The tea warmed her body, but Freya still felt the same, cold and brokenhearted. She took another sip from the cup, but the flavor of the tea eluded her tongue.
"Honestly, that was a bad plan" Timothy commented who was sitting in front of her. Lucia and Earl Mathias were also in the room.
"Not just bad, it was unnecessary" Earl Mathias added. He poured tea into his own cup and took a sip.
"Can the two of you mind your words? You are making her feel worse" Lucia said beside her. She gently patted Freya's shoulder. "Don't mind them Freya."
Freya caressed the table which was made of black oak. The surface of the table was smooth and firm. "No, it's okay Lucia. It's true anyway. I made a bad and unnecessary plan. Henry was on his way to recovery and I just didn't notice it. I made a huge mistake by being selfish, arrogant and impatient"
"Ah, yes. You made a mistake." Earl Mathias said while refilling all their cups. Both Timothy and Lucia waved their hands as a sign that they had enough tea. The Earl then looked at her "But everybody does, little Frey. Everybody is a sinner and nobody is perfect.
Freya already knew about that. But she was worried. She was afraid that Henry will hate her forever. She can't have that. Henry had become dear to her. Being hated by someone you care for was a torment. It was like being caged in a fiery prison. It was like seeing hope being snuffed out over and over again. The memories they had together can only be memories. All those moments she enjoyed with him can never be repeated. Walking around the city with him, hearing his vigorous and justice-driven remarks – she can't experience those anymore. He had become a big piece of her life and she was afraid of losing that piece.
Lucia dragged her chair closer to Freya. "I know what you're thinking. But don't worry, I don't think he will hate you forever. Right, Tim?"
Timothy leaned closer and looked at her. He was holding his cup with both hands. "That's right. Feelings change Freya. Hate can become love, love can become hate. Even enemies can become friends because emotions are dynamic."
He then slid the cup towards the Earl and asked for a refill despite refusing earlier. Earl Mathias poured tea into the cup and Timothy chugged it like it was wine.
He again looked at Freya. "When I first arrived in Knightsend, do you know the first person I saw was a drunk sentry? His name is John. I was so angry that time that I ordered the whole garrison to stand in the castle grounds all night. And then I looked at John. What I saw in his eyes was hatred. That hatred was directed to me. It was like he wanted to swallow me whole. It was like I massacred his whole family and robbed him of everything. Guess where he is now."
The room became quiet. Earl Mathias then turned towards Timothy. "Are you talking about Centurion John Wilkin? I just met him the other day. Half of his words were praises to you."
Timothy chuckled a little. "Is that so? Then there you have it. If John's opinion of me could change, I'm sure Henry could also forgive you. He is not a hateful person and your intention was good."
After hearing what Timothy said, Freya felt a little relieved. Maybe Henry could forgive her in the future. Even if they can't go back to the way they were, Freya would be contented just with Henry's forgiveness.
"I have a question though" Earl Mathias demanded Freya's attention. She looked at the Earl. "Do you love him?" he asked.
The question hit Freya hard. Up until now, she never considered her feelings for Henry. For all she knows, she still loves Timothy. Her heart was faster than her mind. For the past months, the pain of Timothy's rejection had gradually faded. She had slowly accepted that Timothy can never repay her love. And then Henry came to her life. All she wanted was to help him at first, but she found his company enjoyable. His firm belief in doing what is right completely matches Freya's caring nature. Little by little, Henry replaced Timothy in her heart.
She nodded.
*****************************************************************************
Henry was reading the book he recently bought. But even after reading the lines repeatedly, he understood nothing. The message behind the words escaped his mind.
He closed the book and put it on his desk. He then looked down and stared at the floor. He clutched his chest. It was still painful.
What Freya did truly hurt him. He trusted her. He thought that although this world is full of lies and deceit, at least he can trust someone. Freya had become his light. She had become his refuge.
But she lied to him. She tricked him. The more you trust someone, the more painful their betrayal will be. And Henry really trusted her.
Although he did say that he didn't want to see her again, that wasn't true. He was hurt, but he can't hate her. He will eventually forgive her but it will still take a while.
"Henry? Are you there?" a voice called from the other side of the door.
Henry went to the door and opened it. He saw King Timothy standing outside his door. They only talked once and that was before Timothy Castonia was hailed as King by the Western Nobles. Now that they met again, Henry didn't know how to address him. The man in front of him was a King.
Henry bowed "Your presence gives me joy Your Majesty. To what…"
"Oh stop it" Timothy interrupted him by waving his hand. "Nobody else is around so being formal only wastes time" he then gestured towards the room "Can we talk inside?"
"Of course" Henry answered. He then cleared his desk and offered King Timothy the single chair in his room.
King Timothy didn't sit and went to Henry's cabinet instead. "You've been collecting books." He then looked at Herny. "After I take Nirvana, you can borrow from my own collection. I know you refused me once but I'm just informing you that my offer still stands."
"Thank you King Timothy" Henry thanked him.
King Timothy sighed. "King Timothy, Your Majesty, that's how they call me nowadays. It takes time to get used to. Just address me as Timothy whenever we are alone."
