Episode 13 Ghosts of Pasts

As they ventured into the dungeon, Eyseck couldn't help but admire how deeply Reina had immersed herself in studying the previous Queen's history and the intricacies of weapon production and enhancement in preparation of Planet Atuj'R's declaration of hostility.

Despite her wisdom and composure, he was reminded of a crucial fact when they exited the dungeon—she was human.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the otherworldly landscape. Tears welled up in Reina's eyes as the events of the day overwhelmed her. The relentless struggles they had faced in the dungeon, the fear of losing Eyseck, and the mounting pressure of her role as Queen had finally taken their toll.

She buried her face in Eyseck's chest, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

Eyseck couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he held Reina in his arms. He had asked her personal questions, delving into the depths of her emotions, and he couldn't help but wonder if it had been too much. He couldn't bear the thought that he might have played a part in pushing her to this breaking point.

He gently rested his chin on the top of her head, his embrace a silent apology and a promise of support. In that moment, he wished he could shield her from the burdens of leadership and the weight of her responsibilities. He had seen the strength within her, but he also recognized the vulnerability that came with it.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he whispered softly, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean to pry or cause you any distress. It's just... I care about you, and I wanted you to know that you could be honest with me."

Reina's tears had subsided, but she still clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

Eyseck held her gently but firmly, his strong arms offering solace and support. He stroked her hair and whispered soothing words; his voice was a calming presence. "It's alright, Your Majesty," he murmured. "You've carried the weight of our world on your shoulders for so long. You don't have to be strong all the time."

"I don't know what I would do without you, Eyseck," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Eyseck smiled tenderly, his thumb brushing away the remnants of her tears. "And you, Your Majesty, inspire us all with your strength and determination. You've faced challenges that would break most, and yet you continue to lead with unwavering resolve. We're fortunate to have you as our Queen."

As the car glided smoothly through the cityscape, Eyseck turned his attention to Reina, who had fallen asleep beside him. Her head rested against the cushioned seat, her dark hair cascading gently over her shoulder. Despite the earlier turmoil, she looked peaceful in her slumber.

Eyseck couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness toward her. It was moments like these, when she could find respite in sleep, that he cherished the most.

He leaned closer, his voice soft and filled with warmth, as he spoke to the sleeping Queen: "Rest well, Your Majesty."

As the sleek car came to a graceful stop in front of Reina's official residence, Eyseck carefully roused the sleeping queen. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch light and reassuring. "Your Majesty," he said softly, "we've arrived."

Reina stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she gradually became aware of her surroundings. Eyseck offered her a warm smile, his emerald eyes reflecting concern and care. "Let's get you inside and comfortable," he suggested.

He helped her out of the car, mindful of her still-tattered jumpsuit. Eyseck reached into the vehicle, retrieving a plush towel he had brought along. Wrapping the towel around Reina's shoulders, he ensured she was shielded from the cool evening air.

With a protective arm around her, Eyseck guided Reina towards the elevator that led to her private quarters.

Once inside, Eyseck led Reina to her spacious bathroom. He filled the bathtub with warm water, taking care to adjust the temperature to her liking. Gently, he helped her out of her damaged jumpsuit and into the soothing bath, assisting her in washing away the remnants of their harrowing activity.

As Reina relaxed in the warm water, Eyseck meticulously cleaned her wounds with gentle care. He was thorough yet tender, ensuring that she felt as comfortable as possible.

After the bath, Eyseck wrapped Reina in a soft robe and led her to her luxurious bed. With utmost gentleness, he tucked her in, ensuring she was snug and warm.

"Good night, Your Majesty," Eyseck whispered. "I'll go to you if you need anything."

He wrote a note and placed it on top of the bedside table:

"Impressive work, Your Majesty. That Plutonarch Core will be a valuable addition to our resources for electromagnetic railgun production."

He thought it would lift her mood to see his note when she awoke.

He turned to leave the room, the door closing quietly behind him, leaving Reina to drift into a peaceful sleep in the comfort of her own bed.

Eyseck reclined in his own luxurious suite, the soft lighting casting a warm glow across the room. His thoughts were a swirl of emotions.

As Queen Reina's trusted secretary, Eyseck's foremost duty was to ensure her well-being and the smooth functioning of her reign. He had been by her side, assisting her in making crucial decisions and navigating the intricate web of politics. He had always regarded his loyalty and commitment to her as unwavering, a solemn promise to protect and guide her.

However, today has been different. Seeing Reina in a vulnerable state, covered in mucus and exhaustion, had stirred something within him. It was more than just a sense of duty—it was a genuine concern for her well-being, a deep desire to see her safe and unharmed.

Eyseck couldn't deny the growing personal feelings he had for her. Her strength, her determination, and her unwavering commitment to her people had not only earned his respect but also tugged at his heartstrings.

He knew the boundaries that came with his role and the constraints of their positions, but the emotions he felt were undeniable.

Could he reconcile his professional obligations with the growing affection he harbored for the Queen?

Eyseck's quiet contemplation was interrupted by the insistent ringing of his communication device. With a sigh, he retrieved the device and glanced at the incoming call. The name "Sebastian" flashed on the screen, he rubbed his temples.

Eyseck tapped the screen to answer the call. "What is it, Sebastian?" he said, his voice tinged with irritation.

Sebastian's voice was clear and smooth over the line, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Eyseck, my dear friend, it's always a pleasure to hear your sweet voice. I hope I'm not disturbing anything too important."

