Chapter 19: Parting
The county princess knew that the brothel that the two girls were in, had a backer with a higher status then her. A little trouble here and there is not an issue, but if she continued to target it, then she may earn the attention of the person behind them.
With the battle for the throne reaching a breaking point, she didn't want to incur the anger of any of the princes in the capital.
The county princess knew she could only swallow this loss. She could only keep her son behind closed doors, until things blew over.
With the demotion of Alia's status, Eina and Elena both found themselves quite peaceful. In their spare time, Eina would train both of them in hand to hand combat, as well as various weapon exercises.
Early in the morning, the two would slip out of the courtyard and rush towards the abandoned yard they had found to store the equipment used tk train.
Hidden in boxes in one of the decaying rooms were countless types of weapons the two had collected over the years, after their attainments for internal strength became worthwhile.
Elena much like a standard martial artist, fell in love with swordsmanship.
Eina had little knowledge of swordsmanship, but it didn't mean she had zero. She taught Elena as much as she knew, the strengths of the sword, and the weaknesses of the human body. Eina hoped that with this information, Elena could figure out her own style of swordsmanship. One that fit her.
Thankfully, Elena proved quite a talented learner. Given time, she could always figure out some insights into different forms, slowly edging out her own unique style.
Years of arduous training has led to greater ability with the sword, so although Eina was worried that Elena couldn't defeat those guards that night, she wasn't worried that Elena would be beaten.
She knew that Elena had little experience in combat, which will become a drag on her ability in the future, so Eina suggested to Elena "Do you want a chance to test your swordsmanship?"
Elena was surprised by Eina's question. She had been learning from her for years, but Eina had always stated that she wasn't ready. But now Eina's willing to allow her to try?
Thinking of the timeline of her last life, Elena could guess that Eina was thinking about beginning the plan to leave.
"You want to start already?" Elena asked with confusion.
Eina thought how to answer, "When I went to the city recently, I've noticed some strange phenomena. The battle between the princes has already begun. There are rumours reaching here of the trouble in certain areas.
It's showing that the fighting has reached a breaking point. Soon they wont be able to maintain even the most superficial peace.
But I've also seen that the grain stores have begun to increase their prices. There's only two reasons for grain merchants to do this. Do you know what they are?"
Elena didn't like where this conversation was headed, but seeing the serious expression on Eina's face, she still chose to reply honestly" Natural or man made disasters".
Eina smiled, "I knew you would understand. Yes, either natural or man made disasters. But with how antsy the men in the city have been, it's clear that they're afraid that a conscription is coming".
Elena was still filled with an anxious foreboding. Her heart had begun to speed up, full of trepidation. Trying to maintain her calm, she asked the question, hoping not to receive the answer she had begun to expect "What does all this have to do with you, Eina?"
"Me?" Eina asked, "Why do you ask knowingly?"
Elena gritted her teeth, pretending jot to understand, "Oh, so where will we go?"
Eina stared deeply at the young woman in front of her, letting out a shallow sigh, "Elena, we've been togethe....
"STOP!" Elena shouted, her voice trembling.
Eina continued through Elena's protest, "Elena, you knew it would never be forever".
Elena's eyes were wide open, an ugly and pathetic smile on her face, "You don't have to go though. We can just be together. Let's just go wherever you want. Okay? OKAY?!" she said grabbing at Eina's clothing.
This was the first time Eina had seen Elena so desperate. Her heart that she thought had been hardened through time couldn't help but feel a sharp pain." Don't you have your own business to attend to, princess?"
Elena felt as if a basin of freezing water had been dumped on her head. "Why do you have to go? Can't you just follow me back to the capital? We can be happy together can't we?"
Eina replied gently, "And what would my status be? Your servant? Your guard? A whore that you picked up on your way back from wherever you, a princess; rested and recuperated in childhood?
Elena I've lived as an expendable tool for other people my entire life. I thought, since given another chance, why don't I live with my head held high this time?"
Elena suppressed the sob that tried to escape her throat, before saying with difficulty,"But I know you're not a tool. You are the most important person in my life. Does that mean nothing to you?"
Eina wanted to say that it was enough. She had long understood the unusual trust she had for Elena, what else but love, could make her throw away her guard, which she had built up over decades. But when the choice came down to love or freedom, Eina understood that she didn't love Elena enough to give up her chance for freedom.
She had lived in the darkness for too long, and she longed for a life in the light. This time in the brothel, she was lucky enough to know what love was, but compared to freedom, she'd rather nip that fragile feeling in the bud. And that's exactly what she did, "It's not enough, Elena. I'm sorry, but after I take you to experience combat, then we should put escape on the agenda".
Elena felt as if she'd been cut through the heart. Her eyes welled up with tears. The two of them just yesterday had been enjoying each other's company just as they had been for years. Elena was obsessed with this feeling, she dreamed of what the two of them would do after leaving the brothel many times. Her mother and brother used her in her last life, so in this one she wanted to get back at them, as well as everyone that had wronged her.
Obviously she intended to go back to the capital, but she had planned for Eina to go back with her. And although she knew Eina didn't want to hide in the shadows, she thought that if she gave Eina enough confidence that she'd always treat her well, that Eina might choose her. But now reality has dealt her a cruel blow. Eina wasn't going with her!