Fate II

CCXXXIII

The Soleil Palace was peaceful and silent despite the recent announcements that ravaged the continents. No servant or guard was allowed to speak of the outside world to her as she stayed inside the Palace, protected while she recuperated. But, they all knew that no matter how much time passed, nothing would be able to cure her. She had lost her sight permanently and though she was still able to see the truth with her Eyes of Omniscience, she could no longer witness the beauty of the world she loved and hated at the same time.

She stayed in her room, her head turned towards the window as she recognized the brighter area of the room and where the light was streaming in from.

"As much as I tried to delay it, it was inevitable," she said.

Kaede sat by her side, peeling an apple and cutting them into bunny shapes. "Human greed knows no bounds. The Kou Empire has belittled us, thinking that we would sit back and watch. But this time, they crossed the line."

"Yes," Lucy clenched the blanket. "They have."

She was still angry and it wasn't a surprise that she was. They had dragged Masud into this mess, intentional or not, and despite knowing that he wasn't the Royal Prince that they were after, they still tortured him as they would do a criminal. Remembering what she saw that day, her body trembled with rage and the magoi around her grew unsettled. In the past, she would've used any method to prevent any confrontation from happening since she didn't want anyone to live in a time of violence and hatred. But, she had given up that hopeless dream. She was no longer willing to be the pacifist she was when the other side had no intention of being at peace from the start. Hence, she made her first move to indicate her intentions.

But, her anger quickly subsided and in its place, sorrow and agony quickly filled her heart. Her lips trembled and tears rolled down her cheeks as she murmured his name.

"Kuugen," she choked out.

It had been like this since his death. One moment, she would be consumed by anger and the next, she would break down sobbing. She would curse the Empire but soon blame herself as the cause. She was not the one to blame and that was a fact. But, no matter how many times people told her otherwise, she would continue to torment herself with his death. Even if Kuugen were to argue against it if he was alive, the guilt had already been seeded. Kaede lowered his head and pursed his lips, his eyes filled with grief and torment. There was nothing he could do to comfort her.

"Eat something, Lucy," he said, handing her the finished plate of apples. "You still have to take care of the two growing infants inside of you."

It was only at the mention of the two children she was raising inside of her that she stopped and regained her composure. She had lost too much and she didn't want to lose another. Even if it pained her, she forced herself to eat.

"How long do you think this will last?" she asked.

Though the two countries had officially renounced any and all relationships with each other, it didn't mean that they would immediately head into battle. They weren't that stupid. Especially after Kouen's "apology" stating that Ka Koubun acted independently. Right now, the two sides were engaged in a silent, economic war with the Kou Empire suffering the most damage. Not to mention, winter was fast approaching and no country, no matter how hostile they were against each other, was willing to waste resources during these times.

"The Retainers had already dealt a devastating blow on the Empire," Kaede answered. "Without their barrier, the Imperial Family and the Empire as a whole will be vulnerable. They won't be moving for some time."

Lucy turned his head to him.

"Of course, we know not to underestimate them."

She returned back to her plate of apples. She may be blind but, there were people who acted as her eyes and ears. She wasn't ignorant of what was going on and she hadn't completely lost her mind yet. She knew what type of people the Imperial Family was since she had grown up with them and it was exactly because she knew what kind of people they were that she wasn't willing to let her guard down. Not even as her heart was filled with endless grief that was threatening to suffocate and drown her.