|Kathyln|
A suffocating sense of betrayal gripped my lungs, squeezing the breath from my chest. My gasps for air were desperate and shallow, struggling to find enough oxygen to sustain myself. With an instinctive surge of mana, a protective swirl of ice magic enveloped me, shielding me from the emotional storm raging within.
I mustered the strength to steady my voice, though its undertone carried the weight of tension. "Jude Leywin," I spoke, each word laced with a mixture of hurt and accusation, "Who is that woman behind you?"
His emerald gaze flickered momentarily, a fleeting hardness replacing the warmth I once knew. But just as quickly, his eyes softened as he exhaled, as if trying to find the right words to explain. He raised his hands in a placating gesture, his voice gentle yet burdened. "It's a complicated story, Kath. But she... she is my lover, just like you."
Shock reverberated through every fiber of my being, a devastating blow to my trust. For the past year, I had poured my heart and soul into caring for our son, Alexander, clinging to the hope that Jude would return to us, that we could rebuild our fractured family.
But now, it seemed I had been blindsided by his betrayal.
"You..." I stammered, my voice trembling, the regality of a queen momentarily fading into raw vulnerability. With a swift motion, I thrust my hand downward, summoning a colossal scythe of ice into existence, fueled by my anger and hurt.
Jude, seemingly unfazed, raised his hand in response. From his fingertip, a convergence of purple flames ignited, swirling with an otherworldly power. In an instant, he obliterated my icy scythe with ease, reducing it to mere vapor.
The destruction mirrored the shattered pieces of my heart, leaving me standing in a void of broken promises and shattered dreams.
The sting of betrayal was like a knife twisting in my heart, threatening to spill the tears I fought so hard to hold back. With trembling hands, I summoned an even greater surge of mana, molding it into an arsenal of icy spikes aimed at Jude. My intention was clear—I wanted to pierce him, to inflict the same pain he had inflicted upon me.
But as the spikes hurtled toward him, something unexpected happened. Jude raised no defenses, no barriers to shield himself from the impending assault. Instead, he walked toward me, his gaze unwavering, his expression filled with a strange mix of determination and compassion.
The pink-haired woman tried to intervene, to say something, but Jude silenced her with a gesture, his attention solely focused on me.
The spikes penetrated his skin, drawing crimson streams of blood, and still, he moved forward, undeterred by the wounds inflicted upon him. It was a testament to his resilience and the depth of his commitment.
"Do you feel better now, Kath?" he asked, a gentle smile playing on his lips despite the pain he endured.
My voice trembled as I stammered, my grip on mana slipping. I couldn't bring myself to harm the man I loved, no matter the hurt he had caused me.
"No, I won't," I managed to utter, my words laced with a mix of vulnerability and determination.
Jude took another step closer, his arms outstretched, an invitation for a hug. His voice softened as he spoke, the sincerity in his words palpable.
"I will explain everything to you, Kathy," he said, his voice carrying a weight of earnestness and a hint of sadness. "But first, please... give me a hug."
Conflicting emotions waged war within me—betrayal, anger, confusion, and a lingering love that refused to dissipate. Tears welled up in my eyes as I hesitated, torn between the need for answers and the desire to feel his warmth once again.
My emotions overwhelmed my logic and reason, pulling me back into his embrace. His familiar scent enveloped me, and the strength of his muscles felt just as it had a year ago when we were together.
Tears streamed down my face, carrying the weight of all the pain and confusion that had plagued me since I became the queen of Sapin.
"It's all right, Kath," Jude whispered, his voice a soothing balm. He gently patted my head, allowing me to release the pent-up emotions that had been consuming me.
After what seemed like an eternity, I gathered the strength to separate myself from him, wiping away the tears that stained my cheeks. It was then that I noticed the injuries I had inflicted upon him, my heart sinking with guilt and concern.
"Wait, you need medical attention," I exclaimed, attempting to guide him toward receiving the care he required. However, he simply shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
In a swift motion, he snapped his fingers, and silver dials of time materialised in the air around him. I watched in awe as his wounds closed, his torn clothes mended, and even the traces of blood vanished as if they had never been there.
"I rewound time," Jude explained, a mischievous wink accompanying his words.
My eyes widened in astonishment, my mind struggling to comprehend the incredible power he possessed. It was a testament to the depths of his abilities and the lengths he would go to protect us.
A mix of awe, gratitude, and curiosity swirled within me. There were still unanswered questions, but in that moment, all I could feel was a profound sense of relief that he was back, and the hope that together, we could navigate the complexities of our past and forge a new future.
As we made our way through the Castle in search of everyone, Jude turned to me with a concerned expression.
"Where's Arthur? I can't sense his mana signature." he inquired, his voice filled with worry.
A sombreness settled over me as I responded, "He disappeared. We're not sure what happened. He went to train but never showed up, and when we went to check on him, he was gone."
Jude nodded, absorbing the information. I couldn't help but notice the closeness between him and the pink-haired woman, their connection seeming to transcend what I had shared with Jude. It sparked a twinge of jealousy within me, but I pushed it aside, choosing to trust Jude and wait for him to shed light on their relationship.
Breaking the silence, Jude declared, "I am back home," as he swung open the door before us. The sight that greeted us warmed my heart—Mother, Ellie, Commander Virion, Sylphiette and the remaining Lances stood there, united and ready for whatever awaited us.
As Mother held Alexander in her arms, she gently placed him back in the crib before rushing towards Jude, embracing him tightly. Ellie joined in the heartfelt reunion, tears of relief streaming down her face.
"I told you I wouldn't be gone for too long," Jude reassured them, his voice filled with warmth as he comforted them with his touch.
Virion's face brightened as he witnessed Jude's return, pulling him into a tight embrace, conveying his gratitude and happiness.
Turning his attention to Sylphiette, Jude's initial tension dissipated, replaced by a genuine smile. "Thank you, Sylphiette, for your invaluable contribution to Dicathen. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed."
Sylphiette nodded, her expression reflecting a mix of determination and gratitude. "I was merely doing what was necessary, for the betterment of us all."
Meanwhile, I made my way to the crib, gently lifting our precious son into my arms. I introduced him to Jude with a radiant smile.
"Jude, this is our son, Alexander," I began, my voice filled with pride and joy. "He truly embodies the best of both of us, don't you think?"
Jude's face illuminated with excitement as he carefully accepted Alexander into his embrace. With tender care, he cradled our son, his eyes brimming with love and awe as he softly rocked him back and forth.
As we engaged in casual conversation, reconnecting and sharing the details of the events that unfolded during Jude's absence, a noticeable tension hung in the air whenever the pink-haired woman was mentioned. It seemed that everyone present had observed her closeness to Jude, yet they tactfully refrained from interfering.
But now, the time had come for answers.
"Jude," I mustered the courage to speak up, my voice steady and determined, "I need you to explain your relationship with her, in relation to me."
Jude's expression turned serious, a contemplative look crossing his face as he inhaled deeply. His emerald eyes, usually filled with warmth and reassurance, now held a mix of emotions as he prepared to share his story.
"Allow me to start from the very beginning, from the moment I arrived in this world..." Jude's voice carried a weight of sincerity as he embarked on his narrative.