[Anipe's diary]
Month: Sryfekix, Day: Haass
Last eve, beneath the moon's watchful gaze, King and my mistress engaged in yet another heated exchange, their words a tempest that threatened to engulf us all. But unlike previous nights, a fragile peace descended upon them, born from the embers of their fiery disagreement. They made up but if only I had known before... King and she, in their desperation, had decided to turn to magic from realms beyond our own, striking a perilous bargain with forces unseen. and that is not a wise thing to do. Magic from another world considered black magic using fate will bring us destruction. To court such dark arts. For the forbidden magic they are seeking in the realm of beyond Meqicaea, there will be a price chosen by fate we may soon be forced to pay. You won't know when or how but we will have to face the consequences if you use them. Sooner rather than later.
And so, dear diary. Their steps echoing in the corridors of fate, they risk not only their own souls but the very fabric of our existence.
May the heavens heed my plea.
***
Reading the whole diary took Edward a long time. Anipe had written in that diary throughout her entire life, right up until the day she had it. As he carefully turned each page, he found that each entry unraveled a piece of the puzzle that had long confounded him, shedding light on the mysteries that had shrouded her past and, by extension, his own. The revelations within these pages were profound, each one offering a new perspective, a new truth that Edward had never known.
Yet, despite the clarity these revelations brought, Edward found himself at a loss. The wealth of new information, while illuminating, left him grappling with the question of what to do next. The truths he had uncovered were powerful, but they also carried with them a burden of responsibility. The path forward was far from clear. Edward closed the diary, his mind swirling with the weight of what he had learned, as he saw Saitous approaching.
"Did you read it all?" Saitous sat beside him on the training ground. "Yes, I did," Edward sighed, his voice heavy with the weight of the revelations. Saitous grabbed the book from him, turned to a page, and put it back on Edward's lap.
"Then you probably know what she wanted, right?" Hearing this, Edward's face turned menacing. "Are you out of your fucking mind! Are you implying sending her to that hell of a castle?" Edward stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing with fury. "Listen, Edward! She has a right to know!" Saitous stood up, matching his intensity.
"Yes. Yes, she has!" Edward chuckled darkly. "But not yet. She's a goddamn child, for fuck's sake." He ran his hand through his brow, still wet from training minutes ago. "And she thinks her mother died a week ago." He took a menacing step toward Saitous. "And you want me to tell her that her whole life has been a lie?"
"Listen, Edward," Saitous started. "No! You listen. You will not step out of your line, and you will not tell her anything until I figure out what to do." Edward strode toward the house, feeling frustrated. Just as he was about to open the door, it swung open. There stood Seutsui, wearing one of Edward's training shirts, the hem almost grazing the ground, and a red cloth wrapped tightly around her head.
...
"Edward, I need you to teach me how to fight." She rested her fists on either side of her hips, her determination evident. Edward and Saitous stood there, dumbfounded. Saitous chuckled to himself, then approached Edward and whispered in his ear, "You can't hide her from who she is, Edward."
Edward's face tensed, his eyes flaring. "Go. And. Change," he growled. "But you're going to teach me, right?" Seutsui's lips turned into a frown, her resolve unwavering. Edward's gaze softened, something piercing through his frustration. "Go change and come back, Muffin. You can't fight with that on," he smiled genuinely, his voice tender. He couldn't let her down the minute she decided to embrace her humanity after days of being a mere shadow of herself. Despite his obsessive need to shield her, Edward understood that he couldn't protect Seutsui from her own destiny forever. He knew that, at some point, she would need to know the truth about her past and her mother. When that moment arrived, whatever her decision might be, Edward was determined to ensure she would be ready.
"But I thought this looked smart," she pouted, then turned and went to her room. He would do anything to keep her safe, anything to ensure she never faced the dangers of the castle or the truths of her lineage until she was ready.
...
As he watched her return, now dressed in proper training attire, Edward felt a surge of pride and a pang of fear. She looked like a little warrior, ready to crush her enemies and save everyone. But who was going to save her? He was going to save her.
Edward's heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of protectiveness as he watched Seutsui stand before him, her spirit was fierce, her resolve unyielding, and yet, beneath that warrior exterior, he saw the vulnerable girl he wanted more than anything in the world.
"Now tell me, Muffin, what do you want to learn?" Edward asked, his voice gentle yet firm. He walked toward the training ground, with Seutsui following closely behind him. Seutsui's eyes sparkled with determination, a stark contrast to the childlike attire she had donned moments ago. "I want to learn how to fight, Edward. I want to be strong, like you, and protect..." she sighed. "The... people I love" she declared.
