Chapter 220 - She Meets Felix (1/2)
”Even today, was just for my self-satisfaction. I threw myself into a fight, because I can't forget this rage. Nor am I allowed to, for the time being.”
With that, Robin tilted her head back, and finished her mug, then stood up.
”When will you be able to forget it?” Christian asked. He had listened quietly. But what he heard had made his heart ache. Had Robin been quietly suffering this whole time? How could anyone live like that?
Hearing his question, Robin paused. ”...I don't know. But, ever since I came here, I have a feeling, that maybe the answer to that is back home.” She replied, as she stepped out into the light of the setting sun.
Christian, lost in thought, looked down into his mug of coffee. Perhaps, Robin's reasons were not the best, but...in the end, Christian couldn't think of Robin as being bad or selfish.
”Even so, I still believe that you are kind.” Christian chuckled, and drank his coffee.
”Aye. Kind by nature. But, Christian, even kind creatures will fight when backed into a corner.” Keith agreed. ”Robin's been cornered and fighting for so long. I'll reckon that there'd be a lot of hidden wounds still bleeding. scratches can heal, but wounds to the heart can sometimes take years to resolve.”
”What can I do to help?” Christian asked.
”Just being someone Robin can open the heart to is more than enough.” Keith replied, clapping the prince's shoulder. ”It looks like you're of use after all. Robin only told me what happened, yesterday. I was never shown where the wounds were hidden.”
”Such a person...” Christian laughed and ran his fingers through his hair. ”He's been through hell and back again. I can only imagine what he's been through. How in the blazes has he been able to hide it for so long?”
”Indeed, even I was fooled until just yesterday.” Keith nodded. 'Boy, if only you knew....' He thought to himself with a smile, as they followed Robin out into the golden twilight.
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”You seem out of sorts.” A voice sounded from behind Wizard Marin. At the moment, Marin's hair was untidy, and his forehead was furrowed. He turned his head to glare at Fest and grumpily harrumphed.
”No thanks to you. Didn't you leave already?” Marin jabbed.
”I did. But I came back to give you some news I know you've been waiting to hear.” Fest replied with a smirk. ”The black merchants guild has fully abandoned their hideout, and been disbanded. I am now free to allow you to view the sewer systems.”
”Eh?....Wait, you mean it!?” Marin was dumbfounded for a moment. But when the words were finally processed in his brain, he stood up with a beaming grin on his face.
”You of all know that I keep my words carefully.” Fest pointed out. ”I always mean what I say. The credit this time is all due to a certain Hero's good friend, and his intervention.”
”By the Tower, that Hero Robin and his men have finally done it!” Marin was so beside himself that he clapped Fest on the shoulder.
”Don't get carried away.” Fest reminded. ”This incident still isn't over before the sewers have been cleared out.”
”Right, right, of course!” Marin replied, as he motioned for Fest to reveal the trouble spots.
”Should we tell Hero Robin the good news?” Marin asked.
”It appears Hero Robin is currently occupied. Perhaps at a later time.” Fest suggested.
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Liam stood outside next to an abandoned dry well, lending his arm to support Chelsea as she climbed out of the hole.
”I never knew the skylight led to this.” Felix looked at the well, surprised. It was a good thing that the sun had gone down, or else Felix would have had to tie a blindfold about his head. His eyes that had grown accustomed to the dark needed time to readjust to daylight.
Jasmine, who was standing nearby, shrugged.
”I suppose it was a preventative measure, as a last resort.” She mused, looking knowingly at Liam's blatant care of Chelsea. Perhaps there was yet another incident developing which Chelsea had not foreseen.
”Liam? Chelsea? Jasmine?” A familiar voice sounded from a nearby street. They turned to see Robin walking towards them.