DAY 38-3: HOTHEADED

"Ro... are you okay?"

   The question tentatively leaves Leda's mouth. Ro remains in place, arms folded, eyelids glued shut. He doesn't move, or really hasn't since that herald staggered off in the direction of the palace.

   The air is stiff, difficult to move in. Orian worriedly gnaws his lips while Avel stands innocently, fiddling with Zaire.

   Eventually, he speaks, "I am fine." Standing as tall as possible, he strides forward. "We don't have a single moment to waste. We will return to Edaps as soon as we can."

   Leda follows him with her eyes. He doesn't sound different—just as callous as before. Though, the Ro she's become acquainted with isn't callous. He wouldn't brush aside something like this...

   "Ro—" Right as Leda opens her mouth, the impossible happens—he trips.

   He saves himself in the nick of time, hands positioned on the snow as a safe guard. Avel erupts into an unconfined fit of laughter, only to be silenced by a glare from Leda. Orian hobbles towards him seconds before she can.

   "Master Ro, are you all right?"

   "Ro," Leda asks.

   "I said I am fine." He brushes aside Leda's helping hand and hoists himself up on his own. Regardless, when he's up on his feet, he stumbles, akin to a newborn fawn attempting to gain balance. He flutters over the ice for a good period then bonks his forehead against a tree ahead. He tumbles over at that, back in the same situation as before.

   "Ro!"

   Avel's laughter grows hysterical. Arms wrapped around his abdomen, he doubles over.

Leda crouches by his side and her stomach twists. Overflowing from Ro's eyes and streaming down his pale cheeks are tears. He's crying. The proudest man she's ever encountered is crying before her now.

   "Ro..."

  "Just fetch my sword," he tells her through gritted teeth.

  "Why?"

   "So I can kill myself right here." His declaration pierces through her. His tears don't stop. Rather, they fall relentlessly. He hitches a breath but his amber eyes are clouded by scores of tears and heartbreak. "I'm a failure of a Spade before a prince. I don't deserve to be breathing this air. We were so close. So close and yet..."

   "Whoa, whoa. Hold up, Ronan III," Avel interjects, his snickers subduing. "You sure you want your sword? Mine has a duller blade so if you'd like to really suffer I can—"

   "Avel!" Leda snaps.

   He raises his arms in surrender, but Ro has already lurched to his feet and seized him by the collar. Waterworks brim in his eyelids as he jostles him back and forth. "D-do you w-want to go? I-I'm giving you this one chance so you b-better kill me as painfully as you can—"

   "Ro!" Leda shouts this time, smacking him upside the head. He recoils. This time, it's her who clasps him by the foil of his clothes, forcing his gaze to hers. "I'm not allowing you to kill yourself!"

   His features envelope with sorrow as he sniffles. He buries his face into his arm. "I-It's fine. That lovesick criminal's already agreed to—"

   "Avel isn't allowed to kill you either!" She tightens her grip, grounding her teeth against one another. "Ro, under no circumstances are you allowed to die."

He chokes back a sob. "If you cared about me you would let me."

"It's because I care about you I'm not letting you!"

"You're being unfair, Leda," Avel calls. "If the honourable prince wants to slit his throat, let him."

It only takes a single glower to shut Avel up. Leda returns her attention to Ro who's buckled over his knees, weeping. To think such a prideful man can be reduced to this...

"There's no way you can understand, Leda," Ro whimpers.

"And why wouldn't I be able to?" she retorts. "Even if what we heard is true, you still have your mother and siblings. You still have your people. You still have me, Orian, and Avel."

"You're including me?" Avel says.

Leda ignores him. "If you kill yourself who's going to save them?"

"I haven't done anything useful this entire time we've been on Straeh," he remarks. "You would be better off going on ahead and leaving me to die the death a pathetic man like me deserves."

Avel slowly blinks and turns to Orian. "Okay, so we should go then?"

"Avel!" Leda shouts.

"I love it when you scream my name," he gushes.

   Fortunately, Orian grips him by the arm, motioning him off. "How about we get those antidotes ready for our departure?"

"Aren't you interested in how my genius mind crafted them?" Avel prods. "You see, making the serum wasn't the difficult part. Rather, it was figuring out the effects it could have on the body considering the different magic or fairy influence—even taking into account the Spade suit as opposed to a Heart—and—"

   Avel gladly rambles on to a perky-eared Orian as he leads him through the icy haven. Orian spares Leda a discreet nod to which she grimly returns one. Returning her gaze to a teary Ro, her lips meet, tightly.

