Chapter 224: 224
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Alexander Octavius IX.
The ninth king of Feuersturm.
He was sitting beside Faustina, looking at the sea with sapphire blue eyes deep in thought.
The moonlight was gleaming against the vast oceans. The world was quiet; the air, which was as cold and crisp as fresh apple, felt good against Faustina's face. She turned towards the king. He bore a different air today, as if he was contemplating about something. He also acted oddly, which made Faustina wonder how things are going in Feuersturm.
"I used to come here to investigate the Forsaken, hoping to cross paths with him again." The king murmured. "Hoping to put an end to all of this."
The king wasn't wearing his usual luxurious fur robe—he only wore outdoor clothes, though it still had marked how he had a considerably high authority. But seeing him like this made Faustina wonder how much a person's appearance didn't matter, as long as they bore the same elegance and sophistication.
Is that why Lilianne Disfiegro didn't respect her—because she carried no elegance nor tact?
Faustina knew these thoughts are useless now. It doesn't matter what people would think of her.
What matters is for her to find the truth and accomplish her goals.
"Faustina." The king calls her, without breaking his gaze to the vast ocean. "You do not trust me, don't you?"
It seemed more like a proclaimed statement, rather than a question. Faustina remained silent, not knowing what to answer.
"I know." The king exclaims. "I dragged you in here."
He wasn't smiling, only eyes deep in thought without looking at Faustina.
And for some reason, Faustina felt as if this was the most honest the king had been with her.
He didn't have any unsettling air surrounding him, which he had whenever he smiled gently at her. He was just being himself.
Faustina, for some reason, felt more at ease at him. This surprised her, given this was their first time meeting again… or is it? Faustina's memory—a 'dream' she had with the king on her dormitory chambers came to her mind. Surely, that can't be real. The king wouldn't just arrive in her room… embracing her tight.
No.
Faustina averted her gaze and clutched the fabric around her chest.
She shouldn't think about that dream. It cannot be real.
"I know you are dragged into this mess." The king stares at the ocean. "Without an ounce of consideration what you would feel."
Faustina blinked.
The king turned towards her, with a sad expression in his face.
"I'm sorry, Faustina."
Faustina stopped.
Is the king… apologizing to her?
It was odd. This… felt odd. Faustina stares at the king's sapphire-blue eyes. They were the same, but yet not at the same time.
"Your majesty…" Faustina murmured. "What's wrong?"
The king stares at Faustina and then smiles.
"Do you remember when you were at the castle's greenhouse?"
Faustina blinked.
Greenhouse?
Did she ever explore that far? "I…"
The king then reached his hand towards Faustina's cheek, caressing the soft skin gently.
"There are many things better left unknown. Ignorance is bliss, my fair maiden."
Faustina knew the king held so much mystery with his words. And Faustina couldn't help but feel as if she was being robbed by her own forgetfulness. What was it that the king knows that she doesn't? She stares at the king who once again shifted his gaze away. But this time the king stared at the skies.
He then lied down to the grass as he stares at the sky. And then as he lied down, he held Faustina's wrist, and gently pulled her beside him.
"Your majesty—"
The king chuckled, making Faustina stop to stare to his face.
"Look," the king exclaimed, with sapphire blue eyes that reflected the stars.
Faustina then stared at the skies.
And then her brown eyes gleamed.
The sky was painted with stars and colors of the galaxy. It was at this moment Faustina was completely enthralled. She couldn't take her eyes off of the sky.
And then she remembered a passage from Folkmanor.
'The sky transpires from light to dark as the one Above lets the smaller lights have their own time to shine. The moon, who was as beautiful as the sun, yet colder and is always surrounded with silence, also shines alongside the smaller lights, the celestial beings who bring the world its hidden beauty.'
--a man wearing a suspender writing with a feathered pen staring at the sky—
'But what is the essence of these stellars? These celestial beings who are meant to only shine when everyone is asleep? Is their beauty bound to be hidden? But then I realized… we are the one who only give the meaning to the beauty within these stars. They are beautiful in their own, and it does not matter if they are hidden or not, because they will stay that way for a hundred, thousand—or indefinite years to come. And that is beyond us.'
