The Rose Of The South
Chapter 31: A Toi Je Jure et Prommets

Stop crying, Anna. Your eyes can be swollen.

Anna heard that voice on their channel. The voice he had been waiting for three days. He hurriedly wiped away his tears and looked at Xavier before him who was still silent and closed his eyes. Not move. Pale like a corpse.

"Doctor!" He immediately shouted to the doctor who had already given Xavier the antidote. It is not the right antidote for this type of poison because there is no antidote. But at the very least, the antidote slowed down the performance of the deadly poison.

Mercifully... Mercifully... Anna kept saying it. Thank you Goddess of Heaven... Thank ye...

I'm not dead yet. Calm down.

You could have died!

Actually not yet.

Three days, Xavier! I waited for you for three days! I thought you were really going to die. You might respond that casually.

I was waiting for you three days that day. We're breakeven.

Three days, and I opened my eyes! You're not even fully aware now.

The doctor and Queen Isabella entered the room in a hurry. The doctor checked Xavier's condition. There were no signs of consciousness. But Anna could feel her heartbeat through the ruby gem ring. His heart rate had started to return as quickly as usual.

"The condition is still the same, even though his heartbeat has returned quickly. We have to give him another antidote."

Nay! Feels terrible.

Anna doesn't care about it. He immediately took the antidote and helped the doctor drink it to Xavier.

Get up if you don't want to feel it anymore.

His cruel...

After making sure the antidote to the poison started to work, the Doctor carried out a vital examination, then gave some medicine and antidote to Anna.

"Please make sure the patient drinks everything, Your Majesty." Doctor Message. Anna nodded obediently.

The doctor was the Doctor of the Francis family who was brought in by the Duchess immediately at Anna's request. Nicholas says they can trust the doctor, but they still don't tell him that the patient is Crown Prince Nordhalbinsel who should have died. They only refer to Xavier as a distant relative of the Schiereiland royal family who was born and grew up in Nordhalbinsel.

"Daughter, let's go down and have dinner together." Pinta Queen Isabella after the Doctor leaves the room.

Anna shook her head, "I'll just eat here, ma'am."

Wh why? Come down. You want to let your mom eat alone?

Mother will eat with Constanza and some members of the noble family that she managed to gather all this time. I don't know them very well. Definitely awkward.

The queen succeeded... Good though. Then proceed with the plan immediately.

Queen Isabella seemed to understand her daughter's feelings, so she nodded, "Alright. I'll have the waiter bring you your food."

"Thank you very much, ma'am."

Afterwards, Anna told Xavier everything, whatever happened during the last three days.

Anna had already told all the true events in outline to Constanza. He told me about Leon who took him away hiding in the woods. About her being Xavier's bodyguard to save her mother and sister. About his mother who was rescued but his sister is still not found. And about Xavier willing to help her. But he did not explain who he and Xavier were and what their relationship was in the past. Constanza doesn't need to know.

Constanza tells the story of the enslavement that took place in Schiereiland and the young women who were taken to Nordhalbinsel.

Anna tells Xavier all about it through their channel. Also about Constanza's murdered parents and his siblings who are still unaccounted for. But he didn't tell me about the letter he sent to Eleanor Winterthur. Also about the reply letter he received immediately an hour after he sent it. As well as other letters that they sent each other to make plans together. His secret alliance with Queen Nordhalbinsel he did not tell anyone.

During these three days, they continued their plan without Xavier. Queen Isabella managed to contact the nobles and now they have gathered at Anastasia Palace. Secret soldiers were deployed to search for the whereabouts of other nobles. Some of the Queen's forces were deployed to go to Schere to carry out their next plans. Nicholas had already returned to his residence after informing him of Alexis' whereabouts in Schere. Louis yesterday sent a letter stating that there is a section of the Palace library that is not on fire. They could already continue the next stage immediately.

You listening? Ask Anna. Because Xavier was silent. And Anna almost thought that her condition was getting worse again. But then Anna observed that her breathing movements were still stable and that the small pulse in the ruby gem ring was still stable.

Yep. I'm just... I kept quiet because I didn't know what to say. Even though I didn't do all those horrible things to you, to your people, especially to the Smirnoff family, I really felt guilty. Am I even allowed to beg for forgiveness from you and all your people?

