"Ssh!" Simon hushes Lara while they're hiding behind the bushes. He made this big pile of bushes so that he could hide whenever runaway soldiers or rebels entered the forest, but now, two of them are actually using this.
"S-Simon ... I-I ... Hmmp!"
"W-what?! What's happening?!" Simon instantly panicked after seeing how pale Lara's face is.
"Aaaa ... AaaaahhHHH!"
Her groans of pain suddenly caught the attention of the seven rebels, they immediately traced where the voice came from and found two people coming out of the bushes. One was a man, and the other one was a pregnant woman who's about to give birth.
"Man, this is troublesome! Two people saw our faces ..." One of the men with a cigarette in his mouth said while unsheathing his sword. His allies seemed to already agree to what the man said, they looked like they were ready to fight at any moment.
Or more likely to say ... Kill, at any moment.
Simon held Lara tightly in his arms. He could already smell the blood coming out of her, we're in trouble! He thought before closing his eyes and started breathing evenly.
Celene ...
Celene ... Please come and help us.
Lara was confused, why is he closing his eyes in this situation? Don't tell me that he's ready to give up our lives? This jerk! Aargh, t-the baby's gonna come out!
"How rude, barging into my territory with swords stained with blood ..." Someone spoke, breaking the tension of the night. Hearing her soothing voice, Simon immediately calmed himself down.
Who was it? Lara asked in her mind. She couldn't open her eyes nor speak, because the intense pain down there is killing her, so she could only rely on her ears.
A strong wind suddenly blew, so strong that it was impossible to have a wind like that in the middle of the forest where tall trees stand side by side. Next, the ground shook like there's an earthquake.
An earthquake? Why so sudden? Why are all of these happening right now when I'm about to give birth?!
Ahh, I can't hear anything anymore.
What Lara didn't know was that the fairy blocked her ears so she wouldn't hear the men's painful scream ... What she's doing is not your typical killing scene, it is basically a massacre. A creepy smile formed across the fairy's tiny face, "People like you are just wasting the clean air that my forest provides, so you shall become fertilizers, this is the best thing you can do with your life."
"Thank you." Simon kneeled with Lara in his arms after seeing the men get eaten by the ground.
"Kind human, bring her in. I will help her give birth ... Then after that, leave this forest as soon as you can." Celene, the forest fairy, said while looking up at the night sky. She then glanced at the two people beside her and added "This forest will soon be ruined ... The only place where you could bring her is Alta Village, you know how dangerous and deserted that place is ... But it is the safest place for her in her current situation."
"Yes, I understand."
Simon brought the lady inside and with the help of the forest fairy who transformed herself into a human form, Lara successfully gave birth to a healthy little child and fell asleep afterwards.
"His hair is as black as the night sky, shiny red eyes like the apples I grew with you in this forest, and a skin as bright as the light that seeped through the leaves of the trees. I've seen this face before, Simon, your future together will have a very rough road."
Simon looks at Celene's face, she's often playful and likes to pull pranks, but now, judging by her seriousness, he knows he shouldn't take her words lightly.
"Well, I'm ready for it." He answered with a bright smile on his face.
Celene was startled, this human, did I tell him before how weak he is? Sigh.
"Carzus."
"Mm?"
"Carzus Luis de Saltiere, that would be his name."
Simon was dumbfounded, but at the same time, grateful. It was the fairy who provided them with fruits and foods to eat, even in times of trouble she's the one who rescues them. So that's only right for him to let her decide the baby's name.
Celene held the baby in her arms and chanted her blessing.
"I see you growing up wise and strong,
a kind and thoughtful child.
But the world has its ways to break a child's innocence, because you will face hardships even with your own tree.
You will stand up on your own feet, and meet everyone you're fated to meet.
But don't forget that Seruvia is always with you.
Now, I am giving you the strength you will need in your upcoming battles, and lastly, I will give you a kind soul that will tame your heart and put you back to where you belong."
Then she kissed the baby's forehead and disappeared after reminding Simon to leave the forest before the next new moon.
The next morning, Lara woke up and immediately asked for the baby. Simon was hesitant to let her see the baby, but he still gave it to her.
Upon seeing her child's face, Lara was so frightened that she almost dropped the baby if not for Simon's hand supporting it. He immediately held the baby back and put it in the cradle he made in advance.
