u/ContributionOdd3990

War… war never changes.

Two opposite sides crossing more and more lines till someone gives in. Tit for tat, eye for an eye and all that jazz.

And the same goes for flirting.

In the corner stands 2,2 meters tall, weights 145 kilograms, King of the Eastern Basitins, the myth the legend - JADE ADELAAAAAAIDE!!!

In the other corner… is Raynard.

Yeah, it was more of a war. The war I chose to engage in instead of falling in line like the rest. I had to kiss her! TWICE!

But back to the story, or rather the war journal. Yes, I treat it as a fucking war. You got a problem? FIGHT ME, YOU PUNK!

======

All of what had happened, those were barely the skirmishes. After the trial, the King declared war. I had to prepare for the first battle which… well, she’s the first person I’ve ever flirted with. I need to gain support from my allies. Unfortunately, I can’t tell them the truth. So…

[Hee hee hee heeeeee!] Fox was true to his name, laughing like the Keidrans, [Holy shit, Goat, you… hee hee hee…] he fell from the chair and was rolling in the ground.

I thought that Wizard would have more composure. However, the only reason he didn’t join our Keidran-obsessed friend was because he was choking on the beer. My best friends…

[You serious?! You married a Westerner?!]

[Sh-Shut up!] I scream back at Fox, [I was shitfaced, okay?!]

[So… let me get this- cough, cough… let me get this straight…]

[I doubt you can do that, Wiz…]

[Shut up, Fox!] the nobleman threw a chicken leg at him, [You got drunk after helping with the Keidrans and woke up with the Keidran with a marriage certificate?]

[...yes…]

[Ok, Fox, keep laughing]

[Oh, come on!] despite making this absurd lie on the feet, I still felt insulted by my friends' reactions.

[Okay, okay… whew, I think I popped something…] Fox managed to grab a table, [Alright man, I will tell you everything you need to know how to wrap a furry woman all around your little finger…]

[Never expected you to be so modest…] 

[Shut up, Wizard! At least I got some booty!] he then turned to me, [So! Here’s my set of advice to help you escape the virginity!] I already regretted everything.

[Lesson one - confidence! Bitches love confident men. It’s like the magnet for the ladies. They think you’re intriguing, mysterious… and they want more!]

I take notes as Wizard drinks his booze and enjoys the circus.

[Of course, you can fake it. It’s all about the body language. Straight posture, smug on your face, focused gaze!] with each word, Fox moved my body to make a certain position. I looked like a puppet of an officer. A caricature, if you will.

[Ok, you supposed to look confident, not confused]

[How the fuck should I not look confused? This is weird!]

[Ok, ok, just… stop] Wizard put down his drink, [The Snowball over here is too submissive]

[Wh- Hey!]

[It’s the girl who should be dominant, not him!] Wizard suggested, [What he needs is to look presentable, treat her with respect…]

[And let her use you as a doormat rug] Fox rebutted, [We want an equal relationship, not King and the serv]

[It's about respect, you horny dumbass!]

And soon enough, they were shouting like the old married couple and I was their child, standing there awkwardly.

All that shouting caused the other Coppers to show up. Mainly, Luke and Jord.

[Alright, alright, who's screaming bloody murder?]

[Finally, someone who actually has a girlfriend!] I shouted with joy, [Answer me, how did you get your girlfriends?!]

Luke and Jord look at each other and shrugged, [No idea. It just happened]

The barmaid’s little boyfriend blushed upon the question, [Well… she flirted to me first and I just let it happen…]

Jord thought about it a bit more, [I, uhh… she resisted me arresting her for threatening someone to gut him like a fish]

[For fuck’s sake…] I realized that my allies won’t help me, not in this case. I will have to wage this war alone.

I groaned and snatched booze from Wizard. He was still ‘debating’ with his horny friend, [Time for a plan B then]

[Which is…?] Luke asked,

[I’ll let drunk me deal with it]

======

I will admit, getting wasted was a horrible idea… but I was getting desperate. Of course, I didn’t pour gallons into my mouth! Just few shots of vodka and maybe a bit of spirit.

