Chapter 217: 217
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REGULAR CHAPTER RETURNING TOMORROW.
.
.
.
.
01: Playmate
"Greetings, my queen. My name is Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon." A young girl said, wearing a purple dress filled with ribbon and frills. She bowed gracefully, with her blond hair fluttering a tad. Her eyes were identical with the man alongside her—a vibrant color of gold.
"Your majesty, this is my daughter, Sheila." Julian Ortfalcon says, picking up his daughter as he lets her sit in a chair stacked with few pillows to accommodate to her height.
It was a very sunny morning, filled with clouds that were analogous to cotton candies; chirps from the birds were music to Sheila's ears. Inside the palace's garden villa was quite a spectacle—there were red roses surrounding the villa—at full bloom. She adjusted her seat on the chair, and then halted when different kinds of sweets—cookies, cakes, doughnuts and some fruit tarts, appeared before her.
"Sheila, my dear, do you prefer milk over tea?" The queen asks.
"Anything shall be able to satisfy my palate, my queen; I believe that everything laid upon her majesty's tea party will be of great indulgence." Sheila answers in an obviously rehearsed tone. Julian Ortfalcon sniggered.
"My… Julian." The queen chuckles in surprise. "She's pretty well-versed for a five year-old. Pray, who is her Etiquette teacher? I must employ her when my baby girl is born."
Sheila found herself staring at the queen, who, even in her maternal state, was strikingly beautiful. She possessed a silver-colored hair, and purple eyes. Her smile was gorgeous—and everything about her was bursting with grace. Sheila felt enthralled; almost failing to notice a milk spilt to her dress.
"I—I'm sorry!"
Sheila blinked. "Huh?"
"Noah!" The queen bellows; she then snapped her finger, and then maids walked towards the young Sheila—who was apparently red in the face as she stared at the boy holding an empty cup of spilt milk. The boy had pair of blue eyes and a platinum blond hair, similar to the man holding him.
"Your Majesty, Sietrich." Julian bows, "this is my daughter Sheila."
Sheila hurried down to stand and bow, but the king gestured her to stop. The king had a pair of green eyes, and his age was almost the same as Sheila's father.
Sheila felt mesmerized. The royal family carried an air around them that speaks of glory and beauty.
Except for a certain royal—
The boy in his majesty's arms.
"The maids shall provide little Sheila a change of clothes. I sincerely apologize for Noah's recklessness, Julian."
"Worry not, your majesty. Sheila is a pretty tolerant child, she understands."
**
The statement was not true. Sheila felt a burning rage towards that child. The dress was her favorite, handpicked by her sick mother. The maids picked a new dress for her, equally beautiful. Although this was the case, Sheila preferred something her mother had picked. It was prepared just for this event. Her father was finally promoted as the head mage of the palace, since her grandfather already bestowed the title finally to him.
The Ortfalcon, for generations, was a friend of the Feuerkriegers. They were not servants of the family unlike families of warriors that are bound to serve the the royals: The Wainwrights and the watchdog for generations, the Adelard House. At a young age Sheila had known this due to her enhanced memory that the Ortfalcon line carried in their blood for many years—something that made Sheila a genius. Her mother once said that she may have the potential to overthrow even Magierstadt's prodigy, Eulalia Fortunatorum.
She returned to the villa and tried to muster the sweet smile her mother trained her to have—especially to this occasion. Her eyes fluttered to the spectacle from the distance. She observed how the king and queen was sitting alongside each other as they had their hands intertwined, with her father chattering happily along with them. But Sheila felt that there was something missing to the picture.
The boy was not inside the villa.
"Hey…"
Jolting in surprise, Sheila squealed a bit as she noticed a boy about her height in front of her.
The boy who spilt a milk to her favorite dress was now smiling,
With a rose in his hand.
"I'm sorry." He says, and then grinned. "Daddy always apologizes with a rose when he fights with mommy."
Sheila stared at the rose, who was obviously clumsily picked, a petal falling off from the rest.
"Will you be my friend?" Asks the boy, much to Sheila's surprise.
The boy tilted his head a bit, his platinum-blond locks radiant against the sun like individual threads of silver and gold. "My name is Noah Ecclesiastes Ein Feuerkrieger. You are?"
