District 42-Chapter 333: Stay with me
As the Princess confessed her love, Casper felt like something was squeezing his heart. His emotions weren’t converging. One side of him was glad, the other was frustrated and in pain, though.
He wanted to state the same. The soldier wanted badly to tell her that he felt like that as well. However, for a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to say something like that. Not when all his past was flashing on his mind again.
He didn’t know what was more painful: watch Vick in that state or remember his past love dying in front of him and all the good moments that they had.
Vick returned to hug. There was no lust behind their acts anymore, just fondness. They both were finding support for each other.
"I really love you. And I was planning to say it to you after all of that ended. While being beaten in front of my parents, I was thinking that it was one of the things that I most wanted to say to you. When I felt that shield piercing my back and draining my life bit by bit, one of the people that I remembered before passing out was you.
"I would regret every second before I lost all my strength for not having told you so. I regretted a lot of things. I wanted so badly to live... I wanted that you saved me at that moment, because, even striving with all my will and force, I couldn’t pass for that harsh situation.
"That’s why I got so glad when you came. That’s why I am so glad that you are here, and that I am alive. But, even so... If I had said it before, things could go different. We could have had time to love each other more. We could have had good moments. But now, even though I am here kissing you, caressing and feeling you, a part of me can’t stop thinking about all the people that are suffering out of this tent while I do this."
The soldier remained quiet during all her venting. He couldn’t bring anything to mind to say. He could imagine how Vick was feeling, he understood her, but he didn’t know how to express it.
Without noticing, he was crying with her as well.
"Even though I am alive, my body is broken. Even though for the first time I finally dared to say how I feel, I can’t fully give my all to you. And even though all those people out there survived, we lost what was more important for us."
Vick’s cry wasn’t light at all. Her suffering could be sensed through her voice. Her tears showed how much she regretted her weaknesses and decisions. Her face displayed the pain she was feeling.
All these points got carved in Casper’s mind and would pursue him even in his dreams.
"I want to walk again, and run, and make love with the person I desired for a long time. I want to stand strong in front of the people who believe in me, and show a confident figure to my warriors. I want to step inside my Castle again and lead all that people to glorious days.
"But, in this state, how can my folk see me as their future Queen? How can I represent the power of our district like this?"
Casper had enough. He couldn’t bear it anymore.
"Please, stop it! Stop to say to yourself what could have had happened, or to see yourself as a victim! That’s not the Vick I know." He spoke, firmly.
She got silent once hearing those words.
"Not having a perfect body or mind doesn’t make you less princess than you were before. You are still you, moving your legs or not! It is up to your confidence and will whether your folk will accept and believe your new self or not. Understood?"
Vick remained silent for some more time before nodding her head.
"Understood. I got it. Thank you." She answered in a sweet voice.
"I know that these words aren’t enough to soothe your mind completely. I know you have too many things to decide and think about. But, even so, keep in mind that you are stronger than anyone I knew before. If those people can’t believe you, then rest assured that I won’t be one of them."
They got in awkward silence for a moment, absorbing what just happened. Their interaction went fast, so it was hard to take everything at once.
"Hey, Casper. Will you stay with me tonight? We don’t need to do anything, but I want you here."
Without hesitation, Casper nodded his head.
"Of course. I will be here supporting you."
Casper took Vick in his arms and laid her gently on the middle of the bed. Afterward, he laid beside her, both embracing each other in a more comfortable position this time.
"I know that MMA is willing to come back to the Castle soon and that you are going to go with them as well. So, don’t die ok? And, please, retrieve my home to me and my folk." She begged him.
Casper gently kissed her on her forehead.
"I will do my best." He wanted to promise that to her, but he learned in the worst way possible not to make promises that he wasn’t sure that he would accomplish.
Before Vick fell asleep, Casper took a deep breath, saying:
"I love you too. I am sorry for not saying it before."
Vick didn’t talk any further. She just closed her eyes and fell asleep in his embrace.
Casper remained awake all night. He couldn’t even close his eyes. There were too many things passing on his mind at that point. He didn’t know how Vick was able to sleep after those moments together.
Anyway, he was glad that she got some rest. After all, he was sure that her torment was such that she couldn’t sleep for all those days in the Support base.
