As dawn broke, Raphael stirred, opening his eyes. He looked down, seeing Ciel asleep in his arms. He studied her face, committing every detail to memory.
He eased himself out of bed, careful not to wake her. He dressed quietly, his movements silent. He paused briefly, looking back at her one last time before leaving.
He left a note on the bedside table, a simple 'thank you'. He hoped it would suffice.
Ciel woke up soon after he left. She searches for him, scanning the room with a sleepy gaze.
Not seeing any sign of him, she gets up from the bed until she notices his note. A frown appears on her innocent features as she reads it, afraid to understand what it means.
Ciel rushed outside of her cottage, hoping to be able to catch him before he left the enchanted forest completely.
Raphael was walking through the woods, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He had spent the night with Ciel, made love to her. And yet, he felt no regret, no remorse. If anything, he felt liberated.
He stopped suddenly, his heart pounding in his chest. He had forgotten something important - the reason he was here in the first place. He had to conquer the Enchanted Forest, to prove his worthiness to become king.
But as he stood there, surrounded by the beauty of nature, he wondered if it was all worth it. Was it truly necessary to destroy something so beautiful?
Raphael shook his head, dispelling the thoughts. He had a duty to fulfill, a destiny to fulfill. He turned around, heading back towards Ciel's cottage.
On his way back, he could see Ciel who was rushing towards him with a worried expression on her delicate features.
Her pink hair was floating behind her as she crossed her magical flower field, their petals brushing against her bare skin.
Raphael watched her approach, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what she was going to say, what she was going to ask. And he had an answer prepared.
"Ciel," he began, his voice soft. "I… I have to leave. There's something I must do."
He reached out, grabbing her hand. His grip was firm, unyielding.
"I don't want to, believe me," he continued, his voice choking with emotion. "But I have to."
He released her hand, stepping back. He looked down, avoiding her gaze.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
An upset frown appears on her face as she makes a step further towards him.
"If you really have to leave, then why did you come back?"
Her brown gaze was searching for his crimson one wishing to find the emotions she wanted to see in them.
"You said we would talk after resting. So, let's talk."
Ciel's eyes saddens as she looks down.
"You can't leave just yet. You haven't even fully healed."
Raphael sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew he shouldn't stay, knew he should leave immediately. But the look in her eyes, the sadness and disappointment, it tugged at something deep within him.
"I… I don't know," he admitted, his voice strained. "I guess… I guess I got caught up in the moment."
He looked up, meeting her gaze. His eyes were soft, tender.
"And as for healing…" he continued, a wry smile curving his lips. "I think I'll survive without another day of rest."
He stepped closer, reaching out to cup her cheek. His thumb brushed away a tear that had escaped, his touch gentle.
"I'm sorry, Ciel," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I truly am."
Ciel closes her eyes, tears falling as she feels her heart hurting deeply.
"I don't want to hear your apologies."
She admits in a weak whisper even if she couldn't help but lean in his touch.
"Not when it means that you will come back to conquer my realm and my people."
Raphael sighed, his heart heavy. He knew he had to leave, knew he had to keep his word. But hearing her words, seeing the pain in her eyes, it tore at him.
"I… I have to, Ciel," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "It's my destiny, my purpose."
He reached out, pulling her close. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him.
"But I don't want to hurt you," he whispered, his voice raw with frustration. "I never wanted that."
He pulled back, looking down at her. His eyes were soft, tender.
"I wish things could be different," he admitted, a wistful smile curving his lips. "But they aren't. And I can't change that."
Ciel shakes her head, tears still streaming on her cheeks.
"You're a liar. You did try to hurt me. And it's your doing if your people hate us."
She looks up at him with anger and frustration in her gaze. But mostly deep sadness and betrayal.
"It's because you loved killing, because you used to hate us so badly for no reason."
Ciel pulls away from his embrace.
"I could have ended you last night. But… I saved you. I saved you because I didn't want to become a murderer like you. I saved you because I hoped it could have changed your mind about all of this."
She looks down, her hands forming into fists.
"You make me have regrets."
Raphael flinched, his heart pounding in his chest. He had expected anger, perhaps even hatred. But the sadness in her voice, the pain in her eyes, hit him hard.
"I… I don't know what to say," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't change the past, Ciel."
He reached out, touching her cheek. His hand trembled slightly, his touch gentle.
"But I can promise you this," he continued, his voice stronger now. "I won't hurt you. Not intentionally."
He stepped back, releasing her.
"I have to go," he said, his voice strained. "But I want you to know… that last night… meant something to me."
With those parting words, he turned and walked away, leaving Ciel standing alone in the courtyard.