Vesryn Pulse

Chapter 58: Fake Honor

Amphere Harrison

During that time, Richard managed to pull off another portal from Twilight City. I carried the dying Airi on my arms as I rushed through. I managed to deliver her to the Guardian Haven's Hospital, and she was immediately sent to the Intensive Care Unit. There, she has undergone several operations for three days. I also noticed that the vision on my right eye faded when Airi left her consciousness. I thought it was blind, so I covered it with an eyepatch.

It's the fourth day after that bloody incident in the Twilight City, and Airi still failed to regain her consciousness. She's in a state of coma, and the doctors are trying their best to return her back but it's no good. All we can do is wait like a sitting duck, unable to do anything.

I sat beside Airi's bed after I changed the daisies on the vase of this room. Airi doesn't want to see withering daisies, she once told me. As soon as she wakes up, I wanted her to smile as soon as possible.

Except the beeping of her heart monitor, everything here is silent. She's not breathing heavily on her oxygen mask unlike the first three days of her stay here in this hospital. I've been bowing, staring at the handkerchief which she used as a hair decoration for the past two decades. I hate myself. I'm so stupid.

I killed my mentor. I got my best friend heavily injured. And then the woman, who loved me the most, sacrificed herself for me. Estoff said that I shouldn't blame myself, but it's easier said than done. All the burden drops to my shoulders, and my guilt is now killing me. I looked at the golden dragon-head badge I just received this morning. It's from the awarding ceremony. They just gave me a medal of valor due to my 'heroic deeds' for killing the Arcadia's commander, Estoff Wraith. Little did the majority know that it is all staged, which makes me feel bad even more.

"...Hey Airi..." I muttered as tears fell off my eyes. I tightened my grasps on her soft hand. "...I totally forgive you now... Please wake up... You're everything that matters to me... C'mon, I'll take your offer. I'll strip my hero status and live with you in a peaceful province for the rest of my life...Just wake up...Please..." I kissed her hand, which was soaked with my own tears. It took five whole minutes.

And then the door opened. There were three people. Duchess Corasell, Kyrie, and Rudolf. Kyrie is currently pushing Rudolf's wheelchair because his lover cannot walk due to his amputated limbs. My best friend's half body is covered with bandages which makes him look like a mummy. Meanwhile, Kyrie only has a small wound on her chest, and it seems that she finally regained her strength.

Duchess Corasell bowed, hiding her facial expression as she clenches her hand with suppressed anger. "Is it true?...Did you really kill Sir Wraith?"

"Yes." I answered directly.

"Was it true that Airelina sacrificed herself to protect you?" She asked again.

"Yes."

"I don't know why it all happened." Duchess Corasell's eyes revealed itself in its teary form. "It must've been you who must suffer these consequences. That poor Mister Gilliard and Miss Elumina... Airelina and Sir Estoff... They don't deserve to feel pain! It must be you! IT'S YOUR ENTIRE FAULT!!!"

"YES!" I stood up and tried to provoke the duchess using my height. "It's my entire fault! But I never wanted it to happen! I'm blaming myself for being so weak! I wanted to suffer all those sins and die miserably!"

"Y-You..." the Duchess readied her hand to slap me with her full force, but she stopped herself. Instead, she just walked away while crying like a little bitch. I was left there, lonesome and dumbfounded.