Edward turned to face her, his expression softening as he took in her earnestness. "Alright, then. We'll start with the basics. But remember, it's not just about strength—it's about discipline, strategy, and heart." His eyes bore into hers
As they reached the training ground, Edward began to demonstrate the fundamental stances and movements, his every motion precise and controlled. "Remember, Muffin, each movement has a purpose," Edward said, guiding her through a series of punches and blocks. "Your power comes from within, from your core. Focus on your breath, your balance." Seutsui nodded, her face scrunched in concentration as she practiced.
"Now, with the second movement, I want you to hit my palm as fast and hard as you can, hm?" Edward bent down on one knee and extended his palms toward Seutsui, his eyes locked onto hers with a mixture of encouragement and challenge.
Seutsui nodded, her expression one of fierce. She positioned herself as Edward had taught her, her feet firmly planted on the ground, her fists clenched tightly. "Extend your legs more and bend your knees a little deeper," Edward commanded. He moved closer, his leg brushing hers as he positioned it to the side. His hands lingered on her slender shoulders, gently but firmly pushing her down to adjust her stance.
"Feel that?" he asked his tone firm but laced with a tender undertone. "You need to be grounded, Seutsui. I want you to feel the earth beneath you, to draw strength from it."
Seutsui looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of respect and something deeper. "Like this, Edward?"
Edward held her gaze for a moment, his expression softening then hardening knowing that he should control his feelings at least for her sake. He returned to his position, never taking his eyes off her.
"Perfect," he murmured, his voice low Drawing a deep breath, she focused all her energy on the movement. " Now, show me that power. I want to see you at your best."
"Remember to use your whole body, not just your arm," Edward instructed, his voice calm and steady. "Let the power come from your core."
She launched forward for another punch, her fist aiming for his chest. Edward deftly caught her wrist, pulling her close in a fluid motion. His grip on her was firm, as he held her against him.
"Your strength is growing," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "But you need to focus more. Feel your power, control it." He released her, his hands lingering on her waist for a moment longer. Seutsui took a step back, her heart pounding. "I'll try again," she said.
Resetting her stance, with a swift, powerful motion, Seutsui struck his palm, her small fist connecting with a surprising force. Edward's hand tingled from the impact, a smirk spreading across his face. "Good, very good!" he praised. "Again. Harder this time. I want you to hit my palm like it's the only thing keeping you from harm." she nodded.
Seutsui's eyes narrowed in concentration as she reset her stance. She threw another punch, this one even more forceful than the last, her movements becoming more fluid and confident with each strike.
"Excellent, Seutsui! You're getting stronger already," Edward encouraged, adjusting his stance to give her a slightly different target. "Now, try combining the punch with a step forward. Use your momentum."
Seutsui followed his guidance, stepping into the punch with a fierce intensity that belied her small frame. but she missed the shot, impact flying her onto Edward's hard chest. He caught her by the waist, and she felt... his grip firm and possessive? pulling her close against him.
"Easy there," Edward murmured, his voice low as he chuckled. "Focus, but don't lose control." His hands lingered on her waist. Seutsui looked up at him, her breath hitching at the closeness. "I'm sorry," she whispered, feeling a rush of warmth.
"Don't apologize," he said, his gaze intense as he held her securely. "I want you to feel my presence, to know that I'm here to catch you whenever you fall." His fingers tightened slightly on her waist.
She nodded, her heart pounding from more than just the training. But why? What is this she feeling? "Thank you, Edward," she replied, her voice soft.
His eyes darkened his control slipping. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "You belong to me, Seutsui." Seutsui felt a shiver run down her spine at his words. "Let me go, Edward! And stop saying that!" She tried pushing him but his grip was firm not budging.
after a second Edward pulled back slightly like he was unstrained from a trance of ropes his eyes locking onto hers. "Good. Now, let's try again. This time, use that intensity but stay controlled." He said smirking, ignoring her little tantrum.
...
The sun had set, leaving the training ground bathed in the soft glow of twilight. Seutsui had been practicing tirelessly. Edward watched her from a distance. As she paused to catch her breath, he approached her slowly, his steps purposeful yet hesitant. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright with exertion.
"Seutsui," he said softly. "You've done well tonight." She smiled at him, a tired yet content expression gracing her features. "Thank you, Edward.
He reached out a hand, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as he traced the line of her jaw. "You've worked hard," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth "Let us stop for today"
Before she could protest, he leaned in close, his lips brushing against her forehead. What was he doing? he had ignored her the whole time before his father arrived and now this. She was confused.
As he pulled back, he reached for a nearby towel, dipping it into a bucket of cool water. He wrung it out before carefully approaching her again. "Here," he said softly, draping the damp towel over her shoulders. The sensation was both refreshing and soothing, the coolness seeping into her skin and easing the ache of her muscles.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the evening breeze.
He smiled a rare expression that softened the intensity of his gaze. She couldn't read this man and his actions. Will she ever be able to? Seutsui followed Edward into the house her eyes already closing.