Beyond Eternity

DAY 11, DUSK

“With the information I amassed, I knew who to trust and doubt. So anyway, soon, the kingdom was in utter chaos, nobody sided with anyone anymore, even the king's power didn't matter, for all who knew what the artifact was consumed by desire. At that moment, I joined his and her majesties in their fight, the four abused girls and some others were with us too, including the first prince.” she said.

“So naturally, you knew well to doubt him, you kept your guard up not only for the ones not on your side, but for the one that pretends to be.” Lucas replied.

“It is exactly as you say.” asserted Claudia.

“But why would the prince even want to kill his very own father and mother? That's not how family works.” said Lucas.

“At least, not with your typical family, no.” replied Claudia, “But it’s a bit different with royalty you see, it’s not uncommon for the children of the king to live with little or no affection from their parents, they might obtain honor, power, privilege and the like, but not love. Simply talking to your parents isn't as easy since you have to treat them as 'king and queen' rather than father and mother. You present yourself to them not as their child but as the prince or princess. In fact, it’s more common for children of royalty to consider the servants to be their closest friends and their parental figures.”

“If I remember correctly,” said Lucas, “the chef had also been one of those who helped raise one of the prince's.”

“Not just a prince.” answered Claudia, “but the first prince, he who falsely took side with us back then. There were other princes who were after the artifact, but he had the most power and advantage of all of them.”

“I see.” said Lucas. “That makes more sense now.”

“Before I continue, would you like to know why it was those specific journals I had you read?” asked Claudia.

“You mean there are more?” replied Lucas, looking surprised.

“Of course there's more you dummy, writing is a good pastime!”

“So why those ones exactly?” He asked.

“That is because the writers of the five journals you have read are people who I have known well in my life, or at least encountered once.”

Lucas looked surprised, noticing this, Claudia just resumed speaking.

“the chef was an uncle of mine on my father's side of the family, so upon my arrival at the castle, I often stayed and helped with the kitchen until I got used to the other work and made new friends.”

“Oh so no wonder you're good at cooking.” exclaimed Lucas.

“Why thank you.” replied Claudia. “So now you truly admit it.”

Claudia resumed her story. “Nate, his family and the silversmith, Mr. Veneric were close friends of my father, I'd often visit the smithy with him, that was before Nate himself was even born.”

“The son of the ramparts commander whose journal you've also read is a childhood friend of mine, along with the one that killed one of the princesse's, it was with them and others that I spent my early days.”

“The prisoner lady who escaped once took shelter at my family’s home, my parents were fooled by her words. ‘I was abducted and brought here.’ She said. In the end, I never found out what became of her after she escaped after my family found out about her identity.”

“Good thing she didn’t harm them, then.” Lucas said.

“Well, if she did, it wouldn’t do her any good, we’ve already established from that journal that she’s clever and cunning.” She replied.

and finally the queen, you already know how we're acquainted.” She continued

“So you didn't bring me to those certain places because there were journals, rather, those were their journals. I see now.” Lucas said.

“Now that that's over with, let’s get back to where we left off.” Claudia said.

“Actually, one last thing.” Lucas asked. “How many are you in your direct family?”

“There were four of us, my parents, myself and an older brother who worked away from home, it seems his workplace was said to be ‘away from here’. He never goes home and only ever sent us letters every now and then.”

 Lucas nodded in agreement.

“So like I said, I stood wary and cautious of the first prince. I stayed away from him, which proved useful later on, I wasn't struck down when his betrayal began, which is why I chased after him, willing to have myself killed rather than have the artifact fall on his hands.”

“That was quite brave of you to be honest.” remarked Lucas.

“Well, anyway,” continued Claudia, “Since it all happened within the prison, I soon found myself outside, not back at the main entrance, but at the watchtower as I ran after the prince. After realizing that I was alone then, he faced me at the rooftop.”

“That very same rooftop we've been on?” He asked.

“Yes, Lucas, that very place, where we watched the stars before sleeping. Now do you see why it holds special value to me?”

“So that's why...” He replied.

“Yes, that is why. When it was just the both of us there, I knew I could never win, my opponent was a prince trained from birth on how to fight, carrying a sword in hand.” said Claudia. “What chances did I have then?”

“And yet, here you are, you're alive.” said Lucas.

“Indeed I am, and I shall explain how… Tomorrow.” replied Claudia.

“Wait what? We were just getting to the best part!” exclaimed Lucas.

“Which is exactly why I have decided to wait till the next morning before we resume, it’s getting late after all, and it’s probably better to take all this information in bit by bit rather than as a whole. Well, at least this way, you can organize your thoughts and better understand the words I’ll say tomorrow.”

Lucas felt disappointed and grumbled, Claudia didn’t mind him.

“We should be eating dinner right now aren’t we?” She exclaimed.

“I suppose so.” He replied.

“Aww, come on, don’t be such a stump.” She teased.

“Alright, alright, let’s eat.” He said.

Once more, the pair ate their fill. Lucas filled his head with all sorts of thoughts related to Claudia’s story and kept silent. Claudia, noticing this, decided that she let him be.

At least, that was until both of them was ready to go to their rooms and sleep.

“Um, I highly appreciate the look of concern on your eyes Lucas.” She said. “But you don’t have to make such grim and intense reactions you know? All these things happened far too long ago, barely any evidence of it remains anymore, besides, I’m the only one left who really remembers it.”

“That’s exactly why I’m concerned.” He said.

“I… Don’t think I understand.” She replied with a confused look.

“I am concerned, because I’ve just learned that this dainty looking girl in front of me went through so much, experienced so much things that she never should’ve, and was robbed off the life she had the right to claim. And became alone in the dark.”

“You’re exaggerating.” She said.

“I think not.” He replied. “But I know I care.”

“And why is that?”

“Because…” Lucas stopped talking.

“Because now you’re a person who I hold so dear.” He thought to himself. “Yeah, I’m not saying that, let’s go with something that wouldn’t complicate things.”

“Because what?” Claudia said, in a voice barely audible. She wasn’t looking him straight in the eye anymore.

“Because this very same girl was she who pulled me out of the darkness I was on.” Lucas answered.

“And now, I feel it is my duty to bring her into the very same light she brought me in.” He continued.

Claudia returned her eyes to him and smiled. “I like the double meaning you put.”

“And thanks…” She said.

A short moment of awkward silence followed, however, before five seconds passed, the two averted their gazes and walked towards their rooms, without a word.

“I couldn’t tell her goodnight.” Lucas thought to himself.

“Well, that conversation was… Surreal. What was that all about?” Claudia thought to herself. “I admit though, it made my heart race for a moment. Although I guess I was assuming too much, my own expectations led to my inevitable dismay. What a bother.”

The two reached their respective bedrooms and tucked in for the night.

As for Claudia, she stared at the night sky from the window on the room before drifting off.

As for Lucas, he let his embarrassment sing him to sleep.