The Virtue

The Night

(Theme Song for this chapter is Trip (Cover by Jamieboy) by Ella Mai. I was listening to this song while writing this whole chapter!!)

Nova's POV

"And.. then he asked me to leave" I say while sobbing on Medusa's lap

"Shhh.. Calm down child" Medusa says with a soft voice

"I don't know Medusa. . Is love supposed to be this difficult?" I wipe my tears as I stare out of the window, I can smell Medusa's sweet scent on her gown and it brings a different sense of peace to my mind

"Oh love is supposed to be the hardest thing in your life, it's never easy" Medusa says as she runs her fingers through my hair gently

"I never pictured it to be like this, it turns from paradise to a warzone within minutes" I say

"Well then, you are doing it right" Medusa says

"How?" I get up and sit on the bed comfortably as Medusa straightens her back and looks at me, "Well Nova hate is not opposite of love, indifference is" she smiles and continues, "You should be worried about your relationship when you have no arguments and fights, that is when it is really lost. That is when it silently dies"

I try to make sense of Medusa's words but I can't. Maybe words aren't as effective as experiences

"You know Medusa, you are the only one I have now" I say as I lower my gaze

"Nonsense" Medusa refutes, "You have a new family here, don't count yourself out"

"Ivar and I are not good for each other, we at times bring out the worst in each other" I say

"Even a seed need time to sprout, you need time to let your love grow. Sure, you both are different individuals but deep down you love each other" Medusa comes closer to me

"I am not saying that it is easy, all I am saying is that it is worth it" Medusa hugs me as I feel the warmth of her skin against mine 

*Ivar enters the chamber*

"Medusa! Good to see you" Ivar says as he smiles at Medusa and Medusa smiles back

Where has his anger dissipated? or is he just putting on a show for Medusa?

"I'll leave you two be" Medusa says as she gets up from the bed 

"I'll come with you" I say

"No, stay" Medusa says and gestures with her finger for me to stay

"..to the door, I meant" I say trying to dodge Medusa's and Ivar's eyes on me

I walk Medusa outside the door as I have trouble breathing in front of Ivar, something about him gives me uncanny physiological sensations

"Go back now" Medusa says

"Wait.. I want to ask you something" I say with a whisper

"What is it my child?" She asks kindly

"Can I call you mother?" I mutter

And Medusa's eyes widen as her facial expressions change from normalcy to shock and then to happiness

"OH! OF COURSE YOU CAN, OH MY SWEET NOVA" Medusa hugs me tightly for a long while, "Now go back, he is in there!!" she says while trying to control back her happy tears

She pushes me inside the chamber as I stumble while entering, thank the lord, Ivar is removing his armour and not looking in my direction

The chamber is big enough for both of us to ignore each other tonight