before I explain about myself."
"What is it?"
"That night at the party Lanti held last week, do you remember when I put my hand on your shoulder?"
"Yes. I was thinking you were kind, defending Maya and then coming over to me, Cel, and Chris intending to defend me. They were listening to me whine about the arranged marriage, and I guess you picked up on my dejection, even though I was trying to hide it."
"I know."
"You know? Wait, what?"
"I briefly read your mind. I found out about your arranged marriage then, and other things."
Her face grew red.
"You were thinking about how I announced I'm bi and that you developed at least a small infatuation with me."
"I was thinking about that, yes." She had trouble facing me, and her face had grown even more red.
"'Even if that's the case, and she likes me that way, my family will never allow it.'" I pulled her face back toward me. "As a matter of fact, I do like you that way."
Her face still read, she smiled. "You do?"
"I do."
"But the last part of that sentence. My family will never allow it. I'm arranged. I can't date."
"What if I told you I can get your marriage canceled?"
"How could you-"
"Well you know who Maya is, and I'm dating her. My family already had favors with all the royal houses, and now I'm dating the Beast Queen's and Demon Lord's daughter. I have strings to pull."
She shook her head frantically.
"If you did that… my family…"
"Are you afraid of your family?"
She hurriedly shook her head.
"The other family?"
She hesitantly nodded.
"Why?"
She hurriedly shook her head.
"Do you have siblings?"
She nodded her head.
"Would they be in danger if you don't go through with the marriage?"
She nodded again.
"Sister? Brother? Multiple of either?"
"Two sisters and one brother. My brother is two years younger and my sisters are another two years apart each. Sixteen, fourteen, and twelve. If I get out of the marriage, they'll force it on one of my sisters. And the age gap is even more extreme."
"This young, an age gap of even a decade is a lot. Hmm… this other family. Is there anything deeper about them?"
"You are so perceptive," she replied.
"Then there is? What will they do? Whether it's you or your sisters, what would happen in that other family?"
"I've met the elder son once a year since our arrangement, as well as his brothers. They are abusive in one way or another. The elder son threatened the younger sons with being struck if they didn't listen to him. And the second oldest did so toward the youngest as well."
I narrowed my eyes. "I've been getting crime notifications from a particular county in Weltwald."
"Is this other family the head of Rothenberg County?"
Her eyed widened. "How did you know?"
"I've heard rumors. None of them good. From what I gather, any girl from your family sent to marry into their family is getting set up for a lifetime of abuse. That won't do. Whether it's you or one of your sisters, I won't let that happen."
"I can take care of myself. If he tries to abuse me, I can take it. I could just give it back to him, but I'm afraid if I push back, they'll send me back to my family and demand one of my sisters."
"So you are accepting this to protect your sisters."
She nodded. "My parents are the Duke and Duchess of Rosenfeld, but they're afraid of the Rothenbergs."
"I'll raze that family to the ground," came Maya's voice as she entered the room.
"Hey," I said.
"You were listening?" Lena asked, twisting around to face her.
"Yes. Since the beginning."
"Then… you heard what she said?"
"All of it. Before you start worrying about taking her from me, don't worry. Eli and I have already agreed to polyamory. And in fact, we even like the same people."
"What?"
Maya smiled softly at her. "I like you that way, too."
"Both of you do?" She looked back and forth between us.
"Lena, that family is done for. I only knew rumors, but now I know details." She gave me a rather evil, scheming smile. "Eli love, shall we take our date in Weltwald tonight?"
"Heh." I said, walking over to her. "I was going to ask your mom to pressure them into acting better, though that was a long shot it's less bloody, proverbially speaking. But taking down a shitty family sounds like a fun date, too."
"You two are scary when you're both going against the same thing," Lena said.
"So then, what do you say?" I asked, holding my hand out to her. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Maya stood next to me and smirked. "You're not even waiting until we fix the problem?"
I shrugged. "It's not like I'm worried about failing."
"But I am," Lena said.
"Lena?"
"I won't answer until the Rothenbergs are no longer a threat."
"Hmm." I mumbled. I glanced at Maya, who was still looking at Lena, then back to Lena. "Fair enough. When we're done, I'll come back and let you know they're no longer a threat."
She nodded. "Okay. I will remain here and wait."
Maya took her hands and asked her the same thing. "I know you can't answer until we come back, and I don't know if you even feel that way toward me, but I feel that way toward you. When we get back, will you tell me? I want to be girlfriends with you, too."
