Mystic - EN version

Chapter 35 : Confession

The group of five had ended up in the hall after exploring the castle, or at least starting to do so. Clave had dried her tears and was trying to display a less negative emotion.

– Have you found anything that might help us find the Crown? asked Noah.

– No, nothing at all..., replied Beatrice, sheepishly.

– The same goes for us, added Naos.

Corentin nodded in agreement.

– It's going to be more complicated than we thought, muttered the telepath. However, I did receive a carrier pigeon from my aunt just ten minutes ago. She says in it that she's going to join us, so it would be ideal if we could find the Crown before she arrives. But first, we need to get some rest. This journey has been exhausting for all of us.

– That's fine with me, says Beatrice with a yawn and a hand over her mouth. Where are we going to sleep?

Naos took a slight step forward and pointed in the direction he and Corentin had come back.

– We saw some dormitories over there. They must have been the maids.

– Let's go then, declared Noah.

As the group started towards the dormitory, Clave grabbed Noah's hand and made him stop. The young man turned to her. Her cheeks were flushed and her chin was down. Noah couldn't help but melt at the sight.

– Stay with me, please. I... I'd like to sleep in my room, but I don't want to be alone.

– Don't worry, Princess. I'm not leaving.

– Thank you...

– I'll just tell the others and come back.

Clave nodded, watching Noah walk away and then return at once. The young man gently held out his gloved hand to her, a charming smile on his lips, and she took it, her cheeks turning pink.

Clave fell back onto the bed. She and Noah had just finished cleaning the room for the night. Well, mostly dusted the place where they were going to sleep. She closed her eyes. Her whole body wanted nothing more than to rest in a comfortable bed.

Noah sat down beside her and took a deep breath.

– So... about earlier...

Clave opened his eyes again and looked at the young man. His cheeks were on fire. Clave had never seen him like this and she thought it was adorable.

– Are we still friends or are we more than that? he then asked in a weak voice.

– I never wanted to be just friends with you, Clave replied with all the confidence she could muster.

Noah flopped down on the bed and turned to the young girl.

– If you only knew how long I've waited for these words, he sighed.

– You couldn't have been as impatient as I was, replied Clave, smiling.

There was a moment of silence during which the two enjoyed the moment, then Noah murmured softly:

– I love you.

Clave moved closer to him and took his hand.

– And I love you even more.

Noah laughed a little, then closed his eyes. Then they fell asleep together.

Griselda and Catherine had just passed through the castle gates. They had entered the courtyard and found a large stable where they could leave Achilles. They made their way into the hall and, like the group of five before them, they couldn't help but admire the place.

However, the sun was just rising and the others had not yet woken up. The two young women didn't know where to go, so they decided to have a look around. They made their way up the stairs.

– This place is magnificent, said Catherine, impressed.

– Yes, it's stunning.

They stopped at a door at the end of a corridor, a large door half-open. Griselda entered first, stopped on the threshold and beckoned Catherine to come in. The ginger entered the room and the first thing she noticed was the bed in the middle. Clave and Noah were sleeping on it, hand in hand. The assistant smiled fondly. Behind her, Griselda murmured:

– They're cute together.

Then she left the room, the ex-maid hot on her heels. They soon found a room to sleep in, not far from Clave and Noah's one.

However, neither Griselda nor Catherine slept. The ginger was too preoccupied, going over what she had done to Clave, while the ambassador was immersed, as usual, in her papers, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.