The Crazy Art Called Love

30 | Zeal

~~Harumi's POV~~

It had been a few days since the attack on the Jade palace. Days and hours ever since I found out that my adoptive parents, Hutchins, and everyone else who lived in the palace had died in chaos. I couldn't help but feel guilty for being the only one left to survive when I didn't deserve to in the first place.

It was as if every time death comes near me there would always be someone to stand in its way. Like they weren't allowing me to get taken just yet. Maybe, I am destined for greater things. Maybe I was kept alive for a reason and not just because I was royalty.

But why would anyone want me? I am no more important than anyone who does much greater things to this world than I do. Why were they going through all this trouble just to protect me? I looked up at the ceiling of the sleeping quarters in the Destiny's bounty and asked. Why?

"Rumi? Are you okay?"

I heard a voice ask from my left and I turned my head to be met with a pair of bright green eyes. Worry filled those sparkling swirls. I wonder what he was thinking.

"Yes. I'm fine." I respond casually and wiped my eyes for any sign of my crying.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until I woke up from another nightmare about the Emperor and Empress. I knew I had despised them but not so much to wish for their death.

"Would you like some water?"

"That—that would be nice."

Lloyd immediately removed the blanket that was covering him and got up from his bed. I sat up straight on my sleeping bag on the floor. He insisted that I take his bed but I didn't want the special treatment. Even if he was only being nice.

He entered the sleeping quarters with a glass of water in his hand before holding it out to me. I took the glass and let myself rehydrate. I never knew I was parched until I felt the cold water run down my throat.

"What happened?" He asked and took a seat in front of me. I wanted to tell him he looked cute in his green pajamas. How his hair was all messy and frizzy from the static of his pillows.

"Just a nightmare. That's all." I smiled and rubbed my arm. I wanted it to be just a nightmare too. But the events had already happened.

I looked down and felt a pair of arms wrap around me. It felt warm and comforting which made me easily melt into the hug.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to talk about it. You're not alone."

I was supposed to be ignoring him. To try and let my feelings subside because our friendship was more important than anything I wanted. But I couldn't resist, no matter how hard I tried. I wrapped my arms around him and cried onto his shoulder. I didn't want to wake the others so I tried to keep it as quiet as I could. It was all too much. It was more than I could take and it happened so fast.

The only family I had left were gone. Dead just like the first one. I took them for granted and now there was nothing else I could do. I went behind their backs, I disobeyed their wishes, and I didn't even have a chance to say good bye.

Before everything that had happened. Before the explosion and the bike chases, the last moment I shared with them was during dinner. The Empress was excitedly planning Lloyd and I's wedding as we ate and the Emperor was more than happy to help.

It was the first time I had seen both of them with real smiles on their faces. I don't care if it wasn't a genuine smile, they were happy.

"I have you. Right, Goldilocks?" I pulled away to get a good look at his face. I could see tears threatening to fall from his eyes. I guess he really didn't like seeing me cry.