Time for my counter-attack.

With a wobbly step, I walked to Her Majesty’s bedchamber. Instead of going in, I waited around the corner for her to leave for her afternoon walk around her garden.

When I saw the door being open, I resumed my patrol.

Upon noticing me, the beeg King smiled, [Good afternoon, Ray]

I smiled back and nodded, [Good afternoon, beautiful]

An unexpected strike made the gorgeous enemy flabbergasted! Her ears flew up, eyes wide open, and a small blush on her cheeks, [C-Come again?]

[I said good afternoon. It’s beautiful, is it not?] I bowed gently, [My apologies for my mumble. I will be more clear next time]

Jade quickly regained the composure, [I… see… You’re forgiven]

I saluted and started walking, [Thank you… beautiful]

Oh, I could hear her little whimper… perfect hit and run!

But then… [Stop]

I froze. Her voice was so serious… Did I go too far?

[I changed my mind, I want you to accompany me]

Say what? [A-Are you sur-]

[I’m not asking. That’s an order]

Okay, she can be scary. Somehow, it’s her voice that’s more powerful than her muscles.

[Y-Yes, ma’am…] I whined in her presence.

[Good… good…] and then, she smiled again, confidence pouring from her, [Follow me]

Crap! She caught me! I cannot escape, only engage…

======

The garden is breathtaking at this time of year. Every flower blooming and screaming with colors.

The marble path allowed us to walk without getting our feet dirty.

During the walk, her tail ‘accidentaly’ brushes mine every now and then. She bet on the war of exhaustion.

[The tulips came out pretty well this year…] she broke the silence, [Say, do you have any plants in your village?]

[Oh, umm… not exactly…] I scratch my head, [It’s… kinda embarrassing…]

[You’re criticizing yourself too much. I won’t judge you, Ray, I promise] the tail playing, argh!

[Gulp… we don’t grow any flowers. Too cold and too high altitude for that. Instead we grow… moss…]

[Moss?]

[Mhm…] I shrank as I nodded, [We… we also… eat it…]

[You do what?] and she’s judging me. Great…

[We grow a special moss… that’s edible for us. That and also special cave plants. Cave berries, we call them. They’re not as sweet as other berries but mmm! So delicious!] I almost drool thinking about them, [The pies we make from it are simply divine! I swear, I would sell the kingdom for a slice of it!]

It took me few seconds to realize that I’m talking to Her Majesty, [I-I’m kidding, of course!]

Jade simply chuckled and put her head on her paw, [If my most loyal subject is willing to go to such extremes, I must try it]

[Unfortunately, it only grows in the Lonely Valley. But if we ever be in the mountains, I will gladly prepare the best pie you will ever eat! I swear on my mother!]

[Perhaps I will travel there… to see how the mining operations are going, of course…]

Suddenly, the sound of a horn cut our conversation. It’s the signal for the training.

[You should go] Jade said, [If you will be late, even I won’t save you from Otter’s rage] despite the soft smile, her ears lowered. Was she disappointed?

Nevermind that. I ran to the courtyard with a victory in my grasp.

What? You think I lost this battle? That it ended up with a stalemate? So little faith… I gain new information about my enemy! Through the stomach to the heart!

======

I woke up early in the morning and snuck into the kitchen. Yesterday, I asked Rylut to buy me supplies from the market. However, I underestimated him.

[Yawn… evening, Goat] the scalie lover greeted me, [What are you doing here? You aren’t on a night shift]

[Hey, Ry. Say, do you have anything to do in the city?]

[Alright, alright, what do you want?] he frowned and crossed his arms,

I sighed, [I need ingredients to cook something for uhh… my Keidran wife… don’t look at me like that, I was drunk!]

He was still suspicious, [Uh-huh… and what are you planning to cook?]

[What is this, interrogation? Help a fellow Copper! Motherfucker, don’t roll your eyes on me!]

[Fine… what do you need?]

