CHAPTER 1.5 - II -
Even though Maddie had her ‘disguise’ on, the people in Arles could still recognize her. I guess she couldn’t help it; aside from her striking silver hair and silvery-blue eyes, the way she walked around already gave her identity away.
“Hey! That’s Her Holiness, isn’t it?”
“So, it’s true! She’s really a looker!”
“I think she is! What is she doing here?”
“It doesn’t matter! Come on, let’s ask for her blessing!”
I guess she really didn’t intend to hide from her adoring crowd. Well, it would’ve been nice for the townsfolk to see their beloved Saint strolling around, had it not for…
“Hey, who’s the chump beside Her Holiness?”
“Can’t you recognize him? He’s Kuro, the Hero of Arles, now the Fist of the North Lands.”
“He is? Are they lovers? Why is Her Holiness holding hands with him?”
Of course, I’m the ugly beast beside the beauty that was walking around town.
“Uh…Maddie, don’t you think we should let go of our hands?” I asked her. Never mind the crowd, I could feel the sharp stares being thrown at me by the Arles militiamen. I guess, like their boss, Sir Osmond, they were also fans of Her Holiness…
“Why? Do you hate it?” Maddie teased. She laughed, “Don’t mind them. I wanted to tell everyone that I got the best man there is in Chersea.”
“You’re really cute, you know that, Maddie?”
“Thanks!” she stuck a tongue for me.
As we go along, Maddie welcomed anyone who would come near her. First, it was the children who didn’t mind the ‘protocols’ in dealing with VIPs. And then the adults walked towards her. She blessed them all, even the town militia who came to restrain the swelling crowd. Soon, the people were coming, bringing in various items for her: vegetables, grains, clothes, even live chickens…
…which of course, fell unto me to carry. It is a security nightmare, and I don’t even know how to do a proper security routine!
“You sure are popular, Maddie.”
“Haha! Come Kuro, let’s run away!”
Maddie began pulling my arm. I quickly asked a nearby militiaman to take care of the things that were given to her, and that we’ll be going back for them later. Fortunately, he agreed as Her Holiness ran. Naturally, I went after her.
Like a playful child, Maddie led me to various points of Arles. The colorful flower market, the deliciously smelling alley of food stalls and restaurants, and the busy armor and weapon shops, where she tried wearing a few of the merchandise, much to everyone’s amusement. Honestly, I think the last thing that we needed to complete the picture was a whimsical song, and we could become a scene from a Disn*y movie.
I wonder if there’s a bird or a deer somewhere that can join us in singing…
“…”
Though, it’s not bad at all. In fact, I’m being relaxed by her antics, as if looking at Maddie’s beautiful smile was healing my heart.
Oh, and by the way, later I heard that the equipment from the armor and weapon shops she tried putting on fetched for a high price…
But then, everything must end. It was almost the time for the ‘long sleep’, and we eventually had to borrow a cart from the Arles’ town militia so that we could bring everything that was given to us, including the hourglass. The hourglass was a pretty big one, almost the same size as an adult human, and was encased in an elaborately carved and gilded wooden frame with turn handles.
“It’s created like that so we could easily turn it around,” Maddie explained as she drove the cart.
“Hmm…it’s a good time that you decided to get it now.” I told her, “The populace was about to take their rest, so we could set the start of the time-reckoning once everyone was asleep.”
“That’s a good idea, Kuro!” Maddie tapped my shoulder.
“Yep! This will be January 1st, in the First Year of Chersea.” I raised my hands in triumph, “Finally, a proper time-reckoning here in Chersea!”
“Right! Banzaaaaiiii!!!”
“Whoa!”
“W-What?”
“Well, I was just surprised you shouted that.”
“Haha! I tried imitating that movie you watched long ago…”
We couldn’t help but laugh when we talked about my memories. And then, Maddie put up another question for me…
“So, did you enjoy our after-dinner date?”
“Absolutely. I hope it would always be like this.”
Maddie then put her head on my shoulder as we drove quietly for a while. The silence of our surroundings nearly made me asleep. However, my fiancé then broke the ice.
“Kuro?”
“Hm?”
“I’m really glad that you liked this peaceful world.”
“Of course. Not only because of your efforts to maintain it but also, I came from a place where ‘peace’ was based on mutual fear.”
“Yes…I saw it from your memories as well.”
“Heh…so you have already seen what the humans might achieve, and could do to destroy each other.”
“Yes, and it was a scary thing.”
“Well, it’s not like we got any other choice. My world had to live with the reality that our lives could be decided on a push of a button.” I explained to her, “That’s why, you know, Maddie…I won’t let that happen to this world you love.”
Maddie suddenly sat up straight and looked at me with anxious eyes, “What do you mean by that Kuro?”
“You could peek into my heart, you know.” I answered, “I would protect your world from those people who seek to destroy it. If we wanted peace, then we must prepare to fight, even if we have to wage another war to achieve it.”
“Kuro, that isn’t what I intended…”
“Maddie, please trust me in this.” I told her with a straight stare, “I’ll make sure that your peace would reign, even if it cost me my life.”
“Please don’t do it! Please don’t change yourself only for this matter!”
“I’m sorry, Maddie, but I have made my decision. War is about to erupt, and we have to be decisive for the coming conflict, or there will be lots of unnecessary sacrifices.” The memories of the Marquise of Monfort, Luisa, flashed back once again in my mind.
“I’d rather have you in your reluctant, easy-going self, than with what you are right now!” Maddie cried out, “Kuro, you don’t have to do this for me.”
“You won’t understand Maddie. I’m human, and like every human being, I would adapt to the situation based on the circumstances.” I tried to explain, “And I’m telling you, it’s time for me to take the decisive step to make your goals a reality…even if I had to kill for it.”
Tears fell from Maddie’s eyes, “Kuro…so you really changed. It’s like you’re someone else already!”
I’m sorry, Your Holiness, but for me to protect your dreams, I must change myself…
“…”
…even if I have to be a demon.
The journey back to the Holy Palatial Gardens was awkwardly silent, as Maddie said nothing else to me after that. At that moment, we both didn’t know, but because of the shaking of the cart, the hourglass accidentally turned. And with that ‘little argument’ of ours, the first ‘day’ of Chersea began…
