Fate II

CCXLIII

With news of Kouha's continued domination across the raging battlefield, Sinbad dispatched Masrur alongside several other Generals to the war front to stop the Kou Empire's further advancement. Masud was recalled and given the situation, Shameena and Saheim also returned, and with them back at the Royal Palace, the fear and burden Lucy carried day-to-day seemed to lessen. However, Sikandar was still at the war front and though he would never be in grave danger due to the tassel she had gifted him on his fifth birthday, she could not help but worry.

However, as she continued to receive news from the rukh which acted as her eyes and ears, her restlessness ceased and was replaced by a sudden yet solemn calmness. She nursed Shad and played with him as she usually did but, her gaze would always wander towards the window to where the battlefield was.

As if she was waiting for something.

"Kaede," she spoke up, the gray clouds painting the skies above.

"Yes?" he turned to her. "Should I return him to his crib?"

She shook her head. "I'd like to hold him for a bit longer," she answered with a smile but there was nothing but sorrow and a tinge of regret in her voice.

Kaede stared at her, his violet-blue eyes holding back tears at how frail she had become over the years. She was only twenty-eight years old and though she remained young and beautiful, her eyes which only made out blurs were dull and no longer carried that same shine and she only ever smiled sorrowfully.

"What I wanted to ask is, you're not particularly fond of Sikandar or any of my and Sinbad's children are you?"

He remained silent.

"It's fine. We've known each other for long enough to know each other's thoughts even without speaking," she chuckled. "In Kaede's eyes, only I'm worthy of your protection and affection, right?"

"If you knew, then was there a need to ask?" he answered softly, walking over to her and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "To me, no one will ever be more important than you. Not even your children. If anything, the other Retainers are far higher in my social pyramid than them."

She laughed in amusement. "A typical response from Kaede."

Seeing her laugh, he couldn't help but laugh in turn. But, she soon spoke again.

"Kaede has been in the service of the Heartfilia Household for a while now, haven't you?"

"Whether it be centuries or several millennia, I've long lost count," he answered. "But, if all that time in their service meant that I could meet you," his eyes shone with affection, "then it was all worth it."

Lucy widened her eyes in surprise before smiling softly, blinking back her tears. "Is that so?"

The silence that followed was enough to confirm his affection for her and just how precious she was to him. Likewise, it also showed how important Kaede was to her. After all, he was her very first friend. He was the one who had stayed by her side all these years and had accompanied her through thick and thin. Everything that she had now, she owed to him.

"Thank you," she said, tears rolling down her face as she continued smiling. "For all that you've done, Kaede, my first friend."

Taken aback by her sudden tears, he knelt down and held her hand. "I should be the one thanking you. If it weren't for you, I'd still be chained in the Celestial Archive. So thank you," he pressed his forehead against the back of her hand and held it firmly, "for saving me, Lucy."

The two smiled at one another and Lucy opened her eyes, her dull honey-brown eyes shining softly for a brief moment.

"I promised, didn't I?" she said, the rukh fluttering around her. "I would give you your freedom."