Chereads / Twelve Thrones: Maranona / Chapter 6 - Rest

Chapter 6 - Rest

1217-01-26

Today's the day, I thought, jolting out of bed.

Thursdays are our days off—a time for rest, a celebration of King Milton and the day his daughter was born. Some nobles call it "The Jewel of Balance," after the nickname King Milton gave her.

His prized jewel, his daughter. She was born on the 22nd of May a few years ago, and ever since, we've seen less and less of King Milton.

My father used to tell me stories about King Milton. He said he was a leader and a warrior, but after his perfect daughter was born, everything changed. The country slowed to a halt, and Thursdays became days of rest in her honor.

Not that anyone complains. Before her birth, soldiers trained relentlessly, day after day, making pacts as soon as possible. Now, pact ceremonies are held only once a year, and King Milton personally oversees them. He's too busy managing alliances with countries like Nor to the north or Tobe to the west.

I got out of bed, preparing myself, slipping into a small dress I'd brought with me—the same one I wore on orientation day.

Should I wear something else? I wondered aloud.

It's been a week since I arrived here, and Jay and I have become really close. A few days ago, Agatha noticed. She suggested I invite him to Lake Anitus.

I was nervous.

So nervous but excited.

We planned it so Agatha would pretend she was busy, leaving just the two of us. I'd never felt this way before.

I left my room, finding Agatha wearing a small red jacket that matched her crimson hair. She looked every bit the noble she was, her hands carrying a small basket filled with food and a blanket. Beneath my dress, I'd hidden a swimsuit—just in case he wanted to go swimming.

"Thanks," I whispered to her. 

We left the room. Making our way to the spot where we'd told Jay to meet us. My heart raced with every step. What if he thinks this is silly? Even the air around me seemed heavier, carrying my thoughts like they were too loud.

Agatha walked beside me, calm as ever, holding the basket. When we reached the field, Jay was already waiting.

He stood tall. The sunlight catching on his black hair. He wore a simple white shirt. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His trousers were tucked into his boots. In his hands, a small package wrapped in brown paper. Tied with string.

Agatha waved. "Jay! Sorry, I can't stay. Something came up," she said with a smile.

Jay glanced at me, his lips curling into a soft, excited grin. "That's fine." 

He shifted his weight slightly, holding the package more firmly as if suddenly self-conscious.

Agatha handed me the basket and the blanket. "Here you go," she said, lowering her voice. "You'll be fine. Have fun."

I barely had time to thank her before Jay stepped forward. "Here, let me take those," he offered, reaching out. His fingers brushed mine as he took the blanket and basket, his touch warm and steady.

"Thanks," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks flush.

Together, we started down the hill toward Lake Anitus. The path wound through a small thicket of trees. It was quiet. The kind of peace that wraps around you like a blanket.

The lake came into view. It was breathtaking. The surface shimmered under the midday sun.. A few groups were scattered around the shore. They were far enough apart to give us privacy.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

Jay glanced at me, his eyes warm. "Yeah, and you are."

My stomach twisted. A nervous excitement bubbling up inside me

We found a quiet spot near the edge of the lake. He set down the blanket. Smoothing it out on the soft grass, and placing the basket on top.

We knelt down.

I looked over at Jay as he unpacked the food Agatha and I had prepared. Inside the basket were sandwiches wrapped neatly in cloth, fresh fruit—apples and berries—a small jar of honey, some cheese, and a couple of waters. 

"Did you make this?" he asked, unwrapped one of the sandwiches.

"Yeah," I said, hesitating a little.

He smiled and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. "It's really good."

Relief washed over me, and I smiled back. "I'm glad you like it."

I'm sorry, I thought.

We sat on the blanket. The lake glistened in the background.

I admired him as he admired the lake. He seemed perfectly at ease..

We finished the meal. I couldn't help but mirror his contented smile.

"That was so good," he said, leaning back on his hands.

"It really was," I replied softly.

Silence fell between us. Yet it wasn't uncomfortable. We just looked at each other, the sound of the water and the soft rustle of the trees filling the space.

Jay was the one to break the quiet, his voice steady and warm.

"Here, your book's back," Jay said, handing me the package. 

"What did you think?" I asked, keeping the package sealed for now. Considering where we were, I didn't want to risk opening it. "You mentioned you agreed with a lot of his points."

