I rushed inside the temple as soon as the door closed behind me.
My heels clacked on the carpeted floor.
I had left the party when the trumpets were blown to announce the king's arrival. I didn't even bother to greet His Majesty the King. Lucian's eyes were begging me not to leave. But he didn't say anything. He simply sent me away with one last embrace.
The embrace was tight and long as if he didn't want to lose me. I also don't want that.
However thinking about Claudina who has done so much for me, I had to do it.
He gave a small peck on my cheek. "Whatever may come I will only love you."
I cupped his face with my hands. "Thank you Lucian."
I promise to tell you my true feelings one day. Because if I were to say them, I am sure you will look away with disgust for falling in love with a vile woman.
However if you accept the true me a heinous criminal I promise to be yours for eternity.
So I will hurt you one last time before I am gone from your memories.
With the last brush of the cheek I left him with both our hears bleeding for the other.
As I was making my way towards the exit I had signaled Lord Chronos to follow. At first I was worried if he saw me but he rolled his eyes in my direction and gave a curt nod.
I walked in the darkened hallways trying to find the way to the prayer room.
At last I found a door handle. I twisted it and to my relief it was the prayer room. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
The prayer room had empty pews as everyone was busy outside. Moon light shone through the stained windows casting an array of warm colors on cold white marble. Gold statues built in the marble had thin ropes of creepers inching in together. In the very front was an altar on top of the raised platform. Behind the altar were high hanging curtains. Usually the curtain is closed like today but on certain days the plush purple curtains is moved to show the stone image of Lord Chronos in his true form.
I sat down on one of the wooden pews.
It was freezing inside. It is nearing autumn but I guess winter is coming early this year.
The gold tussles of the curtains swayed from the wind. I shivered. I drew my knees to my chest and rubbed my hands together.
Will the harvest festival and Snow festival be co joined this year? I pressed my face in crossed arms. Not like I celebrated any of them when Claudina was gone. I got a lot of backlash for not going. They believed for the first few years that I was Claudina's accomplice who would help her get back in power.
From the moment we met, she took me under her wing. Every time Mother would be in a fit Claudina would stop her. In the occasional moments she was not able to she would dress my clumsily wrapped bandages. She would gently stroke it afterwards and somehow the pain would disappear. She would also make threats about killing Mother.
She once heard about me trying to leave my manor when Mother attacked me with candle stick and made me stand out in the rain. No one had helped me in fear of incurring Mother's wrath and Claudina had been away to visit her aunt. Father was the one who let me in after he came back from the Capital. I recall them having the worst fight.
After I got well I heard that Claudina had repeatedly came over with a sword. She would stalk Mother while swinging it carelessly around her and made sure Mother or her maids entered my room. Apparently she left on horseback the moment the news reached her ears. Although I thanked her she bemusedly stared at me.
When Mother died she made me live with her in her manor during the mourning period. She continued to invite me to her manor until everyone assumed I just lived with her. She made the rumors true by making her manor my permanent residence. She helped me during my debut and continued to look out for me in high society.
Even after the incident she still made sure nothing happened to me though I found out about this after she was banished. So many rumors spread about her when she summoned a demon before she went to exile.
I closed my eyes. Soon time will be reversed. No strange rumors about Claudina will spread. Her pretty black hair that she was fond of whose color was taken away by the demon will return instead of that strange white color.
And soon I will meet Claudina but she won't remember me.
Ouch. My heart stung.
Claudina will never remember me. No one will. I would have never met any of them.
Tears threatened to spill out. Will I be able to bear that?
Claudina's tear streaked face passed through my memories.
I have already resolved my decision. In order for no one to get hurt because of me I will bear whatever pain I have to carry. Rather than Claudina or anyone dying, it's better if no one remembers me.
No matter how much it kills me from the inside.
"It's awfully cold in here." I turned in my seat. Lord Chronos was pushing away the curtains to get through. He glanced at where I was seated before looking at the altar. I stood up in understanding and walked toward to the altar.
He stood before me while I looked up at him.
"Now you said something ridiculous and the more I thought I about it the more absurd it sounds." He waved his hand as if dismissing it for good.
"It's not. You said you would listen to my reasoning," I said.
"Something of mere passing should be of no value. Now come the King requires both of our presence."
"NO! You should hear me out first."
"Child, do you think Claudina wants you to reverse time?"
My month closed.
"She doesn't want anything like that. You of all people should know how much she hates being pitied."
He reached for me but I slapped his hand away. He looked at the fresh red mark I left.
"I want to save Claudina. No matter the price I will pay it. So please reverse time for me."
He clenched his slapped hand into a fist. "Ophelia Crescent can you really pay the price for a reversal?" His voice turned cold.
"Yes."
He laughed. A high pitched cold laugh.
"Amusing. Truly amusing."
I frowned. "If you won't then I will find another way to reserve time."
He immediately stopped laughing. "Careful human! The water you dare to tread is not what it seems."
"I will do whatever it takes to save Claudina," I said with no hesitation.
"You wish to reveres time so that you can save Claudina right? When the two demons attacked," he sneered. "Forget it. You are strong but you have yet to receive the Final Blessing. You won't be able to defeat two demons. Claudina will die more quickly with you around. She won't be able to fight while protecting you."
"I know." It hurts knowing Claudina would still protect me.
"If you know then that's good. So come no-" "But I want to revere time back to where Claudina and I never met. I want to re start everything."
Lord Chronos' eye twitched. "They won't remember you."
"Precisely. That way they will never meet an Evil like me."
He was silent for a long time. "You still…consider yourself as evil?"
"There was never a time when I didn't."
"Oh Claudina, it seems you have failed." His grey eyes darkened in emotion.
Claudina failed? Failing is something that doesn't exist in Claudina's dictionary. Lord Chronos has no idea what he is talking about.
"Lord Chronos, what do you mean?..." I was confused.
"Why is it you wish to reserve time?"
He's going to listen to me! "To save Claudina. To make sure she does not have to suffer anymore. I want her to live."
He creased the hourglass "Hmm. What will you do if I still don't reverse time?"
"…Then I will find a way to reveres time." I could feel vines popping in my head. Why won't he let me?! If you need a saintess with a more pure heart, there are ten thousand more! I am not the only one! "Or better yet I kill you and assume the position of the god of time."
I don't care if he is a god! I will do whatever there is need to be done to let Claudina live. I will slaughter a god if needed then let Claudina go through all that.
Lord Chronos was staring at me. "You and Claudina aren't sisters now are you?"
"No. Both of us are from different lineage." I wasn't bewildered by his question. Many people would mistake us for being siblings during the rare moments I would behave like Claudina.
"Then why is it that you speak of the same things Claudina said before she reversed time for you."
My anger ebbed away.
What did he say?
Claudina…reversed time…for me?
She… did?
Why…?
"…What are you talking about?"
"Perhaps I should being where it all started."