I hand him the grocery list. He read it in silence… and his eyebrows rose again, [Why are you lying to me?]

[W-What?!]

[Keidran can only eat meat, snowball. Who’s that girl?]

Damnit! [I-It’s… uhh… half-Keidran…?]

[A Basitin. And since, you’re so defensive… is she at the top? A King perhaps?]

A cold sweat ran through my fur… only for Rylut to burst with laughter, [Oh, I’m just fucking with you! But yeah, it has to be some higher-up] he patted me on the shoulder, [I’ll get the stuff, from my pockets… for a solid, of course]

I was relieved or terrified, definitely not both. I heard rumors about him. Apparently, he has some connections with dragons. Not controlling or influencing those beasts but… being acquainted with them. I wonder what that favor will cause me to do in the future…

Back to the cooking. The Royal Kitchen was well-equipped with many tools and machines. I prepared the ingredients, mix berries with butter, cornstarch, cinnamon, and sugar, formed a dough from flour to make pie crust, cook it for an hour and voila!

(Please, don’t use this as a recipe, I cook better than I write the instructions)

I go through one of the secret corridors in the castle. I tried to find as many as I can to avoid Alabaster, both the young as the old. The rock doesn’t fall far from the mountain…

The path leads to Jade’s bedroom but the entrance wasn’t big enough for me to enter. Luckily, the hole was enough to move the meal.

It wasn’t long till the smell of a freshly baked pie woke her up. She lazily got up and reached for the goodness. But before she dug in, she picked up the letter I left next to the pie.

“It’s not my village specialty but I’m confident you will not be disappointed. Your Golden Boy”

[Ah, Ray…] she took a bite… and moaned like crazy, [Fuck, itsh sho good…]

[Language, Your Majesty~] 

She jumped upon hearing me. She looked frantically around, especially at the window. But no results.
I laughed to myself as I walked away. Score for me!

======

The victory didn’t last long. The casualties of my daring attack left the King bloodthirsty for revenge. And so, I got a new order directly from the crown to station as a bodyguard in the royal baths.

Yes. I was supposed to keep watch on her while she’s absolutely naked! It’s like dangling a succulent piece of meat in front of a starving man! I’m absolutely sure it’s a violent breaking of the law. Will I report that? No!

Hey, I want to report that Jade washes her naked body and forces me to watch it. I don’t like it. 
Bitch, everyone will think I’m a closeted homosexual!

Why is she so hot?! >///<

She chose the smallest bath that can fit her. The steam was barely hotter than her. I could see how her giant tits floating like beach balls. And her legs… so bare… so naked… a bath was more dignified than her! I’m so jealous of that duck…

[S-Stupid sexy King…] I grumbled as she was humming to herself. She was clearly enjoying my suffering.

[I love you too, Copper Boy~] she winked at me and repositioned her legs, [Why are you turning your eyes away from me, Ray?]

[J-Just to give you some privacy, that’s all…] I stuttered like a frozen chicken.

[Or is it because you don’t find me attractive?]

[W-What?!]

[I get it. I’m in my fifties, it’s obvious I can’t keep up with the younger generation…]

[I-I didn’t say that!] I shouted, completely lost. Did I say something to upset her? Did I do something?!

[But you thought of it] this time, it was her who turned her sight away,

[Oh for the love of…] I huffed and puffed and walked to her, [What do you want me to do? Pin you down and kiss you till you will gasp for air?!]

Oh no… she grinned… and got up. During this short moment of rage, I forgot that she’s much, much taller than me.

Side note: It took all of my willpower not to look down.

I looked at the situation from a sober perspective… and replied, [I... I will be back] and walked away in the symphony of her laughter. You won this battle, Jade, but not the war…

======

It took me much longer than I anticipated but I finally found my ultimate weapon - the stool! And in the time when Jade finished her bath!

[Hold up a moment, My King!] I asked her nicely.

She stopped, intrigued by seeing me with the little wooden stool. That was my moment!

I climbed on it and pinned the Basitin King to the wall! Well… to be fair, even with the stool, she was too big so… I was holding the wall for my dear life while the stool almost toppled over.