Sheila accepted the rose, catching a whiff from its scent.
Pouting as she blushed, she mumbled. "I'm Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon."
Noah smiles. "Are we friends then? You accepted the rose. Mommy accepts the rose when she forgives daddy."
For a second, Sheila found herself mesmerized by his smile, but quickly she recuperated with a glare.
"But this doesn't mean I forgive you from ruining my dress." Sheila retorts as she stares at the rose in her hand. She slowly lifted her gaze and met his sapphire eyes, and then she proceeded to respond with a sweet smile.
"However, who would say no to a prince?"
02: Conspiracy
A night in the throne room, with only the moonlight serving as the light. Two people spoke in such serious and silent voices. One tentative of what to say, and one authoritative and amused. One sat in a throne, the other was bowing down.
"A king bowed down to that child, and the soldiers let her go. There was too much flaw with this capture, Sheila."
"I am well-aware, my king. The soldiers that night were silenced."
"Oh?" Light flickered from his blue eyes. "Were they?"
"The soldiers, except for the high knights were silenced. Forever." Sheila says sternly. "You shan't worry anymore, my king."
The king nodded. "I see. That is good. Now we can send her to the academy at ease."
"Are you really sending her to the academy? That ignorant child does not even know what she's doing."
The king chuckled. "Of course. What is left for her to do?"
"She can be sent back to wherever she was from."
"Oh, Sheila," the king laughed lightly. "I noticed that your argument is a bit one-sided? Is there any personal feelings involved here?"
"There is none, my king."
"Are you jealous?"
Sheila flinched, and stared intently. "No."
"It doesn't seem that way." The king says.
"She is a weak child, my king. She is easily tricked, easily influenced."
"She will just sustain a life." The king says coldly. "Sustain a king's life. She will simply be a tool. Why are you being so overly-cautious, my dear Sheila?"
"Because she's strongly related to the Forsaken. To that man. To Jonathan Unsterblich."
"Oh?"
"She may be a potential harm. Even if she's just a powerless child right now."
The king chuckled, "the academy will determine whether she will be a threat or not. Rest assured."
Sheila stared at the king's cold eyes, and his smirking lips. She felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Now I must rest. Let me sleep now, Sheila."
"Yes, my king." She stared at his eyes as she chanted soft incantations.
"Recipisco. Sweet dreams, my king."
03: Feelings
Sheila caught the king to her arms the moment the clock hand finally struck to IX. She embraced the familiar feeling of the king's body. This man, who used to be a boy several years ago, had grown into someone who she had failed to reach.
This was the only contact she had with him.
"Your Majesty."
He slowly drew away from her.
The ninth king.
"Sheila," he said. "How long was it?"
"An hour," Sheila answered as the king finally drew away from her. His lingering warmth was still in her arms.
"Magierstadt's exam is now over, correct?"
Sheila nodded. "I believe it is. The lady also passed the exam, as per Orwell Lotheringwood's reports."
The king managed to muster a small smile.
"I see."
Although Sheila cannot see his expression, she could notice his emotion from the fluctuating magic around him. The king was happy and relaxed. It was a different air from before—when all his movement seemed to be measured, calculated, and cold. Even with a smile he didn't hold emotion.
But now…
"Are you going to her, Your Majesty?" Sheila asked. "You do realize that we, the Clairvoyants, can supply you with the lacking mana in your body, right?"
"I am aware, yes."
Then why? Sheila wanted to ask. "You know there is no need to go to the lady. She is probably resting right now. Taking a detour to Magierstadt would only strain your body further. You would not gain anything from it."
The king stared at Sheila.
"Do not worry about me, Sheila. I have weighed the pros and cons before I came up with the decision."
'I know,' Sheila wanted to answer. Of course the king did that already. But she can't stop now. Not when he's getting strayed further and further away from her. Before he would just be in her arms—always—without fail. But now, he was searching for something different.
Someone different.
"It is already this late. You should return to your palace," said the king as he turns away from her.
Sheila bit her lips, and then mustered all the courage as she ran towards the king and hugged him from behind.
