Reborn From the Cosmos

Miniarc-Villains-06

A half-bell was a short time to wash away weeks of travel.

Samuel regretted his haste as he briskly wiped dirt from his hands and face before changing into fresh clothes. His hair took the longest, as he brushed it till it gleamed. It was his best feature but it was also a trait unique to the royal family. It represented them; he couldn’t walk around with it darkened with the dirt or unkempt.

Despite his best efforts, he missed his self-imposed deadline. Cecilia was already seated at a window table at the back of the dining room; all he could make out of her was her blond hair and the blue dress he wore but it was enough to make his heart jump. He’d spent so long gazing at her back that he could recognize it at any distance.

She turned moments after he started his approach, the empty dining room offering no distractions to muffle the sound of his boots, and quickly climbed to her feet. Samuel grit his teeth to hold back the swell of emotions churning in his gut, hoping nothing but concern showed on his face.

“Samuel!”

His carefully controlled concern was shattered by wide-eyed surprise as she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him as tightly as her thin arms could manage. The strain on the blockage holding back his emotions increased by a magnitude as he wondered if it was okay to return the gesture or if he would be taking advantage of her. Just as he convinced himself he was thinking too much for a simple hug, she pulled away.

There was no trace of his embarrassment in her soft smile. “Forgive me if that was overly familiar.”

“No!” he shouted, wincing at the volume. He was glad there was no one to witness his bumbling excitement. “It’s fine,” he continued in a softer voice. He wanted to tell her she could hug him whenever she pleased. “I’m glad you’re safe too,” he offered instead.

“I’ve said that same phrase many times before but never with as much meaning as I have in the last few days.”

She retook her seat and he was quick to follow, settling across from her. A server appeared at their table. Cecila abstained but Samuel quickly ordered dinner and a bottle of wine, hoping the drink would entice her to stay for longer. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t dream of getting between a man and his dinner the first night after a long journey.”

“How do you know it’s my first night?”

Her smile morphed into something the prince couldn’t decipher. “This is the first invitation I’ve received from you since the tragedy. You’re not the kind of man that would sleep without knowing the fate of those he cares about.”

Samuel hoped the blush he felt heating his face didn’t show. Cecilia rarely pointed out his feelings directly, but her usual filter seemed to have been damaged. He wasn’t his younger self that would read too much in the words, but he was enjoying her directness.

The server returned with a bottle and two glasses. Samuel poured for them, pushing the second glass close enough she could grab if with ease but not too close that it could be taken as a demand. “What happened to the city? Ewan didn’t have time to conduct a proper investigation.”

“Sir Reed escorted you? Does he have additional orders?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I doubt it. We’ve had no word since we left. Our timing is a result of delays.”

Her soft chuckle said she knew exactly what, or specifically who, had delayed them. “Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to have him close by. Quest needs men of sound character and good judgment. All kinds have been crawling out of the shadows to make nuisances of themselves.” She shook her head. “The fearmongers are bad but the worst are the sick minds that admire the destruction.”

“You were an admirer of the Tome woman not too long ago.”

Samuel didn’t know why he spoke the words and regretted them the moment they left his tongue. Cecilia’s reaction was tamer than he expected, limited to pursed lips and hard eyes. It was almost annoying how appealing it was. How was he supposed to forget her when every moment with her made him fall harder?

“…it’s not something I’m proud of. I admit, I was drawn to what Lou represented. The opportunity she could create. You have no idea what it means to have no options. Yes, you were passed over to succeed your father, but that is one path blocked to you. The rest of the kingdom is your playground. You can go where you wish, when you wish, and do whatever you wish.”

Her eyes flicked to the untouched glass of wine, considering it for a long moment before she gently plucked it from the table. She sighed after a long drink. “Who wouldn’t be interested in a shortcut?”

“…I can’t have everything.”

She chuckled. “Can anyone? But you get to decide your future. No. I suppose I should say you will be supported no matter the future you choose for yourself alone. By the whole kingdom, no less.”

The prince frowned. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Is it not? The Grand Hall is a dream to many. There who work for years and geniuses have to compete to come here; then they have to find a way to pay for the privilege. You, who hardly cares for the subject, decided to attend on a whim. I doubt you gave whether you’d be accepted or the tuition a single thought.”

She sighed after her tirade.

Forgive me, your highness,” she muttered, turning her gaze to the window. “I haven’t been myself lately.”

The prince wasn’t thrilled; he was used to her treating him kindly and preferred it. But another part of him was glad. Her tone might be sharp but when she used it, he didn’t feel the yawning distance that normally separated them.

“Don’t apologize. I—” He was interrupted by the arrival of the food. The server was quick and Samuel spoke quickly once the man left, unwilling to let the conversation backtrack. “I want you to be open with me.”

“…then I’ll speak plainly.”

“Really?!” He’d asked her to be more casual with him for years and she’d always refused without hesitation.

Her laughter at his surprise was genuine. “There are more important things than formalities.”

“Well, good. I hope you will speak plainly about the reasons behind the conflict. Don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject.”

“Why do you want to know? This isn’t something we should be involved in.”

“I know that, but I can’t remain ignorant. How ridiculous will I look if I know nothing about the greatest threat to the kingdom in centuries? And there is no one I would trust more to tell me the truth than you.”

The conversation lulled as Cecilia sipped her drink. Samuel turned his attention to his food, giving her time to think. She grabbed his attention by tapping her empty glass with a nail. The prince dutifully poured, taking quiet amusement in how swiftly her unwillingness to drink had collapsed. All the major families had reputations about their characters, hugely deserved. Just as the Guiness bled gold, the Rosefields couldn’t resist an indulgence.

“You must promise me one thing, your highness.”

“I thought you agreed to be more casual?”

“Habits aren’t so simple to break. Promise me you won’t involve yourself beyond the role of an acolyte. You’re right, there are too many who would skew the situation to make you act for their own ends, but there’s no point in coming to me if you endanger yourself anyway.”

“Am I the kind of man to sacrifice himself?”

“No, but you are a passionate man. Sometimes, it overwhelms you. Promise me, your…Samuel.”

He wanted to tell her he’d promise her anything.

“Tell me.”