And here’s my finisher! [So… come here often?] fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…

[Really? Is that REALLY the best you can do?] she ain’t wrong… she ain’t wrong.

Come on, Ray! Fight back! [Well… seeing how you didn’t show me away… it seems to be working well enough] perfect way to die, good job, Ray…

[Only because you would fall… little one] 

Nice bluff but I won’t fall for that, [Your Highness would definitely catch me]

[And what else? Perhaps you’d like me to take you to my bed chambers?] Oh no, she didn’t!

[Since you’re offering…]

Why?! why did I say that?! I just gave myself a death sentence! Even Jade was taken aback!

[You’re brave… but I call your bluff]

Yes, an escape! I just need to say I was bluffing and I’m a scared little boi! [Challenge accepted~] (Sounds of an adult man crying…)

======

This is it. One final battle. Both sides were exhausted at this point. It’s make it or break it!

She lifted me and dropped me onto her bed, [Now…] she climbed on the bed as well and began to crawl, [Let’s test your prowess~]

I got scaroused and backed down till I hit the wall, [I-I…] argh, come on! Get your shit togheter,

[Fine! But…] I grab her and switch our positions, [I prefer to be on top] 

[Alright then…] she smiles and hold me firmly, [I’m waiting~]

Through the whole war, I felt like my brain screamed ‘Abort! Abort!’ at me. I kept my anxiety under control but now? My hands were shaking like I was trying to defuse a firebomb thrown at me!

We got close, really close… and then we kissed!

It’s not like we haven’t kissed before! But… in bed, not trying to tease the other or for shock value… it was a genuine kiss… It was as beautiful as it was terrifying

Our hands were wandering lower and lower…

Till I couldn’t keep it up anymore, [Alright, alright! You won!]

[Oh thank the Masks!] she shouted back,

[E…Excuse me?]

Jade blushed and laughed nervously, [I, uh… never expected you to go that far. I thought the bath would be the end…]

I was in shock. But then, I remembered few things I didn’t put too much attention. She was faking her confidence. The longer silence between her words, the tail and ears twitching… she was as much anxious and terrified as me.

[So… was it all… ] my throat was closing in, [Was it all a lie…?]

[No!] She got up and put her hands on my shoulders, [I… I enjoyed it. Spending time with you, playing this silly game… I felt like you’re the only one that doesn’t respect me out of fear or title or anything else… I missed that…]

[Always happy to oblige…] I chuckle a bit, obviously tired from all of this.

[Oh, come on, I know you liked this as well]

[M… maybe a bit…] We both looked into each other’s eyes. There was warmth. Not a raging volcano hot but one sunny day kind of hot, [W-What now?]

[I don’t know…] An awkward silence filled the room.

But then, an idea! [We could… you know…]

[I think that the mood for that is long gone] Jade replied,

[Not that! I mean cuddles! Jeez…]

[Oh! S-Sure!] she got nervous again. My guess is it’s been so long since she could do something like that.

======

In the end, we spent the night in her bedchamber, snuggling with each other under the cozy blanket, half-naked and with do not disturb sign on the doorknob. Against your dreams and wishes, it was Adelaide who was on top.

She enjoyed my thick fur, especially my chest fluff. I cannot prove it but she was softly purring while she was nuzzling to my chest. Meanwhile, I leaned my head on the giant pillows as I gently scritched her ears. It felt as if time itself stopped…

And I wish it would stay like that forever…

No matter where you are and who you are, you will always drink to ease your pain.

Sure, I won a full acquittal but the real criminals were still free. Even with Jade’s support, it feels like it's nothing more than a pyrrhic victory. The only thing I actually earned through all of this is becoming the target for everyone involved in child trafficking.

I needed to get wasted like a goat. I didn't care for quality, just quantity. And since being in the Basitin district was basically asking for a brawl, I went to Happy Siren - the best of the worst.