Her eyes widened, her cheeks got red again, and her mouth fell open.
"See you soon, Lena!" I grabbed Maya's hand and whisked us away.
*****
I took us straight to Mabel's palace in Weltwald. Since it was the early night, she was already winding down for the night. I couldn't blame her after the afternoon I dragged her into. I felt bad dragging her into something else the same day, but it needed to be done.
"Elise? Maya? What's going on? You should be at the academy." She didn't bat an eye at the fact that we teleported directly into her palace, which should be impossible in normal circumstances, but Maya is her daughter, and I'm not normal.
"Hello, Mabel."
"Hi, mom!" Maya smiled at her, but Mabel knew right away she was up to something.
"Okay, out with it. What are you doing?"
"I never could hide it." She giggled. "Okay. So, you know the Rothenberg family? The county at the foot of the red mountain in the north of the country."
"What of them?"
"Lena is betrothed to their eldest son."
"Yes, I'm aware. Is something wrong?"
"Well, you see-"
"Allow me, love," I said. "Mabel, the Scales of Justice has been pinging me regarding them. I've been getting a lot of pings. It's quite early into your exposure to it, so I expect that you and the others will need some time to get used to it and react to the pings."
"Yes. I've been getting the pings too. Honestly it's a little overwhelming. I knew there was a lot of crime in the world, but this is ridiculous. How do you manage it all?"
"It comes with experience. And the ability to perceive all the time dimensions helps. I can go over all of them in a matter of seconds doing that, but you and the others have no such advantage."
"I see. It's no wonder you wanted to cast that spell. You can handle it very easily."
"It's still annoying even if I can do it quickly, but that's the duty of a ruler. Anyway, I'm not going to personally handle every little thing, but I have a reason for this one."
"So you're here to get permission."
"Basically. I'd rather have it now than go there and lay down the law without speaking to you."
"So what's the reason? As I understand it, Helena is your classmate. I don't know the girl personally, but I do know she's staying in the villa with you two."
"It's rather selfish, if I'm being honest. I want her, and thus I need to get rid of her arranged marriage."
"I echo that," Maya added.
"With Lena's first-hand testimony and the Scales of Justice reporting the same thing the first day it's active, I mean to put them in their place. However…"
"I disagree!"
"You disagree?" Mabel asked. "You are going against Eli on this?"
"Yep! She meant to simply pressure them. I mean to replace them entirely!"
"Hold on, replace them? That's a little extreme. If you're dead set on that, I won't stop you, but shouldn't you practice restraint?"
She shrugged.
"You said you echo Eli. So you both like this girl and you want to cancel the arrangement?"
"Yes," I said. "But it's not that simple. Lena tells me her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Rosenfeld, are afraid of the Rothenberg family. From what I understand they were forced into the arranged marriage, and if Lena escapes the arrangement, one of her sisters will be put up in her place."
Mabel pulled up the system menu and checked the pings about the Rothenberg family. "Abuse. It seems the count abuses everyone. The countess has no ping against her. And each son abuses the one below them, except the youngest. No telling if that's because there's no sibling younger or if he's simply not a bad kid. The others, though."
She sighed and put a hand on Maya's shoulder. "Daughter, I want to show you how I would handle this problem. Rather than the two of you go handle it with my blessing, I'll go with you."
She started to channel mana, so I said, "I can transport us."
"No, that's alright. Within my and Vel's domains, I can take us directly to anywhere." She finished her spell and spoke its trigger. "Schlussel Rothenberg."
In an instant, the surroundings changed to the front of the Rothenberg estate, and Mabel was no longer in her loungewear, but proper noble attire. Maya and I were still in our school uniforms.
The guards at the front door were startled by our appearance, but immediately kneeled when they saw Mabel. She walked up to the front door and knocked, the sound echoing loudly into the manor.
A butler quickly answered the door and froze when he laid eyes on Mabel. "Hello. Take me to the drawing room and gather the entire Rothenberg family."
"At once, Your Majesty. Please follow me."
A few minutes later, we were face to face with the Rothenberg family in the drawing room.
"Your Majesty, to what do I owe this visit?"
"Before we get into it. I'd like to speak to Countess Rothenberg alone." She looked at the only woman on their side of table. "Would you mind taking me to another room so that we may speak?"
"Of course, Your Majesty." She headed to the door and Mabel stood up to follow her.
"You there," the count pointed at a maid standing by, "go with them."
