At least I'm Alive

Rest

The next day

Abela didn't sleep at all, she was sitting there dazed and worried.

The sun was rising, and she decided to go down to the garden and get some fresh air.

At the garden, the cold breeze comforted her alot.

As many important people had passed, she couldn't help but feel so lonely.

"What are you thinking about?" A man's voice surprised Abela as she turned.

"When did you get here?" Abela asked.

Robin replied "Just now, I heard about what happened."

Abela grabbed his hand and they slowly walked together.

"What's this? You never initiate?" Robin said jokingly.

She replied impersonating him "We're lacking romance right now."

Robin couldn't help but give a smile.

They reach Abela's favorite part of the garden, the sunflowers.

Abela sat down on the grass, leaning on the bush, as Robin sat next to her.

They still held hands.

"Are we going to war?" Abela asked.

Robin hesitantly replied "I don't know."

Robin looked at Abela's wrist and saw a thin red bracelet tied to it, he asked "what's this?"

"Keith gave it to me. He said it will break off if something bad is going to happen." Abela replied.

They look at the sky, and Abela put her head on Robin's shoulder.

Which gave Robin some butterflies.

Abela drifted to sleep, with his scent comforting her.

A few moments pass, and Abela was sound asleep. He carried her bridal style and went inside.

"Your highness? What is going on here?" Kai who just woke up said.

"She fell asleep, where's her room?" Robin asked.

"Left, fourth room." Kai said half asleep.

As Robin went up the stairs heading to Abela's room.

He gently placed Abela to the bed, and he didn't have any other schedule, so he sat on the ground, leaning on the bed side, right next to Abela.

...

A few hours have passed, the manor is very quiet.

Everyone is getting as much as rest as they can... because the following days will be hectic, much so deadly.

Abela woke up with a slightly heavy thing wrapped around her.

As she turned around, opening her eyes half way through,

It showed Robin's face close up...as he was sleeping and holding Abela.

Her eyes widened at the view, she was so surprised she hiccuped.

Which woke up Robin and he sat up "You're awake?"

"And you're okay with this?" Abela asked sitting up beside him.

"Of course, I held back so many times. This is the least I can do." He chuckled.

They looked closely at eachother...

As their faces go closer...

The door slammed open, revealing Keith saying "Hey! Someone is.." he pauses.

As Robin and Abela immediately seperate.

Robin stood up, and Abela followed.

"What the? Doing the naughty-naughty early in the morning?" Keith teased.

"What were you saying?" Abela changed the subject.

"I won't forget this~ Someone is downstairs..." Keith said.

As Abela went out all flustered.

Keith nodded at Robin and gave a thumbs up, as he followed Abela.

Robin dropped sitting on the bed covering his face and groaning.

Abela went down the stairs, and a man in his mid-40's was standing there nervously, he was holding his hat on is stomach as he waited.

"Oh? Who may you be?" Abela asked.

"My Lady, I'm Andrei's father..." He hesistantly said.

"Ah! Hold on." Abela said turning back and running to Andrei's room.

Andrei was sound asleep, as Abela sat beside him.

"Andrei...wake up.." she said slowly moving him.

"Momm...y?" Andrei rubbed his eyes.

"No...it's Abela...your dad is here." She smiled.

Andrei jolted up saying "Dad is here?"

Abela smiled as Andrei ran out the room.

Abela quickly followed, and Andrei jumped on his dad giving a big hug.

"I'm okay dad.." Andrei said.

"Where's your mom..?" The dad asked.

Making Andrei go quiet, and the man looked at Abela...

Abela's heart ached as she shook her head.

The dad hugged Andrei tightly, as there was pain in his eyes.

...

Andrei had left, and the sun was fully up.

They let Boman rest, as everyone went down for breakfast.

Robin had a conversation with The Archduke about the situation.

Abela then explained what exactly happened at Ethros Wish while Boman and Sir Leo were spies.

Keith was acting normal. Too normal, Abela felt incredibly uncomfortable.

After eating, Abela called Keith over to the main balcony.

"What is it?" He said leaning on the balustrade.

"You don't have to hide it." Abela said looking forward.

As Keith stayed silent.

"It's okay to hurt, I'm sure Sir Leo wouldn't want you to hurt all by yourself." Abela said.

As Keith sniffles, and started crying.

"He's gone..." He sobbed.

Abela faced him with open arms, as Keith hugged her.

He wheeped, and wheeped.

He was in pain.

Abela couldn't help but tear up aswell.

Keith cried, as the time passed by quickly.

...

Meanwhile at the Archduke's office.

Robin and The Archduke were having a meeting, they were joined by Duchess Frida.

"I'm glad to see you healthy duchess." Robin said.

"Thank you, Your highness, now what are we going to do know?" Duchess Frida asked.

The Archduke replied
"We have no choice but to enter war."

"That fast? Shouldn't we make preparations?" Duchess Frida said.

"We will, only quick ones. It should be better to get a head start." The Archduke said.

"Isn't Abela joining war? She made a deal with all of us." Duchess Frida sighed.

"It's risky to send someone new to war...mostly our own daughter..but.. She pledged and has a superior spirit guiding her." The Archduke was stressed.

"Well, how about this, we can set up a test." Robin replied.

They spent the whole day discussing  about the preparations, and Abela's test.