"Why?" Sheila murmured; her voice was muffled as she pressed her face to the king's back. "Why are you trying to save her life, My King?"
Sheila tightened her embrace as she clings to the warmth that only she—from the past—had all to herself.
"We could simply have her sustain your body in exchange for her life. The forsaken can be brought to justice without her assistance." Sheila exclaimed. "You claimed to take the best action, yet why? Why are you trying to save her? What will you gain from it?"
The king didn't move, let alone answer.
His lingering warmth, that was the only thing that kept Sheila aware—aware that he was still here.
"It is true. All what you said, Priestess." The king answered. "But I have seen despair. She lost someone dear—a parent—the same as I. We suffered the same fate, being played by the Forsaken's hand."
Sheila bit her lips.
"She is a naïve child, yet she is determined." The king said. "What do I have to lose if I try to keep her alive?"
Sheila drew away from the king; shoulders slumped, and head bowed down.
"Do you want to keep her by your side?" Sheila asked.
The king didn't answer.
"The both of us know you can't." Sheila muttered as she turned away from the king, taking her leave.
"You, of all people, should know that you cannot do decisions that would benefit the other rather than benefit you. You are the king of Feuersturm Empire. Your life matter more than hers. Please reconsider your decisions, Your Majesty."
**
Chain:
Sheila's so far my favorite character of all in STKL. I haven't revealed her backstory yet, but clue is that it involves the first king a lot. Sheila's feelings to the king also developed through time, but her loyalty still stays with Octavius. Please watch her grow.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
REGULAR CHAPTER RETURNING TOMORROW.
.
.
.
.
01: Playmate
"Greetings, my queen. My name is Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon." A young girl said, wearing a purple dress filled with ribbon and frills. She bowed gracefully, with her blond hair fluttering a tad. Her eyes were identical with the man alongside her—a vibrant color of gold.
"Your majesty, this is my daughter, Sheila." Julian Ortfalcon says, picking up his daughter as he lets her sit in a chair stacked with few pillows to accommodate to her height.
It was a very sunny morning, filled with clouds that were analogous to cotton candies; chirps from the birds were music to Sheila's ears. Inside the palace's garden villa was quite a spectacle—there were red roses surrounding the villa—at full bloom. She adjusted her seat on the chair, and then halted when different kinds of sweets—cookies, cakes, doughnuts and some fruit tarts, appeared before her.
"Sheila, my dear, do you prefer milk over tea?" The queen asks.
"Anything shall be able to satisfy my palate, my queen; I believe that everything laid upon her majesty's tea party will be of great indulgence." Sheila answers in an obviously rehearsed tone. Julian Ortfalcon sniggered.
"My… Julian." The queen chuckles in surprise. "She's pretty well-versed for a five year-old. Pray, who is her Etiquette teacher? I must employ her when my baby girl is born."
Sheila found herself staring at the queen, who, even in her maternal state, was strikingly beautiful. She possessed a silver-colored hair, and purple eyes. Her smile was gorgeous—and everything about her was bursting with grace. Sheila felt enthralled; almost failing to notice a milk spilt to her dress.
"I—I'm sorry!"
Sheila blinked. "Huh?"
"Noah!" The queen bellows; she then snapped her finger, and then maids walked towards the young Sheila—who was apparently red in the face as she stared at the boy holding an empty cup of spilt milk. The boy had pair of blue eyes and a platinum blond hair, similar to the man holding him.
"Your Majesty, Sietrich." Julian bows, "this is my daughter Sheila."
Sheila hurried down to stand and bow, but the king gestured her to stop. The king had a pair of green eyes, and his age was almost the same as Sheila's father.
Sheila felt mesmerized. The royal family carried an air around them that speaks of glory and beauty.
Except for a certain royal—
The boy in his majesty's arms.
"The maids shall provide little Sheila a change of clothes. I sincerely apologize for Noah's recklessness, Julian."
"Worry not, your majesty. Sheila is a pretty tolerant child, she understands."
**
The statement was not true. Sheila felt a burning rage towards that child. The dress was her favorite, handpicked by her sick mother. The maids picked a new dress for her, equally beautiful. Although this was the case, Sheila preferred something her mother had picked. It was prepared just for this event. Her father was finally promoted as the head mage of the palace, since her grandfather already bestowed the title finally to him.