Mabel looked at the girl and said, "No. Stay here."
The maid froze. She was a catgirl and knew very well to not disobey Mabel's command. The count and elder son were red foxes, the countess was a yellow cat, the second eldest was a red cat, and the youngest was a pink fox.
"But, Your Majesty, there sh-" the count tried to say.
"Silence. I will speak to the countess alone. No maids, no guards, though a guard would be moot with me. The rest of you will remain here."
After they left, the count gave us a cold look, which had absolutely no effect on us. "Who are you two? Queen's guard?"
"Elise Aindrea," I said with my arms folded.
"You are a count's daughter from Gallia. What are you doing here?"
"Observing, for the most part."
He turned to Maya. "And you. Pink cats are rather uncommon. I take it you are a guard or maid? Or perhaps an observer from another domain? That look you are giving me is quite disgusting. You should know your place."
She was giving him a very evil smile. "Nope. I'm none of those. To say 'You should know your place' to me of all people is rather ironic."
"It's hardly ironic at all."
"So you're just stupid."
"Pfft." I couldn't hold it in. At the same time, I heard blades being drawn behind us. We allowed them to place guards behind us, knowing they could do nothing to us.
"Silence, girl. You will know your place in my house."
Maya chuckled, stood up, and walked around the table and stood over the count. "There. Our places are appropriate now." He started to get up, but Maya released enough mana to pin the count to his seat and put the guards on their knees. "Stay seated, fool."
"You dare treat a count this way?"
"Father, you should reconsider," the youngest son said. He seemed to be our age.
"You stay silent!" The boy winced at his shout.
"Of course I dare treat a foolish count this way. I don't pull rank on nice people, but you deserve no such treatment."
"Pull rank?" He laughed. "Even duchies bow to us."
"We know all about your harassment toward the Rosenfeld family," Maya said.
"That's quite the accusation."
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"I'll have you executed for your actions tonight."
She didn't even laugh. It was so sad she could only sigh. "You are so egregiously stupid. You still haven't figured out who I am? Who did I come here with? Pink cats are uncommon, even you know that. What color is Mabel's hair?"
"You speak of the Beast Queen by her name?" the elder son exclaimed.
"Normally I just call her 'mom'." That froze the count and the elder son in their place.
"I was going to wait until she returned to checking the countess for the abuse you've given her, count. But considering how you've so carelessly spoken, without even considering that the pink cat might be the red cat's child, my patience is gone. You should have listened to your youngest. It seems he figured it out and was trying to warn you. Not to mention you should have realized it anyway, given he's a pink fox, and you're a red fox."
She and I glanced at the youngest, and he only nodded.
"Smart," I said.
Maya turned back to the count. "You are stripped of your title." Then she eyed the elder son. "You as well." She turned to the second oldest. "Still thinking about you. Compared to the rumors about your father and elder brother, yours are tame."
"What rumors are you talking about, Your Highness?" he asked calmly.
"Abuse," came Mabel's voice as she and the countess returned to the room. "Don't be surprised count."
"Former count," Maya corrected her.
"Already done it, eh?"
I snapped my finger and played out the entire scene with memory magic, which shocked everyone except Maya and Mabel, who already knew of my abilities. The count's eyes widened so much one might think they'd pop out of his sockets.
"I see. In this case, perhaps I'm the one that wouldn't have shown restraint had I heard it live." She glared at the former count. "Though I'm having trouble holding back anyway."
"Your Majesty, what is going to happen?" the countess asked.
"Can you handle the count's duties, countess?" Mabel asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"I need a noble to head this house. Your husband and eldest son will be coming with me. I'll leave Maya and Elise to decide on the second eldest. As a target of his abuse, you will not be treated as an accomplice. Nor will your youngest son. Are you able to handle governing duties?"
"If I'm being frank, my husband already does nothing here except flaunt his title. I already have been handling all the governing duties. He forced me to under threat of more abuse toward both me and the two youngest. I am only Rank A, while he is Rank S. I couldn't fight him off, as much as I wanted to."
"You traitorous bitch!" he yelled. "I'll-"
"You'll do nothing," I said as I wrapped him in bands of silver mana, including his mouth. I glanced at the eldest son. "You step out of line, you get the same treatment."
"You wench, I am Rank SS."
"And?"
He stopped in his tracks. He was confident I would be intimidated.
I smirked. "Backing down that easily? Smart. I am not as patient as these two. Misspeak to me and I will simply shut you up with force. And for that matter, misspeak to either of them, and I'll still shut you up by force, as I did with your father just now."