"M-monster! Monster! Take that monster out of my sight! K-Kill that thing! Kill it! AaaaahhHHH!" Lara shrieked hysterically. How could she forget that face? That was the face of the 'monster' that ruined her life! The very reason why she was chased out by her family and husband.
"Lara, please c-calm down ...." Simon caressed her back to calm her down, but the latter grabbed his shirt tightly and pleaded like a madwoman.
"Simon! Simon! Kill that monster! I don't wanna see that thing again! That ... That monster is the one who ruined my life! That──"
"That?" Simon's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. "That thing? Tsk. Lara. You gave birth to HIM ... Is a human capable of giving birth to monsters?"
"But his father is──!"
"Is what? A monster?"
"Yes! Those two have the exact same face! They're monsters, Simon! Listen to me, kill that monster before it──" Words stuck in her throat the moment she saw him standing up, looking so disappointed at her.
This is what Celene said that Carzus will face hardships even with his own tree, his own mother. I shouldn't tolerate this.
"See? See this now? That thing's father is the reason why my husband despised and divorced me, even my own father disowned me. Now, as if repeating what that thing's father did, it made us like this! We're fighting because of that monster and they all planned this beforehand!"
"Lara, listen." Simon held the baby in his arms again and sat in front of Lara to see, "The one you're calling 'monster' right now doesn't know anything yet other than opening and closing his eyes, crying, sleeping and drinking his milk. No one is born a monster, monsters are made. If you educate this little one well and give him love, he will also love you back and help you when you grow older."
The tenderness of his voice pinched Lara's heart, she looked at the baby in his arms, and true enough, he was sleeping soundly smiling from time to time. She immediately realized what she said and cried.
Simon looked at her and patted her head, smiling proudly that she began to understand his reasoning.
The three of them abandoned the forest after offering a lamb in the middle of the forest where the biggest tree was, then they left to a place called Alta Village, a deserted village near the borders.
As dangerous as it may seem, but it is much safer for Lara and her baby if they stayed here for the time being, that way, the father of the child won't be able to find them.
The village people were all lifeless, the place wasn't just deserted, but also drained. People are fighting over the few water on the well, a piece of bread some passersby threw at them, a piece of coin they found luckily in the garbage site and men with strong built who looks like they were waiting for prey this entire time── is what welcomed them.
Simon took a deep breath, he was really hesitant to come here at first, but since Celene was the one who recommended this place, that means this isn't that bad.
"Uhm, excuse me ..." He said trying to get the attention of a big man holding a big chunk of wood. The man glared at him the instant their eyes met, but Simon composed himself and did what Celene told him to do.
"My family was sent here by a woman named Celestine." Upon the mention of that name, all the village people who heard him suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked at them with sparkling eyes.
Ah, yeah, so what's the matter? Are we in some kind of trouble now? Simon became weary and prepared himself to run with Lara in case something bad happens.
"Ce .... Celestine, you said?" The big man tried to confirm the name he had just heard. "Y-Yes, that's right. She sent us here to live ... We are currently homeless, so I was thinking if──." "Young man, welcome to our humble village." An old woman approached them, that's when Simon noticed that all of the village people are smiling towards them now, unlike earlier when they just arrived. 'Err, what's happening?' "Y-Yes?" "That beautiful lady must be your wife?" "Ah, no ... I mean, y-yes, haha, she is my wife. And this is o-our child." Simon introduced them awkwardly, Lara blushed the same. "It's Celestine who brought you here and your family must be tired from your journey, follow me." The old woman who welcomed them is the village's head, Bernadeth. She took the three of them to one of the empty houses available in th
"You, did you take off your mask outside?" Carzus' mother, Lara, asked with a cold voice. She overheard some of her neighbors fawning about Carzus' appearance that morning, so the anger she held for long grew bigger and bigger as the painful memory of her past haunt her again.Carzus felt his body trembled in fear, 'Will I get hit again? Will mother disown me again?' are what going through inside his head. He took a deep breath and finally uttered, "Yes."Lara's brows knitted, she approached her son and gave him a slap. "How many times should I tell you that you mustn't take it off?!""I'm sorry, mother."Carzus ignored the stinging pain on his face and stood at the door like a statue. His mother made him a mask to cover his face when he turned three, and the only time he can take it off is when he's taking a bath, that means even at home, he has to hide his face especially in front of his mother who