   He doesn't look any better. Snuffling, cheeks puffed like a child's. Then again, how is he supposed to recover from news like this? Long before Leda and Orian came to Edaps, he was living with this crushing guilt. Dealing with death after death of his civilians—a disease nobody could cure. A disease he, and the rest of his royal family, were powerless against.

   Leda can't even begin to imagine how he must feel. Sure she's gone through the loss of her own family, but Ro considers all of Edaps to be his family. He treasures the well-being of the other Spades over himself, and often went on long expeditions in order to find a solution to this deadly plague. And when they finally find it, Nixon, his closest vassal, is the cause. And not only his father, but countless other Spades are dead from it?

   They've been gone a couple of days. Would the Edaps they return to truly be the same kingdom Ro loves deeply? Is it possible to go back, head-held high, to the family he cares so much for? Who knew how much longer they were going to last. And maybe, that idea hurt him more than it should.

   "There's nothing more shameful than a prince who can't protect those he holds dear."

   "You can't begin to understand, Leda," Ro mumbles, amber eyes blanketed by a new layer of tears. "My people are weak. The proudest and toughest suit kingdom—nearly decimated in as easy as two years."

   As he properly sits and rubs at his puffy eyes, Leda attentively listens from beside him.

   "It affected them all before me. I could only watch as they died in front of me. Time and time again. And by the time my family members became affected I figured we were doomed. I'd rather die than live with this shame. But I couldn't do it. Because more than that, I wanted to find a cure. I wanted to do my best. Even so, I brought you all here and couldn't be there to do anything. I was powerless. In saving my people; you."

Leda succumbs to the silence enveloping them; the faint chirp of birds and buzzing cheers a distance away.

"You're right, Ro." Her words don't even register as her own. "I don't know how or what it takes to run a kingdom. To be selfless and govern my people with good virtue and intent. Being the only person responsible for finding a cure before a disease wipes out every last one of those I care about. And yet I selfishly told you to come here, to enemy territory, only for everything to..."

Hearing her shaky inhale of air—a hiccup—Ro's gaze slowly flickers to her.

"I was so scared."

   His eyelids flutter wildly, but obviously Leda isn't done.

   "That you weren't going to live." She blinks back hot tears, rubbing incessantly at her eyelids but even that isn't able to stop them. "I was running through this endless maze so worried that I had brought you into this palace to your death, and if you died on me then what about the rest of Edaps? I was so damn scared. And you have the audacity to tell me you'd rather die? For what shame? You did do your best, better than anyone. On your literal deathbed you pushed yourself to the limit, for your people and family. If I was in your shoes there's no way I could've coped. I've always run away from my problems, but you embraced them. You wanted to save them and because of that, you finally can."

   Ro's mouth parts. She hurriedly scrubs more at her eyes before dropping her hand and connecting them with his.

   "We don't have any time left. We accomplished our goal by coming here—an antidote. And we still don't know what happened to the king. If he's really gone or not. You haven't given up before so don't you dare do that now. Even if those who died aren't coming back we should be grateful to be alive and return to Edaps as soon as we can. No matter what reality we come across, it'll be together, okay?"

   Belated embarrassment flourishes inside of Leda. Way to be corny. And she's crying in front of him, too? Agh! She can't bear to see his reaction!

   "I-I'm going to try to catch up to Orian and Avel."

Before she can rise to do so, however, he wraps his arm around her and pulls her close. Leda's eyelids flutter opened and closed. His embrace is warm. It leaves a heaviness in her stomach which flutters at the sensation of his body against hers.

"I... apologize. I let my emotions get the better of me. You are right, Leda. Even if I hadn't wanted to admit it, since the beginning, you've never said anything wrong. My stubbornness made me blind to accept what was in front of me. But it's because of you I can be here now. It's because of you we can save the rest of my people. I can't throw it all away so easily."

Ro retreats thereafter. But not for the reason she thinks. His soft lips stretch into a smile. It doesn't quite reach his dark eyes, light with understandable sadness, but it's warm, and swelled with immense gratitude.

Though Leda is assured she hasn't said or done anything worthy of a look like that, he doesn't utter anything else—express the 'thank you' that's very much written on his face.

   He exits the scene first, insisting he scold Avel into securing the right proportions. Seated on the cold floor, Leda can't find her voice. Her heart pounds in her throat, cheeks scorching. The smile that takes over her lips says everything it needs to.