You have apologized to me many times. You just have to fight with us to get forgiveness from my people. Return the situation as it was.

Sure oes. I'll do it as soon as I'm healed.

Get well soon.

I'll work it out.

Your wounds don't close. The worse the day.

I-i know. I can feel it.

But you didn't see it. The poison has already completely spread. Does it hurt so much? Does it still hurt?

Xavier did not answer. The stab wound may not hurt much after three days, it may still hurt but it can be held back. But Anna believes the wounds inflicted by Morta's poison inside her body, which slowed her heartbeat and slowly destroyed her bones and internal organs, must have been very painful. By looking at the streaks of his veins that were as dark black as the ink scratches on his body alone Anna knew that the poison could really make him die. The antidote given by the doctor only delayed his death, not cured him. The drugs that the doctor had taken were not even able to relieve the pain that Xavier might feel as the poison crushed him slowly from within.

Does it look that bad? I'm so embarrassed you had to see me in this state.

Does pain?

It doesn't hurt when you see you cry.

It must hurt a lot... You're... Why don't you heal fast? What's wrong? Though the time in Trivone... Is there nothing I can do... I want you to get well soon...

Anna brought her face closer. Fully aware of what he will do. He didn't know what he could do to save her. He knows. He's been waiting for Xavier's voice on his channel. Ask for approval from him. Of course he would still have done it if Xavier really could not have been saved any other way.

Xavier was closed, so could not see him. But the pulsation on the ruby gem ring felt even tighter. Even with his own heartbeat. Anna's breathing was warm on Xavier's face. Her lips were only a few inches away from Xavier's. Till...

Anna stop. Whahuh?

I can't read your mind, I can't see you either, but I more or less know what you think you're going to do now. Anna's... I can heal even though it takes longer. Just a little longer. While waiting, you can go back to continuing the plan. I'm definitely cured and we can go to Schere together.

Anna sat up straight again. Feeling a little upset. No. gabe. He's very upset. His hands clenched above his knees. Emotions peak.

Wh why? If you can recover faster, why wait?

Save it for later. When you really wanted to kiss me because you wanted to. Because wanted me. Not just to cure me. It's not a serious thing. I'm not dying or anything. Only small wounds—

This is not a small wound! And you're dying now! You don't know what it's like to see you die slowly in front of my own eyes for three days! You don't know how bad you are at the moment. I've been patient and waiting, Xavier. I waited for your voice in my head every day and every night but it was unheard of.

Anna's...

Quiescent. I'm not done yet. I just want to heal you. Is that too much desire? I can't spend another day watching you dying in front of my eyes. What about yourself? How many times have you healed me and saved my life? You forbid me, but you did it for me yourself! You saved me repeatedly! Selfish! I want you to get well soon too! I want to save you too!

Silent.

Anna sighed. Regretting that his emotions are suddenly out of control for some reason. No. gabe. He knows why. He had not rested properly for three days. He didn't feel like eating anything. He is haunted by feelings of guilt because Xavier was injured because of his plan to find the Red Queen. He wondered how Xavier could stand waiting for him to wake up for three days back then because he felt like a time bomb about to explode and shatter into pieces.

Anna's down. Excuse me... I'm really sorry. I'm just... I fear. Because you seem to be able to really die this time and it's my fault. I can't imagine that you're really dead. That's too horrible. I will never be able to forgive myself for I planned our departure in search of the Red Queen. L'm...  I shouldn't—

Two. Xavier replied, cutting off his words.