"You really should listen to her," Maya said. "She's the most powerful one among us. If she decides to use force to do something, even my mother and I can't stop her. Know you're place, okay?"
I giggled. "You're really sore about that aren't you?"
"Oh, it pissed me off." She was glaring at the count.
Mabel snickered and turned back to the countess. "So you can handle governing duties. What about your feelings toward your family?"
"Throw my husband in the deepest dungeon for all I care. Decades of his abuse have robbed me of any love I had for the man. Our marriage was arranged in the first place. I understand you mean to take my eldest son." She looked the oldest in the eyes. "I only ask he be spared execution. If he must serve time, so be it. He has taken after his father far too much and needs to learn that's not okay." She looked at the other two with different eyes, much calmer eyes. "Please leave both of my younger sons with me."
"Your second oldest has rumors of abuse against him."
The countess turned to Mabel. "Your Majesty, I believe I can teach him better myself without his father around to interfere."
Mabel eyed the second youngest. "You haven't as much as spoken until now. Do you have anything to say in your defense."
"Mabel, allow me," I walked around the table to where the second youngest was standing. He and the youngest were standing behind the sofa, rather than sitting with their family. "I have telepath abilities. If you lend me your and for a moment, I can read everything and determine the truth."
He had a serious look in his eyes and immediately held his hand out for me. "I have done bad things. But, unlike my older brother and my father, I didn't revel in it."
I took his hand and read his mind all the way to his early childhood when his memories started forming properly.
"Mabel, this one is innocent."
"Really?"
"He and his younger brother have an agreement. To sate the older brother and father, the middle brother would pretend to verbally and physically abuse the younger brother, just as they did to him. That's the short version. I can give you the detailed version later if you'd like."
"I see. No need for the detailed version, I trust your word, Elise. What would you have me do for each of them?"
I went to each Rothenberg one by one, reading their memories.
"Okay. I have a proper read on all of them now. "Former Count Gregor Rothenberg should be tried for thirty-five years of abuse against his wife, twenty-five years of abuse against his elder son, twenty-one years of abuse against the second son, and fifteen years of abuse against the third son. The first son, Heinrich Rothenberg should be tried for ten years of abuse to the countess and both of his brothers. I don't condone trying him for anything before his eighteenth birthday, though the fact that he did commit abuse before that should still be considered as evidence in the trial."
"I will try them for just that, then. You already proclaimed the second son innocent. May I assume the countess and the youngest are also innocent?"
"Yes. Countess Angela Rothenberg has continuously done all the governing work in this house since she married the former count. She is plenty qualified to carry on as head of the house and may as well be the head as is. The second son, Finn Rothenberg, is innocent and should be allowed to remain here if he so chooses. And the third son, Eric Rothenberg, the same. In fact, those two have a very healthy brotherly bond. In all the memories I just read, their cooperation kept both of them out of abuse from the oldest and father more often than not. I would rather commend them for that."
"I see. Thank you for your work and counsel, Elise," Mabel said as she turned to the countess. "Countess Rothenberg, do you accept my request? To be head of this house until the time comes that you decide to hand it over to one of your younger sons. Your eldest may not be granted the title once he returns."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am more than willing to continue caring for the Rothenberg County. As far as I'm concerned, my work does not change. In fact, it'll be easier without my abusive and soon-to-be-divorced husband around."
"Then the title is yours. I thank you for your service, Countess Angela Rothenberg. If you wish to change the name of this county, you may submit the appropriate paperwork."
"I will do my best, Your Majesty." She eyed her eldest son, who was looking at her in disbelief. "You are my son and I love you, regardless of your faults. Take this time to reflect. You may return here once your sentence is over, but you will not do as you did before. You will have no noble status."
He didn't answer.
I began channeling mana and covered the elder son and former count with my mana, then also Maya and Mabel.
"I'll send word once their sentence is determined," Mabel said. "Goodbye for now."
The younger sons and the countess bowed to her. Before I teleported us, I turned to the countess. "Miss Angela," I said, referring to her as a person, rather than as a noble, "you are a good mother." Then I snapped my fingers and we disappeared.
"Eli, that was nice of you," Maya said after we appeared in the foyer of Mabel's palace, startling the guards.
"Guards, take these two away. They're criminals and will be tried sometime in the next few days."
""Yes, Your Majesty,"" they replied.