Eyseck's frustration deepened, but he managed to maintain a veneer of politeness. "I was in the middle of something, Sebastian. Make it quick."

Sebastian chuckled lightly. "Straight to the point, as always. Very well, Eyseck, I won't waste your precious time. I simply wanted to discuss a matter of mutual interest."

Eyseck's brow furrowed. He couldn't help but feel wary of Sebastian's intentions. "Mutual interest? Spit it out, then."

"It's about our esteemed Queen Reina. I believe we both have her best interests at heart, and I'd hate to see anything untoward happen to her in these trying times."

Eyseck's irritation gave way to a cautious curiosity. "Go on," he replied, his tone less brusque.

A sly smile played at the corners of Sebastian's lips. "Meet me in person, Eyseck, and I'll share everything I know. These are matters we should discuss face-to-face."

Eyseck couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he stood before the bright frontage of a convenience store. The coordinates that Sebastian had sent him led him to this rather unexpected location. He had expected a more discreet and private meeting place, not a place as mundane as a convenience store.

Taking a deep breath, Eyseck pushed open the glass door and entered the store. The familiar digital chime of a bell signaled his arrival, and he scanned the interior, searching for any sign of Sebastian.

The store was well-lit, with shelves stocked with a variety of snacks, drinks, and household items. A cashier stood at the counter, attending to a customer. Eyseck couldn't help but wonder if Sebastian was playing some sort of game or joke with him.

He approached the counter, his expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Excuse me," he said to the cashier, "I'm looking for someone. Did you happen to see a man named Sebastian around here?"

"Sebastian? I'm not sure, sir. We get a lot of customers in and out of here."

Eyseck sighed inwardly, realizing that this might indeed be one of Sebastian's eccentric tactics.

Sebastian finally arrived at the convenience store, dressed in casual clothing and sporting a large mustard hoodie with a ridiculous duck pattern.

Eyseck couldn't help but feel a mixture of irritation and amusement at Sebastian's appearance.

"You think I was going to wine and dine you, sweet Eyseck?" Sebastian smirked, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "Please, that's only for our beautiful Queen."

Rolling his eyes in response to Sebastian's theatrics, Eyseck replied dryly, "I wasn't expecting anything extravagant, but I certainly didn't anticipate a convenience store as our meeting place."

Sebastian chuckled, seemingly unperturbed by Eyseck's demeanor. "Well, my dear Eyseck, sometimes the most unexpected locations provide the best cover. Now, let's get to business."

Sebastian began discussing his proposal to bury the former Queen Regina in the Tomb of Legacy. He revealed that Queen Regina had played a crucial role in their society by spearheading advancements in medical science, ultimately leading to the discovery of a cure for the devastating scourge. Her contributions had made Proxima unparalleled in the field of medical care.

Eyseck was well aware of these developments, but he couldn't bring himself to fully credit Queen Regina for her part in them. He listened carefully, his expression guarded, as Sebastian explained the significance of her legacy to their civilization.

Eyseck leaned back in his plastic chair, his expression thoughtful. "Is that the only reason why you want her immortalized in the Tomb of Legacy?" He watched Sebastian closely, waiting for a response.

Sebastian took a sip from his iced coffee, his gaze fixed on the tabletop. He remained silent, leaving Eyseck to wonder if there was more to the story than he was letting on.

Eyseck couldn't help but be curious about Sebastian's motivations. "I have to admit," he began cautiously, "I thought you were in love with Queen-you-know-who."

Sebastian, still fixated on the tabletop, let out a bitter chuckle. "Love?" he echoed with a touch of irony. "Don't be naive, my boy. How could any of us, working under a magnetic figure like the Queen, simply fall in love with them?"

Eyseck sensed that Sebastian had seen through his thoughts, leaving him somewhat disarmed by Sebastian's response.

"Oh?"A smirk made its way onto Sebastian's lips. "What's this? Don't tell me—"

"I have a sniper on the roof across from this building. Do not utter another word."

"Scary," Sebastian said, looking outside the seemingly endless night, squinting as if trying to make out the figure of the sniper. "You've always been so uptight."

"I can't help it. Do you expect me to trust the man who drove a knife into my back? "

"You're still angry about that? It was in the heat of the moment. Plus, we were in the middle of a battle to the death. Don't you remember that crucial detail, Eyseck? "

Eyseck felt his shoulder where the stab wound had healed. "Yeah."

"She was one crazy bitch."

"Then why were you so head-over-heels for said crazy bitch? You let her run loose."

Sebastian chuckled but then shifted his expression, his gaze locking onto Eyseck's with a serious tone. "As someone who has been in your position," he began, "I'll offer you some advice. What you believe you feel for the Queen isn't love. It never will be. What you're experiencing is devotion. It won't embrace you warmly like love does. Devotion will grip your neck tightly and demand you enjoy it."

Eyseck wasn't used to seeing this side of Sebastian.

Sebastian's voice was deep with a somber tone as he shared what he truly felt, "I was devoted to the former Queen. She was like... an otherworldly being who graced us with her talents. But she was a very lonely person. She kept mentioning things like her 'old world' and wanting to see other 'players.' I didn't understand her. Nobody could. Perhaps madness is the price for genius."

"Queen Reina is different," Eyseck said with determination.

"You think so? Sometimes, I see the current Queen and can't help but see Regina looming over her shoulder like a ghost."