Zerath didn't know how long he had been floating in the mysterious black haze he had accidentally been pulled into. From the last look of horror on Arzan's face, he had a fair idea that his curiosity was about to get him in trouble.
He had braced for some mysterious painful experience as a violent consequence - but there was none. His body had become weightless, as though drifting in the open sky. He couldn't sense the passage of time for a long time - but soon, a dim light illuminated somewhere in the distance. He wondered if it was the end.
Zerath had imagined the wildest theories - not once did the thought cross his mind he would stand before Vivia. Pushed out into a dim, unfamiliar rocky chamber, Zerath found himself looking directly into the woman's eyes he had been missing dearly for months, stunned. It was as though his lungs had forgotten to propel his breaths outside.
Is this some kind of illusion magic…? Vivia is standing right before me. This must be a dream…
Knowing fully well it could be an illusion, Zerath walked towards her nevertheless. His heartbeats drummed in his ears like a loud trumpet, as the distance closed to an arm's length. Just moments ago, they were miles apart, and now they stood in the same space, breathed the same air. So close they could touch each other unlike the astral realm.
His hand rose to touch her face, his heartbeats turning feverish and chaotic. His trembling fingers ached to feel her warmth again.
A slash of silver cut in between them, and his daze snapped. A blade narrowly missed his fingers. It rested at his throat, threatening to slice and arc across his neck.
"Awfully bold of Rudaheim's Crown Prince to approach Emberlain's Princess like that."
Zerath tore his gaze from Vivia. "Lady Judith."
"Never expected a demon would land here."
From the corner of her eye, Judith noticed Clairette's still posture, as if she was in a trance-like delirium. Her gaze was locked onto Zerath's with an indescribable emotion Judith couldn't give a name to. Then she moved, almost breathless. She inched closer towards Zerath, her palm resting against his cheek softly.
Is it really Zerath…?
Everything else had dropped into a sharp silence the moment she saw him walking out of that black void. Her heart raced uncontrollably. Her trembling breaths made her dizzy. When she learned a Shifting Vein could take anyone anywhere in the world - including the Demon Realm, a foolish hope lit her heart.
How wonderful it would be if Zerath were to walk out of that Vein?
When reality took that exact shape to her shock, she couldn't contain it. The buried feelings overwhelmed at once, spilling out like a wave crashing at the shore. When the warmth from his cheek settled upon her fingertips, she then knew this wasn't a dream. Tears gushed forth before she could stop them.
"Zerath…" her voice broke.
He looked at her, his golden eyes like the dawn's sunshine, his smile stealing every heartbeat. He tilted his head, softly leaning into her cradling hand.
"Yes, it's me," he whispered. "It is indeed me."
His kind voice, low and warm, full of love and doting, surged a gentle heat through her chest as tears slid down her cheeks. With a small, ungraceful hop, she rushed into his embrace at once, burying her face against his chest with everything she had.
Though they had met in the astral realm before, they lacked the physical touch. Given their circumstances, they made peace with the fact of being able to just see each other. But the longing of Zerath's embrace hadn't faded down one bit. It has only grown stronger and fiercer every passing day.
"Zerath…!"
Vivia had so many things to say but strangely, found her voice and thoughts betraying her. But it didn't matter when his arms enveloped her, pulling her closer than ever. Eyes closed, his chin softly settled on top of her head with a smile.
"Yes, I'm here," his steady but husky voice echoed in her ear.
"So…what is happening here?"
Contrary to their expectations, it wasn't Judith who broke their moment of reunion. Instead, the voice came from behind Zerath, disturbing the serene quiet.
Zerath opened his eyes, recognizing that voice all too well. He half-turned and watched Silas stride into the chamber along with Arzan. He caught Silas's flat stare.
"If I may point out, Your Highness, that's a human you're currently embracing over there."
Zerath returned his stare without flinching. "I'm well aware of that."
"I don't think you are, Your Highness, because if you were, you wouldn't be doing what you're doing right now."
Judith watched Vivia, mirroring Silas's expression and gaze.
"Though we stand on opposite sides, I'm afraid I've to agree with that demon speaking words of wisdom. Princess Clairette - though I see and understand what is happening right before me, may I still ask what you think you are doing?"