The Ortfalcon, for generations, was a friend of the Feuerkriegers. They were not servants of the family unlike families of warriors that are bound to serve the the royals: The Wainwrights and the watchdog for generations, the Adelard House. At a young age Sheila had known this due to her enhanced memory that the Ortfalcon line carried in their blood for many years—something that made Sheila a genius. Her mother once said that she may have the potential to overthrow even Magierstadt's prodigy, Eulalia Fortunatorum.
She returned to the villa and tried to muster the sweet smile her mother trained her to have—especially to this occasion. Her eyes fluttered to the spectacle from the distance. She observed how the king and queen was sitting alongside each other as they had their hands intertwined, with her father chattering happily along with them. But Sheila felt that there was something missing to the picture.
The boy was not inside the villa.
"Hey…"
Jolting in surprise, Sheila squealed a bit as she noticed a boy about her height in front of her.
The boy who spilt a milk to her favorite dress was now smiling,
With a rose in his hand.
"I'm sorry." He says, and then grinned. "Daddy always apologizes with a rose when he fights with mommy."
Sheila stared at the rose, who was obviously clumsily picked, a petal falling off from the rest.
"Will you be my friend?" Asks the boy, much to Sheila's surprise.
The boy tilted his head a bit, his platinum-blond locks radiant against the sun like individual threads of silver and gold. "My name is Noah Ecclesiastes Ein Feuerkrieger. You are?"
Sheila accepted the rose, catching a whiff from its scent.
Pouting as she blushed, she mumbled. "I'm Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon."
Noah smiles. "Are we friends then? You accepted the rose. Mommy accepts the rose when she forgives daddy."
For a second, Sheila found herself mesmerized by his smile, but quickly she recuperated with a glare.
"But this doesn't mean I forgive you from ruining my dress." Sheila retorts as she stares at the rose in her hand. She slowly lifted her gaze and met his sapphire eyes, and then she proceeded to respond with a sweet smile.
"However, who would say no to a prince?"
02: Conspiracy
A night in the throne room, with only the moonlight serving as the light. Two people spoke in such serious and silent voices. One tentative of what to say, and one authoritative and amused. One sat in a throne, the other was bowing down.
"A king bowed down to that child, and the soldiers let her go. There was too much flaw with this capture, Sheila."
"I am well-aware, my king. The soldiers that night were silenced."
"Oh?" Light flickered from his blue eyes. "Were they?"
"The soldiers, except for the high knights were silenced. Forever." Sheila says sternly. "You shan't worry anymore, my king."
The king nodded. "I see. That is good. Now we can send her to the academy at ease."
"Are you really sending her to the academy? That ignorant child does not even know what she's doing."
The king chuckled. "Of course. What is left for her to do?"
"She can be sent back to wherever she was from."
"Oh, Sheila," the king laughed lightly. "I noticed that your argument is a bit one-sided? Is there any personal feelings involved here?"
"There is none, my king."
"Are you jealous?"
Sheila flinched, and stared intently. "No."
"It doesn't seem that way." The king says.
"She is a weak child, my king. She is easily tricked, easily influenced."
"She will just sustain a life." The king says coldly. "Sustain a king's life. She will simply be a tool. Why are you being so overly-cautious, my dear Sheila?"
"Because she's strongly related to the Forsaken. To that man. To Jonathan Unsterblich."
"Oh?"
"She may be a potential harm. Even if she's just a powerless child right now."
The king chuckled, "the academy will determine whether she will be a threat or not. Rest assured."
Sheila stared at the king's cold eyes, and his smirking lips. She felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Now I must rest. Let me sleep now, Sheila."
"Yes, my king." She stared at his eyes as she chanted soft incantations.
"Recipisco. Sweet dreams, my king."
03: Feelings
Sheila caught the king to her arms the moment the clock hand finally struck to IX. She embraced the familiar feeling of the king's body. This man, who used to be a boy several years ago, had grown into someone who she had failed to reach.
This was the only contact she had with him.
"Your Majesty."
He slowly drew away from her.
The ninth king.
