She's gone. My mother is gone. The realization crashed over me like a tidal wave. Death, what was death again? The finality of it all hit me like a thunderbolt. No matter how much I called out for her, she wouldn't return.
Tears streamed down my face, my cheeks dampened by their passage. Suddenly, the world around me seemed to be still. The birds ceased their song, and the brook's gentle flow silenced. Or was it just that I couldn't hear them anymore? The warmth of the sunlight that once comforted me now felt suffocating, scorching my skin. I struggled to breathe, each inhalation a battle against an invisible force.Clutching my chest, I felt a pain unlike any other. It was as if my broken heart was manifesting as physical agony. Collapsing to the ground, I grasped onto the grass as if it were my lifeline.Then, a presence enveloped me, a comforting embrace that momentarily eased my anguish.
A comforting embrace enveloped me, and I tilted my head, there she was, my Mother. But why would they lie to me?
"Seutsui... Breathe. Do you hear me?" I was breathing... now she's here again, and everything will be fine. We will be fine. We'll live as we did before. Before we met them...
"Muffin, I need you to listen to me, okay?" Someone shook me gently, but Muffin? That's not right. She doesn't call me by that name. I hesitated to close my eyes, fearing she would vanish. I longed to inhale her familiar soft scent, but all I could smell was an unfamiliar blend of vetiver and tobacco. Slowly, I opened my eyes, only to find Edward in Mother's place, reality crashing down on me like a weight.
"I'm trying... but it hurts," I choked out
This can't be happening! I struggled taking short uneven breaths not wanting to collapse.
"Damn it, Seutsui! Look at me!" he yelled.
Both of them vied for my attention, but all I could hear was some muffled sounds.
"I'm sorry, Muffin," were the last words I heard before I took a hit on my neck and darkness claimed me, perhaps where my mother awaited me.
...
[3rd person P.O.V]
"She didn't die! Why the fuck would you tell her that?" Edward's voice thundered with fury as he scooped Seutsui from the ground, holding her protectively in one hand while gripping Saitous's shirt with the other."Do you think I wanted to do that? Break her like that? Hm?" Saitous recoiled, his tone defensive. "Adelio took her. She was dead the moment he saw her. Trust me, the kindest thing we could do for that little girl was spare her false hope," he explained, though the regret weighed heavy in his voice. Edward's anger simmered, though deep down he knew Saitous had made the best decision in a dire situation.
"I swear to god, if you do something like this again without asking me, I will not hold back," Edward warned, his eyes blazing with intensity.
With Seutsui cradled in his arms, Edward retreated into the house, unwilling to face anyone, not even Saitous. Gently laying her on her bed, he couldn't bear to see her battered form. He longed to erase her pain, the fact that he couldn't, made him want to burn the whole world until it was only her so no one could hurt her.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "I want you to read this," Saitous offered, extending an old book—an intricate diary with weathered pages.
"Get out of here, Saitous, before I do something I might regret later," Edward growled, his frustration boiling over. Saitous sighed, placing the diary on a nearby table before departing.
"I don't want to act like I don't know about anything, Edward," Saitous paused, his gaze steady. "Despite her age, I know how you feel about her," he pointed to the book. "So if you want to know more about her, you'll read this." That caught Edward's attention "And remember, now we are all she has."
Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, Edward pocketed the diary before grabbing his sword and heading to the training grounds. He needed to release his pent-up frustration, to unleash the storm raging within him.
***
Edward sat on the swinging chair, his gaze fixed on Seutsui as moonlight bathed her form in a soft glow. In the stillness of the night, gentle whimpers escaped her lips."Mother..." she whimpered, lost in the depths of her dreams. Edward leaned in slowly, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. His attention drifted to the book beside him, now revealed to be Anipe's diary. He traced the intricate patterns of its cover. Feeling the urge to no more about Seutsui he turned to the first battered page.
...
[Anipe's diary]
[7 years ago]
Month: Gyist, Day: Plyrurd
In the kingdom of Meqicaea within the vast expanse of the Heiden Empire, my unwavering loyalty has always belonged to my queen. Even amidst the power and splendor of the six kingdoms, it is her presence that holds my heart captive. Though she is now a queen by marriage to King Baron for a year and a half, I find it difficult to shake the habit of calling her "miss."
From the moment she took me under her wing in my youth, I never imagined our bond would deepen to such an inseparable extent. I would traverse realms for her without a moment's hesitation.
Lately, a shadow of unease has dimmed her radiant spirit. The longing for an heir for the kingdom weighs heavy upon her. In my eyes, this is solely King Baron's failing, for my beloved miss is flawless in every aspect.
Do not misunderstand me; my reverence for him knows no bounds, both as her husband and as my sovereign. He possesses unparalleled abilities, conjuring wonders with a mere gesture. Yet, I cannot help but envy the privilege bestowed upon royal blood, granting dominion over the creation of any unliving thing itself. If only my dear miss shared in such power.
The struggle for an heir sparks tensions that strain even the strongest bond. the pressure seeping through people and the imperial family wasn't consoling either.
Last night's altercation bore witness to their anguish, and I, faithful attendant, could only listen from the shadows, yearning to aid them in their plight. "Please, dear gods, guide them to happiness."
***
Seutsui's eyelids felt heavy as warm sunlight kissed them. Yesterday's events seemed surreal, like a fleeting dream. She wiped away her tears with determination. Was this it then? Should she simply forget and move forward? Tears threatened to overwhelm her once more. A sudden knock on the door jolted her from her reverie, but she remained motionless, lost in her thoughts.
"You should eat something," Edward's voice was gentle as he knelt beside her bed, tray in hand. Being constantly near her while battling his own demons wasn't easy. He placed a bowl of soup on her lap, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"I don't want to eat! Can't you see?" Seutsui snapped, her frustration evident. "If it weren't for you two, she could still be alive, with... me... here." She pushed the bowl away, her grief palpable.
"I know, Muffin. I know. But you need to eat," Edward sighed, placing the bowl back on her lap. She grabbed it and hurled it across the room with force, the contents scattering upon impact. Seutsui's stubbornness was causing her health to deteriorate. Edward could see it in her sunken eyes and pale complexion. Her last meal was yesterday morning, left unfinished. This stubbornness had to stop. her little attitude was not gonna keep her alive. He felt no frustration or anger, only a need to ensure she ate.
"Look at me," Edward commanded. Seutsui refused to meet his gaze. He gently grasped her jaw, not forcefully but with authority. She attempted to push him away, tears welling in her eyes" I said, look at me." he tugged on her chin as she glared, a hint of fear present.
"Now, you gonna eat every single thing in this tray like a good girl. Do you understand, Seutsui? " Authority seeping through. She glared. "I asked you A question little one" He slowly tugged again on his grip on her jaw. She slowly nodded tears streaming.
...
As she finished her meal, Edward's authoritative demeanor softened. He didn't move until she had eaten every bite, then slowly took the tray away.
"Do you want to go outside, Muffin?" His voice was gentle. She shook her head slowly, not wanting to upset him.
"I can show you how to fight if you want," he offered, ready to leave with the tray.
"Can't you just let me be, Edward?" Seutsui murmured, frustrated and lacking energy, her voice trembling.
"Rest, Muffin. You need it," he said before quietly leaving the room. Seutsui covered herself and wept herself to sleep, and Edward, unsure of how to console her, departed.