She drinks in her surroundings then heaves a breathless sigh.

It's finally time to say goodbye to this place.

♥♦♣♠

"Your Highness, we've readied the supplies you requested."

Eyes glazing over the load the servants have piled onto Grimm, the large snow-white owl, in the main courtyard of the palace, as well as the insurmountable amount of quacks prepping to depart Straeh as well, Avel ascends from the palace steps, black staff in hand.

"Finally," he cheers. "I feel I was waiting forever."

   "My apologies, Your Highness," the maid nearest to him continues—a young girl with purple twin tails rested on her shoulders. Her red eyes glint as she speaks, "If I may ask, what has gotten you in such an elated mood?"

A sheepish laugh only leaves his lips. His heart-shaped pupils dilate as he claps his hands together. "My dear, of course! I want to hurry and cure these people so my sweet honey and I can get married! Ah, she'll look so lovely, all dressed up for me! As for where should our reception should be—how about in Leste, when we gain back the land? They have gorgeous flowerbeds and a beautiful view. Pashee sounds splendid as well. Or should it be in Compa? Right here in Amore?"

The more Avel rambles, the more giggles pour from the mouths of the surrounding servants. Even Orian, who's seated on the palace steps, wrapped up in both bandages and properly warm clothes, is entertained.

"He's so excited," he chuckles, mouth twisted upwards. "Master Avel really is like two different people."

"What a sickening man," Ro comments, perched against the railing with half-lidded eyes and folded arms. "There's no way Leda's even considered marrying this vile fool."

Orian glances up at him, amusement in tow. "Master Leda only agreed to this because she wanted to save you."

Ro is quiet, but only for a bit. "She should stop putting herself into situations like this. An agreement with a Heart is one they won't easily disremember, or let you forget. Well, if that fool so tries to lay a finger on her, I'll purge him with my blade. Leda deserves better than a criminal who vows to be a prince."

Orian's ears twitch. "Master Ro, are you possibly implying you're a better choice for her?"

He opens his mouth to refute, only to stifle words and clasp it shut. His cheeks have already tinged to a blatant enough red hue. Orian has to suppress another laugh, ignoring the stiff aches that riddle through his bandages as a result.

"Where is she anyway?" Ro demands, turning to hide his face. "She knows we're in a hurry. In spite of that, she's taking her time."

   "Avelious!"

The shout that rains from above snatches the focus of everyone gathered in the courtyard. Avel's head swivels up first, and the face he spots poking out of one of the upper level floors is blurred. But the taut frown and and sharp eyes narrowed into a fierce glare makes it easy to identify her.

"Valentina!" he calls out, waving his arm for emphasis.

She's at a loss of words at first. Despite knowing him her entire life her older brother's oddity always threw her off. "More importantly, what are you doing outside so late? Everyone from the banquet last night has already fallen asleep so don't tell me you still have more energy?"

"I'm full of energy!" he responds, boisterously chuckling for emphasis.

He accepts the bag of clothes and short sword one of the maids offer him. Watching this unfold from the window, it isn't long before Valentina's blood boils.

"You told me you were going to start properly working around here from now on but you're not even close to committing! I had to send Mavix to do your responsibilities for you..." As Avel leaps onto the back of Grimm, she squints, taking in all the supplies he's placed onto it. Her heart stops in her chest and she flings herself to the window. "Wait... where do you think you're going?"

   Hands over his mouth, Avel shouts, "Val, thanks for everything!"

   "What do you mean 'thanks for everything'?" she retorts, stomach beginning to knot. "Where are you going?"

   "Um." He pauses for a brief moment. "A little journey to save a couple of lives here and there. Maybe even search for the perfect place to marry Leda." He smiles broadly. "I'll be back, don't worry!"

Avel has already taken his position on the back of Grimm who takes off into the air before Valentina's mind can process the situation.

"Orian, let's go!"

Avel yanks the rein back, and whilst diving with insane speed, grabs Orian's less injured arm and tosses him onto the owl. The Mond emits a cry of both pain and surprise when he collides face-first into the fluffy basket woven onto its back. Ro, who effortlessly latches on by himself, lands easily. His presence summons a frown of displeasure to Avel.

   "No!" Valentina's yell is nothing but a whisper at the distance of her and Avel. She bends further off the ledge. "Wait!" she exclaims. "You little— You are not leaving Straeh to elope—"

   "Leda, my sweet!" Avel's gush rings in the air as he zeroes in on the girl exiting the forest. "Grab on!"

