Chaos & Order

Chapter 18

Once in the bathroom, Aliyah leaned her back against the door and slid down to the floor. She hugged her legs to her chest and buried her face into her knees, crying silently. Unknown to her, though, Siel heard everything.

A somber look crossed the angel's face as the door slowly opened. It was Fang, carrying a cup in his hand, "A servant said she wanted hot chocolate."

"She did." Siel nodded.

Fang set the cup down before looking at the bathroom door, "She told you what she saw?"

"She did."

"And you rejected her again?" Fang asked.

"It's not proper." Siel said.

"You think it's a crush or phase, don't you?"

"Who can say? I hope it's a phase." Siel murmured.

"I'm sorry, guardian, but I don't think it's either of those." Fang said, sitting in Siel's chair.

"Then this is just going to get more complicated." Siel murmured.

"Do you really not feel anything for her?" Fang asked.

"I can't." Siel said, "It wouldn't be proper for a guardian angel to do that to their charge."

"Stop thinking as a guardian for a moment, Siel."

"I can't. That's how my mentor taught me and how his mentor taught him." Siel said.

"Siel, for one moment, think for yourself." Fang said, looking into the angel's eyes.

"You're not an angel, Fang." Siel said, "You don't know what it's like to deal with this time after time."

Fang sighed. "Celestia told me of what it was like. That she's been through some charges falling for her. Even harming themselves to get her attention."

"It's not that simple, Fang." Siel said, "Could you drop your duties as a familiar just because I tell you to? No, that's part of your nature and your experience. The same is true for the role of the guardian angel. I am to give affection to the princess. That is genuine...but you need to remember that I will have to go to the next charge after that."

"You're right, but I was almost in a position similar to her mother." Fang looked at Siel again. "I had to choose between Aliyah and my pack. And you know who I picked between duty and love."

"We have no other words to exchange, Fang." Siel sighed, "It's complicated. Leave it at that."

Fang stood and made his leave, stopping long enough to say, "It doesn't hurt to think for yourself once in a while."

With that, he shut the door behind him, leaving Siel alone. The angel sighed as he went to his chair and sat down. Moments later, Aliyah came out, running her fingers through her unstyled hair as she sat on her bed.

"Fang brought you your hot chocolate." Siel said.

"Thought I heard his voice." Aliyah mumbled, taking the cup from the bedside table.

"You wish to remain here for the rest of the day? If you want to rest after Boegarian's trials..."

"No where else for me to go except the gardens. I can't leave the castle grounds, remember?" Aliyah said, sipping the hot drink.

"Anything you wish to do while we're here?"

"I don't know." Aliyah said, watching the foam swirl in her hot chocolate.

"Do you...wish to talk about this?" Siel asked.

"About what?"

"Never mind." Siel murmured, looking away.

Aliyah emptied the cup in one long sip before setting it on the table, "I think I'll lay down for a bit."

"And I'll be right here." Siel said. Aliyah nodded as she laid down, putting her back to him. Siel leaned back, rubbing his forehead, "I'll be in the doghouse for a while."

Hours later, Aliyah sat up in her bed, panting heavily as her hand went to her stomach. Immediately, Siel looked up and looked over, concern in his blue eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Siel asked.

"Hurts to breathe...need water..." Aliyah said, staggering to the pitcher of water on the nearby dresser.

"I'd consider it just a small malady, but considering recent events..." Siel said, going to her side. Aliyah picked up the pitcher, hand shaking so hard that it fell from her hands. Immediately, Siel ran from the room in a streak of golden light, "Something's wrong. I'll get help."

Aliyah fell to her knees. Her hands went to her head, feeling a sharp pain. Immediately, images appeared in her mind, "What...is this?"

Someone was running through the woods, being chased by something. In the distance, there was the sound of swords clashing before something was hurled into the person's side. They whimpered before the scene was consumed in black.

Aliyah's eyes shot open. She realized that she had fallen to the ground. With no small effort, she forced herself to stand, using her dresser for support. "Fang! Siel!"

Siel immediately ran back, "What's wrong? What hurts and why? Do I need Boegarian or..."

"I-it's Fang...." Aliyah stumbled into his arms, gripping onto him.

"What about Fang?"

"I saw something...in my head. Someone was chasing him...he's hurt." Aliyah babbled, scared.

"I'll try finding him." Siel said.

"Take me with you...please." Aliyah pleaded, looking him in the eyes.

"Very well." Siel said, knowing better than to argue. He took her into his arms before running off in a blur of light.