Mystic - EN version

Chapter 48 : Farewell

It took Clave a moment to notice that the wooden watering can she used to water the flowers in the castle courtyard was empty. The young girl was totally lost in thought, as if her mind had wandered off into the grey autumn sky.

Since she had defeated Arthur, she had no time to rest. Griselda had handed her piles and piles of papers, mainly documents and letters about problems with neighbouring countries. Of course, the ambassador helped her, but Clave honestly didn't understand much of it. Moreover, Noah's aunt wanted the coronation to take place as quickly as possible. She feared reprisals from the Silverwoods, but Noah said that without Arthur, who was now in prison until further orders, they were nothing more than a headless chicken, running around aimlessly for a very short time.

Clave glanced at the pale flowers in front of her, then decided to head back into the warmth as a fresh breeze began to blow. When she entered the large sitting room on the first floor, Noah was there, reading a book, cross-legged, sitting in a pose that Clave found very classy. She smiled, then slipped discreetly behind him to try and surprise him, but he said:

– I saw you, princess.

Then he turned round and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.

– Oh, you're no fun! You could at least have pretended!

– Maybe next time.

Clave walked around the sofa and dropped heavily onto it, letting out a long, tired sigh.

– It's no relaxing job running the country's affairs... I wonder how Griselda can do it and enjoy doing it.

– She's on another level.

– She was born to live in papers, it seems. But I wasn't. Luckily she's here to help me.

Noah rested his head on Clave's shoulder. The young girl had noticed that he seemed weary for some time. Probably because of Arthur, but the blonde didn't dare ask him. She simply closed her eyes, but not for long. Corentin knocked on the living room door, then entered, and immediately Noah straightened up and crossed his arms, an annoyed expression on his face. He and the shapeshifter were still not getting on.

– I've got some bad news... Well, it's relative, but I... Well, yes, it is... It's pretty serious.

He sighed. He was hesitating, which was unusual for him.

– How to say it?

Clave got up and approached him.

– I'm listening, Corentin, she said, worried.

– Arthur is... dead.

Noah turned and rose abruptly from the sofa.

– What? he exclaimed.

– He killed himself..., whispered Corentin, seemingly afraid that the telepath would come after him. In his cell. Bea just told me... I'm... I'm sorry.

Noah, all his energy gone, sat down heavily on the sofa, which protested with a creak. There was no expression on the young man's face. He probably didn't know how to react. Clave bit her lip. She didn't know what to do or say either. Should she leave him alone?

When she turned to Corentin to thank him, he had already left the room.

– Noah, I...

– I know. You're sorry. But you don't have to be. I don't even know if he deserves to be mourned. I don't know, and I really don't want to.

Clave sat down gently beside him.

– What do you want to do?

– I don't... I don't know... I think I need time to figure out how I feel.

– I'm here if you need me, murmured the young girl. But I can also leave, if you want.

– No, it's fine... I'd rather you stayed.

The blonde smiled, then snuggled up to her boyfriend and hugged him. They stayed like that for several minutes, and even longer, in a comforting silence. It was only when night fell that they left the room, hand in hand.