I sat down next to Luke who was oggling the bartender’s ‘private reserves’, [Oi! Any longer and your eyes will fall out]

[Huh? Oh, hey Ray!] the guy stopped being horny. For now, that is, [I’ll buy you a beer. After all, you saved our asses!]

Finally, some fucking gratitude! [Thanks, man. Say, where’s Jord?]

[Smoking weed with his ex. Or is it a girlfriend again? uhh… how about ex-ex?]

[Well, that’s good] I replied back and looked around. The bar was almost empty.

Suddenly, “Wild” Michelle (Yeah, that’s her nickname) came back with more beer! [Ray-Ray! Welcome back~!] her vest was almost open. Shut up! I know you would look at those snowballs as well!

[Hey, Michelle. Pour him a drink. My treat!]

The arctic wolf smiled, hearing more money in her pockets and gave me a bottle with a glass. I just chugged half of it at once.

[Talking for hours sure is exhausting, eh?] Luke managed to take his eyes off the barmaid,

[It's more than that…] I grumbled, [We didn't do shit]

[Are you drunk already? We won!]

[And for what?] I demanded an answer, [They will still be kidnapping children. But this time, they will dock somewhere else. We didn't stop anything] I turned away and finished my drink, [Life's a bitch…]

[At least we did something] Luke added, [I think that’s what you should focus on]

[Yeah… I guess…] I sighed and turned to Michelle, [Hey, if something’s going on? The tavern shouldn’t be that empty in the afternoon]

Suddenly, her face lost her confident and inviting smile, [Is… Is that a joke?]

I looked at Luke who was also confused, [Uhh… no?]

[You don’t know what happened at the docks?]

[Michelle, we were in jail for the last week. We wouldn’t know if the Westerners invaded us]

It takes a while for the barmaid in white to answer, [The district was in flames… it took us the whole night to put it down]

The cold sweat ran down my back, [It… did it happen…]

[The same night. It started from the warehouse nearby that damn ship…]

Luke almost dropped his mug. I didn’t feel better. I know such disasters don’t end up without any casualties.

[How many?] I hold my voice calm.

[They are still cleaning out the rubble… but definitely the number has triple digits…]

[Fuck…] I couldn’t stand there anymore, [I… I need to go…]

======

Michelle didn’t lie. The district was in a catastrophic state. Most of the houses had been reduced to ashes. The people are walking in rags and dirty bandages, scavenging whatever they can in the ruins. Those who couldn’t stand on their own legs, were gathered in the warehouse that somehow survived. Even the battlefield doesn’t look that bad!

I… I think it’s better not describing the burns that those poor souls gained for the least of their lives…

[W-What… What did I do…?] I closed my helmet visor to hide the tears. I… I did it… It was my idea to cause the distractions, my decision to do it, my responsibility.

When I was breaking down at my self-created misery, someone tugged me. It was a small tiger child, her burns hidden behind the ripped cloth as an improvised bandage.

 <E-Excuse me, sir…> She was weak, barely walking straight, <Can you… can you help me…?>

I quickly wiped my face and opened my helmet, <What is it, little girl?> I knelt so she could feel safer.

<I can’t find my daddy and mommy> she said, <T-They told me they’re going to get more food from our house but…>

She was looking like she was about to collapse. I couldn’t leave her like that!

<I will look for your parents. Just tell me where your house is> she pointed at the scorched area, <Alright. Meanwhile, take this and buy yourself a good meal at Happy Siren> I gave her few coins. It should be enough.

The girl only nodded and walked away. At least one person will have a better day…

As for me, I went to search for the lost parents. The house was completely burned down. Only the wall furthest from the sea was still intact… well, if you can describe few pieces of burned planks as a wall…

There was nothing that remained there. Only black wood and white ash remained. But… one thing kept me wondering. Every family has something shiny. Their family heirlooms, some gold bars kept for the rainy day… but there was nothing! Could it be that someone already ransacked the place? Or maybe…

I cleaned the floor and found the hatch to the basement. Bingo! And look who I met there? Two tigers lying unconscious under the pile of rubble! Looks like the fire damaged the foundations and broke when they returned for food or something else important.

