End War

Chapter 11: First Time Part II

A week had passed since the duel of Kido and Eugene. Kido opened his eyes. He was confused, trying to piece together his memories. After remembering the fight that night, he felt nauseous again. He was on a bed, the room furnished by antiques. There was a big clock in front of him. Hearing its clocking made him dizzy, so he diverted his attention. Almost all of his body was bandaged because of the battle. His body was so numb that he didn't realize if there was someone sitting and sleeping next to him. Her hair was blonde and smelled good. She was Jeanne.

Kido could move his body but it still hurt. Jeanne woke up because of Kido's movement. Suddenly she hugged him, "Thanks God!".

"Ouch ouch", Kido was in pain.

"I'm sorry, Kido. I'm so happy that you finally woke up. It has been a week since you were passed out", Jeanne said it while shedding tears. 

"We are at Eugene's house. After that incident, Julius with his army arrived there. After they heard news about us, he immediately rushed towards the city. But he didn't find us there. He interrogated one of the new guards then rushed over to where we were. That's why it took them so long to find us. I've explained many things starting from the battle in the heart of Ygdrassil to the battle with Eugene. I have also explained to him about you. I asked him a few things. After this you can live comfortably as the royal princess's personal bodyguard.", Jeanne explained the condition. After that, she smiled to herself.

"What's wrong? Why are you smiling like that?", Kido asked about her strange action.

"Of course I'm happy because you are alive but besides, that time you called my name for the first time. Even though I'm not used to being called Ann, I'm happy that you finally called me by my name, as if you finally acknowledged me as a partner, not a burden"

He recalled the incident. His face flushed with embarrassment, "Please, forget about it".

"That won't happen", she laughed.

"Thank you Kido for saving me from the bandits, for our long journey, for saving me from Eugene. From now on, let's work together for the Kingdom. I will tell the nurse that you have woke up, so she can check your condition", she thanked Kido and then leave the room using her disable chair. Kido remained silent.

Jeanne called the nurse. On her way back to the room, she met Julius, "Julius! Kido has woke up!".

"I understand, milady. I want to see him. He is an interesting boy from what I heard in your story", they get in to the Kido's room. But they didn't see him there. There were no sign of him. There was only a letter on his bed. Jeanne had a bad feeling. Somehow she was afraid to open the letter. She clenched her fists, scrunched up her face, and lowered her head. Julius read the letter.

"We've been through a long journey in the past weeks. It was a new experience for me even though I often traveled with bandits. Actually I'm happy to be your royal guard, but from our journey I learned that the war had a bad impact anywhere, even in the safest place. I want to save them who are victims of war. It wasn't my role to act inside the Kingdom, I can't make significant change from there. I want to search the answer that will resolve the war for saving them. So, I'm sorry, I can't be in your side. I'm sorry for hitting you back then. Thank you for giving me a name. Let's meet in another chance, Ann, if this world wills.

Additional note: You must often see around your kingdom. There are lot of unseen misery in Ivra"

Jeanne wondered if there was anyone in this world who understood what she felt. Finally there was a person who could rely on her, share the weight together, and fill each other gap but suddenly he left her when they should be together from now on. Jeanne shed tears, "Why was everyone leaving me?".

On the other side, Kido had already leaved the city. Nobody knew where he headed, even Kido himself. He wore a black cloak, walking alone searching for an answer. The story isn't end yet. It has just began. 

To be continued in the next arc.