She barely has the time to process the gigantic owl zooming straight toward her. "W-wait! A-Avel—ah!"

Leda's limbs flail against the upper face of the owl. Screaming, she shuts her eyes for safety and clenches the feathers. Fortunately, Ro reacts before a still face-planted Orian and Avel can, leaping onto its head and helping her up. She hits his chest but with a sudden stumble of Avel's steering, Ro loses his footing and they're sent tumbling backwards.

She lands on his lap, her heart racing a mile per minute.

"You damn Spade!" Avel shouts from the spot where he's steering; head whipping back and forth from ahead of them and Ro and Leda's current state. "Get my Leda off your lap!"

Ro, who's equally as frazzled as Leda, pops a nerve. "Who's 'your' Leda?" he shouts right back. "And maybe I wouldn't have had to save her if you knew how to steer right!"

"I don't know how to steer?" Avel echoes. Hand bunching up the rein, he's up and digging the heel of his boot into Ro's cheek. "Who told you you could even get on Grimm in the first place? Fall off and die right now!"

Ro snaps in no later than a second. He unsheathes his sword and just about slices Avel's foot in half, and would've, if hadn't retreated it in time. Growling like rabid animals, both men wield their weapons, ready for the kill.

"Do you want me to slice you to bitter bits you vile Heart?"

"Just wait until I freeze you limb from limb you damn Spade!"

Fortunately, Leda has crawled onto the basket for safety. Avel has long forgotten his hold on Grimm, now engaging in a full-on battle with Ro. The owl takes its own path, weaving through narrow spaces of trees, shaking as uneasily as a rusting hinge.

"M-Master Avel, actually steer him properly!" Orian whines.

Leda latches onto him for safety. "We're going to die! We're going to die!?"

   Valentina heaves a loud breath, watching as her older brother sails through the forest, quacks on their respective brooms after him, bickers audible even as they disappear from her sights entirely.

   "Should we send forces after him?"

   Valentina waves Mavix off, retreating from the window's ledge with a defeated breath. "If we try to tie him down he'll just get back up and leave again. I swear, that idiot. Always doing whatever he pleases."

She takes off down the crystalline halls, steps slow and elegant. The Jack of Hearts follows closely behind. They pass the banquet hall, where everyone has already long fallen asleep. They've been partying since the night before so it makes sense.

   "He looked fairly happy," Mavix notes after a hefty silence.

   "He doesn't understand anything other than a twisted happiness," Valentina corrects. "Still, I don't believe either of us have left Straeh territory. Queen Estelle was strongly against it."

"Do you think his overdue curiosity got the better of him?"

   "Or his attachment to females is once again clouding his priorities." She shakes the notions aside. "Either way, we have a lot of things to fix from Queen Estelle's rule."

Mavix bobs his head. "Yes, Your Majesty Valentina."

Valentina smirks. She'll have to get used to this title from now own.

"Don't think I've forgotten it was your idea to marry Avelious and I."

He stiffens, especially at her narrow-eyed stare. "I was working to calm the late Queen. Please forgive me—"

"All's forgiven."

When his gaze falls upon her, basked in the sunset pooling in from outside, Mavix has to withhold a gasp. As she stands at the adjacent window her lips bear the semblance of a smile, just enough to show that she's enjoying herself. No madness. No derangement. She's at peace. It's been a long time since she's ever felt such emotions.

"The Straeh he returns to," Valentina finally says, staring fondly at the breathtaking view; the endless clouds have parted, vast warmth trickling from the sun as it has for centuries now. "We should make it a Straeh the both of us can be proud of. A kingdom where the King of Hearts can truly be the King of Hearts."

______________

And that's the end of the crazy rollercoaster Straeh was! Please do tell me your overall thoughts about the whole kingdom and all the events that occurred, as well as the characters. I remember going into this with an entirely different plan but I also kind of liked exploring the idea of two sides of a heart and having them be the complete opposite of Spades for instance. Granted, things got extremely dark and morally wrong at times so I hope all that wasn't enough to ruin your reading experience. Well, it probably did but you're still here so thank you (and I'm sorry lolol).

Anyway, do let me know your overall feelings!

There are still a few more knots left to tie before we can move on to the next suit and this whole arc is officially over, so I hope you're still invested.

We're going back to Edaps~