Chapter 64. We Were There

[Warning: This chapter contains mature scenes that may not be suitable for younger readers.]

Runa.

That was the name of the author who created this fantasy story entitled as A World Without Light.

Incidentally, the novel has two different versions: the original, written by Runa, and the plagiarized one, which was copied by a transmigrator like me.

The person who stole the work is now in the body of Louisiana Odette von Solaris, the one and only princess of the empire. She admitted to the crime.

Still, that's not the crux of the problem.

"You'll become a famous author someday, Runa!"

It was a single phrase that I heard in my sleep, as if an angel whispered it to my ear. The voice belonged to a girl, but it didn't sound familiar.

It must be a memory from my previous life.

To be honest, I still don't remember anything.

But I'm inclined to believe that those words were directed to me. If that's the case, then I am Runa.

And if the princess says that Runa is the original author, then am I the one who wrote this novel?

What the hell, I cursed to myself internally.

This is ridiculous. How could I be the author when I don't even remember the entire story? Bullshit.

Alright. Let's say that I'm indeed the creator of this novel. Why am I the only one who transmigrated into this world without my existing memories?

And then there's also the memory of my past self holding a blood-soaked knife on my hands. What was that, then? I was under the impression that I'm the psycho fan who killed Princess Odette!

I heaved out a deep sigh. "Unbelievable."

Contrary to the stillness of the night, my mind was a mess. It was swirling with unanswered questions, which rendered me to cogitation.

"What else do you know about the author?"

Princess Odette frowned at my query. "I know everything about Runa, but I won't tell you."

My eyes narrowed into slits. "Why?"

"Because I need you to stick around," she replied in a frustrated tone. "How many times do I have to tell you, Kallen? The plot requires your presence."

I crossed my arms as I watched her bleed.

"You might desert the camp if I tell you everything you want to know now." she pointed out. "You're not the only one here who needs an assurance."

I raised a brow. "So if I stick around and help, will you tell me everything I want to know, Princess?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"

"I can just threaten you and make you spill the beans now, though?" I suggested shamelessly.

"Go ahead and kill me, then." She dared me. "From this point on, I won't say anything. You can torture me all you want, and if I die, you will lose the only person who knows about the author of this book."

I stared at her menacingly. How stubborn.

When she saw me contemplating, Princess Odette tried to negotiate. "Look, it's not like I want you to be my slave and lick my feet. All I'm asking is for you to support me and help me rise to the throne."

The princess pressed one hand on her wounded shoulder to stop the bleeding. Sorry, not sorry.

"Just do your part, Kallen." she pleaded. "Once this arc ends, we will have all the time in the world to talk about the author and this story, so... please?"

That's so easy for her to say because she's not an extra who's meant to die at the end of each arc.

My face crumpled. "Tch!"

Well, even if I die as Kallen... I might take over as Ellis. I'd still have the chance to talk after this arc.

In the midst of our conversation, the door swung open. Ellis, the personal knight of Princess Odette, stormed inside the room. Speaking of the devil...

As soon as Ellis saw Her Highness, recumbent on the floor and bleeding profusely, her face darkened. The knight stared daggers at me.

"What's the meaning of this?" she demanded.

I scoffed. "You're free to interpret as you wish."

Haniel appeared behind Ellis, and he seemed baffled at the scene before his eyes. "Huh?"

"Haniel," I called sternly. "Tend to her wound."

He ran an eye on me first. After making sure that I was unharmed, he then rushed to Princess Odette.

"Your Highness," Haniel knelt beside the shivering lady. "What in the world happened? Let me see."

"Do something about your temperamental lover," The princess bellowed in pain. "I swear to god-!"

While Haniel was employing his healing magic on the wounded princess, I returned my gaze to the ironclad knight. Her blue eyes were still ablaze.

"You said that I am free to interpret this as I wish." She grabbed the hilt of her sword. "Can I take this as an attempt to assassinate the future emperor?"

"Ellis," Her Highness panicked. "C-Calm down!"

The knight seemed more upset than I thought, because Ellis ignored the princess. She never ignores Her Highness. What a rare sight.

"I hope you know," Ellis unsheathed her sword, glaring at me. "That injuring a member of the imperial family is a grave violation of the law."

I stared at her coldly, my gaze piercing into her.

"Do I look like a law-abiding citizen to you, Ellis?"

Her jaw clenched at my mocking reply. She was just about to lunge at me when the surrounding walls shook violently and the window suddenly broke into pieces. The three of us were startled.

It was Haniel, and his magic was causing so much pressure on the room like he was about to erupt.

"Ellis," Haniel spoke in a calm voice, his face devoid of emotion. "You seem to be forgetting about me. Why are you raising that sword?"

The knight, who's usually dauntless in the face of anything, stepped back. So she's afraid of Haniel.

"I understand that you are upset. But if she gets so much as a little scratch," The mage threw her a scorching glare. "You aren't going to live to see another day. Now, I dare you to raise that sword."

A deafening silence filled the room. A few seconds later, Ellis inhaled deeply to calm herself down.

"I know that you two are strong, and we are the ones who need your help." Her voice trembled in anguish. "Even so, what gives you the right to lay your hands on the most regal lady of this empire?"

"If she had just been honest to me from the start, it wouldn't have come to this." I stated indifferently.

