Chapter 10: Beatrice’s POV

Chapter 10: Beatrice's POV

~Beatrice POV~

Enjoying my cup of tea and reading my book in peace the newcomer known as Mash Bastion is a unique individual I suppose.

Bubby explained to me what happened as this stranger appeared assisting Emilia to regain her Insignia for the Royal Election. But I didn't care much about that since I'm focusing on protecting the library as Dona said for me to do.

It has been nearly 400 years since then and my Gospel hasn't been updated or told me what to do next in the future.

Yet I remained determined no matter what. Even no matter how much I want to be released by this task I won't refuse my Dona last wish.

Despite playing with Bubby, he isn't the same as he was in the past. At least I have someone who's like me even if he doesn't remember me…

Still to this day, I wait for 'That Person' to come. To come and free me of my darkness despite my inner wishes has long since crumbled to dust.

Inside this darkness my despair I have since long given up being free from the burden that my mother placed me. Or better yet if 'That Person' ever comes I wish someone to kill me to free me of this task.

My eyes gaze at the Forbidden Library. The knowledge that my mother has tasked me to collect and keep safe.

My very existence and purpose are to wait for the supposed person to come. It has been centuries and yet this person hasn't come once leaving me to wallow in my pain staying here.

The only small comfort of the company would be big bro Bubby but even then… he too has lost his place by Mother's side. He is different from when we last met.

Despite his friendly demeanor, I will always be alone. Alone to wander in this life. Sigh… I'm thinking too much again in fact.

Taking a sip –

*Kreee*

Huh?!

My eyes widened in disbelief as the man known as Mash entered my room, I yelled at him in surprise and frustration, "What the – This is really irritating me?"

He soon closed the door putting away a jacket as he calmly spoke to me, "Sorry. But I asked Rem to see where your room was located since I'm curious about meeting the famous Spirit that lives in the Forbidden Library."

Sneering at the man in front of me I returned to reading my books from mother's library in peace not giving Mash any attention, "Good. You saw Betty beauty now leave already human in fact."

Taking a sip from my cup and enjoying my afternoon snack I then froze what the next words almost causing me to slip my cup, "My, my, you do seem to be rude Beatrice. I'm quite hurt that I'm the one that's supposed to meet 'That Person' here."

I almost slip. My eyes soon dart towards the human in front of me in a new light.

No… it might be a slip I suppose. Humans do tend to make mistakes. He isn't the one right -

Before I could continue, he took a seat daring to come near as I shook his words filled with genuine sympathy entering my ears, "Beatrice the last creation of the Witch of Greed Echidna keeper of the Forbidden Library I Mash Bastion 'That Person' you have been waiting for from your Gospel have arrived at last."

… I couldn't process what he said. I felt my head spinning listening to those words. Those exact words.

No one knew my relation to my mother. Only her spirits or Rosswaal knew about us. Knew what we were. Who created us?

My mother alone knew this and gave me a purpose. A purpose to protect her knowledge and library till the day came when 'That Person' finally arrived.

Is… is it that day Mother…?

To blatantly call out on me. My emotions are a jumbled mess feeling my heart ache and… hopeful I suppose.

I could only clench my fist beginning to question 'That Person' in front of me as I reach out for my own Gospel, "Tell me… Human. Do you have a Gospel like this…?"

Analyzing me he responded in a determined tone earning my attention, "I do not. Nor will I ever use one if ever."

Sneering at the person in front of it made no sense. If he knew about my connection yet had no Gospel, how did he know…

No. Before that I had to ask this very important question to him as I spoke in a serious deadly tone, "Human… are you affiliated with the Witch Cult?"

At this, he glared hatefully at the idea as he responded in venom about the Cult his knuckles tightening, "… I have nothing to do with those monsters… they ruin lives, and I will NEVER be part of a group like them…"

Nodding at this was a satisfying answer I suppose.

