Chapter Five - Unbreak part 4

https://open.spotify.com/track/2OZNEa3tW5HKAaAQqnJope?si=5CY9GibVSCiydXN6uyJSMA

^__^.

Twas' a good one. Recommended

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/// Arthur Leywin POV ///

A sudden snap of fingers in front of my eyes brought me out of my thousand yard gaze. Turning my head towards the left I saw my childhood friend, wearing a white casual shirt and grey pants, her hair tied back in a pony. Her turquoise eyes scanned me, sizing me up to down as she let out a small sigh,

"You seem lost, Art. Are you tired?" She asked, swinging her feet freely which dangled from the corner of the floating castle. The fresh air greeted our faces, blowing our hair back. I looked at Tess as she let out a laugh at my hair which had escaped the band I had tied them in. This spot was really revitalising. The cold wind was really soothing and comforting- Cold. A certain woman's image flashed in front my eyes as I squinted my eyes.

Huh?

"AAARTTT??" Tessia screamed in my ear, almost exploding the eardrum. I recoiled, taken aback both by her childish antics and the image that flashed in my mind earlier.

"Are you ignoring me?" Tess asked, pouting as she let out a small huff and crossed her arms. I gave her a weak smile, the best I could muster right now. I was tired and struggling. Struggling with the raging storm inside of me.

"Ahh no, Just lost in some thoughts. Continue from where you reunited with Caria." I replied to her as her previous grumpy mood faltered and then faded away in thin air as a bright smile graced her beautiful face,

"So, after the mission I was," I let Tess speak and tell her story to me. While giving bare minimum attention to her overly-detailed adventures, I let my mind venture into the wilderness again. There was a storm brewing inside of me, demanding, screaming at me to be released. Why was I acting so strange in front of her? I even told her about my past and Nico. Not completely but even remembering them left a bitter taste in my mouth. Yet, I told her everything so comfortably.

Why did I do it? It's a question I've been asking repeatedly, time and time again. Was it because I saw some similarities between us? Or was it because I just wanted someone sensible enough to hear me without abandoning me? If it was like this, was it actually my desire or my pathetic attempt to be accepted after being disowned by my parents? It was complex.

Was I falling for her? Or was it just another commiserable attempt to be accepted for who I was? If I was actually somehow falling for her, then what of Tess? What was my relationship with her? I knew for a fact she had feelings for me, but was it the same for me? Did I love her back? Or was I just feeling obligated to protect her everytime she messes up?

It was all too confusing- and unhealthy. Unhealthy for my mental health. Like a piece of iron, I kept corroding inside every time these feelings bubble inside me. I needed to make things clear, once and for all. I needed to confront Varay.

I stood up suddenly, brimming with an unbridled determination.

"Tess, I have some important tasks to do. Do you mind if I go?" I asked her, dusting off my pants. She looked at me with longing in her eyes, her long ears drooping down in dissatisfaction.

"Ok, but promise me you'll hang with me later tonight!" She blurted as I was about to leave, gripping my hand. Turning my head I looked at her, a faint shade of pink extended over pale doll-like face.

"Sure." I replied shortly, trying to circumvent this situation and go after Varay as soon as possible. Tess's eyes brightened up, visible sparkles egressing from her eyes. She tightened her grip on my hand and stood up by pulling me,

"It's a promise." She said and let out a light giggle. I watch her slim figure hop away, her hair fluttering wildly by the velocious pronto wind. I let out an audible sigh, its voice utterly muffled by the booming wind that blew in all its glory. It was getting more and more circuitous.

Spinning on my heel, I turned around, my eyes set in the direction I had already decided to go. My feet started to take me there, each step taken was backed with confidence yet an incomprehensible feeling. It was an idiosyncratic feeling- like my body was fighting a war against itself. Every step came with a bombardment of thousands of thoughts.

What if she straight out declines and I'm the only one feeling strange here? What if she doesn't feel the same way? Wait, what "same way" ? Do I love her? Once again my stride faltered as I continued arguing with myself. I let my body guide me in the direction of her room while my mind kept on interrogating my heart.

I had never fallen in love before. In both my lives- in my life as Grey, maybe once I had some feelings for Cecelia, but they vanished once I saw Nico being too fixated on her. Then again, this life has been an even bigger roller coaster than before. As a king, I had learned multiple skills and read many books.

At a glance I could easily discern a person's intentions or their feelings. As a king this skill was really important- and was even useful and applicable in many other fields too. I was sought by many women, some trying to get my attention because of my position as a king while some of them had genuine affection towards me. Maybe that was why- I could feel it in my bones. The familiar feelings that ensued as a result of the past events and interactions.

Unbeknownst to me, I had arrived in front of her room. I gulped back a dry lump of saliva. The unwavering confidence that supported my steps like an unshakable wall vanished in thin air. The strong mental fortitude I took so much pride in wavered like a sheet of paper being blown away by a gale.

