To protect that fragile heart of yours

“Did you lose your mind!”

I can’t believe what I heard. Why would you go so far and ruin your life! Is it that honor of yours or the vow of a knight?

Why Teiran?

Why would you do something like that? Ignoring my breakout he continued talking to his majesty.

“There wouldn’t be an issue if I oversee her right? Also as my partner she wouldn’t be questioned for staying at the Vermonde Dukedom. Of course, it will only be a formal engagement and I will call it off when Sheryansha Chronom is proven as innocent and wishes to do so. That would work well for you too, right your majesty?”

“Indeed Teiran, that might be the best solution for this situation. Very well, prepare your documents and send them over. I will verify and grant it”

“Thank you, your majesty, would you excuse us now?”

“Sure young boy. You are dismissed.”

Just like that? I thought at least his majesty would be in his right mind but he agreed?

Teiran dragged me by the hand and we went out. He didn’t look at me at all. He even ignored the blond haired beauty that tried to give her flower bouquet to Teiran.

“Tei-”

“Not now, we will talk later. Master, Luca, don't follow us, go and wait outside, we will come in a few minutes.”

“If you say so Captain.”

“Very well.”

Just like that bewildered but accepting the situation Dalton and Luca didn’t follow us.

Teiran dragged me into a room far at the end of a hallway, closed the door and looked down breathing in and out.

Then he looked at me.

Disappointed.

Angry.

Sad.

Heart-broken.

He silently stared at me. He didn’t break eye contact. When I tried to look away he held my shoulders and broke the silence.

“Why Sherya! Why would you try to throw away your life? Don’t you value yourself at all?”

“I didn’t mean to, I just tried-”

“Don’t you trust me at all? Did you think I lied when I told you I will prove your innocence? Did you think I lied to you when I said I will protect you! Did you think I would be thankful and say goodbye to you after getting to know you!”

“Teiran, I just didn’t want to burden you all anymore with my-”

“Burden! A burden? Do you really think you are a burden to me? You are already one of my important people. Just like Luca, Dalton and everyone else! Did you really think I could abandon you and just go ahead and live my life as if nothing ever happened. I could never do that! So please stop looking down, look me in the eyes and tell me that you will never act so selfless again. Ask for my help, scream at me when you are angry. Don’t swallow your emotions and hide behind a smile. It hurts me to see you force yourself like that. Please Sherya. Don’t give up on yourself like that!“

“What am I supposed to do then! I am not even sure if I am innocent! I could hurt you! I could hurt all of you! I just wanted to keep you safe, I believed you would be able to find out the truth without me!”

“I need you!”

“Why!”

“Because I can’t do this without you!”

“Why! You are capable enough of doing so! If you truly don’t believe in your abilities then just go! It’s not like we are close! You didn’t even know me a few days ago. We are practically strangers. We can just go separate ways now. I can also deal with it on my own. This is my cruel fate. Something I can’t run from. I have to deal with the consequences. You can just forget me! Stop ruining your own life by making hasty decisions!”

“Look at the one talking about a hasty decision! You said you would be willing to be imprisoned for life time! Is that the justice you wish for? Do you think I told you I would protect you just for you to throw away your freedom and your future?”

“I don’t even have a life, Teiran! Look at me! Look at my appearance, look at my face, my clothes! Do I look like someone who could just choose freely and ignore the situation I am in? I am the evil this world created! The offspring of a father and mother who didn’t even want me. I was never meant to be born. I was meant to be d-!”

“Stop! Don’t you dare continue that sentence!” His hands wandered towards my face and he cupped my cheeks in them. Stopping me from talking and making me look straight in his deep blue eyes. At the sight of those eyes staring at my soul, tears welled up.

“See, you are hurting. You act like you don’t care but look at yourself. Your fragile heart is breaking. In reality you also want to come with me don’t you? You are just afraid to follow the path your heart longs for. I might not be able to understand the pain you went through until now. I might not know you that well, but does it matter? We can get to know each other from now on! I will be there to hold you when you want to cry! So please, stop treating yourself with so much hatred. It’s okay to be weak! It’s okay to cry. I will hide you from everyone’s eyes. So just for once, would you try relying on me?”

“Teiran I-” He released his hands from my face and instead pulled me into a hug.

It’s warm.

So that’s how a hug felt like. A warm feeling. So close yet not uncomfortable at all. So sweet that it actually broke my heart. I don’t know if I am really allowed to hug someone. Is it really alright if I receive a hug from you Teiran. Teiran, did you realize it? How much I longed for this hug. How much I wanted to be comforted by someone just like that. At the touch of his hand I crumbled. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks and a gut wrenching cry broke out. I gasped for air as I buried my face in the arms of Teiran, slowly collapsing on my knees. He held me tightly and gently patted my back.

“It’s alright, you will be fine. Everything will be fine. I will protect you. You are not alone. You are not alone anymore.”

I whimpered, my voice sobbing.

“I am sorry, I am so sorry!”

“It’s alright, let it all out!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that!”

“I know.”

“I really didn’t mean to hurt you with my words, it’s just I fear that one day I could end up hurting you all!”

“You don’t have to fear that!”

“What if you hate me one day? What if you regret your decision!”

“I won’t!”

“You will! You will fear me!”

“I said I won't, why are you so stubborn!”

“Let me go already. I can do this alone, I don’t want to drag anyone into this mess I created!”

“You are not alone in all of this, Remember, I am here!”

“You weren’t meant to be involved!”

“Sherya!”

He released me from the hug and held my shoulders. Looking me straight in the eyes with a calm and collected expression.

”Let me tell you something. I chose this path for myself and if I had to choose all over again, no matter when, no matter how often, no matter in which timeline, I would always choose to fight together with you. All over again! And I wouldn’t regret it no matter what!”