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Chapter 43 -
Discovering The Unexpected From Him
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Why were you running from Varian? You had no clue, possibly you were afraid of what he might say. Why were you even scared about that?

The grass slightly silences your running feet and you feel your heart pounding from the heavy breathing. You slid down a small steep hill and spot a grassy burrow next to you. Quickly, you crawl in.

It was big enough sit up in and it didn't go far, so you curled up against the rooted dirt wall. You managed to calm your breathing, but your still beat at a fast pace from anxiousness.

You hear chittering out the burrow and you mentally groan. Rudiger.

The said raccoon is sniffing by the entrance and you try to shoo him away. He just smiles happily and trots in, jumping in your arms.

“Are you going to come out or do I have to go in?”

Half of Varian stood in front of the burrow. You didn't answer and hug Rudiger, burrowing your face into his fur.

Something shuffled in the dirt before a body sits in front of you.

No one spoke, only just Rudiger’s curious chittering as he now digs in Varian's bag for food. Varian holds his knees to his chin and stares at your curled form.

“I don't even what to feel or think right now, (____). There is so many emotions swirling around the moment.” Varian quietly whispered, trying to hold back at snapping.

You wanted to hide right now, but all you could do is cover your face in your arms to avoid his stare.

“You know that was a bit stupid. Going in a competition like that.” Varian said upset.

Rudiger finds berries and takes a few, tapping your arm. You slightly peek out from under your arms and take a berry that Rudiger held out.

Varian sighs, then gazes softly, “(____). You didn't have to go through that to prove to me that you're strong.”

Your face grows hot because he heard everything you said during the final battle. “I guess you seen that I failed in winning then.” You mumble dreadfully.

Varian grins a little, “Yes…..well you didn't really fail because you didn't get knocked out of the ring by anyone. You saved two people before rolling out.” He chuckles lightly.

You look at him, unsure and roll your eyes, “Thanks for sugar-coating it.”

Varian grins shyly, showing his two front buck teeth, “Well we always gotta have sugar in our lives, right?” His eyes cast downward, then gives you his innocent look.

“To be honest, I never expected you to do something so crazy. You were so remarkable and the way you threw that big guy into the cavea; it was so mind-blowing!” He makes a small explosion sound and flicking his hands like something blew up.

You tried to hold back a smile at his dorky state, but it all failed. A giggle escapes your mouth and you try to stop smiling.

Varian’s cheeks blush lightly and he laughs triumphantly, “There. I've got my (____) back.”

Your eyes widen slightly and your cheeks turn a pale pink. You snort, smiling it off, “I was always here. It's just you get very intimidating when you need to be.”

Varian raises a brow and chuckles, “Me? Intimidating? I can't be that. I mean have you seen who you hang out? A group of crazy, menacing looking Ruffians.”

You two have a joyous fit of chuckles before Varian hums, “At first, I was mad, then I freaked out drastically half way in the battle.”

You take his gloved hand in yours and mildly play with his fingers, “I'm sorry….... I just lost myself today and I hope that never happens again.”

Varian watches you play with his hand, “It's okay to do that once in awhile. We're not perfect and as long as we fix or learn from the mistakes, then we'll be okay.”

You now hold his hand and Rudiger puts both his hands on the two of yours. You two laugh at Rudiger, then you smile sweetly.

“I can be tough and strong, but with you….it's not like that at all.” You give a closed eyed smile, “I don't know, but it's like you are the only one who just walks right through this wall I have up.”

“There wasn't exactly a wall.” Varian states with a sort of tenderness in his voice, “You just kept running and all I had to do was run with you.”

You were left in disbelief at what he had said and it's like you discovered something new.

Varian understood the silence that followed after he said that because even he was in disbelief, but he knew it was true.

After awhile Varian stretches his arms, “So…. I guess I'm staying since the Queen invited me to dinner.”

“The Queen invited you to dinner?”

“Yep and she said you might need someone close to keep you company after some mishap between you and Cassandra.” He crawls out, then helps you up.

Rudiger runs out and jumps onto Varian's shoulder. You giggle, “I see you two are very close now. No more, ‘I'll get you someday, Raccoon!’” You try to mimic Varian's dramatic yells.

Varian laughs, shoving you, “I do not sound like that!”

You smirk and hold up a clenched hand, still trying to sound like Varian, “I, Varian, will unlock the mystery of your hair with the POWER OF SCIENCE!”

Varian laughs harder, “Stop! I don't sound like that!”

You laugh and hold his hand, “You do! And you get very dramatic and highly determined.”

“Pfft!” Varian waves it off, “It just sounds like all the time to you, but to me it all works out perfectly.”

“And accident prone.”

Varian was going to protest, then thinks it over before shrugging, “It comes with being a genius.”

