People do have different hands. Some have cold ones, some have warm, some are big and some are small, but Adviel's hands cover mine completely wrapping them like a blanket full of the sun's radiance.
When I first met him, all I know was, he could be heartless, like the mad dog that Charles had in my first life
But as I got to know him, he wasn't all that I have in mind. He could smile from the bottom of his heart, he could be funny if he wanted to, he is kind, and nice, and most of all, he's there to always protect me.
He's always there at my side
However, everything right now, at this time will have to change
The moment I knew that Charles wasn't able to come, and instead, I took a step in his shoes for coming to the palace instead, Adviel would forge a different path.
A path of righteousness, and I hope that him becoming an imperial knight won't let him change anything, especially the bond that we have created.
"Isabela, are you certain?" The tone he has felt like he could break any moment.
I hold onto his hands tightly reassuring him that my decision was final though no words wanted to come from my mouth, I gazed into the sun.
"Isn't there any other way we could change it? Do you really want to come to the capital inside the lion's den?" The persuasion in his voice is deep.
Any moment from now I could be convinced, I could leave everything behind, the revenge, the coldness, the predator of my past...
But I knew better, that I did those things, I'll never be able to find the truth.
Happiness is but a short term if the root of sadness isn't solved at all.
I wanted to believe that living in here, not minding about the past would make me happy, away from any pain.
But those beliefs will only stay as beliefs, and I know I will not find true happiness if I only remain in my comfort zone.
This is my comfort, Adviel beside me, my parents who are always there to support me, the people I care in this household and my hometown.
But no one can always remain in their comfort zone.
Eventually, people will break the shell of the place they feel at ease to know a greater good, to protect the ones they love
I know being a naive girl whose easily manipulated led me to my first life. A life I didn't think to outshine the light and hope that I was once.
Loving someone, a stranger, romantically is dreadful. Not knowing everything about them, and yet falling in love with them, is scary
Now that I was given a second chance at life, I sometimes wonder why people fall in love
Isn't it wrong to fall in love? Because falling in love means falling into the deep end. It's like no one will come and catch someone there
So I might as well ask myself what is love?
The love my parents had for me is different. I can sense comfort, ease, protection and safety.
But romantically loving someone is different. I don't get why people love someone whose wrong for them.
I get to understand this now and he made me learn it the hard way.
So for now, I don't know what love is, or true love was.
But one thing is for certain, the people I have come to care, I don't want to lose them at all.
At any cost, my parents, the people around and this young boy right in front of my eyes, I want to protect them.
I might have lost the game to someone I barely knew, but that doesn't change the fact that I would give up easily.
It just ignited a fire within me to win at any costs.
"So remember this, Adviel. Whenever you miss me, please hold into this," I gave him my embroidered handkerchief with my initials in them.
"Once we see each other again, I hope the leaves will turned red. And by that time, I have become a lady that's worthy to be your only master," patting his head before wiping away the tears flowing from his eyes, is everything I could do for the moment
I waited him to calm down before the wind swayed my hair
"Then please have this as well," he gave me a ring, where the color of my eyes reflected on it
"Please don't take it off anywhere you wear it," He pleaded and I chuckled putting it on my ring finger
"Then I won't!" I hugged him and he hugs back.
The garden we stayed was indeed peaceful, but our emotions weren't.
"One day, when we see each other again, I'll be a worthy knight serving you as my only master, Isabela," he kneeled in front and took my hand to kiss where the ring subsided.
The wind brushed against our clothes, but it touched my heart even more.
He took the oath of a knight to be, and all I could do was smile.
I know he will be, I know because I understand Adviel.
I believe in him.
***
Days passed and today is the time I'm going to head towards the imperial palace.
I'm going to leave this place, the only haven for me, and I don't know how long it might be, but I know it's worth the risk I'm taking.
Just to protect these people, I have to do what I have.
The knowledge I have, would serve as a weapon, and the actions I'll do would serve as a shield.
I know leaving this place makes me feel like dying twice
But I'm doing this for the people I care.
I don't want to see their smiles fade, or see their shadows no longer moving.
"Milady, it's time," Sonia and the others ushered me their goodbyes but I chuckle even though I knew it was wrong, for seeing them cry means like we'll never meet again.
"Silly!" I patted their heads and they all come to look at me.
"It's not like we're not going to see each other again! So for now I don't want any goodbyes okay? For now I want to hear the words see you later!"
I tried my best to smile to them while holding my luggage but, it seemed that I made them cry even harder.
Even my parents whom I visited earlier wanted to rebut the emperor saying every excuses they want just to let me stay here but I knew they were just kidding.
Though the amount of tears they shed is that equivalent like a rain flood.
They all hugged me as I said my words.
"I don't know how long will it take, but I guess this is not the end. So until then, see you later, everyone!"
