FLBE Chapter 4 Part 4
by SYLPH“What! M-Move, now! Quickly!”
Liena who was shocked at Lance’s words struggled incessantly. If Rhetrik saw her like this, he would really end her today.
Nevertheless, no matter how much she tried to push him away, he wouldn’t budge. Whether he had lost his fear or was ignorant about Rhetrik, the madman kept her frozen as he casually rattled on.
“Take my hand. I will save you out of this hell.”
“…What are you saying?”
“Just say the word.”
“?!”
At that moment, the door handle rattled, it was locked which gave them a little more time. But it was only a matter of time before the door would be broken in, that was bound to happen if the person on the other side was Rhetrik.
Even amidst the chaos, one instigating phrase from Lance snapped in her ears.
“Ask me to take you away.”
Liena’s eyes trembled in sheer confusion. The extreme terror felt so lethal it almost stopped her heart. At that moment a sharply resonating ‘boom’ from the door, and the ominous voice of Rhetrik ran through her ears.
“A rat has crept in.”
Ah… At the sound of that chilling voice, Liena’s mind reeled. The moment she locked eyes with those dark eyes, the extreme fear overpowered her, causing her to faint.
* * *
The cool sensation against her forehead prodded Liena to slowly open her eyes. She was lost, without any clue about what had happened. Her eyes felt heavy and her head ached as if it had been stabbed. She closed her eyes again, shivers running down her spine.
What happened to me? I must have fainted again.
With her eyes closed, she went over the sequence of events at the banquet. She was led to the balcony by that madman and she unwittingly lost her senses under his kiss.
She recalled the dreamlike sensation, but it didn’t seem like just a dream. He didn’t seem afraid of Rhetrik, he even offered to save her. Then, Rhetrik barged in.
Just the thought made her shiver. Thank God she didn’t die. Although she didn’t know if it was for her the banquet was celebrated, but at least it didn’t turn into her own funeral.
Ha… The relief of being alive was short-lived as her heart lurched again.
“Did that guy die? He must have been caught by Rhetrik?”
Liena bolted up and picked up the damp washcloth that had fallen off her forehead. She scanned the quiet room that now felt eerily peaceful. After spending a few days in her room, it felt like the coziest place in the world. Still, she couldn’t stop trembling.
Every day felt like walking on thin ice. The thought that someone may have died because of her made her heart sink. He was crazy, no doubt, but she never wished for him to die.
“He should’ve moved when asked him to. Why act so stubborn. sigh…”
Liena, who had been idly staring at the damp washcloth in her hand, finally placed it on the bedside table. Just as she was about to lie down again, the grand door opened. For a moment, she thought Rhetrik was coming in, her heart constricting at the thought. Fortunately, it was Emma who walked in.
“Saintess, are you okay?”
“Emma……”
“Ah, I was worried. Can you imagine how shocked I was when the person who went to attend the banquet came back unconscious?”
“…….”
“I can’t help but feel guilty, thinking you might’ve fainted because I rushed you. I should’ve cared for you more. I’m sorry.”
Suddenly, something welled up from deep within her chest. Tears flooded her eyes almost immediately, and they fell drop by drop.
“Your Holiness? Are you still in pain?”
Surprised by Liena’s teardrops, Emma quickly approached and touched her forehead. It was the first time Liena had realized Emma’s hands were so warm. Such tender touch, the voice that seemed to despise her was now filled with concern – it all felt so beautiful, akin to a mother’s nagging out of love. Her chest felt tight.
Kneeling and hugging Emma’s waist, Liena buried her face into her stomach and sobbed uncontrollably. All the bottled-up sorrow burst forth at once. Held tightly, with Emma’s soft, soothing pats on her back, the sorrow poured out more poignantly.
She felt as if this was the first time in her two lifetimes that she had wept so desolately. She wept more bitterly than those days when she cried thinking about her friends. Such was the tired state of Liena’s mind.
Her eyes were swollen, and her nose was sore. Her head was throbbing, a testament to just how much she had cried. Even in front of the appetizing stew, Liena just sat dully. She had no appetite or any motivation. Not knowing what to do or what was going on, I felt her chest tighten.
Would Rhetrik get the wrong idea about me too? Who really was that man?
Suddenly, she remembered something strange. A voice that passed by like a mirage.
‘We’ll meet again soon. Think well until then.’
“What memory is this?”
She thought it might be something Lance said. A voice that seemed to be carried away by the wind. Was that also a dream…?
It’s like being possessed. Every time she met that man, she could not discern if it was a dream or reality. Was he really a ghost? No, Rhetrik definitely saw that man too……
“Your Holiness?”
“……Yes?”
She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Emma coming in. Fortunately, it seemed that the incidents of the morning weren’t a dream when she saw Emma smiling so gently as usual.
“Doesn’t the food suit your taste?”
“No… I’m just out of appetite.”
“Hmm, then have it when you feel like it.”
Emma, perhaps feeling regretful of having forced her to attend the banquet when she clearly didn’t want to, did not press her further. Though it wasn’t entirely up to Emma, she seemed to feel guilt deep within.
“Oh, Emma.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“Where is His Majesty……?”
“He is not in the palace right now.”
“Oh . . . Has . . . something happened?”
“I don’t know. My only duty is to serve you, Your Holiness.”
“…….”