Faustina stares at the sky.
Back then, at the mountains, she used to admire the sky like this… with Eula. The two would talk for hours, laughing to themselves. And sooner Faustina had forgotten the stars, only Eula's smile and the time with her mattered.
Now, she was given another opportunity to see the beauty of the skies again.
"Faustina," the king murmured. "I see a star that looks like you."
Faustina chuckled.
"But they are just dots in the sky, Your Majesty."
The king smiles as he reached his hand to the sky, with his index finger drawing the constellation.
"Cassiopeia." The king exclaims. "A queen with an unrivaled beauty,"
Faustina blushed as she stares at the king. She was smaller compared to him. Her head had just reached his chest, and so she looked up to see a better view of his face.
The king was still looking at the stars.
His expression looked calmer than before, and less melancholic.
Faustina felt as if he wasn't being his usual self, whose smile was always gentle and unwavering.
He looked… more human tonight.
"We're here for an undercover investigation." The king exclaimed. "I was supposed to see you on your dormitory… what happened?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you crying alone in the alley?"
Faustina gulped, not knowing what to tell the king.
'It was because I was breaking down.'
'I am the future queen of Feuersturm.'
Faustina blinked as the king leaned closer to her. Faustina quickly averted her gaze.
She felt her heart clench yet again.
"Faustina?"
He called her name so tentatively and gently. His voice was so intoxicating.
"Your mana is being absorbed again." The king murmured as he held her gently.
Mana, being absorbed?
The king seized Faustina by the waist and then lifted her chin with his other hand. He stares down at her chocolate-brown eyes.
Faustina wondered why the king had such beautiful and long lashes. This was the first time he was up close… or was it?
Now Faustina couldn't discern what was real and what was a mere dream. She felt shameful for dreaming something like the king embracing her, but her mind was foggy right now while her heart clench. Too many emotion was mixing over her that she doesn't know what else to do.
And so, tears flowed into her cheeks.
The king's surprised expression gradually softened as he wiped her tears with his thumb.
"Faustina…"
Her mana was getting absorbed by the king, filling all the empty gaps in his body. She was replenishing his body. She was sustaining his life.
But Faustina had a price to pay for this to happen.
She weakens, as her life force gets drained—like a glass of water being emptied to the brim. And the glass empties, the one who owns it become parched. And the thirst becomes dizziness, making all seemed to be a blur.
The king knew this well.
And he didn't want her to forget this.
"Faustina," the king says. "I have to go now."
Before sitting down, he gently laid Faustina to the grass. He wiped her leftover tears, and then smiled gently at her.
Faustina stared at the king who had sat down.
"Are you… marrying her?"
The king blinked.
"Who…?"
"Lilianne." Faustina murmured through her tears.
The king stares at Faustina, confused who 'Lilianne' is. And then shortly he realized she was pertaining to that person.
"The youngest daughter of the Disfiegros?" The king smiled. "Yes."
Faustina's heart painfully clenched against her chest.
She was hoping for that to be a lie… but then, why does this concern her?
"Do you love her?"
The king stared at Faustina and caressed her cheek.
"Love is a luxury I can't afford to want, Faustina." The king asserted.
Faustina stares at the king.
"Then you don't love her?"
"She will become a splendid queen with her influence in the society." The king said. "The political marriage will bring prosperity over Feuersturm."
"But you don't love her," Faustina murmured. "How can you be happy?"
The king only smiled gently.
"There are things people like us cannot avoid. I am the king. The citizens of the country come before my happiness."
Before the king decides to even stand and leave, Faustina gently tugged on his sleeve.
"Me…"
The king's eyes widened.
"Can't I… make you happy?"
The king stares at Faustina.
He then leans down, lifting her chin with a pained restriction painted over his face.
"I…"
"Your majesty."
