15.2 ▌Fading

                                    

                                          
ELISE WAS startled by a rough shake on her shoulders. She peered her eyelids open and her ears perked up from the soft sobs resounding in the house.
Alarm washed through her senses. She ignored Exel and dashed to the bedroom.
May's tears overflowed as she grasped her husband's hands. The man lay in the bed but his complexion had become ghastly pale.
"H-How long has it been?" Her voice cracked. She shouldn't have taken a nap. The book stated fading lasted for eight hours yet she dared to surrender to drowsiness when it was not time yet.
"Just half an hour after he recovered, Miss." May had managed to answer in between gasping breaths.
She checked his pulse and there was only a faint beat.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm tired, Miss..." His weak tone was almost a whisper and the shadow of a smile spread on his lips. "I can feel the spirits leaving me but... no pain."
"That can't be. You don't have your early symptoms and even your sclera returned to white! I—"
"When did he start fading?" Exel interceded.
"Around ten in the morning, my lord."
Exel rummaged in his pocket and brought out a pocket watch. "Almost eight hours already. You better say your farewell."
"No! We can still do something. I'm sure of it—"
Exel put a hand on her shoulders, turning her towards him. Those eyes were far from the first time they met as they brimmed with pensiveness.
"Let's give them some time alone," he stated.
She wanted to argue but reality had dawned on her. She refused to leave with her gaze stuck on the man that was glowing much more vividly than before.
"Is it because of me?" The hoarseness was apparent as she watched the lucid light illuminating the whole room.
"No, that is a natural law. Once the spirit leaves, there is no option but to wait for death..."
Her hearing seemed to stop after he mentioned 'death'.
'Aricson's right.' She should not have interfered but her stubbornness ruled over her. It was due to her pride that she failed.
She helped because she overestimated her abilities. No wonder those books didn't put any cure. Unlike any ailment, this was their cycle. It was a phase no one could escape. If her world had the stages from birth, life, up to death, theirs included fading, the moment their magic left.
Nevertheless, it was already too late to apprehend that truth.
'I am not like you who cares for everyone without knowing my capabilities to help them.' That same statement she told Aricson lingered in her head. She had eaten her own words. It was she who thought that she could do something in this world of magic when she was only an ordinary person.
It was the first time someone died on her hands and she could not stop the remorse. She always heard her seniors that the first death was the most unforgettable one. It was the evidence of their failure as a doctor, proving that they were not a god that ruled over life and death.
Yet, she never minded that since solutions presented themselves to her like flowing water. Once she had her goal set, everything ran smoothly but to this day, she had to swallow the bitter truth. No matter how smart she was, she could not save everyone from her knowledge.
Elise didn't realize her eyes glassing and she was almost leaning on Exel's side. The door burst open and a fuming Aricson entered but he stopped in his steps when those red irises fixed on her, his expression changed, and pulled her away from Exel.
Aricson's presence felt strangely reassuring. She succumbed to his embrace while he caressed her head. They exited the bedroom before he spoke.
"What happened?" Both his hands cupped her face and a finger wiped the teardrop that was about to fall.
"Wow, chap. You're actually holding a woman. I thought you were smitten with me—"
"What are you doing here, Exel?"
"I told you, I have something to discuss."
"The castle is far from here."
"I know, I walked a lot."
"You better go back."
"What, why?"
Their banter paused but Elise was still in her own world, safely buried in Aricson's warm chest.
"Fine, fine, I'll go. There's no need to look like I committed a crime."
The door creaked closed and Aricson sank to the sofa. She was still in his arms as he positioned her on his knees and lifted her chin.
"Tell me what happened. Did he make you cry?"
"I— I killed a person." She avoided his gaze as guilt clenched her inside and narrated the whole thing between hiccups.
"Elise. Look at me."
She did not adhere and focused her attention on the wooden floors instead. Two huge palms covered her cheeks and forced her to meet his eyes.
"No power great enough can defy the natural laws so you don't need to blame yourself."
"But it's my fault. I should have acceded but..."
"Sire."
She heard May's voice and her hand clamped on Aricson's shirt. She didn't have the courage to confront May after her failure.
"I'm apologizing for Elise, May. It must be hard for you."
"There is no need to, sire. Miss Elise had helped a lot. Even if it's just minutes, I am happy that my husband died a painless death."
Aricson slightly pushed her back and behold her with bafflement. "Truly? You were able to take away the pain?"
She did not answer and only dove deeper into the crook of his neck. No more exchange passed between them as he stroked her hair. His chin settled above hers.
"If that's the case, I would like to make this matter confidential," Aricson said.
"Of course, sire."
"Alright, the burial will be prepared first thing in the morning."
"Thank you, sire. Thank you, Miss Elise."
"No problem. Luke had done good service as our family's knight. We'll go ahead."
There were no more replies and Aricson carried her outside and all she wanted right now was solitude.