When she had made it a short distance away from the council room, a crash sounded behind her. Maxi flinched at the deafening racket. A chill prickled over her scalp, and she wondered what on earth she had done.
Had she gone insane? How could she consider leaving him? She could not bear to lose him, even if it meant losing the whole world.
Maxi whirled around, but her feet were rooted to the floor. The urge to rush back and tell him that she would obey his wishes tore at her insides. Even so, she could not take a single step.
Tremors coursed through her entire body as she stood in the corridor, unsure what it was that held her there. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Did she really have to leave despite this pain? Why was she so desperate to stand on her own two feet? She just wanted to surrender.
Fighting back the sobs racking her body, she turned away once more. The invisible force around her began breaking down with each step. She felt like a chick emerging from an egg into a godforsaken world. Maxi bit her lip as her chest filled with grief and fear.
Light from the setting sun pierced her teary vision. She turned to gaze at the crimson light splintered and scattered by the windowpane. Then she took a step. She felt as though she would split in half from the pain.
Another step…Then another…
Epilogue
The weather grew warm inthe span of a few weeks. Sitting by the window in the common room, Hebaron heaved a troubled sigh as he gazed over the training grounds bathed in dazzling sunlight. Though the wind was still chilly, the sunlight was noticeably warmer. Aquarias had come around once again.
As the number of visitors swelled, Anatol had become more vibrant than ever. Merchants from the Southern Continent brought all manner of rare goods, attracting traders from the West. Yet this feverish spell of prosperity seemed to bypass Calypse Castle. For the past few weeks, the atmosphere within its stone walls had remained heavy.
“Why aren’t you ready yet?”
Snapping out of his reverie, Hebaron looked up to see Ursuline Ricaydo descending the staircase in full armor. Hebaron surreptitiously swept his gaze over the knight’s immaculate navy surcoat. The fabric seemed crisp and new. His armor was impeccably polished, reflecting its wearer’s fastidious nature.
Hebaron narrowed his eyes. He had a suspicion that themaidservants played favorites thanks to the other knight’s clean-cut image.
Ursuline frowned and glared back at Hebaron. “Did you not hear me?” he barked irritably. “You need to get a move on.”
Just as Hebaron rose languidly to his feet, Remus Baldo and Gabel Lachzion entered the common room.
“Sir Hebaron, we’ve been told that her ladyship is ready to depart,” Gabel said.
“Already?”
Frowning, Hebaron stuck his head out the window to get a better view of the castle gates. Two carriages laden with luggage stood waiting in the courtyard. It dawned on him that Lady Calypse was truly leaving.
Hebaron was blinking into the distance when Ursuline lost his temper.
“Do you intend to keep her ladyship waiting? Just stay behind if you don’t feel like coming.”
“Goddammit, I’ll be down in a minute.”
Grumbling, Hebaron raced up the stairs with a lightness contrary to his huge physique. He snorted to himself at Ursuline’s fussiness. Who would have guessed the assiduous knight would ever change his attitude toward the lady of the castle? A bitter smile tugged at Hebaron’s lips as he donned his armor.
The change in Ursuline’s behavior was understandable. The knight had grown fond of the dainty noblewoman, as they all had. Not to mention, Ursuline had been part of the rescue mission at Croyso Castle. After he had witnessed firsthand the horrible abuse she suffered there, his newfound compassion was only to be expected.
Ursuline was not the only one. The incident must have affected Elliot as well, as he had been one of the most vehement about going to war with the duke. Though none of the knights disclosed the details of what had transpired, Hebaron was certain that Lady Calypse had suffered a great atrocity.
Suddenly overcome with rage, he threw the cloak in his hands onto the floor.
Croyso.
Thinking about how that arrogant dog had instigated their current predicament made his blood boil. He irritably ran a hand through his short hair. Imagining his commander’s impassive face made him feel unbearably stifled.
Drawing out a sigh, he sank into a chair. When he had first heard that Lady Calypse intended to leave for the Mage Tower, his immediate thought had been that the commander would never allow it. However, the commander had shattered everyone’s expectations and relented. He had even resumed his long-neglected duties as liege of Anatol as if he had never left. By all appearances, everything seemed to have fallen into place.
Hebaron still felt uneasy at Riftan’s unnatural calmness. The commander’s reactions when it came to Lady Calypse were always unpredictable.
Damn it. As if worrying about it now will change anything…