A stern, cold voice of a woman stopped the king instantly.
Sheila stares coldly over the two.
"Can you tell me what's happening here?"
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Alexander Octavius IX.
The ninth king of Feuersturm.
He was sitting beside Faustina, looking at the sea with sapphire blue eyes deep in thought.
The moonlight was gleaming against the vast oceans. The world was quiet; the air, which was as cold and crisp as fresh apple, felt good against Faustina's face. She turned towards the king. He bore a different air today, as if he was contemplating about something. He also acted oddly, which made Faustina wonder how things are going in Feuersturm.
"I used to come here to investigate the Forsaken, hoping to cross paths with him again." The king murmured. "Hoping to put an end to all of this."
The king wasn't wearing his usual luxurious fur robe—he only wore outdoor clothes, though it still had marked how he had a considerably high authority. But seeing him like this made Faustina wonder how much a person's appearance didn't matter, as long as they bore the same elegance and sophistication.
Is that why Lilianne Disfiegro didn't respect her—because she carried no elegance nor tact?
Faustina knew these thoughts are useless now. It doesn't matter what people would think of her.
What matters is for her to find the truth and accomplish her goals.
"Faustina." The king calls her, without breaking his gaze to the vast ocean. "You do not trust me, don't you?"
It seemed more like a proclaimed statement, rather than a question. Faustina remained silent, not knowing what to answer.
"I know." The king exclaims. "I dragged you in here."
He wasn't smiling, only eyes deep in thought without looking at Faustina.
And for some reason, Faustina felt as if this was the most honest the king had been with her.
He didn't have any unsettling air surrounding him, which he had whenever he smiled gently at her. He was just being himself.
Faustina, for some reason, felt more at ease at him. This surprised her, given this was their first time meeting again… or is it? Faustina's memory—a 'dream' she had with the king on her dormitory chambers came to her mind. Surely, that can't be real. The king wouldn't just arrive in her room… embracing her tight.
No.
Faustina averted her gaze and clutched the fabric around her chest.
She shouldn't think about that dream. It cannot be real.
"I know you are dragged into this mess." The king stares at the ocean. "Without an ounce of consideration what you would feel."
Faustina blinked.
The king turned towards her, with a sad expression in his face.
"I'm sorry, Faustina."
Faustina stopped.
Is the king… apologizing to her?
It was odd. This… felt odd. Faustina stares at the king's sapphire-blue eyes. They were the same, but yet not at the same time.
"Your majesty…" Faustina murmured. "What's wrong?"
The king stares at Faustina and then smiles.
"Do you remember when you were at the castle's greenhouse?"
Faustina blinked.
Greenhouse?
Did she ever explore that far? "I…"
The king then reached his hand towards Faustina's cheek, caressing the soft skin gently.
"There are many things better left unknown. Ignorance is bliss, my fair maiden."
Faustina knew the king held so much mystery with his words. And Faustina couldn't help but feel as if she was being robbed by her own forgetfulness. What was it that the king knows that she doesn't? She stares at the king who once again shifted his gaze away. But this time the king stared at the skies.
He then lied down to the grass as he stares at the sky. And then as he lied down, he held Faustina's wrist, and gently pulled her beside him.
"Your majesty—"
The king chuckled, making Faustina stop to stare to his face.
"Look," the king exclaimed, with sapphire blue eyes that reflected the stars.
Faustina then stared at the skies.
And then her brown eyes gleamed.
The sky was painted with stars and colors of the galaxy. It was at this moment Faustina was completely enthralled. She couldn't take her eyes off of the sky.
And then she remembered a passage from Folkmanor.
'The sky transpires from light to dark as the one Above lets the smaller lights have their own time to shine. The moon, who was as beautiful as the sun, yet colder and is always surrounded with silence, also shines alongside the smaller lights, the celestial beings who bring the world its hidden beauty.'
