All Be For Nothing

As Ludwig continued rubbing my back to keep me warm, I tried to focus on his words rather than the shame overwhelming my mind. Why hadn't anyone warned me about the unbearable coldness of this forest at night? I felt as though I would turn to ice if Ludwig moved away.

Ludwig sighed, and I could feel the soft throbbing of his heart against my chest. "We're not sure why they're still there when I've already instructed my followers to find all the children who lost their parents in the attacks and provide immediate aid."

"The temperature suddenly changed, becoming hot with Ludwig's irritation, but it immediately dissipated when he sighed.

"Once this problem ends," declared Ludwig, "I will conduct a thorough purge to remove all disloyal individuals from my kingdom."

I couldn't fully comprehend his statement, as I often refrained from asking, but I couldn't hold back from inquiring now.

"Wouldn't it be better to remove those you don't trust earlier to prevent the problem from escalating further?" I asked.

While I was still a member of the syndicate, our leader took decisive action upon noticing the escalating issues within the group. He strategically eliminated disloyal members, metaphorically "removing the rats," before addressing the underlying problems they had caused.

It became increasingly evident to me that only a select few were truly loyal to Ludwig. Despite his youth compared to other monarchs, Ludwig lacked possession of the Ones, a significant emblem denoting his status as the King of the Fire Fae.

Furthermore, Alexa confided in me that Ludwig faced resentment from many due to his status as an Ascendant.

According to the book I read previously, Faes were categorized into four distinct groups. Monomancers were individuals who practiced magic or possessed mastery over a specific type of elemental manipulation or divination. Weavers, like Liam, had the ability to control two or three elements simultaneously. Nexus, on the other hand, could manipulate all four elements, and according to Alexa, it had been a thousand years since the last Nexus lived.

The final category consisted of Ascendants, who, in addition to controlling elements, possessed additional powers. Alexa explained that Ludwig's additional power was the Magus. He wielded a destructive force akin to a bomb, capable of turning those near him to ash and annihilation. However, because Ludwig's power was newly discovered, he struggled to control it fully, and it had not yet reached its ultimate form like that of his grandfather's.

Ludwig merely hummed in response, indicating that he wasn't paying attention to what I had just said. Perhaps he assumed I was unaware of the ongoing events and therefore dismissed my words. Ignoring his apparent disregard, I recognized my limited knowledge of the kingdom's situation and context.

"You're free to do as you wish with the food, including the items I provided you," Ludwig stated casually, perhaps hoping to divert attention from his lack of engagement with my previous statement.

His words lingered in my mind, and as their meaning sank in, I furrowed my brow. "What items have you given me?" I inquired, puzzled by his remark. Apart from shelter, clothing, and food, I couldn't recall him giving me anything else.

"You did not see?" Ludwig's tone grew more irritated as he raised his voice. Struggling to recall, I found nothing in my memory.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled. "Was it the pendant Alexa gave me..."

"Gold," Ludwig interjected firmly, his frustration evident. "Gold, jewels, bags, dresses, shoes, rubies, diamonds, books—"

My attention snapped to his words, and I sat up abruptly, causing him to release his embrace, though his warmth lingered around me. "Gold? Jewels?" I repeated incredulously.

Ludwig arched an eyebrow, a faint smile ghosting his lips as the flickering candlelight cast a soft glow upon his handsome face.

"Did you not hear what I said?" Ludwig questioned, his tone still tinged with irritation.

Raising an eyebrow in response, I countered, "I couldn't recall anything—"

"They're all inside your room," Ludwig interjected, his tone firm. "Inside the cabinet." He paused, clearly expecting a reaction. "Don't tell me you never opened it since you arrived?" His confusion was evident, accompanied by a scowl.

I sighed, feeling a sense of embarrassment. "I have opened it, but I didn't realize that all the contents belonged to me. I thought I was just a temporary guest, Prince Ludwig—"

He groaned audibly, the sound reverberating through the forest. "How many times do I have to tell you to just call me Ludwig? Just Ludwig..." His annoyance was palpable. 

I narrowed my gaze at him. "As I've mentioned before, Ludwig, I'm merely a temporary guest in your castle, so I refrained from touching things that aren't mine. Yes, I'll admit I was tempted by the diamonds you use for embellishments. I even considered taking a small stone from the curtains to improve my family's life, but I stopped myself because you've done nothing but provide for me during my time here in your world. Besides, what use would all those diamonds be if Elizabeth weren't here? It would all be for nothing." My explanation stretched on.

"So you did not use any of them?" Said Ludwig, frustrated. Was it all what he had extracted from my litany? "Tsk!" He was still irritated and before I could speak or even think, he grabbed my arms and he embraced me again. I fell to his chest with a soft thud. "You should have used them." He added.

I remained silent, knowing I wouldn't be returning to the castle. The thought of never opening that cabinet again didn't weigh heavily on me. Instead, my focus was on returning to my home, my world, and my family.

I planned to speak with Percival, who would guide me back to where I belonged.

Ludwig's embrace tightened around me, as if he sensed my thoughts. It was still gentle enough to allow for my breathing, yet there was a comforting warmth to it. Despite this, I couldn't understand why I didn't try to pull away or protest. Why I didn't escape from his comforting embrace. Perhaps I wanted to savor the feeling before I departed. To become accustomed to it. To etch it into my memory. Just once more. A little longer.

The chill that had enveloped the carriage suddenly dissipated, replaced by a comforting warmth that made me break into a light sweat. Despite the change in temperature, Ludwig didn't release me, and gradually, I succumbed to drowsiness, lulled by his embrace.