I couldn't sleep at all last night.
Vivia laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling, fatigued, yet her eyes were far from drowsy. It was a fresh new day with the sun's light brightening up her room, but her usual energy seemed to have taken a dip somewhere. She couldn't lift her mood despite her numerous attempts to smile.
As another day inched closer where her stay in Rudaheim would soon come to an end, a strange tightness enveloped her chest. Yes, the Human Realm was her home and she was longing to return, but she knew she wouldn't return as Vivia Mariel anymore. The days approached fast when she would truly step into Clairette's shoes as the royal princess.
The view of her ceiling got blocked by the closeup of a small face, whose unblinking ice-silver eyes stared right back at her with a thoughtful gaze.
"Eurus!"
Vivia wrapped her arms around him, her eyes sparkling with joy. She hugged his small frame against her chest and tickled under his chin. Eurus didn't want to laugh, but the strange ticklish feeling he hadn't felt before cracked a smile across his lips anyway. Warmth enveloped his cheek as his face was pressed against her chest. He returned her hug, then looked up and tried to stretch a smile on her lips too.
"I'm already smiling, haha."
She rolled over on the side with him and asked, "So tell me. What do you want to do today? Shall we have another walk in the garden?"
The last walk had ended up in a disaster, so Eurus shook his head.
"Hmm, then what should we do?" Vivia touched her chin thoughtfully.
Her eyes slowly widened with a brilliant idea and a sheepish grin laced her lips.
"Hehehe~ How about we play a prank on the Crown Prince?"
Eurus blinked at her, puzzled.
"Playing pranks is a lot of fun, you know!" She beamed. "I've become a victim of falling into a ditch many times in the past. Curse Audreya! But I've equally caught her in my pranks too~ How about we play one on Zerath? It's kind of fooling around, you know~"
Eurus still wasn't sure, but he agreed anyway. Vivia's excitement was enough to motivate him too.
"Perfect!" She rubbed her hands together, lips stretching with an evil smile. "Let's see. How shall we have fun at Zerath's expense?"
—
"Rise for the Crown Prince," Lucian bowed as he welcomed Zerath in front of the palace gates. "The preparations for your visit to Bellor are done, my lord."
Zerath nodded. He glanced back once toward the palace and released a soft sigh. He had informed Vivia about his visit to Bellor city for some work. From the bottom of his heart, he wished he could take her with him, but with so much that had already happened around Eurus and Astaroth, he didn't wish to impose her with a travel plan that would only tire her out.
"Time moves so fast…" he murmured, realizing how the days with Vivia were numbered now.
Today would simply pass by without being able to spend much time with her. It oddly clinched his heart with what felt like a setback. Sensing that subtle feeling take root in his heart made him pause.
Why do I feel…disappointed?
"My lord?"
His puzzling thoughts fell apart and he looked back. "Yes. Let's go."
He looked around and said, "I don't see Ril."
"I-I'm here, my lord!"
A young man with brown hair with a cap on top of his head came running at full speed. He stopped right before Zerath, huffing breathlessly.
"Apologies for making you wait, my lord! P-Please cut my head off for this disrespect!" He bowed a little too deeply for Zerath's comfort.
"..."
"There will be no rolling off the head for a minor delay, Ril."
"M-My lord is too kind…" his shoulders trembled.
Zerath exchanged a glance with Lucian, his silent gaze communicating a question.
'Why does Ril seem so odd today?'
Lucian said, "Apparently, he broke up."
Ril trembled further, clearly trying his best not to create a tearful, heartbreaking scene in front of his master.
"Ah," Zerath gave him an empathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that, Ril. You can take today off. No problem."
"No, my lord! Please let this humble servant serve you. I'm afraid I'll keep wallowing over how my girlfri - e-ex girlfriend cruelly trampled upon my heart as if my sincere love was some game to play with. I choose my lord over my heartbreak!" He looked up, determination glistening in his misty eyes.
Zerath cleared his throat. "I see. I understand. If that's what you wish, you can come," he said, patting his shoulder.
"Esthar om ven!" He brightened.
Zerath paused for a moment and nodded. Stepping into the carriage, the door closed behind him. As he took his seat, he stared dead ahead in front of him.
"Hm? It feels cold for some reason."
"My lord, it's chillier than usual today," Ril said as he took his seat outside and held the reins.
"Is that so?" He slightly tilted his head. "I felt the air was warmer outside."
"Is it warm, my lord? A-Am I the only one feeling cold? Ah. Is this how it feels to have your heart broken? Cold and desolate without a purpose in life?" His voice trailed off at the end.
Zerath's brow twitched hard.
With a neigh from the stallions, the carriage began to move. Zerath lightly leaned against the door. Fresh air seeped through the half-opened window, gently swaying his dark locks with its rhythm.
A sudden bump in the road broke that peaceful atmosphere, and he almost crashed forward across the opposite seat.
He looked back. "What happened?"
"Apologize, my lord! There was a pothole in the path…"
"It's okay."
Zerath sat back with his usual composure and this time, picked up some pages from a sheaf of papers. He willed himself to read the writings on it amidst the violent ride through the countless potholes that made it look as if the ink was wriggling like an army of ants. He squinted his eyes, furrowed his brows and tried every tip and trick but enlightenment was a faraway dream.
He said, "Ril, why are we taking a different route to Bellor than usual?"