I dragged both of them out of the pile of rubbish and checked if they’re still alive. They were, but unconscious. So I slapped them, <Wake the fuck up, citizen!> 

It worked amazingly well, <Wha… what happened…?>

<You don’t have a small tiger cub, don’t you? She’s been worrying about you two>

The lights in their eyes lit up and get up instantly, <Oh my Masks, Keir! Is she alright?!>

<She’s probably eating a hot meal in a local tavern. Don’t worry about the money, I paid for her>

<T-Thank you, sir…> they were still weak from being stuck here for hours, <W-We won’t forget this!>

As I clean the dust out of my garments, the male Keidran said one more thing, <You should meet our elders. They’re taking care of the wounded in the warehouse>

A bit weird but since I’m the Royal Guard, they see me as someone important. Plus, they need help… even from someone who caused all of this…

The warehouse was transformed into a massive, clogged hospital. Even though nurses were badly injured from the fire, they kept taking care of the patients. It was so crowded that with multiple people on the beds, some had no choice but to lie on the floor. 

[Holy fuck…]

My announcement about the state of this hospital was heard by the greying dog Keidran, [Ah, you’re Her Majesty’s Guard, correct?]

I quickly fixed my posture and saluted, [A-Affirmitive]

[Good, good… can we talk outside?] he looked around, [It’s already cramped here as it is…]

We moved to the side of the warehouse, yet the sounds of pain and torture were still audible, [I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. We’re at the bottom of a rabbit hole. If there won’t be any help soon, we will have to turn the entire district into a graveyard]

Yeah, no pressure… [I saw that you don’t have enough medical personnel…]

[We don’t have enough of everything, boy!] the elder sighed, [We lack people, medicine, food, places to sleep, we can’t rebuild the houses… The other elders died from wounds… and I’m here alone]

You know what happened next, [I will do everything I can]

======

You may ask me, “Ray, why didn’t the city help Keidrans with rebuilding after the fire?” Money and racism. Keidrans are the poorest race in the kingdom and are often dismissive due to the fact that the females go into heat.

So, I had to use my own money. Being a Golden Boy comes with a fat paycheck. Sexy and lovable King is just one of the things that keep us loyal to the crown. But it was still too small. 

Luckily, there were more sensible Coppers and Silvers to back me up. Even Otter and Lucik coughed up some coiins for the cause. And Alabaster with his idiot son? They also did! Much less and from much worse reasons… According to them, the ‘fleabags’ should be contained in their own district. Otherwise, we will lose our identity or some shit… I don’t even remember and I don’t care. The fact is that I got the money.

Next step was the trip to the doctors. There was a huge hospital but most of the doctors who won’t block the treatment behind the massive paperwork are the ones who have their offices in their homes. Of course, private healthcare isn’t free.

The construction crews were hired to clean the destroyed houses so they could rebuild them. It will take some time but the Keidrans who were lucky enough accepted those in need in their homes.

Meanwhile, I’m surrounded by children, whom I’m trying to teach first aid. <Now you have to wrap it under the wrist and repeat the figure-eight pattern. Make sure that with each new lap, try to cover half of the previous layer to be certain that the bandage won’t come off>

The kids were trying it on the other kids, some were successful, some were not, <Ow! You did it too tightly!> <Stop moving!> <Why do you do this first? I wanted to do this!> <You lost the sailors game!>

Children… at least they’re not worried about the fire… <Keir! Ivy! Stop arguing!>

<Sorry, Mr. Gard…>

<That’s better. Now, once the hand is fully covered and the bandage is secure, tie it up so it won’t fall off>

Then we did a switch-up. Apparently, I’m a good teacher. The furry children learned their lessons just in time for dinner.

I sighed in relief, [At least that… at least that…] I was tired. Both physically and mentally. Sure, my aid was a lot but… there was one last thing to do.

After few hours of clean-up, workers found more of… previous houseowners. Some were a week old, others died during the scavenging… the stench was horrible.

