2. Siegfried II

Siegfried gazed at her weeping face as she kept sobbing while apologising to him like a broken record. 

Yeah...he didn't like it, he didn't like that expression on her face, he wanted her to have that happy smile she had in the middle of the flower field as bright as the sunflowers there when they visited Miyaki district. The pure smile she had at that time while they walked among the flowers was something that was etched into his mind.

Siegfried couldn't help but question himself, as even at death's door he could vividly remember that event, he truly was a hopeless simp. 

Siegfried gritted his teeth as his whole body hurt as he tried to move his arms, he wanted to get up but his body declined that request so he opted to just move his arms. 

He lifted his trembling arms with much difficulty and tried to wipe her tears, his actions caused her to be surprised as she just stared at him. 

Seeing that she stopped crying he wiped her eyes, smiled at her and said teasingly " If you don't stop crying you might end up like a tabby cat ~" 

" Pfft~" She couldn't help but laugh a little as she smiled through her tears at his attempt to cheer her up, which just showed her that even at a time like this he still thought about her, and this thought caused her heart to constrict. 

Ruby held his hand to her face as she cradled his head in her arms, she smiled at him sadly " D-Don't talk too much, just try to conserve your energy, I-I already called Rose and she is on her way " Ruby tried to tell him without her voice cracking. 

Although she knew deep inside of her that his time was running out, she refused to acknowledge it as it was a fact that would devastate her. 

He was the reason she looked forward to each day with excitement, he brought colours to her monotone life, and she didn't wish to go back to that grey life. He was the reason for her continued living so how could she possibly tell him why was there any point to her living if he wasn't in her life anymore? 

After he laid his life down to protect her she couldn't possibly tell him that, as it would be tantamount to spitting on his sacrifice, so she just hid her sadness and tried to smile to reassure him.

" *Cough* D-Don't worry, Rose will continue to protect you an-" Siegfried coughed due to the pain and tried to reassure her but was stopped by Ruby suddenly.

"No! P-Please stop, I-I don't care about anything else I just want you to be with me, k-keep staying by my side " She gazed at Siegfried with a wry smile as she indirectly confessed to him, she didn't dare to confess her feelings to him as she always felt he saw her a child he needed to take care of, it irked her as she tried countless ways to make him look at her otherwise. 

She even swallowed her pride to ask for advice from Rose whom she saw as a love rival, but maybe she was thinking a bit too much as Sieg and Rose were just friends.

Ruby smiled sadly as she was going down memory lane, those arguments and fights she had with him over nonsensical things because she was jealous and annoyed about him spending time with other women. She was broken out of her thoughts as she heard his painful coughs, she instantly turned her attention to him in concern. 

" I-I bet you wouldn't want to let me go as you wouldn't get a better bodyguard than me who would be able to take care of your daily needs while putting up with your grumpy attitude~ " He said with a smile as he gazed at her as her face which slowly broke down into a helpless smile.

" Seriously, even at a time like this, y-you dummy " She said while cradling his head as her tears started flowing.

" You know Ruby I hope you will still be alright, even If I won't be there I am sure you won't do too badly as you have become an incredible woman and I am proud to have been there to watch you grow into one " Siegfried said with relief as he could feel his consciousness blurring but he wasn't scared as he felt very safe and warm at the moment. He wasn't worried about his Young Miss either as she was in safe hands and his friends would take care that no harm would befall her. 

Ruby smiled miserably as she gazed at his face which was slowly losing its colour, she didn't start sobbing nor did she plead him to stay with her. 

She just held him close to her with a smile as she started recounting their memories together, she whispered to him in a way where he would be able to hear it as she knew he was struggling to remain conscious. 

"Sieg do you remember that time....."

The cheerful voice of a young woman resounded along with a pitter-patter of rain...

....

" Sieg you there? " 

Silence was the answer she received. She gazed down to see his peaceful face with a smile and she could feel her eyes starting to burn a little.

" Guess he's gone....." She said to herself as a reminder as she felt a pit forming in her stomach as her tears started to flow down from her face. 

But she refused to let them fall on his face as she raised her head to the night sky as her tears flowed down her face along with the rain drops.

" I hate you " 

..... 

Read 8 chapters ahead on my Pa***on

pa***on.com/Life_Sa_Beach

Discord: https://discord.gg/AyFd3NRMTA