Chapter 8: Love

The words brought Albaric to a stop. He stared back at Clover with a look of utter disdain. Clover marched out of the room. Ace was seated at a bar table below. Without so much as making eye contact, Clover stormed out. Ace chased after out into the streets.

"WAit!" He called.

Clover pivoted to face him, looking impatient and without saying anything. This time, not even the usual smile found its way to their face. Instead, only an icy glare met Ace's wide and surprised eyes.

"Are you going?" Ace exclaimed.

Clover gave a stiff nod.

"But when will you come back?" Ace stuttered.

"I don't know," Clover replied reticently.

"But you said..."

"I know what I said," Clover interjected, "I said if this became more trouble than it was worth I would kill you. Well, consider this your lucky day. You get to live and you get a real master to train you. That's what you wanted, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"But what?" Clover replied impatiently, "Does it really matter who trains you? The Sword Saint can probably do a better job than I can. You should be happy,"

"But I'm not," Ace pleaded.

Clover paused. A strange look came over their face. Suddenly, Clover turned their face away and replied in a low voice:

"That's not my problem,"

"Please, master!" Ace pleaded, "At least tell me when you'll come back," he grabbed Clover's hand, but this time he was shaken off.

"Stop it," Clover replied flatly, "You said you're not a child. Don't act like one. Go back in there at once. You want me to come back? Give me a reason worth my time. Become a Demon Lord or whatever you want to be, then you may challenge me at your leisure,"

"I can't wait that long to see you again,"

"You must,"

"But I...I.."

"What, Ace?" Clover asked with an indecipherable stare. There was a long pause.

Ace stared down bitterly. Clover paused for a moment then said coolly, "Well, then. Good luck," and turned to leave.

"No! Don't go!" Ace began to tremble. He began to pull at Clover again. This time roughly and with more force. Clover didn't budge.

"Let go,"

"No, I don't want to,"

Ace didn't know why he was acting this way. He was embarrassed but couldn't stop himself. He felt close to tears. Clover surveyed him apathetically for another moment. Then, came the blow. Ace reeled back, his hand came to his cheek releasing Clover. The sudden pain and shock brought a stop to his tears and trembling. His cheek was still warm where it had been slapped. He stared up at his master with bewildered eyes.

Clover lowered their hand, said nothing and walked off into the distance. The look of complete indifference was burned into Ace's mind. For several moments, he was frozen in place. Then, he blinked, still stunned and turned back into the inn. He reached the foot of the Sword Saint's door and knocked sheepishly.

The door opened, Albaric stood for a moment inspecting Ace. The first thing he noticed was the red mark on Ace's cheek. His stance was also changed, he looked withdrawn and his expression hardened. His eyes were still red and Albaric could read a stifled tremble on his lips.

Albaric moved out of the way letting Ace back in. He sat down at the table as Ace sat down on the bed. Ace's eyes didn't move from the floor where they were glued. Albaric watched for a moment then said with a sigh:

"It's probably for the best,"

Ace looked upon hearing the words. He stared at the Sword Saint confused.

"Ah, nothing. Nothing,"

Albaric took the remnants of the flask from his desk and let out an awkward laugh. He quickly changed the subject.

"Drink?"

Ace usually never drank. He never understood the appeal, but for some reason this time he didn't refuse. He nodded and took the flask. He took a large sip but he quickly regretted the decision. It burned his throat and he was forced to let out a dry cough.

"Easy," Albaric observed with a smile.

Ace set the flask down.

"Feel better?"

Ace shook his head. Albaric gave a sympathetic smile, he tapped the table thoughtfully. Ace glanced up, this time he perceived the window had been open the whole time. No doubt, the whole scene had been heard from here. He felt even more embarrassed.

"I don't know why I did that," he said flatly by way of explanation.

"I felt the same when Lucielle broke things off with me... Or was it Rachael?" Albaric paused, "In any case, you'll get over it,"

"Get over it?" Ace's brow furrowed.

"I mean you guys were...a thing right?"

"A thing?"

"Like lovers or something?"

Ace's eyes widened then a stiff expression came over his features, "No. Lord Clover is my master...was my master. I was just..."

Albaric raised an eyebrow as if waiting to hear the end of the sentence. Ace bit down on his lip, his jaw clenched. He had no good explanation to give. Why had he reacted that way?

"Gods! I'm making things worse, aren't I?" Albaric sat up with a strained smile, "Look, why don't you rest here for a bit? I'll get us another room,"

Ace shook his head, "This is your room. I'll go." He began to stand up. Albaric sat him back down.

