The Second Carpenter

LXII

LXII_I_The_Last_Slice_of_Life

"I never knew how useless an artist could become . . . in times of war," said Ned, sitting on a massive bed in a large chamber given to them in the castle.

"If it makes you feel any better," said Mirda, sitting topless next to him, revising a script together, "You were always worthless."

"Just so you know, I didn't change the ending of the script to affect you. You can kill yourself by the end of the play for all I care. I simply changed it because the story would be better this way; and that's all there is to it. Don't overrate your importance."

"Don't be an arse."

"I'm the arse," said Shara, fanning herself in her underwear, lounging on an armchair. "It's hot, damn it."

Hiratsuka, dressed very modestly, sitting next to Ben and playing with his locks on the same bed a few meters away from where Ned was sitting, said "Has any of you seen Violet's girlfriend? She hasn't been around recently, I'm worried. I wonder if there has been any news from the . . . I hope everyone's all right."

There was a small enclosed garden within castle borders atop the edge of one of the walls surrounding which Mina was standing. Of course the height was not that much and the ground was covered with leaves; so, even though Mina had seriously meant to end her own life, all she accomplished was embarrassing herself, bruising her thighs and arms, and killing off about six million brain cells.

It was queen Arsholen that found her and helped her back to their chamber.

"Girl."

"Your Highness?"

"Can I ask why you did it?"

"My lover died."

"My husband died."

"You have a kingdom to rule. I've nothing to live for."

"Yes. In His death, and in wait of our child's birth and maturity, I am ruler, on which authority I forbid you from hurting yourself again. If you disobey, your friends will suffer the consequences. I'm serious."

"Yes, My Queen. I apologize. It will not happen again."

"Thank you. Now go rest. Remember, high protein and low sugar. Good for recovering from concussion. And avoid sleep deprivation."

"Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think my child has been damaged?"

"It has. The child will be a cripple now, because of your foolish decision. Actually, the child will be fine. No, don't be enraged, It's not good for the child. But it could've been damaged. So, don't do foolish things like that again."

A moment later, Mina and Hiratsuka were sobbing in one another's arms, as Mirda, smiling with tears, quietly told her Shara "You know, Sis, when I heard the news, I became very sad. But I also became very happy, because it made it easier for me to have Mina. And now that think about it . . . I've been hoping for Violet to die for a while . . . Even though I loved Violet very much . . ." her tears and her smile both intensified, ". . . You know?"

Shara held her fast, "Don't blame yourself sissy; I'll never judge you; I'll always be on your side. And you can cry on my shoulder whenever you want. Just . . . don't say to Mama what you just said to me."

Once Mina's mutual mourning with Hiratsuka ended, Mirda approached her and held her.

"How shall the light of life shine within me, now that my Inferno is extinguished?"