"In war, we bled for the crown, but for love, I've bled far deeper than the battlefield could ever demand."
In this abyss, time didn't exist, yet Kane felt every second of Tarsia's absence. She refused to believe her beloved had abandoned her without cause. There must be a reason; there must. Staring into the void, her mind flooded with thoughts—too many to grasp, yet empty all at once. How long had it been? Just as despair threatened to consume her, a bright red light suddenly appeared before her, reminiscent of blood, inevitably reminding her of all the blood shed on the grounds of war.
Kane's eyes took time to adapt, struggling against the relentless darkness. This light was unlike any magic she had ever experienced, with text flying in the air on something that resembled a glowing piece of paper. It bore an amusing message, offering her a second chance at love. Was she losing her mind? But she accepted the offer without hesitation. She had to get back to her love, Tarsia.
Not even after blinking once did Kane find herself standing in the grand hall of the king. The monarch's voice rang out, rich and commanding. "Kane Bloodrose, I hereby decree that you will lead the main force into battle. Your reputation as a formidable knight precedes you, and I have every confidence that you are the only one fit for this critical task."
"I will not disappoint you," Kane spoke loudly, even though she was still adapting to whatever was happening. Upon leaving the hall, she looked around, staring at her hands. Was this truly real?
Yet, she felt a desperate need to see Tarsia before she departed. This was just like that day when she had snuck into Tarsia's chamber late at night, wanting to steal just one more moment with her. Kane still could not comprehend the whirlwind of emotions surging within her, but she longed for Tarsia. Just as in her first life, she crept into Tarsia's chamber, her heart racing with every step.
"What are you doing here?" Tarsia asked, her voice trembling, eyes wide with a mix of recognition and something else—fear, perhaps? There was an unsettling madness flickering in her gaze.
Kane's heart sank at the sight of Tarsia, the warmth of her presence contrasting sharply with the confusion swirling in her mind. "I came to see you," she replied, her voice softer, betraying the vulnerability beneath her steely exterior.
Tarsia took a step closer, her breath hitching. "I'm sorry, I really am. I've met you in my dreams many times before; I can't forgive myself," she whispered, a haunting sorrow lacing her words. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, reflecting a depth of regret that pierced through Kane's heart.
"I thought I lost you," Tarsia confessed, her voice trembling. "I thought... I thought you'd never come back."
Kane was completely confused, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. "What are you talking about, love?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
"The.. The thing, it was a nice shade of pink, resembling blossoms. It told me i could see you again!" Tarsia says, her voice a weird tone, as if she had gone completely insane.
Kane realised that tarsia, too, had received the option to return. Kane was just glad that tarsia missed her too.
"I returned to find you," Kane insisted, stepping closer. Kane thought Tarsia was talking about Kane dying, not knowing what else had happened.
Tarsia's eyes widened, almost as if she were trying to grasp the truth behind Kane's words. "You don't understand," she whispered, the desperation in her voice rising. "I thought I'd lost you for good. The guilt... it consumes me. I can't forgive myself for what happened." Her gaze dropped to the floor, as if the weight of her remorse was too heavy to bear.
Kane felt her impatience growing but maintained an air of calmness. "I don't quite understand," she said, her voice steady as she watched Tarsia's expression shift.
Tarsia looked up, a flicker of something unhinged glimmering in her eyes—a blend of desperation and hope that Kane couldn't ignore. "You... you don't know?" she asked, her voice trembling with unspoken fears.
"Know what?" Kane replied, confusion knitting her brow.
"Just forget it... Forget it all," Tarsia murmured, attempting to mask the turmoil swirling within her.
"Love, you can tell me. I promise I won't get mad," Kane reassured her, keeping her tone soft and inviting.
"Promise?" Tarsia's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Promise." Kane met her gaze, hoping to offer some semblance of comfort.
Tarsia hesitated, unsure of how to begin. The weight of their time apart felt heavy between them. Kane's presence was a reminder of the bond they once shared, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her silence was betraying them both.
As Kane waited patiently, Tarsia felt a storm of emotions crashing within her. They had been apart for so long—there was no way Kane could truly be mad at her.
"There were rumors..." Tarsia began, her voice quivering.
Memories flooded her mind—whispers echoing through the halls, shadows of doubt creeping in. "That day... there were rumors, everywhere, spoken by everyone. They said we were secretly in love. People were saying terrible things about me, claiming I shouldn't be their princess."
"They said I forced you to be with me," Tarsia continued, her voice growing stronger, fueled by her anguish. "But that wasn't it at all! I loved you, Kane. They couldn't understand that."
Tarsia's breath hitched as she recalled the fear that had gripped her. "I was scared, so scared. I stopped sending letters to you. I thought that if I reached out, it would only intensify their suspicions, and that you'd come back and—"
Tarsia's voice broke, the weight of regret heavy on her heart. "I thought I was protecting you. But instead, I pushed you away. I'm sorry. I truly am."
Tarsia's eyes filled with tears, vulnerability etched across her features. "I know that now. I see how foolish I was. I let fear dictate my actions, and I lost you because of it."
Tarsia's gaze flickered with hope amidst the storm of regret, her heart aching for the chance to mend what had been broken. "I'll do anything to show you how much you mean to me. Just give me the chance."
Kane felt her anger boil over, a storm brewing within her that refused to be contained. "How could you have left me?" she spat, rising to her feet with a force that rattled the very air between them. Her eyes blazed with fury as she locked onto Tarsia, every ounce of betrayal twisting in her gut. "You abandoned me when I needed you most!"
The words tore from her lips like daggers, each one a reminder of the wounds that festered beneath the surface. Kane was too furious to hear Tarsia's excuses, too consumed by the pain and betrayal that coursed through her veins. With a final glare that promised retribution, she stormed out of the room, leaving behind the echoes of her heartbreak and the weight of unresolved rage.
I've changed my mind, In this life, I will not die for her love—I will live to bury it.