The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 57: Gloom

Chapter 57: Gloom

The Crown

There is no moon tonight. The environment is windy and dense clouds are dominating the sky tonight. Zhen Xin is not here. He has gone to set up the barrier.

I watch motionlessly as everyone leaves the palace. To protect me. And I hate this.

"Your Highness, you will catch a cold," Edward says as he drapes a shawl over my shoulders.

Now they are treating me like I am some kind of fragile thing made of glass that I will break effortlessly. My hands clench around the railing of the balcony of my room.

I loath it so much...

"You didn’t go with them?" I ask, not bothering to turn my head and look at him. I don’t want to see anyone at the moment. I just want Zhen Xin by my side.

"My only duty is to protect you and look after you, Your Highness," Edward states, there is a hint of worry in his voice. "It is not my job to look for Erick or Nix. This is something Lord Vermilion and the others should be doing."

"Oh." This is the only sound I make as an acknowledgment of Edward’s loyalty.

I know that I am not being myself. I know I am gloomy, I am frustrated, and everything that is so not like me. I am like the moon, which shines on everything and everyone, making them look best at their worst. But sometimes there is no moon found in the vast night sky. As of today.

I think I am just a little tired. And tormented by my own thoughts and insecurities. I will be fine when I am done sorting through the thoughts that are ghosting me.

I see a white veil cover the expansion of the palace and its sky. It is invisible to the eyes but I can see it clearly as it is one of the sectors of my expertise.

"I shall bring you, your supper, Your Highness. You haven’t eaten anything since the breakfast." Edward says anxiously. He is trying desperately to light up my mood, to dissipate the gloom clouding my face.

Treating me like a kid is one of the reasons that are hurting me but the majority of this storm inside me is caused by Vermilion. He wouldn’t talk to me. He wouldn’t look at me. And every time he says my name is either to scold or punish me.

I don’t have any idea where it went wrong. What I did do wrong for him to act like this? He has always been cold to me, unfeeling, even. But never like this. It’s almost like, he is pissed or...scared?

"There is no need, Edward." I wave him off, "I am not craving food. You shall return to your room. I will call you if I need anything."

I don’t need to turn around and see Edward’s hesitant face. "As you wish, Your Highness," He leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

After a few moments, a soft catty voice breaks my trance, "Your Highness, I have returned."

I look down and smile, "Xin-Xin." I scoop him up in my arms. This time he doesn’t struggle against my hold. "Did you set up the veil?"

"Yes." He sits on my folded arms, "I have. And Lord Vermilion has strictly instructed me not to leave your side. He is very anxious about something."

I blink, "How do you know this?"

"I can sense his aura." He replies, "It is another aspect of immortal martial arts."

"What is that?" I raise an eyebrow, intrigued.

"This is something that only someone with exceptional aura and strength can achieve, Your Highness. Though if you wish to learn the arts, I shall teach you once you have fully recovered your magic and you don’t need to take short breaks after trivial movements."

I pat his head, "Roger that, Xin-Xin."

For some reason, Xin-Xin always puts me at ease. It’s almost like he sucks out all the negativity in my soul.

"You should return to your bed, Your Highness." Zhen Xin inclines his head toward the door to my bedroom, "The night is getting colder and you need to rest."

I nod and walk inside. I don’t know how long all these things will last. When this fallen angel will be dealt with and when Erick will be found? Whether he is still alive or not. The grief has my heart and is squeezing it tightly. It’s all my fault that it turned out like this. If I was just a little more capable...

I slip under my duvet. Zhen Xin takes his usual spot beside my pillow. My body is useless without magic. Exshatsion is a very common enemy of this fragile body. I should train this body even more. Or else it will be the death of me.

"Your Highness, do you blame yourself for what happened?" Zhen Xi speaks up, breaking the silence stretched between us.

"No..." I lie quietly.

"Why do you lie? I know you do. I can see your aura, Your Highness." Zhen Xin tilts his head and looks me in the eyes as if he can see through my soul.

I avert my gaze and concede, "A little, maybe."

"This is yet another lie," He sighs, then touches my cheek with his paw. I love it when he does that, "But do not worry too much. Things will sort out themselves."

I smile and nod. I start to fall asleep as exhaustion hosts my system once again. This is pretty annoying just how tired I am these days.

***

My slumber is interrupted as I sense someone is staring at me in my sleep. My eyes fly open, adrenaline flooding my sleepy system. And to my absolute horror, I spot a shadow standing at the end of my bed, near my feet.

I squint, trying to make out who the individual is before I wake Zhen Xin. My heart stalls and my breath catches as the face comes to decipher.

Erick.