She Was Just A Child (PART 2)

CHAPTER 35: LEARNING TO HOLD ON

Dian remained in the medical bay long after König had left, the rabbit charm still nestled between her fingers. It was strange—the weight of something so small felt heavier than it should, as if it carried something more than just its physical presence.

She turned it over in her palm, studying the faint scratches along its surface. It had been through battles, just like König. Just like her. And yet, despite everything, it had survived.

The thought settled uneasily in her chest.

She wasn’t sure if she had.

A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

Dian stiffened, her instincts flaring despite the familiar presence that entered. Roze stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her dark eyes scanning the room before settling on Dian.

"You look like shit," Roze said flatly.

Dian snorted. "Good to see you too."

Roze stepped inside, her boots clicking softly against the tile floor. She didn't waste time with pleasantries—she never did. Instead, she grabbed the chair beside Dian’s bed and sat down, her gaze sharp but unreadable.

"König’s worried about you," she said, getting straight to the point. "We all are."

Dian leaned back against the pillows, her grip tightening around the charm. "I didn’t ask anyone to be."

Roze sighed, shaking her head. "Doesn't work that way, kid. You don’t get to decide who gives a damn about you."

Dian’s jaw tensed. She hated this. Hated being the center of attention when all she wanted was to disappear into the background. But König’s words from earlier still echoed in her mind, making it impossible to push Roze’s concern away entirely.

After a moment, Roze leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. "I heard what you called him," she said quietly.

Dian’s fingers curled around the charm like a reflex.

Roze smirked. "Relax. I’m not gonna make a big deal out of it."

Dian exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "It’s not—"

"It is," Roze interrupted. "You just don’t know what to do with it."

That made Dian pause.

Roze wasn’t wrong.

The idea of König being… that to her was overwhelming. It wasn’t something she had planned, something she had even thought about before it had slipped from her lips. And now it was out there, impossible to take back.

"I don’t know how to do this," Dian admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Roze studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Yeah. I know."

The silence between them stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was rare for Dian to have conversations like this—conversations that weren’t about survival, missions, or the next battle. It made her uneasy, but it also made her feel…

Lighter.

Roze leaned back in her chair. "You think you have to figure this all out on your own, but you don’t. König’s not expecting anything from you. He’s just… there."

Dian frowned. "That’s the problem. I don’t know why he’s there."

Roze arched an eyebrow. "You really don’t get it, do you?"

Dian crossed her arms. "Enlighten me."

Roze sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Dian, König’s not sticking around because he has to. He’s not doing it out of obligation. He’s doing it because he wants to. Because you mean something to him."

The words sent a sharp pang through Dian’s chest.

"That’s dangerous," she muttered.

Roze let out a dry chuckle. "Only if you make it that way."

Dian didn’t respond.

She wanted to believe it. But trusting in something like that felt reckless. She had spent her entire life expecting people to leave—to abandon, betray, or use her. König was the first person who had ever stayed.

And that terrified her.

Roze must have sensed her unease because she changed the subject. "You’re coming back to training tomorrow."

Dian blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"You heard me. König gave you time to rest, but he also knows you. He knows sitting around is just gonna make you spiral. So you’re getting back into the field, whether you like it or not."

Dian frowned. "I don’t think that’s a good idea."

"Yeah? Too bad." Roze stood, stretching her arms. "7 AM sharp. Don't be late."

Dian glared. "I hate you."

Roze grinned. "That’s the spirit."

And with that, she walked out, leaving Dian alone once more.

Dian sighed, running a hand through her hair. Training. She hadn’t even thought about getting back to work yet, but maybe… maybe it would help. Maybe getting back into something familiar would quiet the storm inside her.

She looked down at the rabbit charm in her hand.

Maybe she needed to hold on to something.

---

The next morning came faster than Dian had anticipated.

She stood in the locker room, adjusting her gear. The weight of her vest was familiar, grounding, but there was still an unease settling deep in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was from the lack of sleep or the lingering conversation with Roze.

When she stepped out onto the training field, König was already there, his massive frame commanding as always. He turned when he heard her approach, his blue eyes scanning her carefully.

"You’re here," he said simply.

Dian shrugged. "Roze didn’t give me a choice."

König hummed, as if he knew better. He stepped forward, adjusting the strap of her vest. "Good," he murmured. "You’re stronger when you keep moving."

Dian stiffened at the way he phrased it. You’re stronger when you keep moving.

Not you need to keep moving. Not it’s better this way.

You are stronger.

The distinction mattered.

"Ready?" he asked.

Dian exhaled. "Yeah."

The morning sun burned overhead, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn’t running from something.

She was moving forward.

And maybe that was enough.