Zero no Tsukaima:Volume18 Chapter1
Chapter 1 – Lovers
Capital of Gallia, in the courtyard of the palace of Versailles located in the suburbs of the capital, Lutetia, a camp were a huge amount of tents were erected.
Inside one of these tents, in a small canvas tent with dark blue peak and three supports, was where Saito and Louise were kissing.
Saito, only some few hours ago, had been miraculously rescued by the timely intervention of Louise in his battle against Jack, one of the’ brothers of the elements’, and now he was lost in a dream as his lips lay next to her, while strongly embracing her sweet little body.
After several weeks of not seeing her, it was expected that the love that radiates from them were to overflow uncontrollably. Yet no matter how strong it is, Louise’s frustration had not been dissipated.
In silence, still wearing the habit that she always wore during her stay in Santa Margarita, Louise offered no resistance, while Saito was carrying her in his arms.
Without thinking, Saito instinctively stretched his hand to reach the small chest of Louise, in doing so, Louise waved that hand gently in response.
“Sorry ... for not treating you well, sorry for being so selfish. “ After restraining, Saito cleared his mind and finally released her little body.
Apparently the issue on which Louise looked on, the scene of Saito and Henrietta kissing, had finally disappeared. Although it seemed that Louise was willing to forgive him, it was clear that trying to ignore the issue as it never happened was a bad idea.
Louise then just stared at Saito with those beautiful reddish brown eyes, a little embarrassed by what she was doing, thinking her was body was little. However to keep watching those deep eyes, one could not see any anger or reproach.
After watching for a few moments, Louise glanced toward the habit she worn for long, it had remained in her body from the moment she decided to escape from the convent of Santa Margarita.
Because that was all she had worn throughout her journey and even in her battle against Jack, it was expected that it was already quite dirty.
Then Louise gave a little sigh. "Hauu" then resolutely said:
“I would like to take a walk.”
At the moment they left the tent, they could see the light of the two moons shining in the sky.
The courtyard of the palace of Versailles that Louise and Saito left was dimly lit because of the various campfires burning in that place. The courtyard is flooded with tents as small as that of Saito’s but these should turn contain up to 10 people. All the guests were staying here are from various nations whose status was noble or little renown soldiers.
The atmosphere was still high because of the party that was still being held in the garden to celebrate the coronation of the new queen of Gallia. Despite the congestion due to such events, Louise made her way nimbly among all that sea of tents, with speed and firm.
But it seemed that Saito did not share her ability to move, as he quickly fell behind unable to keep pace with Louise.
“Where are we going? “ Saito asked, but received no response.
It seemed as if they were taking the walk, but with no particular destination.
The land occupied by the court of Versailles were broad enough to allow a walk, this was of a size comparable to a large avenue, then they realized they had gone enough from the tumult of tents.
The place where they arrived was a place located between a large number of plants with flowering shrubs. Because it is the month of Ansuul (August), the heat had reached its highest point of the year.
Despite being at night, the heat in the atmosphere wiped the surrounding air. This place, full of boxes, was devoid of any nearby fire to light their way, thus, leaving the moonlight to guide their steps.
Then suddenly, the two heard a faint sound of water flowing from somewhere nearby, approaching the source of the sound, they found a great source of water(river).
Immediately, Louise approached and sit right next to it while crossing her legs, then set her sights on the sky. Then as if murmuring she said:
“I've been thinking about what happened.”
That will be what Louise wants to say, perhaps she decided that I can no longer stand by her, really, will you she able to say that? An indescribable anxiety invaded Saito. However, it only terrified Saito for a few seconds.
Then from Louise's face came an expression as if at last all the thoughts that filled in her head had been put in order, having done that, the words began to come out from her mouth:
“Um , From the time I spend away from you, I got to think about a lot of things seriously. I thought I could forget everything by not thinking about it, not thinking about sad and difficult things, but at the end of the day I realized what I was doing was just to escape the unpleasant things that were happening, the difficult things I didn’t want to face ...”
From this point, Louise stopped for a moment and stared at her right hand.
“But, after all that is just cowardice no matter how painful it is that I feel my heart will break. But, within me there is a great power, there are people who need that power, however I ... I ran away trying to pretend not knowing it.”
That is... what I came to think…
“Right.” Saito nodded.
The instant Louise fled, he had realized it. He realized the cowardice that lay within him. But now his determination was back, Louise had gained strength thanks to it, I had to give her an answer.
He had lost to his own desires, which caused his betrayal of Louise.
“I ... as I dare to kiss you knowing that I am so unworthy ... I could not help falling into a trance and lose control of my actions ... forgive me. “ Saito said while bowing his deeply, this gesture provoked Louise's gaze on him. But Louise could all do was show her tired face with a bitter smile.
“Yes you did, I thought the same thing many times, why is it that this person tries so hard to make me suffer forever, at that time the anger fills my head, all I want to do is to throw a punch and then run, but you know, since I'm also tired of it, and that's why, from now on you can do whatever you want.”
Those words were her final verdict. Then Saito felt as if a hammer hit him directly in his head, this time depression has filled his face ... he knew that he would be disrespecting Louise, he will never escape the fate held in the tent.
“ ... What I want to do ... is only able to be by your side. But, I stupidly couldn’t keep my faithfulness to you ... So just treat me, even, like a familiar. That would be enough for me, so ... “ Saito could say no more, the words had stuck in his throat. Seeing that, Louise did not hesitate and rush him to finish what he was saying.
“So, ‘and therefore,’ What?”
“If you ever got here to have another lover, I'll still protect you as a familiar… I am ... so ... but I'm saying, if from the start I have been more than just your familiar...”
After hearing this, the expression of Louise could no longer just listening without saying anything.
“Hey you! Listen, you could stop and stick with that, you, if I were to have a lover, I promise you I will not ask you to risk your life to save me.”
“Tt ! That’s Silly! I’ll still save you!”
“So yes, I know, you're a man with the pure sense of duty you are ready to save me if I needed it, no matter whether you’re my lover or not.”
“Ce ... Certainly.”
“I do not know if I’ll still say this, but literally, you have always been there to save me, no matter how selfish or rude I have been to you. You even got to risk your life for me, and yet, knowing this, I have been so abusive to you ... always hitting and punishing you, and worst of all, was when I ran away just like that without saying anything ... making everyone worry about me ... and, and, and so ... I think we're even!”