"Sheila," he said. "How long was it?"
"An hour," Sheila answered as the king finally drew away from her. His lingering warmth was still in her arms.
"Magierstadt's exam is now over, correct?"
Sheila nodded. "I believe it is. The lady also passed the exam, as per Orwell Lotheringwood's reports."
The king managed to muster a small smile.
"I see."
Although Sheila cannot see his expression, she could notice his emotion from the fluctuating magic around him. The king was happy and relaxed. It was a different air from before—when all his movement seemed to be measured, calculated, and cold. Even with a smile he didn't hold emotion.
But now…
"Are you going to her, Your Majesty?" Sheila asked. "You do realize that we, the Clairvoyants, can supply you with the lacking mana in your body, right?"
"I am aware, yes."
Then why? Sheila wanted to ask. "You know there is no need to go to the lady. She is probably resting right now. Taking a detour to Magierstadt would only strain your body further. You would not gain anything from it."
The king stared at Sheila.
"Do not worry about me, Sheila. I have weighed the pros and cons before I came up with the decision."
'I know,' Sheila wanted to answer. Of course the king did that already. But she can't stop now. Not when he's getting strayed further and further away from her. Before he would just be in her arms—always—without fail. But now, he was searching for something different.
Someone different.
"It is already this late. You should return to your palace," said the king as he turns away from her.
Sheila bit her lips, and then mustered all the courage as she ran towards the king and hugged him from behind.
"Why?" Sheila murmured; her voice was muffled as she pressed her face to the king's back. "Why are you trying to save her life, My King?"
Sheila tightened her embrace as she clings to the warmth that only she—from the past—had all to herself.
"We could simply have her sustain your body in exchange for her life. The forsaken can be brought to justice without her assistance." Sheila exclaimed. "You claimed to take the best action, yet why? Why are you trying to save her? What will you gain from it?"
The king didn't move, let alone answer.
His lingering warmth, that was the only thing that kept Sheila aware—aware that he was still here.
"It is true. All what you said, Priestess." The king answered. "But I have seen despair. She lost someone dear—a parent—the same as I. We suffered the same fate, being played by the Forsaken's hand."
Sheila bit her lips.
"She is a naïve child, yet she is determined." The king said. "What do I have to lose if I try to keep her alive?"
Sheila drew away from the king; shoulders slumped, and head bowed down.
"Do you want to keep her by your side?" Sheila asked.
The king didn't answer.
"The both of us know you can't." Sheila muttered as she turned away from the king, taking her leave.
"You, of all people, should know that you cannot do decisions that would benefit the other rather than benefit you. You are the king of Feuersturm Empire. Your life matter more than hers. Please reconsider your decisions, Your Majesty."
**
Chain:
Sheila's so far my favorite character of all in STKL. I haven't revealed her backstory yet, but clue is that it involves the first king a lot. Sheila's feelings to the king also developed through time, but her loyalty still stays with Octavius. Please watch her grow.