--a man wearing a suspender writing with a feathered pen staring at the sky—
'But what is the essence of these stellars? These celestial beings who are meant to only shine when everyone is asleep? Is their beauty bound to be hidden? But then I realized… we are the one who only give the meaning to the beauty within these stars. They are beautiful in their own, and it does not matter if they are hidden or not, because they will stay that way for a hundred, thousand—or indefinite years to come. And that is beyond us.'
Faustina stares at the sky.
Back then, at the mountains, she used to admire the sky like this… with Eula. The two would talk for hours, laughing to themselves. And sooner Faustina had forgotten the stars, only Eula's smile and the time with her mattered.
Now, she was given another opportunity to see the beauty of the skies again.
"Faustina," the king murmured. "I see a star that looks like you."
Faustina chuckled.
"But they are just dots in the sky, Your Majesty."
The king smiles as he reached his hand to the sky, with his index finger drawing the constellation.
"Cassiopeia." The king exclaims. "A queen with an unrivaled beauty,"
Faustina blushed as she stares at the king. She was smaller compared to him. Her head had just reached his chest, and so she looked up to see a better view of his face.
The king was still looking at the stars.
His expression looked calmer than before, and less melancholic.
Faustina felt as if he wasn't being his usual self, whose smile was always gentle and unwavering.
He looked… more human tonight.
"We're here for an undercover investigation." The king exclaimed. "I was supposed to see you on your dormitory… what happened?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you crying alone in the alley?"
Faustina gulped, not knowing what to tell the king.
'It was because I was breaking down.'
'I am the future queen of Feuersturm.'
Faustina blinked as the king leaned closer to her. Faustina quickly averted her gaze.
She felt her heart clench yet again.
"Faustina?"
He called her name so tentatively and gently. His voice was so intoxicating.
"Your mana is being absorbed again." The king murmured as he held her gently.
Mana, being absorbed?
The king seized Faustina by the waist and then lifted her chin with his other hand. He stares down at her chocolate-brown eyes.
Faustina wondered why the king had such beautiful and long lashes. This was the first time he was up close… or was it?
Now Faustina couldn't discern what was real and what was a mere dream. She felt shameful for dreaming something like the king embracing her, but her mind was foggy right now while her heart clench. Too many emotion was mixing over her that she doesn't know what else to do.
And so, tears flowed into her cheeks.
The king's surprised expression gradually softened as he wiped her tears with his thumb.
"Faustina…"
Her mana was getting absorbed by the king, filling all the empty gaps in his body. She was replenishing his body. She was sustaining his life.
But Faustina had a price to pay for this to happen.
She weakens, as her life force gets drained—like a glass of water being emptied to the brim. And the glass empties, the one who owns it become parched. And the thirst becomes dizziness, making all seemed to be a blur.
The king knew this well.
And he didn't want her to forget this.
"Faustina," the king says. "I have to go now."
Before sitting down, he gently laid Faustina to the grass. He wiped her leftover tears, and then smiled gently at her.
Faustina stared at the king who had sat down.
"Are you… marrying her?"
The king blinked.
"Who…?"
"Lilianne." Faustina murmured through her tears.
The king stares at Faustina, confused who 'Lilianne' is. And then shortly he realized she was pertaining to that person.
"The youngest daughter of the Disfiegros?" The king smiled. "Yes."
Faustina's heart painfully clenched against her chest.
She was hoping for that to be a lie… but then, why does this concern her?
"Do you love her?"
The king stared at Faustina and caressed her cheek.
"Love is a luxury I can't afford to want, Faustina." The king asserted.
Faustina stares at the king.
"Then you don't love her?"
"She will become a splendid queen with her influence in the society." The king said. "The political marriage will bring prosperity over Feuersturm."
"But you don't love her," Faustina murmured. "How can you be happy?"
The king only smiled gently.
"There are things people like us cannot avoid. I am the king. The citizens of the country come before my happiness."
Before the king decides to even stand and leave, Faustina gently tugged on his sleeve.
"Me…"
The king's eyes widened.
"Can't I… make you happy?"
The king stares at Faustina.