Yet such a contradiction from this man. I could only be frustrated this person who gave me hell living dares to come for me now yet…

Feeling tears swell up in my eyes I couldn't help but respond catching Mash's attention and gently lifting my chest, "… What is this feeling I suppose…?... I should be angry… I've spent my entire life holed up in this library, and waited for the 'That Person' for so long in fact…"

Coming towards me forward Mash did something surprising me.

*Thud*

He hugged me as he patted my head feeling his shoulder to my face as he replied in a gentle tone to me as he caressed my hair, "I know… you suffered enough you poor girl. But choose me, Beatrice. You want someone to get you out of here. Isn't that why you always sat right in front of this door?"

!!

My eyes widen at his words. It's like he knew everything but his words and feelings… were too genuine wishing me happiness.

It was like… like he knew everything about me. Yet I knew absolutely nothing about him. A feeling overwhelmed me listening to his words.

My emotions of anger, pain, despair, and pleas were whelming up in my throat. I couldn't take it as I voiced them out but my tears blocked my feelings. No more.

Crying I couldn't help but sob lightly muttering in a weak frail tone of words thinking this to be a fantasy dream, "You are a fool… my promise to Mother has been fully realized, I suppose… But why…. Why did you leave me alone for 400 years?! My pleas for help and the salvation I've hoped for are wishes that have long since died away!"

What he says next still shocks me more and more listening to his words as he comforts me in a calm tone, "Beatrice help me. You don't need someone to save you. You don't need my help at all. You're strong, smart, and cute. You're well equipped to survive on your own. But even as strong, smart, and cute as you are, you are afraid to live alone. You were hurting… and sad, weren't you? So, no one can blame you for clinging to the idea of 'That Person'."

His like mother. He knows me too well but unlike her cares deeply about me as I mutter out loud dropping my Gospel in stunned disbelief and frustration, "Y-You think… you can just reject how I feel? What do you know about me?!"

I grit my teeth in rage wanting to lash out at the man in front of me, but his response was a tighter hug expressing his sorrow to me as he spoke out happily in pride about me, "I do know a lot about you. I know you're a kind girl. You generally look down on others and are bad at dealing with people who try to get close to you. Despite being full of bravado, you're a lonely person and softhearted beyond her perceived stubbornness. You are a kind girl that deserves to be loved."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The only thing I could hear was his kind words speaking to me in a gentle tone, "Well then Beatrice? Do you choose me to get you out of your holed-up library? To be 'That Person' you seek to finally free you?"

Listening to these words… the release. I couldn't help but entrust myself to the person in front of me yelling out his name in screams of joy, "Mash! Mash! Mash! Mash!"

That was all I could do. Scream out the person's name that person name. Mash Bastion. The human that pulled me out of my deep darkness.

I felt my throat ache screaming but I didn't care. My pleas the so-called wishes that died long ago began to resurface in a new vigor I can't stop. Won't stop. The emotion that I call hope emerged.

Feeling tired and conflicted Mash gently held me in his arms. Allowing me to cry into his shirt my screams into low whimpering.

Taking me out of the library my conditions to Mother have been completed. As Mash held me tightly he spoke out kindly, "Beatrice. Would you like to form a contract with me to never be alone?"

My response was gripping his arm and shoulder. He seemed to take it as acceptance as he showed me the night sky showing a new kind of beauty, I had never seen I suppose.

A sense of freedom. A new chapter in my life instead of being holed up inside the library. A new place and a new person to serve.

After four centuries of waiting for 'That Person' to come, I made my first step into the future ahead. Even if you aren't 'That Person' Mash Bastion I just knew…

I just knew deep inside my core. My heart that you were someone special. It was a long shot, but you were the first person to see me in my time of need.

But for now, I just want to feel like this in your embrace Mash. From this moment forward I the Great Spirit Beatrice will be your loyal Spirit Contract for as long as you have me around.

However, just for this moment… I merely want to be embraced and be wanted again. To be loved.

No matter what the future has in store for us. No matter if the world is your enemy. No matter what challenges we face so long as I have you and you have me… 

I suppose nothing will be enough for us to overcome. Closing my eyes I simply allowed Mash to hold me in his arms wishing to be loved like I have always wanted in my dreams hoping to not wake up.