REGULAR CHAPTER RETURNING TOMORROW. . . . . 01: Playmate "Greetings, my queen. My name is Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon." A young girl said, wearing a purple dress filled with ribbon and frills. She bowed gracefully, with her blond hair fluttering a tad. Her eyes were identical with the man alongside hera vibrant color of gold. "Your majesty, this is my daughter, Sheila." Julian Ortfalcon says, picking up his daughter as he lets her sit in a chair stacked with few pillows to accommodate to her height. It was a very sunny morning, filled with clouds that were analogous to cotton candies; chirps from the birds were music to Sheila's ears. Inside the palace's garden villa was quite a spectaclethere were red roses surrounding the villaat full bloom. She adjusted her seat on the chair, and then halted when different kinds of sweetscookies, cakes, doughnuts and some fruit tarts, appeared before her. "Sheila, my dear, do you prefer milk over tea?" The queen asks. "Anything shall be able to satisfy my palate, my queen; I believe that everything laid upon her majesty's tea party will be of great indulgence." Sheila answers in an obviously rehearsed tone. Julian Ortfalcon sniggered. "My Julian." The queen chuckles in surprise. "She's pretty well-versed for a five year-old. Pray, who is her Etiquette teacher? I must employ her when my baby girl is born." Sheila found herself staring at the queen, who, even in her maternal state, was strikingly beautiful. She possessed a silver-colored hair, and purple eyes. Her smile was gorgeousand everything about her was bursting with grace. Sheila felt enthralled; almost failing to notice a milk spilt to her dress. "II'm sorry!" Sheila blinked. "Huh?" "Noah!" The queen bellows; she then snapped her finger, and then maids walked towards the young Sheilawho was apparently red in the face as she stared at the boy holding an empty cup of spilt milk. The boy had pair of blue eyes and a platinum blond hair, similar to the man holding him. "Your Majesty, Sietrich." Julian bows, "this is my daughter Sheila." Sheila hurried down to stand and bow, but the king gestured her to stop. The king had a pair of green eyes, and his age was almost the same as Sheila's father. Sheila felt mesmerized. The royal family carried an air around them that speaks of glory and beauty. Except for a certain royal The boy in his majesty's arms. "The maids shall provide little Sheila a change of clothes. I sincerely apologize for Noah's recklessness, Julian." "Worry not, your majesty. Sheila is a pretty tolerant child, she understands." ** The statement was not true. Sheila felt a burning rage towards that child. The dress was her favorite, handpicked by her sick mother. The maids picked a new dress for her, equally beautiful. Although this was the case, Sheila preferred something her mother had picked. It was prepared just for this event. Her father was finally promoted as the head mage of the palace, since her grandfather already bestowed the title finally to him. The Ortfalcon, for generations, was a friend of the Feuerkriegers. They were not servants of the family unlike families of warriors that are bound to serve the the royals: The Wainwrights and the watchdog for generations, the Adelard House. At a young age Sheila had known this due to her enhanced memory that the Ortfalcon line carried in their blood for many yearssomething that made Sheila a genius. Her mother once said that she may have the potential to overthrow even Magierstadt's prodigy, Eulalia Fortunatorum. She returned to the villa and tried to muster the sweet smile her mother trained her to haveespecially to this occasion. Her eyes fluttered to the spectacle from the distance. She observed how the king and queen was sitting alongside each other as they had their hands intertwined, with her father chattering happily along with them. But Sheila felt that there was something missing to the picture. The boy was not inside the villa. "Hey" Jolting in surprise, Sheila squealed a bit as she noticed a boy about her height in front of her. The boy who spilt a milk to her favorite dress was now smiling, With a rose in his hand. "I'm sorry." He says, and then grinned. "Daddy always apologizes with a rose when he fights with mommy." Sheila stared at the rose, who was obviously clumsily picked, a petal falling off from the rest. "Will you be my friend?" Asks the boy, much to Sheila's surprise. The boy tilted his head a bit, his platinum-blond locks radiant against the sun like individual threads of silver and gold. "My name is Noah Ecclesiastes Ein Feuerkrieger. You are?" Sheila accepted the rose, catching a whiff from its scent. Pouting as she blushed, she mumbled. "I'm Sheilalev Kirsten Ortfalcon." Noah smiles. "Are we friends then? You accepted the rose. Mommy accepts the rose when she forgives daddy." For a second, Sheila found herself mesmerized by his smile, but quickly she recuperated with a glare. "But this doesn't mean I forgive you from ruining my dress." Sheila retorts as she stares at the rose in her hand. She slowly lifted her gaze and met his sapphire eyes, and then she proceeded to respond with a sweet smile. "However, who would say no to a prince?" 