Chapter 11 - II -

 

Well, I guess talking to the Saint could wait for a while.  For now, I needed to find Senshee.  I’m having awful premonitions that something must’ve happened to him while I let him get the books I requested from the library.  Again, this place wasn’t welcoming to boys…

 

At least to the ugly ones.

 

But Senshee’s not too shabby in his appearance if he was compared to Sir Simon.  I’d say he’s also a ‘bishounen’ too, provided someone fixed his looks.  I guess the maids would treat him better than me…

 

“…”

 

Wait, I’m worried about him if he encountered that bitch from the kitchen, Jessica.

 

Anyway, I should check if he’s still alive or what.

 

“!!!”

 

I heard loud footsteps heading in my direction as if someone’s running.  Turning around, I saw Senshee rushing along with the books I requested, which fell on the floor as he drew near.

 

“Senshee!  What the hell’s wrong with you?”

 

“Sir Kuro!” Senshee was gasping for air, “It’s a good thing I found you!”

 

“What?  Did the maids come to murder you?”

 

“N-no!  I smell blood, Sir Kuro!”

 

“Ha?” I was confused by his statement, “What do you mean by ‘smell blood’?”

 

“Where’s Her Holiness?” he asked, almost snapping.

 

“Err…somewhere around…” I didn’t know the answer to his question, so I replied randomly.

 

Senshee sniffed the air, just like how a dog would do.  With a horrible expression, he turned to me and said, “This is the smell of Her Holiness’ blood!”

 

“Ha?  How did you know?  Are you a dog, or something?”

 

“No time to explain!” Senshee grabbed my hand, “We need to find the Human Saint as soon as possible!”

 

Honestly, my mind was in disarray.  But hearing the urgency in Senshee’s voice, I wasted no time and hurried after him.

 

 

Because of the emergency, I roused the entire Holy Palatial Gardens on the whereabouts of Her Holiness.  As a result, the Paladin Corps, the maids, the nuns, and even the entire royal entourage of the king of Nerfes joined the search for the Saint.  Before that, our fears were amplified when Lily went to check on Her Holiness in her room and found it empty.

 

“Are you sure that Her Holiness is in danger, peasant?” King Rambo was visibly worried, and in denial, that he resorted to threatening me with his sword, “If your information is fake then I swear I’d lop off your head right now!”

 

“James!  Stop with the threats, brother!” Sir Simon rebuked him, “Maddie is missing; this isn’t the time for that!”

 

King Rambo fell silent as if he received a slap to the face.  Well, at least that put this meathead in his proper place.

 

Meanwhile, Senshee was restless.  He kept on muttering, “If only I’m not in this form…” or, “I wish she wouldn’t hide like that…”

 

I had to ask this fellow and clarify some things after this incident was resolved.

 

“Let’s go around once again.” I suggested, taking charge of the chaotic situation, “I’ll try looking at the fountain area this time.  Lily, you go that way.  Sir Simon, can you look at the library?  Senshee, try searching the gardens over there.  Rambo—I mean, Your Majesty, can I ask you to go to the area behind the Palatial Armory?”

 

“What’s with the Rambo?”

 

“Don’t ask, just do what I say!” I snarked at him.

 

“Muu…be thankful that Maddie is involved here, you insolent peasant!”

 

We all agreed to separate ways and search in our respective areas.  The others were looking at the places we couldn’t cover, so I guess it’d be a matter of time before we find Her Holiness…

 

For god’s sake, she better not hurt herself.

 

“…”

 

Drawing near my area of responsibility, my instincts told me I look into that certain shadowy spot at the western edge of the small, man-made lake that formed most of the fountain area.  Well, if I’m depressed and was looking for a good place to inflict self-harm without someone noticing, this would be an ideal spot.

 

“Your Holiness?” I called out.  As a Saint with the powers of the gods, there’s a high chance she could turn invisible; I’m wondering how would I able to find her if that’s the case.

 

“Are you here?  Please let me find you…” I half-muttered, half-pleaded in desperation.  After all, I didn’t want the idea of someone I know dying…much more if she’s a friend of mine.

 

The place where I was looking was a grassy spot with lots of trees planted in close order, giving that area the cool shade in which one could hide.  I was carefully searching for a ‘dent’ in the grass; that would tell me she’s been here, or if she had turned herself invisible.

 

“…”

 

However, what I found was much more horrible.

 

This…this is blood!  Much to my terror, I found droplets of blood scattered around the area.  Shit, don’t tell me…

 

“Your Holiness!” I cried desperately.  I ran around in circles, trying to find any clues to her whereabouts, until…

 

“!!!”

 

I finally found the Saint lying on the grass near some hedges that were covered by trees.  Her beautiful dress was stained by the dark red color of her blood, flowing from the wounds on her arms near the wrists.  Beside her was a pair of bloodied scissors.

 

“K-Kuro?  You’re too noisy…” she weakly smiled at me.  Her Holiness’ lips were already pale.

 

“What the hell are you doing?” I wasted no time; I tore off a portion of my shirt and quickly made a makeshift tourniquet to prevent further bleeding.

 

“Don’t do it; that’s your shirt from your old world.”

 

“Shut up, will you?” I snapped, “If you have the time to remind me of that, at least be responsible and take care of me ‘till the end.”

 

The Saint kept silent as I tried to apply first aid to her.  But I could see the tears flowing down from her eyes.

 

“It’s alright, Your Holiness.” I reassured her, “Your friends are looking and are worried about you.”

 

“I want to forget my pain…” the Saint began sobbing terribly, “I cut myself so I can feel more pain and forget the one that’s in my heart…”

 

“Shh…calm down, Your Holiness.” though I may not be the right one to do it as of now, I guess she could forgive me later.  Gently, I hugged the Saint. “I understand you.  But this isn’t the right way to do it.  Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

 

Damn, she needed help as soon as possible.  Should I carry her?  

 

But if I made a mistake, I might drop her, and she gets even more injuries…Fuck it!  I’m too useless!

 

“…”

 

Oh, wait!  Here’s Rambo!

 

“Hey, King Rambo!  Over here!” I waved desperately to catch his attention.  Fortunately, he saw us and rushed to our area.