The problem was to relieve the worst memories of their lives. The burden of literally digging up the past only to let it go again… At least that, I can amend a part of my long list of sins…

And so, I go to the morgue and burn their bodies, one by one. And when they’re nothing but the ash… I put them into the urns with their names. I wish to just bury them but… they weren’t Basitins. I can’t stop my hands from shaking but it’s a price I have to pay.

[That’s the last one] the elder entered the morgue. [At least for now]

The corpse was an old lynx. Despite his age, he could still beat many Coppers, including me, [Was he also an elder?] I asked, <Also, you don’t need to speak in Basitin…>

The Keidran nodded his head, <When the fire began, he went into the centre to save the others…> he put down his hand on his shoulder, <He was lucky with his first times… but his luck eventually ran out…>

The words choked in my throat, <I… I’m sorry for your loss…>

The elder smiled at me, <Don’t apologise. It’s not your fault…> You have no idea…

We’ve got quiet for a time of cremation. And during the pouring of the ashes into the urn.

<Here you go…> I handed him the urn full of his friend’s ashes,

<Thank you, young lad> he replies warmly, <There will be more of them tomorrow… and the day after that… but I will deal with it. The elder needs to take the worst responsibilities of the community>

Everyone copes in their own way. If that makes the Keidrans to get better so be it. I nodded and walked from the morgue. As I was going to the castle, I saw them. A mob of Keidrans and Basitins alike stared at me, making a way for me.

They didn’t say anything. They didn’t have to. Faces said it all. They were admiring me, thanking me, bless the fucking ground I was walking on… I was their hero.

A fucking piece of shit hero who burned their homes and killed their families… scarred for the end of the life… A great fucking hero…

======

Same balcony again… By the Masks, I’m getting into a routine…

Yep, I’m on the same balcony where I was flirting with Jade. Sigh, imagine that only a couple days ago, I was barely able to uphold a conversation with her. Now, all we can do is argue about the morality of our system…

The moon was shining upon the city. I saw how the citizens were turning their lights on in their homes. Only the burned area was swallowed in the dark.

[Damnit…] My sins were crawling up my spine again.

[You’re not looking well, Ray] how in the name of the law is she so sneaky?! I should hear her from a mile away! [You should see a doctor]

[I’m fine, Jade… Just…] I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts, [I fucked up… I hurt so many people…]

Jade was silent. She listened till I say it all,

[I… Their blood is on my hands…]

[It’s true, your mission would go much cleaner] she finally spoke, [But from what I learned, the casualties will happen. That’s why everything we do shouldn’t be rushed. Otherwise, the wrong blood will be spilled. It’s a tragedy but we have to go on…]

[Go on… no] I stopped holding the railing and stood up straight, [Each crime should be punished. J- Your Majesty, I need to be punished…]

I couldn’t read her face. She acted like she was trying to study me, [I saw the report. You helped cleaning out the debris, gave help to the wounded, you even paid from your own pocket to support the families!]

[My paycheck comes from them, it’s their cash…] I grunted.

Another moment of obnoxious silence, [You’re talking about a different crime. And from the knowledge you seem to have about bandages… something horrible happened, no?]

I wanted to confess and I needed someone to push me in that direction. I clenched my fists and… [Back in my hometown, before getting your letter, I was the main foreman in the region. Every mine was under my jurisdiction… for a week]

[An accident at work?] she asked,

[I resigned. The bast… Basitin, I was competing for the position got his revenge on my pet goat. Woke up with her bloody head in my bed]

[That’s horrible!] the King look disgusted by this. Good to know that she’s not okay with one kind of cruelty, [Why would someone do such a thing?]

[Our families were at each other’s throats for generations. You get used to fights, insulting or even the loss of your close ones…]

[I’m sorry to hear that…]

[I’m fine. But back then… no. I drank. A lot… Until I stopped. My ma’s heart was breaking up seeing me like this…]

[So the bandages… did you…?]

