Marcel stared at the picture of Carmilla in a locket. It was the dead of the night and he was about to take his leave before her father's men take him and banish him into a godforsaken place. His cheeks still sting a bit due to the punches and kicks Varsil Karstein's soldiers did on him. He was thoroughly beaten and bruised after their attack yet he did not retaliate even though he wanted to tear them down to shreds.
He caressed the image of his beloved with his thumb and grieved for their unfortunate love. He feels terribly lonely and despondent to leave her behind and it was worse than the pain he felt before he met her. Truth be told he does not want to abandon her however what sort of life can a blood demon like him provide for a girl like her. She deserves to be pampered among the lavish jewels and silk linens of her expensive family and not be chased down like a fugitive.
Perhaps leaving her was for the best. He's sure that Ruby will take very good care of her. Even though he doesn't really know her, Marcel is sure that she's a woman who will go through the lengths of the earth just to protect the ones that she loves so he was somewhat assured that Carmilla will be in good hands.
He sighed before closing the pendant and hanging it around his neck. He grabbed his suitcase and was about to jump from the window and spread his wings however a sudden knock from the door stopped him.
Surely this cannot be Lord Karstein's men, it's still 2 in the morning and they wouldn't knock and just break down the door so this made him curious. He dropped his suitcase on the floor and proceeded to open the door to see who the person is.
"May I come in?" His eyes widened due to his unexpected visitor. His jaw nearly dropped due to how remote this possibility is and yet she's here.
Ruby pulled the crimson hood covering her head to reveal her gentle face. She stood in front of him looking at him straight in the eyes while a bright crimson cloak covered her shoulders.
"Lady Pendragon, it's a pleasure to see you. Yes of course. Please come in." He didn't detect any hostile intent from her like the last time so he stepped aside to accommodate the lady who was very much smaller than him yet she carried herself with so much grace and splendor.
"I would offer you a drink however I have nothing as of the moment."
"I understand don't worry I won't linger long. I just need to talk to you about something."
"What do you want to speak to me about?"
"King Varsil had imprisoned Carmilla in the highest tower of the Castle and I was the one who received your letter and read it. I'm sorry, though I handed it to her before leaving. Even though those were merely words I was able to measure how much you really love her and the longing that she had for you made me realize how much she loves you." Ruby paused for a while before looking back at Marcel who had an unreadable expression as he looked at the ground.
"I love Carmilla and I love her more than anything else in the world even though she no longer feels the same way for me. I don't want to subject her into a relationship where she'll never be happy, where she'll always think about what could have happened if she was with you... I love her too much to put her to such torture." Ruby went by the window, turning her back from him and gazed out into the sleeping city blanketed by fog and darkness with melancholy in her eyes.
"I've always thought that she belongs in the bed of roses of nobility, among gold and gems and fancy soirees but... if she was happier with you perhaps it's with you where she truly belongs." Ruby extended her hand offering him the rose that he had recently placed on Carmilla's window as she gazed at him with a sincere look on her eyes, laced with sadness and acceptance.
"What are you trying to tell me?" He asked in confirmation as he reached out for the flower.
"Go to her. I want you to go to her and save her from that place. She doesn't belong to be locked up in a cage like an animal. She deserves to be free and to be able to spread her wings." Ruby went near him and held his hand into her smaller ones and looked at him with glassy eyes filled with pain as well as determination.
"I love her the most, that's why I'm willing to let her go. I want you to rescue her and make her happy. Like I never could." A pained smile stretched across her lips as a single tear fell from her eye.
Marcel could only stare at her in astonishment. He was moved by her words but more so by the immense feelings her pure heart could pour out into the world. Her love was kind and unselfish and it was truer than anything he had ever seen. This girl had more kindness in her tiny fingers than any other human being in their whole bodies. He was astounded that a mere human could be this ungreedy. He had always thought that they were all selfish and cruel but this girl and Carmilla were the kindest and purest beings he had ever seen in his entire life. Perhaps there's still something good from this race. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"I promise you, Lady Ruby. I will treat her like a queen. I will love her with all the love there is in the world. And I will send my heart out just to protect her. I assure you this." He vowed, giving her a very warm smile.
"Thank you and here. You're going to need this to start a new life." Ruby placed a bag filled with diamonds and gold in his hand.
"Thank you very much, my lady. I will never forget your kindness."
"You should go now. I don't want her locked up in that cage any longer." Ruby smiled and pulled her hood over her head before heading towards the door. She paused and turned back around to face him once more.
"I know that we might never see each other again but please tell Carmilla that I always wish her the best and that I'm happy whatever she chooses to do. Farewell." she said before vanishing into the corridor and out into the night.
The smile on Marcel's face faded as he looked outside of the window towards the direction of Castle Styria. Ruby was right. He shouldn't surrender to anything stopping him and run away like a coward. He should fight for his love even if it's against the world.
He didn't waste any more time and flew into the dark night to save his princess with the pale full moon as his only guide. The cold biting wind kissed his cheek but it didn't matter. Nothing will stop him from rescuing the woman that he loves.
However, unlike him, Carmilla seemed to have given up as he found her bathing in her own blood. She had taken her own life while wearing her wedding gown and holding his letter tightly in her cold dead fingers. He couldn't feel anything but remorse due to his late arrival. He was so enraged with himself for not coming sooner. He picked her body and flew back into the darkness, holding her dearly in his arms as they traveled to eternity.
Carmilla awakens to find herself nestled in Marcel's solemn embrace as he stares at her with eyes filled with kindness and tenderness. She soon discovered that her body was no longer warm and her skin had turned as pale as his as if she was a corpse. That's when she realized that he never abandoned her. He came back and revived her with his blood so that they could be together forever.
She lifted herself up and sat on his lap before cupping his cheeks and kissing him full of passion and longing. Time seemed to have stood still as they felt that they were the only people in the world. Nothing can separate them ever again as they shared their love in eternity.