Deal With It

Zoe was outside waiting for the others, since she was the only one who hadn't been attacked. She kept her head down and a distant gaze. Suri, who was with her, remained completely silent.

After a while, Charlotte came out. She had a few bandages on, but overall she hadn't been hurt that badly in battle. They looked into each other's eyes, but neither said a word.

Without a second thought, Charlotte sat down next to her friend. She started fidgeting with her hands and kept casting quick, sidelong glances.

After a deep breath, Charlotte finally spoke.

“Alysia and Arthur are fine…It won't be long before they discharge them”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Zoe didn’t move even a centimeter.

“Gerald and Leif…will stay the night.”

After hearing that, she felt a chill run down her spine.

“It’s a shame, isn’t it?” She sighed. “I really wanted to win.”

Zoe lowered her head even more to hide her face.

“Can I ask why?”

“I don’t know… Being a hero…” Charlotte paused. “Sounded great… Maybe with that title, people wouldn’t boo me anymore.”

Zoe couldn't help but clench her teeth. A few tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry…” she murmured, her voice breaking.

Before Charlotte could speak again, footsteps could be heard in the distance down the hallways.

They were getting louder and louder, but the darkness in the hallway blurred the person into a simple silhouette.

“Why the long faces? You should feel proud of yourself.”

It was Alexander.

“You made it to the grand finals. That’s an incredible feat!”

He slowly approached until he reached Charlotte and Zoe.

Zoe kept her head down.

“Professor Alexander, thanks for the recognition.”

“Don’t worry, Charlotte, you’ll have your chance to shine.”

“You really think so?”

Alexander leaned forward.

“But of course, you have a certain something.”

Charlotte couldn't bring herself to smile despite the sadness she was carrying.

“Now, I have a gift for you and the others.”

Alexander was carrying a wooden box filled with glass bottles containing a strange drink Charlotte had never seen before. The liquid was bright red, yet muted, as if it had been mixed with another color.

“What’s that?”

Charlotte got closer to the containers and tilted her head. She noticed that the drink was strangely transparent.

“Just an elixir to recover your strength. I also brought it for your friends.”

“I’d never seen anything like that before.”

“Well, the idea wasn’t for you to see it,” he muttered.

Alexander offered her a bottle.

With a swipe of a hand, the bottle flew through the air. It crashed to the floor, and its contents spilled everywhere.

Zoe was standing in front of them. For the first time at that moment, she had her head up.

“What are you doing, Zoe?” Charlotte complained. “That was really rude.”

Alexander, without losing his composure, looked her in the eyes.

“I’m just trying to help, Miss Zoe.”

“I don’t care…I won’t harm her again.”

Alexander sighed and kept silent for a few seconds.

“Everyone saw you. Are you willing to deal with the consequences?”

Zoe didn’t say a word, but she kept her eyes on his.

“You’re tougher than I thought.”

Alexander picked up the wooden box with the rest of the glass bottles. He took a deep breath and spoke again.

“Well, foolish of me, these drinks are already past due.”

He began to exaggerate his movements and his voice.

“Thanks for noticing, Miss Zoe, and… Good luck.”

He said goodbye to them and walked into the darkness of the hallways, carrying the full wooden box with him. Suri also got up and said goodbye to both of them and went after him.

They were both left alone.

“W-why are you acting so weird?”

There was no answer.

Charlotte clenched her fist.

“Aren’t we friends?"

At last, Zoe turned over and looked at her.

“Of course we are.”

“Then tell me what's going on?”

“Nothing! I was just frustrated for the tournament…”

“Liar!”

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears.

“Why can’t you trust me?”

“I do trust you… It’s just…”

"So, please, I want to help you."

Zoe squeezed her eyes shut and, clutching her heart, looked her in the eyes. 

"I promise you, everything is fine. I'm sorry for worrying you, and I'm sorry.... I ruined the tournament."

Charlotte looked at her. 

"I want to believe you, but..." She paused, gasping. "Promise me... that everything is fine and...that you are not hiding anything!"

Zoe struggled to find the words, and her mouth was trembling.

"You have my word."

Charlotte realized she was avoiding her gaze. 

Suddenly, Alysia and Arthur came out of the infirmary. She looked straight at Zoe and, without hesitation, walked toward her.

Alysia grabbed her by the collar. 

"Miss Alysia, let's calm down." 

"Not until she spills the truth." 

Alysia squeezed harder. 

"What do you have to say, Hufgens?"

"I'm sorry...I take full responsibility for the loss." 

"Stop playing dumb! You did it on purpose!" 

"Miss Alysia..."

The prince grabbed her by the shoulder. 

"Come on, Prince Arthur, you were thinking the same, right?" 

The prince's silence was a sign of yes. 

"Leave her alone." 

Charlotte intervened. 

"Are you going to take her side?"

"She just made a mistake..."

"No! She made us lose deliberately!" 

"Y-you have no proof." 

For the first time, it was Charlotte who was standing up for her. 

"I do... She's been acting strange since the start of the tournament, and besides, she knew exactly what she was doing with that stupid watch." 

"Yes, you're right... But she's my friend, and I trust her." 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Charlotte's expression. She was still crying her heart out. 

Resigned, she let go of Zoe. 

Charlotte walked over to her friend. 

"Do you really think she is not hiding anything?"

Charlotte remained silent. 

Alysia sighed. "I don't understand what's going on with you... but there's someone who trusts you blindly... Don't disappoint her." 

Alysia turned around and started walking. 

"Hufgens...if there's anything, just say so..."

She lowered her head. 

"I've noticed you've cared for her, about others, even about me... You must have your reason, but until you tell us the truth, I can't trust you." 

Alysia continued on her way and disappeared into the darkness. At that hour, the hallway lights were off.

In the darkness, no one said a word. There was no goodbye, no goodnight, just the sound of insects chirping outside. Perhaps they simply didn’t know what to say.