Worries, resentment and comfort

-The knights of the moon ? Exclaimed with shock, Aesta.

-Yes, it was Zol and Gal.

-I thought you had kill that Zol ?

Asked Léol to Diésir.

-I thought too but it looks like it is rather difficult to kill a vermin.

-That bastard. Added Crécio.

-I am more surprised by the fact that Gal is still with them after all his failures. Said Sarika.

-He may not be the best comander but he is a skilled warrior. Replied Crécio.

-Not enough skilled to fight Régidal apparently. Replied Sarika.

-Are you feeling better ?

Luzalé was questioning Diésir about his wound, she had finished to heal him. His top had a small hole were he had been hit and the part around was trashed because of the black stains provoked by the fireball.

-Yes, thank you, Luzalé.

She stood up and added.

-The mark will stay for a few days before it start disappearing.

-You have a new scar to tell a story, women will love that. Teasingly said Osmadrey.

-Shut up ! It's not the time for a joke. Reprimanded Léol.

-Gneuh gneuh gneuh. He responded with a grimace.

-Kid ! Uttered in a lower tone Léol.

-Where is Régidal ? Suddenly asked Aesta while looking around.

-And where is Luzalé ? Added with the tone Sarika.

-They must be talking about what happened. Answered Diésir.

-It so grave that they need their private talk ? Remarked Aesta.

-Yes. They know about Belda.

Everyone went silent, a serious expression had taken collectively their face. They all knew what that meant, fear emerged in their heart.

For this reason, Luzalé and Régidal were talking alone, to prevent any form of panicked for their companions.

-I still don't know how they got this information. We never told anyone a damn thing.

Frustration and incomprehension were tainting his voice.

-Maybe an enemy spy ? Said the lady while also thinking about it.

She was sitting next to him, on a bed, it was past noon and the sky was starting to turn to a orange and reddish color.

-It could be but again, we never mentioned one time her link to the royal family. It was only between us and the others.

She could feel him overthinking about this, it was one of the thing he hated the most, not having controle and informations about a situation like this. His hands were intertwined and his elbows posed on his thighs. His eyes were staring into nothing and at the same in the overflowing thoughts of his mind.

Luzalé put her hand on his hands and his cheek to make him face her, then with a reassuring smile she said with a soft tone.

-Calm yourself, we avoided the worst and everyone is fine for now by the grace of Varanita. Let's continue our road to Jébaru and look for answer when we arrive. There may be clues there.

Only her could calm him that way.

-I also think the same. It is a good think that our army came with us.

He then let himself fall on his back to lay on half of the bed.

-I feel like my head is about to explode.

His voice was not as cold as usual but more tired.

-Each time that i believe things will go for the better, there is always something to mess it up.

He sounded almost defeated, from all the things that had happen, it was the first time after a long time that he felt like that.

Luzalé also lay down on the bed, still next to him. She gently arranged of his locks of hair behind his ear.

-When you want to do what is good, evil will always try to place obstacles on the path. Even more for the sake of love and kindness. We have decided to protect Belda, you knew it would not be easy but to this day, we always succeeded in our duty. Have we not, Régidal ?

-We did.

-What ever may happen, we will have victory. Even if all of us die, as long as Belda grow up healthy, safe and strong to become the queen, we will have won.

-If someone must die to ensure her security, it must be.

-I don't like you talk like that. We are all ready to die for her and for you. She said with a soft disapproving tone. 

-I won't let any of you pay for my sins. Least of all you. He replied almost with a solemn voice weakened by tiredness.

-You can be quite stubborn when you want to do good. She said back amused a bit.

-It is not stubborness. I will not let a single one of you be punished in my place.

He looked at her right in the eyes. The flame of determination was burning in his eyes.

-The weight of you pain is heavy, i will help you to carry it until you find the strenght to let it go. I won't let you suffer alone.

She had a little smile on her face, he had a more calm face.

-Thank you for being by side, without you i would be lost.

-You don't have to thank me, it is with all heart that i do it.

The hand of Régidal was holding the hand of Luzalé, a gentle grip to feel her soft skin. She started humming and then a small grin appeared on the lips of lord. Very faint but here.