'I was forced to marry an old man for the family's honor and their daughter's reputation, but thankfully, somebody took me away.' Chiara thought while brushing her hair in front of the vanity mirror and sighed. 'But tonight, I have to attend a selection ceremony to see if I'm going to be a concubine or a slave.' "A slave is fine tho, but what if I was chosen to be a concubine or a queen? Another marriage, although not with an old man, but a ruthless one." Chiara overheard the conversation of the other ladies two weeks ago, she heard that the new emperor took the crown by force and slaughtered all the servants, knights and everyone serving the previous emperor including his children and wives. On top of that, Emperor Edleman died a humiliating death in front of the nobilities. 'Will I be able to marry a man like that?' *Siiiiiiigghhhh* She sighed deeply while lost in her
"Y-Your Majesty, the lady doesn't want to ... ugh ... I think she doesn't want anyone to see her while she's sick." Chiara's personal maid, who was assigned by the palace, said with hesitation.'She doesn't want me to see how she looks like when she's sick? It's not like she's wearing makeup or a fancy dress when I met her at the pond. But I should be considerate when she's being shy .... Mm! Let's be a man.' is what running through Carzus' head at this moment."I understand. The doctor will be here soon, I shall come back when she gets better.""I apologize, Your Majesty."Seviere's eyebrows twitched 'The only time he asks for permission is when he's talking with the previous emperor, he even barged in one of the ducal houses and talked to their head while he was taking a bath! But what I'm seeing right now is ... is impossible! Just who are you, possessing His Majesty's body?!'
Even after growing up with Carzus, they still fear him because of his quiet personality and domineering aura. They also witnessed how Carzus slaughtered anyone who got in his way without hesitation, many times, that's why their fear is justifiable.Carzus looks down for a moment while processing Ellie's words. He's not actually mad at what he just heard, he even thought that Ellie might help him somehow in changing himself just so Chiara won't fear him anymore."I understand." He said with a heavy tone while thinking of what kind of approach he should do next time, just then, Seviere came panting heavily."Yoh- Yoh- Your Majeh- Hah!" He's out of breath at this moment which also sums up to the excitement that he's feeling. 'Well, maybe, just maybe, His Majesty's mood will get better after hearing the news that I was going to say. Hm-Hm! Breathe in, breathe out.'"*Cough* Lady Florentine is requesting
A few days have passed since Chiara visited Triton palace and it's just another normal day, at least for her."Today, the Emperor will announce the result of the selection process. Are you excited, My Lady?" Shiela asked while preparing the lady's breakfast.Chiara was busy at her table, making sketches of different dresses and suits when she remembered something. "I didn't participate at the selection ceremony, so I won't receive any letter today." She said with overflowing confidence while wearing a relief expression on her face.'What is she being relieved about?' *Sigh* Shiela smiled awkwardly."And if ever I received one today, then you wouldn't have to serve me anymore." The lady continued as she thought of the other possibility."Wouldn't have to serve you anymore? But, why?" Her maid asked as she put down the last dish on the table."Because we will b
Chiara came back to her room completely drained, there, she found Shiela brewing tea beside the tall window.Her eyes then roamed around the room, it was nothing like the spare rooms at Triton palace, nor the other ladies' room. The decorations are so plain and simple that everything looks old, but at the same time, cozy.Seeing Shiela waiting for her to come back with a smile on her face and a newly brewed tea that calms her soul while inhaling its scent, she can feel the warmth in her heart."Shiela." Chiara suddenly uttered after having a sip of the rosebud tea. The latter glanced at her direction and was surprised to see the loveliest and most peaceful smile Chiara ever had."What's the matter, My Lady?""Thank you."Shiela's heart was immediately filled with warmth. She smiled back at the lady and bowed her head gratefully.Growing u
"Please pardon me, My Lady!" Carzus pulled the lady up and hugged her from behind. He put his fists on her stomach and squeezed her with so much force, after doing that, a large piece of chocolate bar flew out from her mouth.Then both of them sighed in relief."Haaaa, that was close!" Chiara blurted after having a near-death experience. 'Ah, I should thank the emperor for saving me!' She turned around and was about to thank him when she noticed their position.His head is just above hers, when she raised her head a little, she caught sight of a little mole on his jaw, that's how close they were at the moment.Seviere came back after getting more macaroons, but he froze after stepping inside the office.'W-W-What am I seeing?!'He saw the emperor's arms around the lady, while she was looking up at him. There were no movements from them, and it looks like the