King of Hearts

48.

When Val arrives home, she finds Garan behind the counter. "Val", he greets her with a sigh of relief. "You're safe!" He waddles around the counter and approaches her. He of course knows about what happened. Garan gently grabs Val by the shoulders and asks, "Have you seen him, Prince Sulo?" Rumors spread really fast, even in such a big city.

Val is almost trembling, just by the thought of his piercing gaze. She nods and notices Garan's body stiffening. "I hoped this day would never come", he almost whispers. Val can see how worried he is, and it only makes her even more nervous.

"What do you think will happen next?", Val wants to know.  Garan sighs. "Honestly, I don't have any idea. His presence means nothing good, that's for sure", he answers. Garan rubs his forehead with his hand and it breaks Val's heart to see him so preoccupied. Of course, he cares for his city and its people. This is his home and it has started to feel like Val's too. 

"We need to collect the remaining gemstones as quickly as possible. I don't know how much Senfira can endure this all anymore. I am already preparing treatments and medicine for today's victims, aside from medicine for people who have already been sick from fever and other diseases. How much longer will we go on like this? How many more victims will be sacrificed?" Pain is written all over his face. Quick-footed, he darts behind the counter and continues with his work. "Have you talked to Prince Ulio?", he asks. Val nods hesitantly, although feeling a little guilty. She compares herself to Garan, who is overworked and doing all he can whereas she lets herself be distracted far too easily. Instead of planning on what to do next, they have been casually strolling in Senfira and enjoying the afternoon, as if people are not in danger. How could she have been so careless? People are dying and all she cared about was having fun with Ulio. Val is disappointed in herself for having wasted her time like that. And now people had to pay for it. "We already have an idea of what to do next, but we still need to talk about it", she replies while pushing her guilt aside. It won't happen again. Now, she needs to focus and end people's suffering once and for all. Garan raises an eyebrow but simply nods in response.

Val decides to leave him at his work. She makes her way to her room. Dánica is already packing her bag. Val would've never imagined it to be this hard to see her leave. They only know each other for a few days and still, a beautiful friendship has developed in so little time. Val tells herself, that once she leaves this world, they wouldn't have seen each other anymore anyway. The thought of leaving this world very soon makes her palms sweat. Something inside her is tightening her lungs and it makes her heart beat faster. Her eyes are burning with pain and fear of losing her forever. Why does it have to be like this? Why were they born in two different worlds? Why does life have to be so unfair? 

Dánica only notices Val's presence when she lets out a soft sob. Val didn't even realize that she has started crying. Normally, she wouldn't have let it happen but right now she doesn't care. Sometimes it's ok to cry. She doesn't have to act tough all the time.

"Val", whispers Dánica. Her sky-blue eyes sparkle. She goes over to Val who has been standing in the doorway the whole time. Val isn't sobbing anymore she's crying like a waterfall, and Dánica can't hold back her tears either. They automatically hug each other. "Why are we crying already? I'm leaving tomorrow morning", Dánica tries a giggle. "It's better to cry now so that there will be no tears tomorrow", Val responds. Dánica giggles weakly, "I doubt that." Val is the first one to let go, wiping away her last tears. "I am so happy and proud of you", she smiles. Dánica returns the smile. "I still feel guilty for leaving at such an inconvenient moment. I want to stay here and help where I can", she frowns. Val imagines Dánica has been at the public square, helping everywhere and everyone. She gently rests a hand on Dánica's shoulder. It's just horrible. There's nothing to say in moments like these. No words could ever be right or comforting enough. The mourning silence speaks for itself.