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You’re as beautiful as the day I lost you…
Cantarella never thought that she’d see her again. When Fleurdelys had sacrificed herself to fight – alone – during the Second Dark Tide, Cantarella was forced to stand by the side lines, behind her family, as the Blessed Maiden they’ve come to know fight alone towards the Leviathan.
She tried to struggle with her family, but the Fisalia would never want to lose their chosen—possibly the only one who can be their savior.
Her begs were swallowed by the chaos; her pleadings dried on her lips. Tears continued to cascade down her cheeks as she fought ruthlessly yet futile. She couldn’t do anything. They couldn’t do anything.
Alas, the fight ended. And with it, her will to break free.
Fisalia will never be free.
She will never be free.
The memory fades as her eyes landed upon…Cartethia…the name of which she calls herself now.
Cantarella was overwhelmed with too many emotions to actually speak. She watched as Rover talked with Cartethia, a smile on her face, and an assurance ready on her lips, as if they had talked off before, as if she was the one who kept Fleurdelys—no, Carthethia company—as if Rover was the one who spent most of her walking days regretting not being strong enough to help her, as if—
She closed her eyes, and let her lips turn into their usual smile—a playful smirk that she reserved only for her family, for her enemies, outside and within. She walked towards the two, and talked to them—to Cartethia, in a way that is expected of her.
The Blessed Maiden is dead.
In more ways than one.
Cantarella looked at Cartethia—and saw her eyes widened with recognition, a merit sparkled in her blue gaze and Cantarella felt her throat dry. “I—”
But before she could finish, Carthethia enthusiastically interrupted her—
At the corner of her eyes, she saw Rover’s eyes widened, obviously not expecting the shy girl to react so enthusiastically—
And yet she did—
For her—
Only for her—
“—You’re the jelly fish lady!” she said, a full-blown smile on her face.
Cantarella felt her eyes moistened with unshed tears—tears she refused to show, to let go—she had to avert her eyes very briefly and cast them down to blink back all the recked tears that threatened to show themselves.
She could feel both of their eyes on her.
Get it together—
She blinked back and gave a soft smile to Cartethia. “Jelly fish?” she said, faking a shock.
Cartethia seemed to buy her confusion, thinking that she was just as confused as she had been. “I didn’t know who you were—”
Cantarella had to swallow the pain in her voice, and blink back her tears.
“—but I could feel you. I could feel what you…well…” she looked away, a faint blush marring her face.
Cantarella couldn’t help but smile at that. Fleurdelys had never been bashful, always so head strong with everything, always radiating with too much confidence that people just flock to her naturally.
With such memory, Cantarella felt a part of her chest ache. She looked away from Cartethia. Just as she doesn’t recognize Cantarella, Cantarella also felt like she couldn’t recognize her.
They wore the same face, the same clothes, the same cerulean eyes—yet they are so different.
How can they be so different?
Looking at Cartethia just made her realize what she had already lost. And she couldn’t bear it. She looked at Rover and found her already looking at her. Cantarella flashed off one of her playful smile – a lie, had Fleurdelys been beside her, she wouldn’t taken her head and steadily asked her to stop pretending…
“I’m always pretending,” Cantarella would say, her usual smile flashing on her face. She loved to tease Fleurdelys, because she’s the only one who can. The only person who can see beyond the title and see the woman behind it.
“Not with me, you don’t,” Fleurdelys said, again with her usual confident tone, as if she was speaking with nothing but the truth and it was Cantarella, and everyone else’s who are wrong. So much resolve. It’s no wonder that anyone who’ll take a glance at her will already know that she is the Blessed Maiden. “You shouldn’t.”
“What else would I be?” Cantarella said, her smile was replaced by a confused frown. All her life she had lived as what was expected of her. A catalyst. A sacrifice. A future leader of the Fisalia. She cannot make mistakes. She cannot admit to making one. Yet, with Fleurdyls, it felt like she doesn’t have to be.
“Cantarella—” Fleurdelys said, her usual determined eyes softening. She leaned in closer, her breath mixing with Cantarella’s. Her eyes bore into Cantarella, seeking, asking—
And Cantarella knew that Fleurdelys need not ask, because she is willing to give her everything.
“—Fleurdelys…” Cantarella closed her eyes. And submit.
Their lips met each other. And a promise was silently made.
…but Fleurdelys is gone…all that remains is her.
“I need to go back to Rinascita for a while, I’ll check up on you, later…” Cantarella said, mixing her tone with the hint of playfulness she was known for.
She could feel Cartethia’s eyes on her. But Cantarella chose not to meet her gaze.
It’s better this way, isn’t it?
At least, she wouldn’t have to watch her fade as she had done before. At least, in this way, she could pretend that Fleurdelys is still here, lost in time and in her obsession. At least, in this way, she wouldn’t have to say goodbye twice.