Rallying all of my strength and resolve from the far corners of myself, I took in a deep breath, until it felt like it would fulminate. One final time I steeled my nerves, getting rid of the wobbly feeling in my heart. My hand left my packet and made its way towards the finely carved door of her room.

"Arthur Leywin." I turned my head towards the source of the voice. A guard dressed in a silvery armour walked towards me and gave me a curt bow,

"General Leywin, the council has demanded your presence at the earliest. Commander Virion and the rest of the council awaits your presence in the main meeting room." The guard spoke, his speech faltering in the middle perceiving the evident change in my mood. Gripping the last bit of my sanity to not shred the man into pieces I let out an audible sigh,

"Very fine, let's go." I said, my hand travelling from the door back in my pockets, my thought process hindered by the only thoughts of her. But this interruption made one thing very clear to me. The feeling that made me like this was definitely not conventional- but something entirely new. I felt the tingling feeling radiating from my heart across my whole body as I shuddered.

I'm going crazy.

/// Varay Aurae POV ///

I made my way towards the door. Using my left hand I extended it towards the door knob. It was warm on touch, however not as much when compared to the one I had experienced when I slept with Arthur. I blinked a few times,

Huh? wait, wait, wait.... wait wha... huh? Uhhh, wait no- we actually slept together.

My mind raced to different scenarios. The memories of his warm body, clenched tightly in my embrace came back in my mind. My legs shook as I felt the heat course through my entire body, remembering his face so close to mine. A single thought came to mind as I felt the need to make him mine even more.

I'm beyond saving, wanting something as outrageous as that.

Grunting, I turned the knob and opened the door while covering my chest with one hand.

"You're 5 minutes earlie-" My words caught in my throat as I looked in front of me. My whole body quivered and shook like a leaf as I saw Arthur, wearing the same clothes he was wearing the first day I started feeling so weird when it came to him.

He remained silent, his picture-perfect, almost pristine smile gracing his face made him look like the brightest star in the darkest night.

"A-ar" My words came out as nothing but just a slight whimper, taken aback by his sudden appearance. But was this the time to get flustered? He had a princess and my chances were already slim. But if I actually loved him then maybe I should stop holding myself back. I felt pathetic for succumbing to such vile and degraded modus operandi but It was a necessity.

I am done with all this. I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to hold back anymore.

I pulled him by grabbing the front side of his shirt, bending my finger in a hook shape. Once he was inside the room I slammed the room shut and pushed him against the wall. His lips curved into a coy smile and his eyes screamed seduction. I felt my heart skip a beat at his other-worldly smile- or rather maybe it were my feelings for him that made him look like this.

"A forceful type I see. That's new." His lips moved in the similar pattern, corresponding to his words but the voice that came out of his throat was an exact opposite. Or rather- totally different. His features swirled and flickered, morphing into an entirely different face. His vibrant auburn hair grew exponentially, reaching to his waist, it's colour changing into that of jet-black. His eyes changed colours, shifting from an alluring sapphire blue to a dark purple. Mana flickered around his whole body as his muscular frame shrinking, dwindling into more... urbane and well-bred.

My gaze finally landed back on his face, only for this time to find a smirking elven lance, a bashful smile plastered over her face,

"I was just testing out this new spell which shows the person you love a lot in front of you" She said, still pinned against the wall as I tightened my grip on her exponentially. She smirked, despite the force that was applied on her,

"Judging from your appearance it seems like it's a man. Who might be the one to be able to melt the heart of an ice queen I wonder!" She said, not showing an iota of shame on what she had just done. My grip loosened on her as I pushed her slightly making her stumble.

"Get out. And don't do that again." I said, an unrestrained rage and coldness awfully audible in my tone. I saw her turn around, her hair swaying as she twirled her hips,

"I will get it out of you, one way or the other." She spoke in a mana augmented voice, which felt like she had whispered right behind me sending a shiver down my spine. I sighed and plopped down on my bed. My dripping wet hair fell on my face. My eyes remained dead set on the ceiling, staring intently at it. Then I remembered what she had just said.

The face of the one you love the most.

A salty taste overwhelmed my mouth. I sat back up.

My hand travelled towards my eyes- unrestrained tears of realisation cascaded down my cheeks and fell with audible plops on the wooden flooring,

"Ahh, so that's how it is."

I smiled- smiled despite the streams of tears that continued to rain down. But somehow It felt heart lightening. The realisation didn't feel like a hammer or thunder from the blue. No- it was like a warm breeze. A comforting breeze, able enough to lift this heavy burden off of chest and let me breath. My solace from now on.

"I love him." I muttered silently, crying and smiling at the same time.

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(A/n 'Sup lads and lassies. Some might've noticed it and some might not. Sorry for the drop in quality- couldn't focus much. Shit happened... AGAIN lmao. Hopefully for the last time. Will be back with a better chapter and a bit fast pacing in the next chapter.

Until then stay blessed, happy reading and I'm out

SAYONARA) 

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