Her melody quickly conquered the room and calmed the mind of the chief, a flow of peace and light was moving around them, in the entire house. Her lyricless song was soothing the mansion and the others even without them hearing that.

After a long moment, Luzalé walked in the living room and there was Aesta, Osmadrey, Sarika and Léol.

-Ah you are back. Said Aesta. Everything is alright with our ice lord ?

Even thought she was seemingly making fun of his character, she was a bit more serious in her tone.

-Yes, he is alright. He is resting right now. He didn't sleep much last night and the fight earlier drained him. Responded Luzalé.

-I'm glad to hear that, he needs to breath from time to time. He is always on the look out, it's not good for him. Expressed Aesta back.

-I can't disagree.

Luzalé came closer to Léol sitting at the table, reading his books of advanced magic as title was indicating.

-To protect Belda, he can't...no we can't let anything surprise us, we have to be carefull all the time. Her existence his too precious to fool around. I can understand him. Said Léol.

-For once i agree with mister teacher here. Added Osmadrey. We can laugh and play all we want, in the end, we are the guardians of Belda, we should be cautious too. We got too comfortable after the end of the war but we have to remember that we are fighters, for the sake of Belda we must also be like Régidal. Maybe that will help him to breath.

-Strange, it reminds me something ? Said sarcastically Léol. Ah yes, i was saying that since last year. Glad someone finally caught that up. Better late than never.

His tone was a bit hostile towards his friend, irritated was his spirit.

-Well i am sorry if i prioritized the happiness of Belda. Because from what i can see except Sarika, Aesta, Luzalé and me, none of you seemed to care about her feelings.

Osmadrey raised his voice a little, he was angry at his companion for this accusation.

-I don't see Belda unhappy ! She is always laughing and playing and running around ! Replied with more anger, Léol.

-Because me and the others are here. Without us she would have been alone and sad. You may care about her wellbeing but you do not care one instant about her feelings.

-I hate argument. Lowly expressed Aesta.

She stood up and went to exit the living room, in the mean time, Léol talked back to Osmadrey.

-Of course i do ! Do not paint as the bad one here !

-Please, stop arguing. Demanded Luzalé but her voice was ignored.

-Oh yeah ? Then tell me what are the favorite flowers of Belda ?

-I...

Léol could not answer Osmadrey.

-What is her favorite toy ? Her favorite book ? Her favorite dish ? Or even simpler. What if the thing she love to do the most ?

Osmadrey finished his sentence with a voice filled by anger and, more importantly by resentment. Léol was thinking about an answer but he could not find a thing, he lowered his gaze, guilty.

-That's what i thought. Added Osmadrey with a lower but serious tone. The only feelings that matters to you are yours, the suffering and trauma of your spirit and your heart. You are not the only that lost a family, that has seen horrors. We all did. Everyone has his way of coping but do not accuse me of being guilty to have cared for her during those years. At least i know that if i die, it will be without regrets, because Belda and all of you are all i have today. I will die satisfied to have loved all of you.

He finished expressing his heart with a sad tone at the end, in his voice it was easy to feel how much he cared for them. Léol was more guilty. Sarika had put his hand on the shoulder, silently asking him if he was alright, question in which responded by nod.

Léol stood up, closed his book under the saddened eyes of Luzalé.

-If you need, i will be in my room. He whispered to her before leaving silently the living room.

The lady watched him left before looking down.

-I am sorry Luzalé. I should not have said that but he...touched a sensible point.

-I know. I do not blame you or him. I just don't like seeing you fight. I will talk to him, i know it will affect him.

She walked out of the living room too, leaving the brothers alone.

Léol was in his room, sitting on the bed, lost in his mind. Suddenly someone knocked, he did not answer, so the door opened anyway and Luzalé entered. She walked towards him without saying anything, then once near him, she sat down.

-Am i bad ? He asked with a trembling voice and teary eyes.

-No. She replied tenderly. You are just hurt.

She put her hand on top of his head and continued.

-But one day you will heal, i am sure of it.

He stared at her for two seconds before crying in her arms.

It has been a long and complicated day for everyone. In time like this, Luzalé was a shining star, a warm breeze soothing the pain away.