Henry nodded. Although he wanted to show his respect to Timothy's rank, he can't ignore a King's request.
"So, what brings you here Timothy?" he asked.
Timothy smiled. "You know why I'm here"
Freya. He's here because of her. He must have heard about what happened, Henry thought. He sat on his bed looked at Timothy. "She told you?"
Timothy finally sat on the chair. He crossed his legs and leaned back. "She did"
"And what is your opinion of what happened? What do you think I should have done?" Henry asked.
"Oh me?" Timothy pointed at himself "I'm not in position to provide my opinions Henry. I'm just an observer. I can only tell you of my observations." He showed him three fingers "And I have three observations"
Timothy stood up and turned his back on Henry. "First, her plan was not a good plan. It worked for a while, but she was too careless."
Henry nodded. He felt a little relieved. Freya being bad at scheming and lying meant that she was still the same. She may have made a mistake but it wasn't her nature.
"Second" Timothy turned and faced him "Her plan was unnecessary because you are already in the process of recovering from your past."
Henry nodded again. Spending time with her eased his pain. She helped him see the beauty of life again.
"Third" This time, Timothy smiled. "She loves you"
Henry frowned. "Is that a joke? If it is, then it's not funny." He felt insulted that the man Freya truly loves was taking her feelings for granted.
Timothy chuckled "It's not a joke Henry. It's not an opinion either. It's an observation"
Henry clenched his fist. He was shaking. "An observation you say. You are the one in her heart!" he stood up and faced Timothy "You have the thing I wanted the most, but you dare say that!? How dare you take her feelings for granted? She's not a toy. She was hurt when you rejected her and now that's how you treat her feelings? Do you know how worried she was before your return? She said that she had trouble sleeping because she's worried about you!"
"That's because Freya and I have been friends for more than a decade Henry. Of course she was worried about me." Timothy interrupted. His voice was hostile "Oh, and fourth observation? You are a fool!" he pointed at Henry.
Henry was taken aback. But Timothy didn't give him time to breathe.
"Think Henry, think! Why would she do something like that? Why would she do something against her morals? She's not like that Henry and her actions surprised me. It's because of you. She cares for you. She wants you to be happy. I'm not saying that what she did was right. It was wrong. But I want you to know about the truth. You are the one belittling her feelings. It is apparent and you didn't notice it. Now it's my turn to ask, how dare you take her feelings for granted?"
Those words hit Henry like rocks. But he was thankful because those words opened his eyes. Timothy was right. Freya went against her morals because of him. Even if she doesn't love him, at least she cares. He is a fool!
"I..I didn't realize that until now" he said. "She.."
"She loves you Henry" Timothy completed. "Unfortunately she already left"
Henry's jaw dropped. "What?!" he exclaimed.
Timothy sighed. "We convinced her to stay but she said that she can't face you anymore. Well, you did tell her that the two of you shouldn't see each other again. She will go back to her father's fief. It's a shame though we.."
"Where is she now!?" Henry demanded answer from Timothy.
Timothy smiled "I think she's still in the garden bidding Earl Mathias goodbye. But I'm not sure. She may have already left."
Henry rushed to the door but Timothy called him one more time. Although he was in a hurry, Henry turned his head around.
"What?"
"After you're done, come to the dining hall. I have an offer for you"
Timothy's words were lost in Henry's head. He didn't understand him so he ignored what he said. All he can think of was Freya. He needs to prevent her from leaving.
********************************************************************************
Freya was running. After a while, she reached the garden. It was dark but she was frantically searching for someone. She needs to prevent him from leaving.
After Lucia informed her that Henry is leaving the villa, she did not waste time and ran to the garden. He can't leave, he needs to stay. Their story can't end like this.
She started looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found. She started to lose hope. She was too late.
Suddenly, someone embraced her from behind.
"Don't! Don't leave. Please!" Henry begged her. "I can forget what happened. We can return back to how we used to be. Just don't leave. I need you Freya. Don't leave me." He sobbed. Droplets of tears fell from his eyes.
Freya was confused but she smiled and enjoyed Henry's embrace. "What are you talking about? I'm not leaving. I'll never leave. I will stay by your side Henry." Freya comforted him.
She then turned around and looked into his eyes. She wiped his tears and was reminded of the first night she met him. "I'm sorry Henry. I really didn't mean to.."
Henry pressed his finger against her lips. "It's alright. Let's just forget about what happened."
"But we can't. I lied to you and betrayed your trust. What's done is done."
Henry embraced her again. "Then let's remember our mistakes Freya. We can't change the past, but we can look forward into the future. I want to be with you. I want to stay by your side until the end. Even though I'm not a knight anymore, I will protect you. I am yours Freya."
They kissed. Freya couldn't remember who made the first move but their lips ended up pressed against each other. It was beautiful. All of the heartaches, the disappointments and the tears were nothing compared to Henry's warmth. In the garden their hearts became intertwined. It was a kiss of forgiveness and a kiss of hope.
Life may not be perfect, but at that moment it was.