The Courtesan

Chapter 83

ELAYNE

“Who are you and what is your business here?”

“In such a critical time, is that the kind of question you should be asking?”

“It is exactly because we are in critical times that I am asking those questions. State your identity.”

“I have an identity document and a letter of recommendation. I have been recommended by the right hand of the Prince to join the church knightage.”

Instead of guarding the door directly, the guards stood on the watch tower and answered me from above. They were being very cautious so I could tell how deeply they had been hit by Kalvin’s attack.

“So, who would come and check it?”

“....hold on.”

One of the guards left the watch tower and I can only assume he descended. The gates opened at the side and he came out. I handed the identity document and letter of recommendation over. After confirming my identity, he still looked very skeptical.

“I will deliver this to our leader. You can come back in three days.”

“Alright.”

It was a sensible enough request so I left. However, since what I came to do was done, there was barely anything else to do. I decided to look for information on what happened after the turmoil in the church.

The thing was, I had incurred the hatred of the grapevine in Rhonda so none of them were willing to talk or sell information to me. All I got were a few insults and stones to the head. It was pretty rude but I guess they were scared. I had been treated worse so I ignored it.

I strolled till I got to the center of the city. There was a fountain in the center of the city with a statue of Zerus from which water poured. Not too far from it, there was a stake which thankfully, didn’t look used frequently. I wondered if Kalvin did something about the lynching.

“Ahh, I want to know what happened!”

“... They say the prince subdued the church in the royal court and has brought them under the control of the royal court.”

Just behind me, I heard those words. The voice sounded familiar but the noise from the waterfall made it hard to tell. Since I sat at the edge of the fountain, the person was just a few inches away from me.

“What do you want in exchange for this information?”

“The prince extends his greetings. He says if you will, you should meet him here at midnight. He said he would wait as long as it takes.”

I really wasn’t surprised that Kalvin had found me. Even less surprised if he had men tail me the whole journey. There was no way he would let me go like that. Still, I couldn’t get offended. Not now.

I went back to the inn and decided to take a nap. I planned to return to the center of the city a few minutes before midnight struck so I slept till them. When it was well into the night, I jumped from my window. It was only a story high so I came out with only a few scratches.

I ran to the city center and found the path was lit up with lamps. The greatest illumination sat at Zerus’s crown which bathed the surroundings of the fountain with a crimson glow. Framed by this glow, he sat on the ridges of the fountain, staring into space.

“Waiting for someone?”

“Yes. A damsel.”

“I see. I am also waiting for someone.”

“Who?”

“Someone who would have the decency to agree with my personal choice. Oh, I forgot. Such a person doesn’t exist.”

“Darling, there is no need for you to get angry. I apologize. I just missed you so much, I could hardly wait to see you again.”

“That’s hardly an excuse! What if you ruin all I’ve been planning till this moment?!”

“Darling, I could never! That’s why I asked us to meet by midnight!”

“... What are you doing here?”

“I made a promise and I’ve come here to fulfil it.”

“Which is?”

“I promised to spar with you. Since you brought your weapon, we can fight right now.”

“You don’t have any weapons on you.”

“I think it’s best if I don’t. I truly don’t want to hurt you.”

“... Fine. I’ll be attacking first.”

I unsheath my sword, lifted it and charged at him. He dodged, hitting his palm against my lower back. It knocked the wind out of me for a moment and I stumbled. He took a normal stance and had an infuriating smile on.

I rushed at him again, this time more careful and aiming for a vital point. He avoided it once again and hit me on mid back, knocking me off balance. Throwing my sword away, I threw my daggers at him and watched as he flawlessly avoided all of them.

He drew closer like that until he was directly looking into my eyeballs. For that tiny moment, I felt intense fear like my life was going to end at that moment and I didn’t know if I was going to survive it. My hands moved and my daggers slashed at his palm. He jumped away in time to avoid it and gave an apologetic smile.

“Let’ end here today.”

“... Fine,” I agreed, breathing heavily. Kalvin was endlessly strong, that I could finally see. But he was still the biggest goof I knew, a man who had no business chasing after the things he wanted, like her.

“Have you proposed the competition yet?”

“I’m looking for the right time to bring it up. We are still rounding up the case with the church. I want them to be under our total control so we can start implementing laws. Even now, I can take you to see the Saintess.”

“No, we cannot do it like this. I will participate in the competition then get the chance to meet her.”

“I don’t know why you like to make life harder for yourself. Just know that I support you.”

“You also annoy me.”

“I think it is my divine duty.”

I looked at him and we both laughed.

“Were the lights your idea?”

“No. They were always here. They look a little eerie.”

“They do. Are you going to change this too?”

“Yes. I’ll provide this city center with the most beautiful lanterns so that many would remember the tale of two lovers who couldn't be together. We would become a legend. They’ll make songs about us…”

“I didn’t know it was possible to daydream in the midnight.”

“... I love you, Ariana.”

“... Thank you.”

“You don’t have to reply to me now. Just know that you’re the only one for me, now and for the rest of my life.”

“You should find someone to bear your children. After all, you’re the crown prince.”

“My position and everything else matters less when it comes to you. You’ll always be my one and only.”

Our lips touched. It wasn’t a magical moment like he wanted but it was definitely a night to remember for both of us.