Vivia pressed her lips together and said nothing. It was agonizing to restrain herself when Zerath stood right before her. She knew she could have controlled her emotions from taking over her rationale, but that rationality ceased to exist the moment her eyes met his.
The longer she stayed silent, the more severe Judith's expression became.
"Princess Clairette. I really don't want to ask this but…do you love Crown Prince Zerath Rudaheim?"
Impassive, Silas asked the same question, "Your Highness. Do you love Princess Clairette?"
Neither of them hesitated for even a beat.
"Yes, I do."
Finnian's eerie chuckle broke the tense silence.
"My, oh my, what a revelation. To see the doomed history repeating itself in the near future - how terribly exciting. How do you two feel, knowing the imminent death that awaits you? Such an inviting temptation, I can barely contain myself."
Silas raised a brow at this eccentric human.
Judith took a threatening step towards Vivia. "Are you serious, Princess, or is this a way of mocking Melissa?"
Vivia frowned. "Why would I mock Lady Melissa?"
"Because only someone in their wrong mind would dare walk the same path as Lady Autumn walked centuries ago. We all know how that ended. So pray tell me, Princess - do you want to die?"
Vivia met her gaze. "I don't."
I've already died once. I have no plans of losing this second life too.
Judith burst into a sardonic chuckle. "If you don't want to die, then…" she pointed at Zerath. "A forever life with him is not an option. Just how much did your short stay in Rudaheim change you - to the point you cannot see your own future anymore?"
Vivia clenched her fists. "I know about that possibility, Lady Judith. But it is what it is. We cannot stop who we fall for."
"Oh, you can fall in love all you want, Princess. It's all roses and gardens until…you decide to act on it," her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Vivia pressed her lips. "Zerath and I will bring the change."
A humorless chuckle came from Silas this time. "Change? A very fancy word, Princess. The two lovers before you had also thought just as naively as you. That they would bring a change, but unfortunately…"
His sharp, cold gaze settled upon Zerath. "No matter what kind of magic this world holds, the one that ends the hatred between our races simply doesn't exist. Change is an understatement. You need a complete overhaul. And given our bloody history, let's say...it's impossible?"
Zerath smiled. "Do you truly care about history that much, Silas?"
Silas? Where have I heard that name before? Vivia wondered.
Silas stared at him, then smiled. "Nobody thinks about history more than me, Your Highness."
"So let's say you fell for a human. Hypothetically. Will you back off from your love because of the enmity?"
"I'm not in your position, so I don't have to concern myself with that."
"True, but if you did happen to like a human woman, would you let Rudaheim dictate your future with her?"
He didn't respond.
"You're the last person to allow anyone to dictate what you want."
Still no response.
"I know you, Silas. You don't actually care about the race. Even right now - you don't really care that Princess Clairette is a human. You're simply worried you might have to stand in front of my grave one day."
"Spout something so nonsense once again, and I'll put my spear through your chest before your father would," his face contorted with disgust.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the corner, Arzan was cowering with fear. Tears pooled in his eyes. "My-my lord, y-you are dead…?"
Vivia was speechless.
At least use the future tense! Don't just announce it like it's already happened!
Zerath's placid smile, however, didn't waver. "No, Arzan. Not for now at least."
Judith sneered. "I have to ask - what magic did the Crown Prince use on the princess to earn this level of devotion?"
"You should ask Princess Clairette about that," he said pleasantly.
Vivia faced Judith. "Lady Judith, I know you don't look favorably upon our relationship, but I humbly ask you not to…" she bit her lip lightly.
"Favorably? I don't care who you fall for. Human, demon, god, monster - all are the same to me."
Her brow twitched.
"It's just watching Melissa's family live through what they did, and still do - I felt a reasonable sense of responsibility to tell you that you're courting death. Don't blame me later for not trying to bring the royal princess to her senses."
Vivia trembled. Until a while ago, they had been at odds over Priscilla. And yet this same woman wasn't judging her love with disdain and loathe. All this time, she had been guarding the secret of her love for Zerath all by herself. The burden had been crushing as she steered through the stormy waters all alone. For some strange reason now, the air in her chest became lighter to breathe.
She found herself wavering from her earlier assumptions about Judith.
Could a woman like her truly be involved in burying Priscilla's dark truth?