I waived my hands as I headed towards the carriage.
Mother nearly fainted but I know father is with her holding her tightly.
Adviel was now sitting next to mine with his arms crossed over and legs as well.
I could see his eyes red, but I knew he needed time alone.
He would see that I got off to the imperial palace before he heads to the academy.
I could visit him whenever I wanted but it would mean that I should be granted permission first by the higher ups of the palace.
So even though we could live at a few distance away from each other, I could barely see him.
I heard him sigh before he gazed back to my eyes.
"Just be careful. You don't know the people there so I know you're not that gullible to trust them, especially those princes," his eyes pierced right through me and I nodded
He did the same thing before looking back at the outside
I observed him and he was in his knight in training attire, but one thing caught my eyes. It's the handkerchief that I've given him. It's folded nicely to the small pocket on his right chest
I couldn't help but feel like my heart's about to race.
All of a sudden, the carriage felt warm.
Time passed and night came, the journey to the capital is three days, and we were down on two days now.
We have to settle at a nearby inn. The innkeeper says that he could spare for two rooms only because the other rooms were full.
I don't want to horseman and the other loader to be left out of cold so I suggested that I got to have the same room with Adviel and the other two to take the second room.
At first everyone was shocked but I pulled Adviel with me saying he's my knight and everyone felt at ease.
I could see Adviel's ear turning red but I dismissed any ideas running through my mind.
Since it's night already, I prepared to wash while Adviel guarded the room.
"So you should sleep on the bed while I sleep on the couch, no buts Isabela," he said right after I took my shower
He was sitting nearby the window with legs crossed and a small book on his hand he was reading.
He sounded like father, when he had his strictness run over him.
But I nodded.
"Are you sure you're alright with that? Don't you want to share the bed with me?" I asked feeling hurt but to him, it sounded like it had a different meaning.
Since looking at him, I saw his face and ears turned red.
"No, and that's final!" The way he closed the book echoed and he stormed to go to the shower room.
I chuckled and set my bed to sleep before feeling the cold breeze against my cheeks.
"Good night Adviel!"
"Good night, My only master, Isabela..."
I didn't know how long Adviel took his shower but at least I heard him mumble his words.
The night might be long ahead, but a small smile formed through my lips and I felt the corners lift.
***
Two days passed and finally, I'm in front of the imperial household. The servants talked to me and the carriage was being carried inside.
But I took one last glance at Adviel and smiled at him before the carriage took off and now I was left all alone to a place that contributed a lot of painful memories from my first life.
"Welcome, Milady!" A butler came bowing to me
"The emperor was delighted to have you in here after his changed of mind. But he couldn't meet you for the moment since he's a little bit busy. Though rest assured that he instructed me," the butler paused
"My name's Radian, so please call me whenever you want something," he said bowing again.
"Thank you for the information Sir Radian. I'm still glad that his Majesty took his time to care for me through you. By the way, my name's Isabela Vermier," I curtsied and hearbed him chuckled with a nod.
"Then please follow me," he said.
I walked behind him, following his trail but my eyes kept on wandering around.
The palace is as huge as ever.
The fountain is still there, when it was Charles that took over, the fountain was nowhere to be seen.
It was replaced by a statue of the beautiful lady he admires, thinking it was me when it wasn't all along.
I was foolish back then.
The trees around seemed refreshing, and the walk seemed peaceful.
It was, until I saw a very familiar face passing through the hallway.
He had this luscious wavy silver hair, porceline skin and eyes that looked like blood, the very second prince of the Delavoix empire.
My feet suddenly became numb, was it because I saw him for the first time? But he doesn't seem to notice me when he passed by.
Still, the crazy beating of my heart, this unnecessary out of breath moment where I could lose the air inside my lungs, the sweating when I knew it was hot, everything felt like bringing me back to my execution.
It made me feel the pain back when he made me die a painful death.
"Lady Isabela, are you okay?" I felt a sudden hand on my back and looked at Radian.
I calmed down a bit since it was already a few minutes that passed since my encounter with Charles
"I'm fine," I said breathing out some air before chuckling.
"Okay, but if you're feeling unwell, you can talk to me anytime," he said with a smile and I did the same
"It's certain, Sir Radian," with that, he didn't question me again. Before I took my first step to follow the butler, I gazed once more at the hallways and I felt a bit empty.
Only when the wind swayed my hair did I start walking ahead, leaving a few trails to begin after that few minutes that gone stuck.
***
Charles' POV
So that scent, familiar as always have now come at my household.
Isabela Vermier, a name I wouldn't thought to give importance, if I weren't able to know you better that time.
Like this rose, stuck in a glass frame, I'll keep you away from withering, my lovely bloody red rose, Isabela.
All you have to do is live, and be mine for eternity.