I shook my head, [No, that’s not it. When I finally recovered from the loss, the same guy ambushed me. Tied me up and threw me into the abandoned mineshaft, so they could have a laugh while watching me crawl and wiggle around to escape. But then…] I laughed. It was more of a pathetic, pitiful kind than a maniacal one, [There was an earthquake… strong enough to cause a cave-in]

Of course, Jade didn’t know about the deaths by cave-ins. I don’t blame her. The island is stable and all the working mines in the country are a masterclass in work safety.

[I managed to get out from the ropes but I didn’t have any tools to get through the rocks]

[Then how did you get out of that mineshaft?]

[I… I punched my way out]

[I beg your pardon?]

[I punched the rocks till they were gone. I did that for hours, non-stop] I unwrapped my arms.

I saw the fright in her eyes as she witnessed what was beneath the stained bandages. My arms, from the fingers to the elbow, were lacking fur. Flesh poorly wrapped around the bones. The veins pulsated for everyone to see at a steady pace, the irregular twitches that were caused by the exposure. It looked like some pealed the fur of me like an orange.

[I-It doesn’t hurt… that much as you think. The painkillers would cost me a fortune and booze is more acceptable… I-I’m not a drunk! It’s just a couple of swigs here and there… and a little before taking sleep… but that’s all, honest!]

Jade thought about reaching for my wounds but she quickly realized that it would be an immense pain, [If I knew about it before, I-] she quickly regained composure, [You still haven’t told me your crime]

All those months of keeping it down… it’s about to be released, [When I got out from the rocks, it was late. The village was weirdly alive. The day was long gone, it should be only crow hunters. But I saw almost everyone running around… and my bully holding my bag. Something snapped inside me. I was in pain. I could barely fight. I was mad. And then… I… I…]

[You killed him…] 

[I got him by surprise and pulled to the ground. I was so angry, I couldn’t stop hitting him!] I was starting to shake, [The blood, the teeth… He begged me, cried to stop! And I…]

I fell on my knees and I was about to cry, [When I realized what I had done, his face was already gone… I threw his corpse on the cliff so no one could find it. But when I check the bag, there was your letter. It was my chance… chance to fix my wrongs! B-But…]

We both stared at the burned district, [I did it again… I almost killed someone with my bare hands… and so many died from that fire… Jade, I’m a murderer! I can cause nothing but harm and trouble for everyone!] I wiped my tears and faced my fears, [I… I demand a punishment, Your Highness]

I stared at her, desperate for her reaction. And yet, there was nothing for a long time.

Until I heard the voice, [What sentence would you receive in your village?]

I got confused, [I-I would have to work my punishment… toil long enough till I bleed as much as my victims did… Eye for an eye and all that]

[I see…] The King walked up to me, [In that case, your punishment will be… continuing your job as a Royal Guard]

Say what? [Uhh… excuse me?]

[You heard me, Ray. You will work like every Royal Guard. You will serve every one of my orders until you and only you will find that you should finish your sentence]

I blinked in confusion, [I… Your Majesty, I-I… I don’t understand…]

[I know you well enough to know you’re not lying to me. You genuinely feel horrible for your actions. And I know you won’t pick an easy way out]

The amount of things I wanted to say but I couldn’t force them through my throat,

[Sure, you CAN acquit yourself right here right now and you CAN leave the guard without anyone stopping you… You can even leave the island! But you won’t] she gave me her confident smirk.

I felt so many emotions at once… And to this day, I don’t know what the correct response was.

[Your first order is to fix that ankle wrapping of yours]

[Wait, really?] I looked down. The wrappings were fine. I was about to ask her…

And then she kissed me on the forehead! [By the way, you can tell everyone about our little… rivaly. Too bad that no one will believe you]

She- I- That- She stole my line! AAAARGH! I was too stunned to say anything as she was going back to the castle.

But she was right. If I want a redemption, I need to work for this. I will get better, for myself, for her, for everyone I love!

But Drunk Ray was screaming at me and calling me a wuss. If I wanna have inner peace, I need to outflirt Jade!

I just hope she will chicken out before we get to bed…