Crimson and Gold

Three days had passed since Saria started training her newfound abilities.

The effects, however, weren’t exactly as she hoped for.

Despite training from early morning till dusk, there was very little progress made, with the only noticeable change was that she was able to sense people more easily and also enhance her own strength and agility in a more conscious manner and to a higher degree.

The most important part, being the ability to control the blood of others, was still beyond her grasp.

At some point, in frustration, she demanded Olios attack her with the full intent of harming her. She hoped that real, imminent danger would force her instinct to take control and use the ability.

Just like it happened during the fight with the cyclops and in her memories when she was a child.

Saria didn’t want to admit it, but the dream affected her more than she wanted.

The sensations and the feeling of helplessness were too vivid, too real. It clung to her, stripping her of free will and the ability to control her own fate.

It was something she wished to never feel again. She promised herself never again to be helpless.

She needed control over herself so that no one else could control her.

Unfortunately, this method didn’t work out either, only resulting in her being painfully stabbed and Olios nearly losing his mind over the potential punishment Lysandra was going to give him.

His worries weren’t exactly unwarranted, as the Princess returned right when this happened, resulting in him being caught red-handed in the act.

If not for Saria adamantly pleading for him to be released, who knows just what kind of punishment would ahve befallen him…

In the end, the situation had been cleared by both of them, and so Lysandra let him go with only a warning to never again accept such an unreasonable request.

Saria, however, wasn’t as lucky.

While being healed, she was subjected to a very long and detailed lecture on how her behavior was utterly disappointing and irresponsible.

It took so long for Lysandra to finish talking that Saria was certain her ears were about to wilt from all the scolding.

“You can’t do something so reckless anymore,” the Princess repeated one more time, once the Palace’s healer finished tending to her wound. “You promised me you wouldn’t risk your life.”

“I know, I know… I’m sorry. I thought it would work.” Saria sighed heavily. “I didn’t expect it to be so difficult to get a grasp on something I was born with. It’s frustrating.”

Lysandra waited for the healer to leave, then sat on the edge of the bed.

“Blood magic is so rare and so unexplored that it is equally feared as admired,” she said, her voice finally bearing the hint of familiar warmth.

“There was even a time when people with this affinity were hunted and killed, believed to be evil demons,” she continued. “That belief wasn’t exactly baseless, as it is one of the few magic types with a Dark aspect. That makes it incredibly difficult to control and even harder to master.

“You can’t expect to suddenly achieve it in a matter of days.” Lysandra caressed Saria’s palm in her hands, then looked deeply in her eyes. “There is no need to rush. Take your time, take as long as you need.”

The Princess believed they had all the time in the world to slowly explore and learn. Saria wasn’t so sure.

The memories she recently regained put a timer on their partnership. It was unclear how long they had left before they would be forced to separate. One way or another.

While she had a chance, Saria wanted to use her full potential to help Lysandra as much as she could. It was her form of atonement for the crimes she suspected she had committed. It was the only moment for her to do this.

Once the truth was out, it was hard to tell if she still had a chance to repay the kindness Lysandra showed her.

Then, there was also the unknown feeling in her heart that yearned to fulfill any dream and any wish the Princess had. Just for its own satisfaction.

Saria didn’t know the name of that feeling. All she knew was that it started on the day she saw her for the first time.

Not in the Arena during the auction, but in the very same room they were in right now on that fateful night.

From that point, it accompanied her every day, a bitter-sweet reminder of her own selfishness.

“You’re right,” Saria sighed. “I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Good. You should rest for now. After sunset, we’ll go find Mormo.”

For the first time since she got it, Saria was going out wearing the assassin armor that Lysandra ordered for her.

She was feeling quite excited as she didn’t have the opportunity to test it out in the field.

To make sure nobody comes in at the wrong time, she was changing into it in the Princess’s chambers.

When Lysandra walked through the door, Saria was facing away from her. She just put on the hood, when she noticed the Princess’ reflection in the mirror.

She stood at the door, completely frozen, staring at her with wide eyes.

“Is everything alright?” Saria’s voice broke her out of the daze.

Lysandra blinked and looked at her. “Mm… yes, you just reminded me of someone,” she said, walking over to her.

Saria hesitated. “Your… mysterious friend?” She didn’t intend for her voice to sound so sharp, but for some reason, the thought of Lysandra making that face while thinking about him made her uneasy.

The Princess nodded. “I didn’t realize how similar this outfit is to his,” she said, her hands tracing the crimson and gold embroidery on the hem of the collar.

Saria couldn’t help but feel the irritation at the gentleness in Lysandra’s gestures.

She hated the jealousy that wrapped itself around her heart. She hated it even more than the pain of knowing the fondness she just saw in her eyes wasn’t directed at her but the man who came before.

She recalled the memory that she saw during the last session with the Oracle.

Lysandra’s sleeping face flashed before her eyes. Then the wooden case she stole from.

Thinking about the letter, she wondered if it was one of his. Kept in a special place, among priceless jewels like a treasure.

She wondered if it was just the first instance of her getting between them.

What if there were more?

What if the next time she visits the Oracle, she will see herself taking the life of the one Lysandra cared so much about?

“Has there been any information from him?” she asked after a moment.

“No. Nothing ever since the last time I saw him.”

“You met face to face?”

“Not exactly. He visited me at night in my bedroom…”

The words were like a bucket of ice-cold water. She didn’t want to hear even a single more. “I see. Well… we should be going. The faster we get to Mormo, the bigger chances are that we will learn something new about your friend.”

Saria hastily finished putting on the rest of the armor and then turned around to leave, avoiding Lysandra’s gaze.

The Princess caught her arm and stopped her after just one step.

She reached out and turned her head, forcing her to look at her.

To face the sight she was afraid to see.

Afraid of the conflict. Afraid of the affection that wasn’t aimed at her.

Lysandra’s eyes were gentle. She gazed at her, softly sweeping across her face before returning to the crimson irises, now dimmed with bitterness.

“Nothing happened,” she said softly, her eyes not leaving Saria’s. “He left me a message before leaving on a mission. That’s all.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“I do,” Lysandra’s eyes wandered once more, “I don’t like seeing you like this.”

“Like what?” Saria asked, her voice quivering just slightly.

“Hurt.”

Saria didn’t answer, but her expression relaxed.

She knew she had no right to feel so relieved, and yet her heart couldn’t be happier.

Her eyes involuntarily drifted down, from Lysandra’s eyes to her lips.

Just for a moment, she wanted to be selfish. To take what she yearned for so much. Just once, not worry about the past and the future, the consequences.

Lysandra noticed her gaze. Her face flushed red. The hand on Saria’s cheek moved to her nape, pulling her closer.

Right as their lips were about to meet, they heard a knock at the door.

“Your Highness. The carriage is ready and waiting for you at the southern gate.”

“Thank you. We will be right there,” Lysandra answered the maid, reluctantly pulling away from Saria. “We should be going.”