02: Conspiracy A night in the throne room, with only the moonlight serving as the light. Two people spoke in such serious and silent voices. One tentative of what to say, and one authoritative and amused. One sat in a throne, the other was bowing down. "A king bowed down to that child, and the soldiers let her go. There was too much flaw with this capture, Sheila." "I am well-aware, my king. The soldiers that night were silenced." "Oh?" Light flickered from his blue eyes. "Were they?" "The soldiers, except for the high knights were silenced. Forever." Sheila says sternly. "You shan't worry anymore, my king." The king nodded. "I see. That is good. Now we can send her to the academy at ease." "Are you really sending her to the academy? That ignorant child does not even know what she's doing." The king chuckled. "Of course. What is left for her to do?" "She can be sent back to wherever she was from." "Oh, Sheila," the king laughed lightly. "I noticed that your argument is a bit one-sided? Is there any personal feelings involved here?" "There is none, my king." "Are you jealous?" Sheila flinched, and stared intently. "No." "It doesn't seem that way." The king says. "She is a weak child, my king. She is easily tricked, easily influenced." "She will just sustain a life." The king says coldly. "Sustain a king's life. She will simply be a tool. Why are you being so overly-cautious, my dear Sheila?" "Because she's strongly related to the Forsaken. To that man. To Jonathan Unsterblich." "Oh?" "She may be a potential harm. Even if she's just a powerless child right now." The king chuckled, "the academy will determine whether she will be a threat or not. Rest assured." Sheila stared at the king's cold eyes, and his smirking lips. She felt a shiver run down her spine. "Now I must rest. Let me sleep now, Sheila." "Yes, my king." She stared at his eyes as she chanted soft incantations. "Recipisco. Sweet dreams, my king." 03: Feelings Sheila caught the king to her arms the moment the clock hand finally struck to IX. She embraced the familiar feeling of the king's body. This man, who used to be a boy several years ago, had grown into someone who she had failed to reach. This was the only contact she had with him. "Your Majesty." He slowly drew away from her. The ninth king. "Sheila," he said. "How long was it?" "An hour," Sheila answered as the king finally drew away from her. His lingering warmth was still in her arms. "Magierstadt's exam is now over, correct?" Sheila nodded. "I believe it is. The lady also passed the exam, as per Orwell Lotheringwood's reports." The king managed to muster a small smile. "I see." Although Sheila cannot see his expression, she could notice his emotion from the fluctuating magic around him. The king was happy and relaxed. It was a different air from beforewhen all his movement seemed to be measured, calculated, and cold. Even with a smile he didn't hold emotion. But now "Are you going to her, Your Majesty?" Sheila asked. "You do realize that we, the Clairvoyants, can supply you with the lacking mana in your body, right?" "I am aware, yes." Then why? Sheila wanted to ask. "You know there is no need to go to the lady. She is probably resting right now. Taking a detour to Magierstadt would only strain your body further. You would not gain anything from it." The king stared at Sheila. "Do not worry about me, Sheila. I have weighed the pros and cons before I came up with the decision." 'I know,' Sheila wanted to answer. Of course the king did that already. But she can't stop now. Not when he's getting strayed further and further away from her. Before he would just be in her armsalwayswithout fail. But now, he was searching for something different. Someone different. "It is already this late. You should return to your palace," said the king as he turns away from her. Sheila bit her lips, and then mustered all the courage as she ran towards the king and hugged him from behind. "Why?" Sheila murmured; her voice was muffled as she pressed her face to the king's back. "Why are you trying to save her life, My King?" Sheila tightened her embrace as she clings to the warmth that only shefrom the pasthad all to herself. "We could simply have her sustain your body in exchange for her life. The forsaken can be brought to justice without her assistance." Sheila exclaimed. "You claimed to take the best action, yet why? Why are you trying to save her? What will you gain from it?" The king didn't move, let alone answer. His lingering warmth, that was the only thing that kept Sheila awareaware that he was still here. "It is true. All what you said, Priestess." The king answered. "But I have seen despair. She lost someone deara parentthe same as I. We suffered the same fate, being played by the Forsaken's hand." Sheila bit her lips. "She is a nave child, yet she is determined." The king said. "What do I have to lose if I try to keep her alive?" Sheila drew away from the king; shoulders slumped, and head bowed down. "Do you want to keep her by your side?" Sheila asked. The king didn't answer. "The both of us know you can't." Sheila muttered as she turned away from the king, taking her leave. "You, of all people, should know that you cannot do decisions that would benefit the other rather than benefit you. You are the king of Feuersturm Empire. Your life matter more than hers. Please reconsider your decisions, Your Majesty." ** Chain: Sheila's so far my favorite character of all in STKL. I haven't revealed her backstory yet, but clue is that it involves the first king a lot. Sheila's feelings to the king also developed through time, but her loyalty still stays with Octavius. Please watch her grow.
