The Guarded Princess

LV

The war had ended and all that was left was nothing more than a piece of barren land that was once the great militaristic country of the previous decade: the Garanda Empire. The soldiers of all the countries retreated, glad that it was over, and yet, they couldn't help but have a feeling in their heart that the ending wasn't exactly one that they wished for. The leaders of the countries and their vassals returned to the island where their headquarters were located in order to discuss what they should do with the reparations of the war.

Kou Empire's Chambers~

Everything was silent and serene with the occasion of slight shifting in the cushioned chair. Kouen sat there on the chair with an ambivalent expression, his eyes furrowed together and his lips pulled into a tight frown. His wound from the war had healed and much thanks to Phenex, there was no scar left. His crimson red eyes stared at the person before him, full of worry yet vexation. He clutched her hand but no movement came from her. Gritting his teeth, he put his forehead against her clutched hand.

"Lucy..." he said, his voice deep and almost seemed to tremble. "Why did you do something so stupid?"

Lucy laid there upon the large bed, the blankets covering her as her long blonde hair spread out on the bed and hung from the edge of the bed before touching the floor. Her long, dark eyelashes hid her honey-chocolate eyes and her lips were slightly parted, tiny breaths of air escaping from them. Her face was the usual pale white and she seemed so peaceful yet, Kouen knew better. She had been asleep for two whole days and he could only wonder what was going on in her mind.

"Lucy," he said, his voice pleading. "Wake up."

Masrur watched from outside the room and turned away, his bangs covering the dark and clouded expression on his face. Balling his hands into fists, he gritted his teeth. Even though he said he would protect her, he couldn't. He only had himself to blame for his weakness and seeing her laying there, almost lifeless like a doll, his heart ached and he bent down, burying his head in his arms and legs.

"Lucy..." he murmured as he grimaced in agony. "Sorry for being weak...I'm sorry so," he looked up as his voice shook, tears on the verge of spilling from his eyes. "Show me that smile of yours once more. You still haven't treated me to your homemade cooking yet..."

No one, during their time within the island in order to recover from their wounds, dared to bother the two for them, too, were occupied with their own thoughts about the end of the war. Lucy had remained unconscious and they each contemplated over what she had done. If she hadn't made such a move, would they have successfully defeated the demon? They all knew the answer to that question which only irked them even more. Even though they were metal vessel users, they were still too far from using the full power of their Djinn.

Meanwhile~

A warm light basked over Lucy and feeling the gentle and soft light upon her skin, she slowly opened her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering open. But, as she awakened, she was in a place that she didn't recognize. Looking around, all that surrounded her was pitch darkness and yet, there was light. She gazed down at herself and saw her wearing her white dress with her metal vessel and the Phoenix Bangle still settled on her wrist, her body glowing. She held the two objects close to her, glad that they were still by her.

But, she stared down at her metal vessel with a look of pain. "I'm sorry, Beleth," she said.

Beleth materialized before her but this time, he wasn't in his djinn form but rather, in the form of an average human, just like her. He was at least a head taller than her and stood relatively at the same height as Muu. Unlike his djinn form, the form he took on now revealed his skin color which was a pale peach, his white wavy hair weaving down to his thighs, his side bangs slightly brushed to the side like animal ears. He had golden markings upon his body like what she had seen in the dungeon and the same golden waistband and white cloth was situated at his waist. The cloth reached down to the floor as a white hagoromo was bequeathed upon him, connecting at his waist. Golden accessories dangled from his body and Lucy stared at him, the expression on his face carrying helpless sorrow.