The Healer Of Light And The Prince Of Darkness

58. Overthinking

The letter Noah got from the prince's servant was odd. Even though he was rather closer to Tasia all those years, he had met and talked with Cassian. And he had believed that their relationship was that of friends.

But there was surely a clear hint that he should soon return to Syris.

That was actually something he was more than willing to do. Since he had left his country he was thinking of his home and there was nothing that could really replace the nostalgic feeling on the back of his mind about Syris and his family.

But he surely didn't want to leave Tasia behind.

"It was inevitable, Noah," Tarik stated nonchalantly.

"She was born in Hares, her family is here, there is no reason for her to return with us."

"She...She had made many friends and close connections with Syrisians throughout her stay in Syris. She had..."

His disability to continue attracted the attention of the other man. Even though no one was willing to tell him, after the festival they were expected to return. Now the Silver Palace felt even colder and forbidding than ever.

"I know that...You care about her very much. But, Noah, she has never thought of you as a potential future partner."

"That has nothing to do with the future Empress."

"Really? Because I see many clues here and there. Clues that you love her very much, but fear to tell her."

"We've known each other for years, it's natural to come to love her."

Tarik smiled bitterly. His personal experience with her was nothing near loving feelings, but yeah, he still felt uncomfortable about what had happened that night.

"It's okay to love. Everyone has their first love. But it doesn't mean that they will be the last."

"No, you don't understand, she's perfect. Not just her name, being a Morina and a Talis at the same time. She's intelligent and has the ability to talk easily with others, smiles genuinely, even though she wants to cry and shrink in the nearest corner. And she..."

Noah suddenly stopped when he saw Tarik's expression. A tiny, sad smile had appeared on his face, his eyes looking at him with an odd light in them.

"Yes, Tasia's perfect. Just so perfect that you just can't really see anything. And even though you know that she has her own flaws, you still care for her, love her. And suffer along with her. And I know how much it hurts. I've been through it before and so I'll tell you this."

Tarik put his hands on the prince's shoulders and slightly squeezed them. As if trying to comfort him.

"Even if you wish for something with your whole being, you still may not have it."

"..."

"Actually, most of the time you can't even lay a single finger on it."

The first time he met her was between the sessions of the Circle. It was actually the first time he was able to meet all of the members and be introduced to them. There was an hour break before he was told to enter the hall by the king.

So, the boy was spending his time thinking of how to entertain himself when his eyes and ears caught something unfamiliar. A huge, like a papa-bear, man was holding a little girl by her hand and giving her advice.

"...So, if they tell you something...Ugh, you know, just send them to hell!"

"But I can't fight them, Leo."