Once they were gone, Mabel stretched and started walking toward her private residence in the palace. "Maya, Elise, I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted. Thanks for helping with this tonight. I didn't realize just how bad it was." She turned back and looked at me. "May I ask for some of your time another day?"
"Of course, but what do you need?"
"I want to speak to you at length about being a sovereign."
I smiled. "Anything you need, Mabel."
"Thanks. You two have a good night." She waved and headed up the stairs.
Maya and I exchanged glances and smiled. ""Now we can go back to Lena!"" She nodded at each other and I whisked us back to the villa.
Lena was still there, sitting on the sofa with her face buried into a pillow. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes, but her eyes serious. "Welcome back."
"Lena, what's wrong? What happened?"
"I…" She hesitated to even speak. "I can't."
"You can't what? Why are you crying?"
"Because I can't. My answer is no."
"You mean…?" Maya and I exchanged glanced.
"I believe it was a combination of the excitement and relief that triggered it. I was supposed to live here without ever remembering."
"What are you talking about."
She stood up from sofa, materialized a sword, and knelt before me. "I have recovered my memories, My King."
I could feel my eyes widen. And my mouth fell open.
"King? What?" Maya said.
I couldn't utter a word. Lena had called me King.
"Eli, did you tell her?"
I shook my head. "No. I didn't."
"Then what?"
"Lady Maya, I am very sorry. You confessed to me, and although I did develop feelings for you, my oath prevents me from accepting any relationships."
"Oath?"
"She's…" I muttered.
She stood up and bowed to Maya. "Thank you for taking care of Elysia."
"You called her Elysia?"
"May I introduce myself formally? Not as Helena."
"Not as Helena…?" I looked at Maya, and even she was shocked.
She raised from her bow and held her left hand over her chest. "I am Luma Valentine, Lord Commander of the Alexandrian Royal Guard."
"You're like Eli? Transcendent?"
"Yes, My Lady."
"This is…" She looked at me.
I did my best to remain calm, but it wasn't working. "No. You can't be. Not again." I felt the tears running down my face. "Not again!"
"My King, I am so very sorry. If the seal on my memories had not been lifted, I would have-"
"No. Don't say it. If I hear the words I think you're about to say, it'll only hurt more." I fell to my knees and grabbed her free hand. "Please tell me it's not real. Please tell me this is a dream. Lena is not Luma. Luma is not here. Nobody but me is here. Luma is still in Eden. I came back from Weltwald and fell asleep on the sofa from how tired I was, after Lena said yes to both of us. We all fell asleep here on the sofa, happy. This is just a nightmare. Luma is…" I looked up at her. "Here…"
She didn't say anything.
"You really are here?"
"Yes."
"And we have loved each other since?"
"We were children."
"And romantically since?"
"Age thirteen to eighteen."
"And then when we were old enough to marry, after conceiving children together with Maya… you were old enough to?"
"Take the oath of the Valentine family, forever to serve the King of the World and never take a spouse or know love."
"And you have refused me ever since. Because of that gods damned oath. And now, just when we confessed to each other as Helena and Elise… you refused to answer me until we return with good news, but you recalled yourself while we were gone, and now you're refusing me for good."
"I-"
"No. You're not supposed to be here. Is anyone else here?"
"Not that I'm aware. I left immediately after you. If anyone else did the same, I don't know about it."
"You can't do this to me again!" I cried, grasping her shoulders. "Luma, please! Don't push me away again!"
"I will always be here by your side, my King. You have my undying loyalty and I-"
"I don't want your loyalty! I want your love! And I know damn well you want to give it to me! Our love isn't one-sided. It's mutual! The hell with your oath. To hell with your duty."
She didn't say anything. Even as I wrapped my arms around her and cried into her neck. Her arms remained at her sides.
"Say something! Tell me you love me!"
"I can't do that."
"I already know you love me, but I want to hear you say it. If you can say that... maybe..." I slipped down to my knees, but held on to her with my face at her waist. "Luma! Please! Just give me something to hold on to. What good is your oath if you can't protect your King from the one thing that can hurt her?"
She didn't answer.
I could still feel new tears rolling down my face. "Two times… This is now two times you dashed my hopes."
I looked back at Maya. I couldn't hold back my tears. She had tears on her face, too. I was barely able to smile for her.
"Two times is too much." I closed my eyes and said, "Luma, don't you dare follow me. Maya, I'll be at the island."
And I vanished.
*****
Revision: 2025-5-11