Two days after Tominus announced the mission, Aldes was given time to rest within the palace grounds. For those two days, Aldes locked himself inside his room. He refused all daily training schedules and avoided conversations with anyone other than Fiena.
This afternoon, Aldes sat alone on a chair on the palace balcony.
The afternoon air felt warm against the skin of his arms. The orange twilight sunlight illuminated the massive stone pillars with ancient gold carvings. A cup of coffee on the hexagonal stone table in front of him was getting cold.
"This is not what I imagined," Aldes muttered to himself.
He scratched his head that did not itch. His right index finger tapped the surface of the stone table in a fast rhythm.
"What is actually happening. I cannot. I am not that evil. I..." Aldes took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. " commit genocide against a clan."
Aldes stood up from his chair. He walked back and forth in the narrow balcony area while biting his right thumb.
I cannot.
He quickened his pace.
I fucking cannot!!.
Aldes stopped his steps. He punched the surface of the stone table in front of him.
Thud.
"I cannot!"
His breathing raced. He closed his eyes, regulating the rhythm of the air entering his lungs. He opened his eyes, staring straight at the sunlight starting to set behind the distant mountains.
Did my ancestors on Earth in the era of war ever face a dilemma like this?
He lowered his head, looking at the stone floor.
Fight Tominus. Fight Villavia. I die. Run away. I will die. What...
Aldes sat back in his chair. He wiped his face with both palms, then gripped his own hair.
"Fuck," whispered Aldes.
Aldes's stomach felt nauseous. His chest felt tight as if crushed by a heavy object. All the muscles in his body felt weak and powerless.
The sound of slow footsteps was heard approaching from the inner hallway.
"Master Aldes."
It was Fiena's voice. The white-haired girl walked toward Aldes carrying a wooden tray. On the tray were a plate of roasted meat, wheat bread, and a glass of white milk. Fiena pursed her lips seeing Aldes's messy posture.
Aldes turned his head slowly.
"Fiena, huh."
"Master, I heard you have not eaten since morning," said Fiena. She stood at the side of the table. "You did not eat the breakfast I made this morning. This has happened for two days in a row."
Aldes lowered his face, staring at the tips of his shoes. His face was pale and looked tired.
"I will eat later. Right now I am not too hungry."
The corners of Fiena's lips dropped. Her face displayed a sad expression. She placed the food tray on the stone table. She then pulled a small chair and sat right in front of Aldes.
Aldes widened his eyes slightly, surprised by the action. But a second later, he lowered his gaze back to the floor.
Fiena leaned her body forward, bringing her face closer to Aldes. She spoke with a very soft and low voice volume.
"I heard you will go dungeon."
Aldes only nodded lightly.
"When are you leaving, if I may know?"
"Tomorrow morning," answered Aldes briefly.
"Does that make you scared, Master? or sick?"
Aldes shook his head slowly.
"I am perfectly fine." He glanced briefly at the plate on the table. "I will eat it later. You may leave."
Fiena remained silent in her place. Her face showed that she was not satisfied with the answer. She turned her head toward the balcony, looking at the fading twilight light. She took a long breath, then turned her head back to stare at Aldes.
"Master," she said softly.
"Master."
"Look at me"
"Hey"
"Master."
"..."
"Aldes"
"Look at me"
Aldes slowly raised his head. He returned Fiena's gaze.
The girl's eyebrows knitted together. Her eyes radiated a thick sense of worry, yet her gaze remained calm.
"Are you really really okay Master?"
Aldes's body froze.
His lower lip trembled slightly, holding back the pressure in his chest. He let his eyes meet Fiena's for a few seconds, then he shook his head slowly.
Fiena nodded lightly.
"I see. I understand."
Fiena stood up from her chair. She stepped forward, eliminating the distance between them. She bent both her knees, squatting right in front of Aldes's feet.
Fiena reached out both her arms and pulled the man's body closer.
She placed Aldes's head against her chest.
Fiena's palms rubbed Aldes's back in a constant motion.
"Shhhh... Master..."
"Everything will be perfectly fine."
"Everything will be perfectly fine, Master..."
Fiena rested her chin on top of Aldes's hair.
"I once heard, Master, that everything that happens is destined to happen. And the bad things that fall upon us are lessons for us to become strong. Without hardships, we will not become anything."
Fiena's hands continued rubbing Aldes's back, providing a warm feeling.
"I do not know what kind of burden you bear, but I believe you will get through it. Whatever hardships you face later, you will overcome them, Master."
"I believe that."
"Even if you right now do not believe it, I believe it."
"I believe."
"I believe in you... Aldes..."
Aldes's two hands slowly lifted.
He wrapped his arms around Fiena's back.
His fingers gripped the fabric on the back of the girl's clothes.
Aldes returned Fiena's hug very tightly, leaning the entire weight of his head against the girl's body.
"Allow me to feed you your meal and accompany you tonight."
"Is that okay?" whispered Fiena right next to Aldes's ear.
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