Jay nodded. "I did. But this one feels a lot different from the first."

"I agree," I said. "It's more theoretical."

He leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "I've never had a dragon pact, so I'm not sure what he means by 'bound by its power and death.'"

"Same," I interjected. "But we gain the powers of the dragons, don't we?"

"But do we also die when they do?" he murmured, almost to himself.

"What do you think of dragons?" I asked, tilting my head curiously.

"I think they can be used for destruction," he replied after a pause.

"Really? I've never seen one destroy anything," I said.

"What about Barta?"

"The ice island?"

Jay nodded. Barta—the mysterious island forever covered in ice and snow—was a place few believed to be real. The stories told of a dragon that attacked, leaving behind a frozen wasteland. Supposedly, its victims remained as statues of ice, and the snow never melted, no matter the season or weather.

"Do you think it's real?" I continued, intrigued by his perspective.

"If it is, it makes a strong case for dragons being evil incarnate," he said.

I shook my head slightly. "My sister has a dragon, but I've never seen it attack anyone."

"Maybe that's what pacts are for," Jay mused, "to bind the dragon."

"But you bind it by binding your soul," I pointed out.

"Exactly," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Those with pacts can't use Soul or the Lion's inheritance."

I thought about that for a moment. "What do you think of this?" I said, quoting from the book he'd just returned:

'The Lion allows you to have your passions, while the dragons corrupt the soul and, through it, your passions.'

"But those with the Lion's inheritance can use Soul," Jay added, echoing another quote from the book. "At least, according to the one-armed king."

"I want to learn more about the Lion and Soul," I admitted. 

"I agree," Jay said, his voice low. "But most of those books are banned."

I glanced at him curiously. "I could get some if you really wanted them," he whispered.

"How?" I asked, my voice just as hushed.

He didn't respond, his eyes avoiding mine.

"You're not from Maranona, are you?" I questioned, a sudden realization striking me.

"No," he admitted. "I'm from Tobe. My family stayed there, but I came here after the alliance."

"That explains your black hair," I said, gesturing slightly.

"In Tobe, books like How to Activate Soul aren't outlawed," he said. 

"I'll let you read it. Just promise to give it back." he said, mimicking my voice in a mock-serious tone.

"I will," I said earnestly.

Jay stretched as he stood up. "I believe Adrian was right, and the history we've been taught is a fallacy."

I stood too, smiling faintly. "Don't tell anyone else that," I teased.

Jay stretched his arms out. "Let's go swimming?"

I hesitated. "I… I don't know. I'm not the best swimmer."

He grinned, standing and brushing off his pants. "Come on. The water's perfect. I'll teach you if you need help."

I nodded. Taking off my shoes and my dress. Jay had already waded into the lake.Splashing water around him. I followed slowly, feeling the cool water rise from my ankles to my knees and then higher.

Jay turned to me, smiling. "See? Not so bad, right?"

"It's cold!" I yelled.

"You'll get used to it," he assured me, moving deeper until the water reached his chest. I stayed where I was, the water just above my waist.

"Come on," he beckoned me with a hand.

"I told you, I can't swim."

"I've got you," he said. "Trust me."

I let him take my hand. He guided me deeper, his grip steady.

 "Just float," he said, his other hand resting lightly on my back. "I won't let go."

With his support, I kicked my legs, the water lifting me. Jay's calm encouragement made it easier, and soon I was moving alongside him, though never far from his reach.

"You're doing great," he said, his smile warm.

"Really?"

"Really."

I ventured a little farther. Jay stayed close. The water deepened. My feet couldn't touch the bottom. I panicked.

"I can't—"

Jay was there instantly, his arms around me. "You're okay," he said firmly. 

I nodded. Clinging to him as I tried to relax. He smiled, his face so close to mine .

"See," he smiled softly.

My heart pounded for a different reason. His hands were still on my waist. He held me steady. His gaze met mine. Time seemed to slow. My dark blonde hair floated gently in the water around us.

I couldn't think too much. I leaned in, and our lips met. The kiss was soft and tentative, like a secret shared between us and the lake. The cool water surrounded us, but his warmth was all I felt.

When we pulled apart, he smiled, a mix of shyness and confidence in his expression.

"Still nervous?" he teased.

"Not as much," I replied, my cheeks warm despite the water.