You grin, “Actually. It comes with being the most lovable and super amazing people.”

“Super Amazing sounds nice.” Varian waves a hand out in front of him, grinning, “The Super Amazing Varian! That has a nice ring to it.”

“The Extraordinary Alchemist of Corona, Sir Varian!” You mimic him.

“Okay, enough now, you.” He taps your nose before continuing to walk.

You rub your nose, then poke his side. He lets out a squeak and moves away. You tilt your head and before you could do it again, Varian runs from you.

“Hey! Where you going?”

“I'm hungry!” He yells back.

It's not like he was going to get far because if he goes to the castle, he would need you with him to get in. You walked at your own pace and look toward the arena which was no empty.

“SHORTY! I WANT MY MONEY BACK!”

Eugene's voice echoes inside and you laugh. “He got a ticket after the event was over? He should've just snuck in.”

Once you get to the castle entrance, you see Varian waiting impatiently.

“You're so slow!”

“You're the one who ran.” You chuckle and head inside.

In your room, the wardrobe doors opened and you hum. Varian should be able to fit the clothes you wear and luckily you separated the dresses from the suits.

You didn't have a lot, just a few clothes since you had to get fitted for them. Varian looks at the other portraits you had hanging up. There was one with the Queen and Princess, then Eugene combing his hair, Cassandra posing with a sword, and the King doing paperwork.

Some consisted of Freidborg, the Captain, Pete and Stan, and Xavier. Varian pouts, “Hey, (____)? Do you have any drawings of me?”

You open a drawer and pull out tan colored pants and a neatly folded forest green tunic, “Uh…..I do…. Just not hanging up.”

Varian turns around, only to have clothes thrown onto his head. He holds them and raises a brow at the fancy clothes.

You maneuver him to your bathroom, “You're having dinner with the Queen and since it's your first time, let's try something nice, okay?”

Varian blinks as the bathroom door closes and glances around the bathroom, “I still can't believe this bathroom is bigger than my room.”

You wait on your bed with Rudiger playing with your hair in fascination.

Varian hums, checking himself out in the big mirror and grins in satisfaction.

The tunic actually made himself stand out more. White seams lined in unique patterns on the edges of the collar, sleeves and bottom. His eyes trail to his goggles and he takes it off.

The door opens and you sit up. Your eyes widen in disbelief again. Varian looked very mature in the clothing you let him borrow. He grins shyly, “What do you think?” His hands are placed on his hips to act heroic.

You walk over and tap your chin, “Varian, I have to admit. You look very sophisticated, but….” You take his goggles and put back on his head, “.....now you look knowledgeably ravishing.”

Varian laughs lightly, grinning shyly, “Thank you.” He bows and you two laugh.

On the terrace, Queen Arianna had set up dinner there and three chairs. Two across from one.

You took your seats and Arianna looks impressed by what Varian wore. “I see you're quite prepared for a dinner.”

Varian chuckles nervously, “Truthfully, your Highness, I wasn't and I'm glad (____) helped me.”

“That's great. (____) is extremely helpful when she needs to be and quite….headstrong.” Arianna chuckles warmly.

Varian rolls his eyes playfully, “Tell me about it.”

You pout, “I'm right here, you know.”

“We know. Compliments are good every now and then, Sweetie.” Arianna smiles a motherly smile.

“Now. There is a reason why I wanted you two here. I can see you two are still innocent to this world and unlike my daughter, she has to learn on her own.”

You and Varian glance at each other before looking back at her.

“There is no one to give you some advice on life. Varian, (____). You have noticed life isn't always easy or sugar-coated.”

You two nod.

“There will be things out there in this world that will try it's hardest to break you, either alone or not. Life doesn't play fair which is why we must fight back in our own way. The most strongest is that will try to break you are secrets from the ones you care about.”

Arianna sighs and smiles tenderly, “What I am trying to say is; everyone will forget what you said and forget what you did, but one important thing is that they will never forget how you made them feel. Have faith, you two.”

Varian couldn't, but salute and smile, “Will do, Your Highness.”

“We will, Queen Arianna.” You smile.

Arianna nods approvingly, leaning on your elbows, “Who's hungry? I know I am.”

“I AM!”

You and the Queen laugh at Varian's outburst and he blushes, grinning and shyly rubbing his neck, “Sorry…..I am, Your Highness.”

“Good and I hope the both of you like my cooking. They're recipes I brought with me when I use to travel the world.”

The large dish is place in the middle of the table and the top is taken off.

“These are Dumplings and for dessert….”

Another, but smaller plate is place down and the top is lifted.

“Beignets.”

Let's say dinner with the Queen was very scrumptious and delightfully filled with Queen Arianna’s stories.