The Maid and Her Princess [On Hiatus]

Beyond a Dragon (1/7)

An Adventurous Year, Act 19
Beyond A Dragon

I.

I don't know how to trust in you. I know I trust in you, but I don't know how to. Your true colors have been blended in the Rustazian Carnials, everything is red about you. You're always scheming, always hiding a blade behind your smile. There's gods telling me that you're a monster, that you're trying to destroy them. Kin Slayer. Then there's you, telling me that you're a monster, yet holding your strength back for me. That you'll do anything for me.

Why?

What are you planning? What are you afraid of telling me? I am afraid to tell you I am doubting you. I'm afraid of being myself around you. I'm afraid. Yet when I look at you, you're the small girl I've taken care of for years. I want to kiss you. Strangle you. I want you to share with me your darkest secrets. But I'm afraid. I don't know if I can even trust myself with these gifts you and these kind gods have given me. I'm too afraid to tell you the thoughts in my head.

You're Audrey, but you've been Elise to me for longer. And I'm...

"Madoka."

Yes, I'm Madoka. A slave with only one name. I've come to you in chains and I still feel them wrapped around my wrists. Tightening. Now more than ever.

"Madoka!"

I know you're calling me to leave this void. I'm afraid to. I don't even know what to say first. I'm not free of my servitude or from my feelings. Unyielding loyalty and boundless love, broken by the images of your magic. Oh, Audrey, Your Highness. I am afraid... More terrified of you than the flames and the darkness.

"Wake up, Madoka," she pleaded. "Please, work, please!"

Madoka reluctantly opened her eyes when her touching senses returned first. She felt warm and strangely refreshed, which was odd to her because the ordeal she went through left her scarred. The second thing she felt was grass and something thumping her back. The grass was wonderful, but the thumping was confusing to her.

"Madoka?" the voice pleaded.

She looked down and noticed the softness that she was lying on was indeed the princess.

"Oh, forgive me," she reluctantly pulled off. Wait, she sat up fully. Wind pushed specks of dirt gently against her hair and the grass rustled along her hands. Her skin had a light green aura glowing around it. Even after all of this, the princess must have healed her. Audrey's face peeked up at her. "A-Audrey!"

Her face was covered in bright red bloodstains and purple bruises. Madoka inspected her closely and she realized this was the detail she forgot about the last time Her Highness meditated on an altar. The God of Tomorrows did this to her, presumably as a punishment. What have you done to these kind gods? The Wind King... Ares...?

"H-Hi, Madoka," Audrey whispered. It sounded like it took a lot of effort for her to speak, but she could sense the princess's tone held a hint of bitterness. "You saved me... once again."

She was the one who caused all this trouble, but Madoka could only sigh instead of getting angry. She would unravel all her empty scoldings for the girl later.

"Are we done training?"

A small chuckle was all she heard in response. Audrey's voice was too weak to hear anymore. Her using it to wake Madoka up must have been quite troublesome for her. Her eyes were closing, fluttering like she used to kick the Royal purple sheets in her sleep back home — rustling and restless. The fluttering suddenly stopped. She was fading away!

"Audrey?" Madoka's heart sank. "D-Don't—"

"I-I'm okay, just... Sleep," Audrey's lips moved despite her closed eyes, so Madoka had to trust her.