The bright light from outside led in from the window. With a yawn, I stretched my arm over my head.
Well- one of them.
The other was trapped in Elodie's hold, who cuddled my arm even deep in her sleep. I was going to wake her up, but her face was so relaxed.
Against better judgement, I rested my head back down, staring at my ceiling while thinking about my life circumstances.
'Is it really possible, that i've met such a woman before?' I thought to myself.
Elodie, when she wasn't cursing people or acting irrationally, had soft angelic features and bone structure. There was no scowl or snarl embedded on her expression. As she slept, she seemed truly at peace.
'Even if I did meet her in the past...how could I have forgotten someone so- memorable?'
It couldn't be true. At least- completely true that my memory of her is all gone.
No. In fact, there was a reason I approached her that day of the ball. the reason being what, though?
"Mmmm." Elodie slowly stirred awake, snuggling closer into my arm.
I had my chance to turn away, but I stayed still.
'If she really is such a dangerous person, why is it that she's only been protecting me?'
Since the night of the ball, every interaction we had... why haven't I been threatened by her? Why hasn't she killed me?
'Is she using me for a bigger plan?' I pondered, shaking away the thought almost immediately. 'Who would go as far as to save the life of someone they're using?'
Elodie's question from the night before came back to me.
"Do you remember me?" The sound of her voice uttering the question before quickly dismissing my response. Any last bit of hope vanishes in her eyes, replaced with hurt. It was easy to notice— but then— how come I bothered to pick up on such things?
Why did I care whether or not she put herself at risk?
'It's a normal response...of course I care for her,' I thought silently, trying to convince myself otherwise. 'it is in my line of work to protect people.'
Elodie awoke from her peaceful slumber, her eyes almost immediately caught mine.
"Have you been awake for a while?" She asked slowly, but her head remained on my arm.
Neither of us mentioned it. "Elodie, you said the night that we first met you could give me my memory back."
"Oh?" Elodie shifted, shooting up in bed.
"Don't get all excited." I quickly stopped her. "I just wanted to ask. Is it true that I- don't remember some things?"
"I wouldn't lie to you, you know," She spoke while glancing down, adjusting the straps of her nightgown. I quickly looked away.
"Regardless I- I just need you to confirm. And if that's the case then, how did I lose my memory?" I finally asked. Elodie hesitated, resting against the headboard. I copied her movements, opening my mouth to speak. "Was it- during the war? I-I don't quite remember much about it, I've just been told I did a noble deed and I was given a position of vice general..."
As I spoke, I noticed her eyes flicker with a chaotic darkness. She closed them, as if trying to forget. "Don't remind me of such a pity party. that war was only a-"
"A what?" I wished for her to continue. Why was it that I believed her word more than the rulers of this kingdom?
Elodie stopped and took a breath, before turning to me with her infamous smile, Flirtation and charming. "Let's stop thinking about such depressing events. Hmm? Adam, what do you think about-"
"-Elodie." I turned to her, serious.
With a sigh, she brushed her dancing, long black hair down her shoulder blades. "Alright then. You lost your memory during the war, just after the battle."
"How much of my memory? Do you know?"
Elodie pursed her lips together. "That question is just..."
"Elodie." I stared at her. "What— are you still keeping secrets about?"
"Me."
"What?"
"Everything.... about me. they erased everything that related to me."
"!" I spoke up hesitantly. "Then- were we close?"
She turned to look at me with an upset expression. "We—" She started strongly but stopped. I watched as she clenched her fists. Elodie's eyes dropped once again. "-Not, as close as I thought, it seems."
Elodie had pushed her way out of the bed, away from me. "Where are you going?"
"If I think about such sad news anymore, I might go on a killing spree."
"...should you be saying that so freely?"
She puffed a laughing breath. "Who will stop me?"
"Is it truly possible for you to return my memories?"
Elodie's smile softened. "Yes, I can." She finally confessed.
Immediately after she spun her wrist, twirling her hand gracefully, I watched as her body was consumed in green energy, and then appeared a floor length gown.
Until Elodie turned around with a fox-like smirk. "If you wanted to see me without anything on, you could've just-"
"Why don't you, bring back my memory?"
Her smirk fell, as if not expecting my response. "You said you didn't want me to."
"That was before I got to know you. You also said you'd tell me the full story." I said.
"That's- in both cases, you'd feel a lot of pain."
"The reason you didn't tell me was because I'd be sad?" I asked her.
"But of course." She responded as if it was matter-a-fact-ly.
"What makes you think I'd believe what you tell me in the first place?"
Elodie raised a brow, as if i had asked an obvious question. "You aren't an idiot, Adam. You'd know the truth when you hear it."
"But-" I stood up from the bed, moving to her side. "-That means we must've been close, right? Close enough for you to know that I'm like that, close enough for you to trust me."
"Why do you think I'm here, Adam?" Elodie turned to look at me, face-to-face. "Why would i be here if I didn't trust you?"
"My house is safe."
"Not for- regardless, Adam. I could've gone anywhere to be safe. You know that?"
"Then why... bother coming here?" I was asking her her own question. It must've annoyed her, as Elodie's jaw went tight under her skin.
"You shouldn't need me to spell it out for you. I'm leaving now." Elodie said, taking a step to the side.
I quickly held her arm. "Where are you going?"
"Don't look for me. I'll be back before night falls."
"Elodie-"
"Adam. Let me go." She ordered me. I didn't want to. For some reason, I didn't want to.
"Elodie I-"
"Adam." She cut me off again. "There's many things I need to do before-"
I hugged her tightly. She stopped speaking, so I quickly started before she interrupted. "I might not remember and I might not understand but- Please. Even then you can't just-"
"-Adam. There isn't another option."
"What do you mean?"
"If I don't tell you, you'll be hurt. And if I do, more problems will arise. Tell me. Which is the better option?"
"You keep looking out for me, Elodie." I hugged her tighter. "Let me try to do the same."
Elodie ripped away from my hug, but this time I couldn't stop her.
๏๏๏ꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉꪉ๏๏๏
"Elodie-"
"I came back for a reason, Adam." As I backed away from him, I met Adam's eyes with an empty face. I couldn't stomach having to do this. "That reason, isn't you."
My heart lurched and ached. How I wish it could be you.
The voice returned to my ear. The voice which had gone dormant since awakening me
Kill the queen.
"Then at least let me help you." Adam said, his brows furrowing.
'Such a beautiful idea.' My heart agreed. 'Come with me.'
"I cannot." I said instead. "It's dangerous."
"I can protect myself. I can protect you." He told me.
At his words my mind stopped rambling. I looked away, silent. "I have to leave, Adam."
"Elodie. Wait." He stepped a little closer, cautious that I would pull away again. The small action caused my already aching heart to pound harder in my chest. I hated it.
What was the point coming back to life if I wouldn't be able to enjoy it?
"-I'll be back. I promise." I told him, closing my eyes as to not witness his expression. I knew it would only hurt more, that way.
I waved of my hand, my magic swirled around and suddenly i was no longer next to Adam. I wasn't even in the house, anymore. I teleported myself elsewhere-where i needed to be. Where id be able to complete my mission.
But, that thought scared me. Would I be forced back into shackles, after this? How long did I really have left, in this world? Was my current existence running on borrowed time?
The wind around me picked up pace and the atmosphere in the throne room grew cold.
"Gaurds-"
"-Don't even think about it." I opened my eyes, staring at the King. The gold and bejeweled crown that sat on his head was the cause for all of this. My death and my suffering. A cold tear had rolled down my cheek. "Explain to me why I shouldn't kill you here and now?"