He then leans down, lifting her chin with a pained restriction painted over his face.
"I…"
"Your majesty."
A stern, cold voice of a woman stopped the king instantly.
Sheila stares coldly over the two.
"Can you tell me what's happening here?"
Alexander Octavius IX. The ninth king of Feuersturm. He was sitting beside Faustina, looking at the sea with sapphire blue eyes deep in thought. The moonlight was gleaming against the vast oceans. The world was quiet; the air, which was as cold and crisp as fresh apple, felt good against Faustina's face. She turned towards the king. He bore a different air today, as if he was contemplating about something. He also acted oddly, which made Faustina wonder how things are going in Feuersturm. "I used to come here to investigate the Forsaken, hoping to cross paths with him again." The king murmured. "Hoping to put an end to all of this." The king wasn't wearing his usual luxurious fur robehe only wore outdoor clothes, though it still had marked how he had a considerably high authority. But seeing him like this made Faustina wonder how much a person's appearance didn't matter, as long as they bore the same elegance and sophistication. Is that why Lilianne Disfiegro didn't respect herbecause she carried no elegance nor tact? Faustina knew these thoughts are useless now. It doesn't matter what people would think of her. What matters is for her to find the truth and accomplish her goals. "Faustina." The king calls her, without breaking his gaze to the vast ocean. "You do not trust me, don't you?" It seemed more like a proclaimed statement, rather than a question. Faustina remained silent, not knowing what to answer. "I know." The king exclaims. "I dragged you in here." He wasn't smiling, only eyes deep in thought without looking at Faustina. And for some reason, Faustina felt as if this was the most honest the king had been with her. He didn't have any unsettling air surrounding him, which he had whenever he smiled gently at her. He was just being himself. Faustina, for some reason, felt more at ease at him. This surprised her, given this was their first time meeting again or is it? Faustina's memorya 'dream' she had with the king on her dormitory chambers came to her mind. Surely, that can't be real. The king wouldn't just arrive in her room embracing her tight. No. Faustina averted her gaze and clutched the fabric around her chest. She shouldn't think about that dream. It cannot be real. "I know you are dragged into this mess." The king stares at the ocean. "Without an ounce of consideration what you would feel." Faustina blinked. The king turned towards her, with a sad expression in his face. "I'm sorry, Faustina." Faustina stopped. Is the king apologizing to her? It was odd. This felt odd. Faustina stares at the king's sapphire-blue eyes. They were the same, but yet not at the same time. "Your majesty" Faustina murmured. "What's wrong?" The king stares at Faustina and then smiles. "Do you remember when you were at the castle's greenhouse?" Faustina blinked. Greenhouse? Did she ever explore that far? "I" The king then reached his hand towards Faustina's cheek, caressing the soft skin gently. "There are many things better left unknown. Ignorance is bliss, my fair maiden." Faustina knew the king held so much mystery with his words. And Faustina couldn't help but feel as if she was being robbed by her own forgetfulness. What was it that the king knows that she doesn't? She stares at the king who once again shifted his gaze away. But this time the king stared at the skies. He then lied down to the grass as he stares at the sky. And then as he lied down, he held Faustina's wrist, and gently pulled her beside him. "Your majesty" The king chuckled, making Faustina stop to stare to his face. "Look," the king exclaimed, with sapphire blue eyes that reflected the stars. Faustina then stared at the skies. And then her brown eyes gleamed. The sky was painted with stars and colors of the galaxy. It was at this moment Faustina was completely enthralled. She couldn't take her eyes off of the sky. And then she remembered a passage from Folkmanor. 