Anna looked up at him as if Xavier was actually talking directly to him. "What—“

You were asking. I kissed you twice. And I did it because I wanted to. Selfish. Is correct. Greedy too. At first I just wanted to see you come back to life. Seeing you breathe and be happy. Now I want more than just to see you alive. Wanted you. I also originally wanted to cure you. Both from the traumatic injury caused by the attack that night, as well as the wound that almost took your life due to the Black Mamba attack. But lately I realized, I'm doing it because I love you. Because my feelings for you are still the same as they were a thousand years ago. Because I'm afraid of losing you again. When your leg was hurt, I was really tempted to kiss you and heal you. I hate to see you suffer and be in such pain. I almost did. But I know, back then if I kissed you it wasn't just because I wanted to cure you but because I really wanted you. And I hate myself for that. I keep thinking about you and keep dreaming about you until it feels like I'm going crazy. I-i know. I don't deserve. I know how bad I am in your eyes. My father killed your father and ruined your life—and the lives of your people. I'm not even a nobody to you. We don't really know each other in this life. But I always feel pain whenever you feel pain. I also feel pain every time I see you cry. The pain from the poison I feel right now is nothing compared to all that. Especially when Leon rejects you or when Leon leaves, I also feel the pain you feel, also the pain I feel myself because you love him so much. Because it's not me you love. Because I know you'll never love me like that. Because I am not worthy and inappropriate.

Anna sculpting. The words were spoken out loud in their channel. Inside his head. Those words were not meant for anyone other than him. For a few minutes, no one spoke on that channel. Anna herself did not know what to say. But Anna knew she had to say something.

There were only regular breath sounds from the two. Then,

Xavier's...

Silent.

"Xavier's..." Anna tried again, this time with her own voice.

But there was no reaction. Xavier's gone from that channel. Or maybe his consciousness is gone.

...****************...

The next morning, Xavier was still recovering. Francis' family doctor, who was re-examining Xavier's condition, said his condition was getting worse. Anna can see it. The black path of the veins filled with Morta had already reached his hands and feet as well as his neck—hampir touched his beautiful face. Almost all of his veins now contained poison.

The channel is still silent. There's no sound. The remaining hope is now beginning to erode.

We need to talk... Anna tried, but there was no reply.

If you don't want to say anything, I'll make you drink the antidote to that horrible-tasting poison. Anna threatened. And keep quiet. But Anna did have to give Xavier the antidote, so she did it anyway. But this time, not only was the antidote from the doctor, Anna also gave Xavier a potion from Eleanor. After sending each other letters, Eleanor made her own concoction that she had given to the former Queen of Westeria, Queen Elizabeth. Anna could only hope that the potion would at least make Xavier's condition improve.

Finally that morning, Anna decided to have breakfast with the Queen, Constanza and the nobles. But Louis is still in Schere, he won't be back until they finish the business at Eze. Louis will wait for them at Schere and proceed with the plan when the time has come.

That day, Anna and Constanza had agreed to go to the Schere Tower, which they called to distinguish it from the Tower in Nordhalbinsel. They left with the other Red Queen members. Anna also wears a red robe and a silver mask. His bow—the one Leon bought for him while they were in Nordhalbinsel—was carried on his back. He also placed Xavier's dagger and Nordhalbinsel's sword on the weapon belt at his waist.

Before leaving, Anna stopped by Xavier's room. She took off the ruby ring she had been mashing and put the ring on Xavier's finger. The pledge was uttered from his lips. A pledge that cannot be spoken except by those who mean it.

"Pour l'amour de Dieu et l'aube de demain,"

For the blessings of the sky and the dawn of tomorrow,

"Pour les etoiles qui guident le chemin du return,"

By the stars that guide the way back,

"Et pour le temps qui ne s'arrete jamais."

And for a time that never stops.

"A toi je jure et promets."

I swear and promise.

"I'll be back safely, and you'll be fine as long as I'm gone. I'll keep that promise at all costs and we'll meet again." Whisper, and Anna leaves.

The pledge is indeed unlike the usual ruby gem pledge usually uttered by married couples in Schiereiland. It was also not like a binding Grimoire agreement and there was punishment for the offender. That pledge was his promise that he would keep even if destiny said otherwise.

He turned his head back, towards Xavier who was still silent and closed, before closing the door of the room.

I'm gonna go. My mother is in this palace. If anything happens... No. gabe. Nothing's gonna happen. I'm going back.

Still no sound. There was no reaction. The channel is silent. Even after he closed the door of that room and took a few steps away.

The silence disturbed him until his steps felt heavy.

So Anna went back into Xavier's room, and kissed his lips. Slowly, gently and emotionally. It was like their first kiss.

It was like their last kiss.

"You may protest when you're awake, Prince of Sleep." Whisper again, before leaving.

...****************...