"No, it's fine," he said, "You don't look so good. I think you should lie down,"

With that, Albaric left the room and shut the door behind him. Ace buried his face in his hands. He wished the room would swallow him whole. Lovers...Lovers...he kept circulating around the word. Was he in love with Lord Clover?

Ace recalled his childhood friend Sena explaining the concept to him. There were many types of love. A love of family, friends, or born out of gratitude, pity or compassion. This felt like neither of those. A passionate love then? Ace understood this one least of all. Though Sena had taken great pains to try to explain it, Ace couldn't understand the difference between it and the love he felt for his friends.

He loved them just as well, but he couldn't put his finger on it. The difference was impalpable. They were two kinds of love he didn't wish to associate. All this time, he had thought the warm feeling was just gratitude. Clover wasn't to know how grateful he really was, perhaps his fear to reveal that was the first sign. Would it have changed anything if he had revealed his feelings?

Standing in that moment, was that what he wanted to say?

The feelings were a shapeless thing so hard to grasp and they changed him. He had noticed a change in himself he didn't like. And then there was also Clover's cold apathetic glare that still hadn't left his mind. It all left a sour taste in his mouth and for now, he wished to forget it and to forget himself for a while.

He dropped his hands and looked out the window to distract himself from the thought. He could almost see the shadow of himself quivering on the cobbled streets as he grabbed onto Clover relentlessly. He felt like a stranger to himself. Then a couple walked by with linked arms laughing and broke his reverie. Ace took his eyes from the spot and drew in a breath.

It was almost dark outside. The last of the waning sun disappeared under the skyline. In its place, a pale blue glow rose up from the street lights. With them, the streets only seemed to get busier. The district was alive at night: A woman's high giggling followed a cheer and then glasses clinked. Ace leant on one handing surveying it all indifferently.

Was the master out amongst the revellers? Ace shook the thought from his mind with annoyance. He threw himself onto the bed. All was dark except a stream of light sneaking in from the crack in the curtains. He closed his eyes and willed for this day to come to the end.

The weeks that followed went by in a blur. Albaric, true to his word, had begun training Ace in the sword. However, Ace couldn't help but feel less enthusiastic than before. Nevertheless, he found the Sword Saint to be a patient and understanding master.

Albaric had abilities beyond what Ace had imagined. He regarded his earlier misgivings with remorse. On missions was when Ace got the best opportunity to observe this. The Sword Saint cut through enemies with ease. It almost seemed a waste for him to be a mere adventurer, though no doubt he did much good and was very much respected wherever he went.

Ace wondered what had brought about the change from General to a common adventurer. He did notice that the Albaric had a slight wandering eye though, generally, he felt he was affable and pleasant to be around. He didn't have the same unease and insecurity he felt around Clover.

As time passed, Ace found his interest gradually renewed. He threw himself into training. To his surprise, he began to show signs of improvement. Though, he still wasn't able to use magic.

He discovered, through Albaric's guidance that the necklace was a kind of vessel. Though its effects were different than any he had come across. Most vessels could house magic. However, this vessel didn't seem to possess that ability. Thus, Albaric suggested he might write to a friend who knew more about them.

Thereafter, the days went in the usual pattern. Between contracts, Ace and Albaric would train in the forest just beyond the town. They would lunch in the afternoon, then Albaric would leave Ace to practice alone. He had once or twice attempted to persuade Ace to come out on the town with him, but having failed, now left Ace to his own devices.

On one such day, Ace was taking his supper alone as he usually did when Albaric returned to the inn early. Ace looked up and gave a nod of acknowledgement. Albaric sat down in a huff.

"Julia threw me out," he sniffed.

"Again?" Ace replied.

"I think we're really through this time," Albaric sank onto the table in a heap.

It was only times like these, Ace became less convinced of the Sword Saint's prowess.

"I'm sure that's not true," Ace sighed.

"Really?" Albaric's eyes darted up, "Did she say anything to you?"

Ace shook his head and took another bite of his food. Albaric let out a loud sigh.

"I thought for certain she was the one, you know," Albaric leant back in his chair. Despite his claim, Ace observed a very quick recovery.

"How do you know whether someone is the one or not?" Ace asked with a consciously blasé air.

Albaric was surprised by the question and thought on it a moment, "It's just a feeling. You miss them when they're not here and want to be around them all the time?"

The intonation of his voice suggested a degree of uncertainty. Ace compounded the question by asking:

"But, you loved her didn't you?"

"Of course I did!" Albaric protested as though there was an accusation in the question.

"Well, that's what I mean. How did you know that you were...in love?"