Chapter 404 The Strange Prince (1/2)

CHAPTER 404

THE STRANGE PRINCE

Lino paced awkwardly around the small room, limping with his right leg, repeatedly coming to a halt and glancing out the window for a moment before resuming. Minutes ticked by, yet in his mind, it felt like an eternity. His heart jolted as he glanced sideways and rapidly moved his arm, dissolving spatial barrier inside the room. A moment later, a spinning vortex appeared at the center, causing the space around it to wiggle out like folding drapes.

A figure slowly walked through, bandaged just like, if not more, Lino, hair disheveled, one of his arms wrapped around Titus' neck as support. Ion looked up and, the moment he met Lino's eyes, tore himself away from the Prince and slumped to his knees. His eyes grew teary immediately as he crashed down, causing a massive thud to echo throughout the room. Sobs came out of him, turning into low wimps and outright crying.

”I--I'm sorry... I'm sorry Master... I'm so... so... sorry...” stuttering and mumbling in-between the cries, Ion didn't dare look up and meet, undoubtedly, his Master's disappointed gaze.

Lino swallowed a mouthful of saliva with pain, gritting his teeth as he slowly walked over and crouched. He held so for a brief second before reaching out and pulling Ion into his arms, cradling him tightly despite the pain that blared out of his chest. The unsuspecting youth found himself frozen in the shaking arms of a figure he never imagined disappointing.

Like a child, he broke out into open tears and pushed his head further into Lino's chest, wrapping his half-broken arms awkwardly around Lino's back. He shook and quaked tenderly, his developing mind still lacking ways to express the turmoil of his soul. All he could do was repeatedly mumble 'I'm sorry...' and weep.

”... you've nothing to be sorry for,” Lino whispered. ”Nothing.”

”I--I couldn't--I couldn't protect them, I--”

”It wasn't your job to protect them, it was mine.” Lino said. ”And their deaths are on my soul to carry, not yours. You hear me? It wasn't your fault. I don't ever want you to think, even for a moment, it is.”

”No, I--I should have... I...” Ion stuttered, stopping when he felt Lino's arms tighten slightly around his back before one of them moved over to his head, caressing his hair gently.

”Don't,” Lino said, pulling back slightly and forcing Ion to look him in the eyes. The latter's were bloodshot red, watery to the point they appeared as a faint blur. ”It's my sin, kid. Your Master failed, and not you. Alright?”

”...” though Ion nodded meekly, Lino knew it wouldn't be that simple. Smiling gently, he burned a talisman inside his void world and slowly lifted Ion up to his feet.

”From now on, I'll try to do better.” he said. ”We all need to do better. So those days never repeat again. Alright?”

”... y--yes. I'll do better, Master!” Ion nodded, fires inside his soul stoking.

”Good,” Lino nodded. ”Val will take you to Mytha and Shaw. Have them look at you and be honest, alright? Don't try to be a hero. If it hurts, say it hurts. I'll come to visit you later tonight and to see if you've told the whole truth. Alright?”

”Alright...” Ion smiled back faintly as the space behind him tore open, Val walking through right after, sighing as she saw Ion's figure.

”You two are too alike,” she said, walking over and ruffling Ion's hair. ”Getting banged up left and right. Haii, what will I do with you? Come on, let's go. While Mytha patches you up, I'll give you a tender lecture.”

”A-ah! M-miss Val, please, no--”

”Too late. I'm in the mood for a lecture.”

”Master, I'm completely fine!!” Ion cried out as Val began dragging him toward the portal. ”There's absolutely no pain!! See--a-aaahggh!!” he tried flaying his arms about only to break into a screaming bout of pain.

”Yea, you look fine to me. Have fun!” Lino grinned as the two vanished behind the vortex. Only then did he veer his gaze over toward the so-far-silent, young Prince.

He was remarkably the same as Lino remembered him, save for the way he looked at Lino. What used to be courteous respect, was now... somewhat awkward. Fire, passion, almost as though he was looking at his spouse. Lino shuddered, finally realizing why Ion said what he said.

”P-prince--”

”Please, my abandoned title means shit in front of Your Greatness,” Titus immediately shot down to his knees and plastered his head against the hardwood floor, causing Lino to sigh audibly. ”It is a pleasure--no, it is an honor--- no, wait... aah, my stupid brain can't come up with adequate words to describe the emotions I am feeling at the moment. It is beyond, astoundingly beyond breathtaking--”

”Alright, alright, why don't we have a cup of ale and talk.” Lino quickly interrupted, feeling somewhat bashful.

”I dare not.”

”What? Drink?”

”What if I get drunk and say something stupid in Your presence?” Titus said in a serious tone, his expression reflecting that. ”I would never forgive myself.”

”... ay, I wouldn't worry,” Lino smiled bitterly. ”Now, come on. I have to thank you properly.”

”Thank me for what?” Titus asked, slowly getting up and dusting away his robes before walking over and sitting opposite of Lino.

”For saving Ion.” Lino said, pouring the two a cup. ”I am forever indebted to you. I would say I'll give my life if you ask me, but I'm afraid I've promised my life to too many souls already, so it's hardly worth much.”

”P-please! You embarrass me!” Titus exclaimed, lowering his head. ”I should be asking for Your forgiveness! I have failed to not only protect the other children but have even committed the capital sin!”

”... capital sin?” Lino tilted his way.

”I made bed -- literally -- with your worst enemy!” Titus said with a wholly serious expression as Lino spat out a mouthful of ale, barely stifling his laughter.

”... y-yeah, khm... you certainly did... pfft... anyway, how was she?” Lino asked, his eyes glimmering in a strange light. ”I imagine the 'Mother of all Creation' must have a few mind-blowing moves, huh?”

”... eh,” Titus shrugged. ”She... bleh. I want to vomit whenever I recall lying in bed with that whore!! Punish me, Your Greatness! Castrate me! This filthy thing of mine--”