The boy without magic

Chapter 21: How it came to be

30 years go: Clover kingdom

Blaargh Acier wiped her mouth and was trying to catch her breath. The twenty one year old felt tears go down her cheeks, she hated how her life had to be so complicated. Recently, she was engaged with a nobleman soon to be married. She hated that man and her heart had already belonged to one. The man she gave herself to, the man she trusted. The woman didn't care that she was so close to the toilet, she cried to herself alone. She saw her reflection in the toilet bowl, it only reminded her of how miserable she truly was. Outside the bathroom she was known as a the steel warrior princess. A title given to her by Julius that soon everyone said. She got up from the floor and washed her hands and face. She tried to make herself look strong, what she believed herself to be, a woman known as the strongest. After cleaning herself up she left the bathroom and paid no attention to her family who tried speaking with her. She only had one thing in mind, to talk with Julius.

***

"So you're a captain just like that?" Anthony asked.

"Yeah I guess." Julius answered. The news of him getting promoted was great, but he recently heard some news that left him heartbroken. The woman he loved had been engaged, and he wasn't able to be himself since then.

Anthony knew that Julius was heartbroken. He never had to deal with the pain his friend had gone through. The woman he loved was still with him and even received the approval of his parents. Anthony grabbed Julius' shoulder and rubbed it. He didn't know how to help him in this situation, but what he did know was to be there for him. "If it helps, we can go out for drinks later. It'll be on me. I know that the news about Acier must hurt, but unfortunately I don't know how that really feels. I'll always be there for you, because I see you as my brother." He said.

Julius let out some tears. Recently he and Acier confessed and shared an intimate moment only allowed for their eyes alone. He didn't know how to take the news, but he knew what he felt. "I just can't. I loved her." The mans voice began to break. He felt a weight crushing his chest and the only way to find relief was to cry like a child.

Anthony had never seen his best friend cry, he always was the most mature and well kept person he knew. He could only bring him into a hug. Julius reluctantly returned the hug and cried into his shoulder.

"Why? Why does it have to be her? We were so perfect together. She loved me and I loved her." Julius cried.

"It's these damn stupid rules that royals have. They don't care for the person, they only care about their status and bloodline. Acier never deserved this and you didn't either. It's just how hard life truly is. Nothing goes well in life for nearly anyone." Anthony said.

"I'm gonna kill them. I won't let them take her away from me." Julius said.

"Don't let your anger be the one to make your decisions. You can't kill the royals who made that rule, they're the ones the kingdoms economy relies on. If you kill them then thousands of others will suffer. There has to be another way." Anthony said.

"There isn't another way. I've thought about it and it's the only solution for me and her being together. Just like how we wanted." Julius said.

Anthony released the hug and looked at the man in front of him. He knew Julius was feeling the peak of anger and sadness. A combination of emotions that heavily influenced ones decision making. "Listen to yourself. This isn't the Julius I know. You're supposed to be the man that wants to protect everyone in this kingdom, not a man who kills those who have caused him problems."

Julius looked down and saw his tears being soaked into the cement he sat on. He never recalled himself crying before, but it felt natural.

"Julius." A feminine voice said.