'The sky transpires from light to dark as the one Above lets the smaller lights have their own time to shine. The moon, who was as beautiful as the sun, yet colder and is always surrounded with silence, also shines alongside the smaller lights, the celestial beings who bring the world its hidden beauty.' --a man wearing a suspender writing with a feathered pen staring at the sky 'But what is the essence of these stellars? These celestial beings who are meant to only shine when everyone is asleep? Is their beauty bound to be hidden? But then I realized we are the one who only give the meaning to the beauty within these stars. They are beautiful in their own, and it does not matter if they are hidden or not, because they will stay that way for a hundred, thousandor indefinite years to come. And that is beyond us.' Faustina stares at the sky. Back then, at the mountains, she used to admire the sky like this with Eula. The two would talk for hours, laughing to themselves. And sooner Faustina had forgotten the stars, only Eula's smile and the time with her mattered. Now, she was given another opportunity to see the beauty of the skies again. "Faustina," the king murmured. "I see a star that looks like you." Faustina chuckled. "But they are just dots in the sky, Your Majesty." The king smiles as he reached his hand to the sky, with his index finger drawing the constellation. "Cassiopeia." The king exclaims. "A queen with an unrivaled beauty," Faustina blushed as she stares at the king. She was smaller compared to him. Her head had just reached his chest, and so she looked up to see a better view of his face. The king was still looking at the stars. His expression looked calmer than before, and less melancholic. Faustina felt as if he wasn't being his usual self, whose smile was always gentle and unwavering. He looked more human tonight. "We're here for an undercover investigation." The king exclaimed. "I was supposed to see you on your dormitory what happened?" "Huh?" "Why are you crying alone in the alley?" Faustina gulped, not knowing what to tell the king. 'It was because I was breaking down.' 'I am the future queen of Feuersturm.' Faustina blinked as the king leaned closer to her. Faustina quickly averted her gaze. She felt her heart clench yet again. "Faustina?" He called her name so tentatively and gently. His voice was so intoxicating. "Your mana is being absorbed again." The king murmured as he held her gently. Mana, being absorbed? The king seized Faustina by the waist and then lifted her chin with his other hand. He stares down at her chocolate-brown eyes. Faustina wondered why the king had such beautiful and long lashes. This was the first time he was up close or was it? Now Faustina couldn't discern what was real and what was a mere dream. She felt shameful for dreaming something like the king embracing her, but her mind was foggy right now while her heart clench. Too many emotion was mixing over her that she doesn't know what else to do. And so, tears flowed into her cheeks. The king's surprised expression gradually softened as he wiped her tears with his thumb. "Faustina" Her mana was getting absorbed by the king, filling all the empty gaps in his body. She was replenishing his body. She was sustaining his life. But Faustina had a price to pay for this to happen. She weakens, as her life force gets drainedlike a glass of water being emptied to the brim. And the glass empties, the one who owns it become parched. And the thirst becomes dizziness, making all seemed to be a blur. The king knew this well. And he didn't want her to forget this. "Faustina," the king says. "I have to go now." Before sitting down, he gently laid Faustina to the grass. He wiped her leftover tears, and then smiled gently at her. Faustina stared at the king who had sat down. "Are you marrying her?" The king blinked. "Who?" "Lilianne." Faustina murmured through her tears. The king stares at Faustina, confused who 'Lilianne' is. And then shortly he realized she was pertaining to that person. "The youngest daughter of the Disfiegros?" The king smiled. "Yes." Faustina's heart painfully clenched against her chest. She was hoping for that to be a lie but then, why does this concern her? "Do you love her?" The king stared at Faustina and caressed her cheek. "Love is a luxury I can't afford to want, Faustina." The king asserted. Faustina stares at the king. "Then you don't love her?" "She will become a splendid queen with her influence in the society." The king said. "The political marriage will bring prosperity over Feuersturm." "But you don't love her," Faustina murmured. "How can you be happy?" The king only smiled gently. "There are things people like us cannot avoid. I am the king. The citizens of the country come before my happiness." Before the king decides to even stand and leave, Faustina gently tugged on his sleeve. "Me" The king's eyes widened. "Can't I make you happy?" The king stares at Faustina. He then leans down, lifting her chin with a pained restriction painted over his face. "I" "Your majesty." A stern, cold voice of a woman stopped the king instantly. Sheila stares coldly over the two. "Can you tell me what's happening here?"
