Conviction

Avilasa pulls her head cover closer as she stares inside the gates of Avalyn. Droves of people enter and exit the kingdom.

“You failed to emphasize the growth of your kingdom.” Avilasa muttered.

The daunting size of the kingdom keeps Avilasa hidden behind trees; the reveal of her race will cause panic.

Still, she refuses to leave. William hasn’t visited in six months, rare considering his past weekly visits. He would send a letter every week explaining the difficulty to visit, but those stopped two weeks ago.

“You’ll pay for making me worry.” Avilasa muttered.

Even she, alone in her cottage, has heard of the returning tensions between humans and demons. She believes William to be busy, with any luck her visit will bring him respite and joy.

But there is a problem. “Can I even get into the castle?”

Frustrated at her own cowardice, Avilasa rushes into the kingdom. Preventing any chance to doubt herself, she is victorious and walks for the castle at the center of the city.

The myriad of shops and street performances distract her from the eyes wondering about her. Music fills the air and the smell of smoked steak accompanies the joyous voices celebrating a good day’s work.

“This is a wonderful kingdom.” Avilasa smiles as she drops a coin to a young street performer.

Reaching the castle gates, a man speaks to a guard outside.

“William?” Avilasa tugs on the man’s arm but takes a step back. “Sorry, you looked like someone I’m looking for.”

“Avilasa?”

“You know me?”

“Y-yes! Charles, William’s younger brother. My brother often speaks of you. Even in his dreams… perhaps I should keep that to myself.”

Avilasa blushes. “I’m sorry for the sudden visit. I just wanted to know if William is ok.”

“Sorry, he fell into a coma after a battle about two weeks ago but woke today.”

“Battle?”

“Yes. Would you like to see him?”

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

Charles laughs. “We’ve had to tie him with a chain to keep him from going to see you at times. Follow me.”

Avalyn’s castle is a marvel. Each floor panel shares similar grooves and the window panes depict members of the royal family; William’s has a smiling king with a sun behind him.

“That represents him well.” Avilasa said.

“I agree, he’s the king we needed. And you, the woman that brings him joy.”

“I’m happy to give him some joy.”

“You’re his greatest source of it.”

“Has… he mentioned our relationship?”

“Hmm, he did mention kissing and-”

“I can’t!”

Charles is cut off by a great yell down the hall.

Charles only sighs. “We will need your help today.”

Avilasa and Charles enter William’s room. William hides under his covers as the castle’s doctor attempts to give him a spoonful of medicine.

“William.” Avilasa said.

William jumps out of his cover. “Avila- ugh.” He coughs, Avilasa shoved a spoonful of medicine into his mouth. A glare from her keeping him from hiding a single drop. “Avilasa.”

Avilasa embraces William. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you as well. Thank you for coming, it must have been difficult.”

“Conveying my anger is worth the soreness. You’ve been keeping secrets.”

“Only because I understand you despise the conflict. I will tell you all but after I have succeeded in ending the conflicts.”

“I admire you for that but keeping secrets from your wife to be is a terrible precedent to set.”

“Wife to be, that sounds wonderful.”

Avilasa pinches William’s arm. “Explain.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve gone out to stop small battle at the borders, at times having to raise my blade against demon and human. Making peace is difficult given the bad blood… I fear war will return soon.”

Avilasa caresses William’s face. “You are a man of reason in a world unfit for it. Why do you try so hard?”

“Because I’d like to see your gardens everywhere.”

“You should not try so hard for me; it will ruin your health.”

“I just need some rest.” William holds Avilasa’s hand.

“Fine, I will be by your side to make sure you get it. Here, they’ve brought you soup as well.”

“Will you cook for me next time I visit? Yours will be my first destination once I return to my feet.”

Avilasa giggles. “Fool, I am going nowhere. Eat.”

William begins to doze off as he eats. “Thank you for coming.”

“Rest. I can visit again if you forget about me.”

“Impossible, even my dreams have fallen in love with you.”

“Love?!”

“Mhmm, soon I won’t need to leave the castle anyway… I’ll bring you here when we marry.”

Avilasa watches as William falls asleep. “Fool. You should have fallen for someone worthwhile.”

Before leaving, Avilasa wipes William down with a wet towel.

“I will return soon; I also yearn for our time together.” Avilasa said.

As she leaves, a moment of carelessness causes her to tip over the warm water bucket. She catches it but it splashes on her robe, leaving the marks on her arm visible.

Taking off the sleeve to rub it dry, Avilasa fails to hear Charles as he rushes inside the bedroom.

“William!” Charles stops. Avilasa stands, her arm in plain sight.

“H-he didn’t know.” Avilasa said as she hides her body.

“He did. Come with me.”

Avilasa nods and follows Charles out to a castle tower balcony.

Charles looks over the kingdom before speaking. “William told me. His heart was stolen the moment your robe came off. Ah! He isn’t a pervert, you’re just very beautiful.”

“He should have kept me a secret.”

“He would never do that. He will present you to the world once the conflicts end. But that becomes increasingly difficult… ever since he fell in love, he has become more desperate. He even suffered an injury in the last battle. It’s unlike him.”

“It is my fault.”

“I disagree. Avilasa, do you believe demon and human can coexist?”

“I doubt it, but he believes. So, I choose to believe him.”

“As do I. But as it stands, William will die a premature death. I have a favor to ask of you.”

Avilasa grabs the ledge of the balcony. “You want me to stop any contact with him.”

“Heavens no.”

“Huh?”

“William has never been happier. I want you to run away with him. I will take over as king, though I doubt my ability. Still, I would much rather this than see him die. Although far from perfect, William has created peace that we haven't seen in eons. That is enough, he doesn’t need to do it all by himself.”

“William will not accept his, even if I were to beg him.”

“I will help get him away from here. Go far, the conflicts seldom reach the lands in the far north.”

“Charles… thank you, but I refuse. I cannot break his heart.”

“What should we do then?”

“Support him. I will support him, as much as I hate the war. For him, I will do what I can.”