Unlike Ellis, Princess Odette looked genuinely apologetic. Her face was lowered in shame.

"Still, that doesn't mean you can hurt her!" she fumed. "She is the one and only princess of this empire! Pure and noble blood runs in her veins!"

Tears formed on the corner of her eyes.

"Whatever she decides to do, you should clench your teeth and accept her will without question!"

"What?" I asked in disbelief. Out of exasperation, I walked up to Ellis and pushed her. "So if your master lies to my face and treats me like an idiot, I'm not allowed to clap back? Is that what it is?"

"Yes!" she growled. "She is the princess!"

"To hell with that!" I slapped her across the cheek. I put so much strength that she staggered. "I came from another world! Unlike you, I don't give a shit about nobles and titles! Your master knows that!"

Feeling irritated, I stomped on Ellis ironclad chest and looked at my future counterpart spitefully.

"Do you enjoy living like this, huh?" I said through gritted teeth. "Wagging your tail to the princess like a dog? I won't judge you, but I will have you know that not everyone wants to live like that."

My eyes hurt just by looking at this brat.

I clicked my tongue. "Pathetic."

"W-What's wrong with that?!" She exploded into sobs. "To serve the most honorable woman of the empire is a knight's greatest honor in their life!"

I looked at her with disdain. "Ha?"

Indeed, Ellis was still a young maiden at heart.

To think that just a few words can make her cry like this. When it comes to Princess Odette, she always seem to lose her cool. It's almost as if...

My eyes twitched in realization. Wait a minute. Don't tell me that the person Haniel teases her...

"Tch," I rolled my eyes. "Simp."

"What?!"

I see. Now I understand why she acts so irrational when it comes to Her Highness. It's like that, huh?

I feel stupid, arguing with a lovesick girl like that.

I glanced over Princess Odette, who was being tended by Haniel. Now that my head has cooled off a bit, I suddenly feel bad for attacking her.

"Princess."

She nervously looked at me. "Y-Yes?"

"I won't apologize." I told her bluntly. "I ended up hurting you, because Your Highness hurt me, too."

Her face softened. She seemed guilty.

"If you really want us to be on the same side, then at least treat me with a little respect." My throat dried. "Don't lie to me. Don't hide things from me."

I gave her one last look, smiling regretfully.

"Nothing hurts me more than a comrade stabbing me on the back. Betrayal is an irremediable scar."

---

Truthfully, I felt ashamed of what I did.

I suppose it's too late to feel remorseful, but I didn't like the fact that I've become so used to violence. It seems I already lost my morality.

Moreover, I may have killed someone in my past life. My hands are dirty. I feel so disgusted with myself, as if I were destined to end up like this.

A murderer, that is.

"There you are," A sonorous voice spoke behind me while I was hiding away from the campsite.

It was Haniel. With his usually cool smile.

I hugged my knees. "Go away."

"Why?"

"I want to be alone." I muttered grimly.

Instead of heeding my wish, the mage approached me and effortlessly lifted me with his strong arms.

"What the-!" I groaned. "I said I want to be alone!"

"My apologies, but I can't grant your request." His purple eyes gleamed at me. "If I leave you alone at this state, you might end up punching someone."

I glared at him. "Haniel!"

"Heh," He planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Gotta keep a close eye on my mentally unstable queen."

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. This guy...

There was no point in trying to break free from him, so I simply let Haniel carry me around like a princess. I thought we were going to return to the campsite, but then he brought me to the privy.

It was a washroom used by the princess, and no one else was allowed to bathe in here. But knowing Haniel, he must've insisted for me.

"I prepared the tub for you." He carefully put me down. "Enjoy the warm bath. You must be tired."

There was a warm and fuzzy feeling on my chest. He's always so attentive and caring towards me.

"I shall wait here outside." The wizard patted my head. "Don't think of anything and just relax."

He was about to leave when I stopped him.

"Yes?" He smiled. "Miss me already?"

"Haniel," I shyly looked down. "Wanna join me?"

There was quite a distance from the camp to the privy, so I was confident that no one would wind up here. So our only company were the trees, the fallen leaves of autumn, and the brilliant moon.

Initially, I felt nervous. But then I lifted my gaze to Haniel, and he was blushing so bad in front of me.

He cleared his throat. "That caught me off guard."

"Hehe," I grinned from ear to ear. He's so cute.

"I mean, I would love to, but..." The mage cupped my face. "I might do something, so I'd rather not."

I leaned closer to his ear. "I don't mind."

When I looked at his face, I burst into laughter.

His eyes and mouth were all tightly shut like a squirrel, and he's trying so hard to hold back.

In the end, Haniel gave in and we entered the privy hand in hand. He was visibly nervous.

As he mentioned, the bathtub was already filled with warm water. When I stripped off my clothes, Haniel turned around. Both of his ears were red.

It took him a while, but Haniel finally managed to take off his clothes. I told him to enter the tub first, so he did. After that, I joined him and sat in between his legs. The mage flinched behind me.

I took a peek on his face. He was still blushing.

I kept quiet and enjoyed the warm bath. It seems that the silence helped, because Haniel felt more relaxed soon after. Perhaps it was due to his wet hair and the smoke, but he looked so seductive.

"Feeling better?" He inquired. His long and sturdy arms were stretched on both sides of the bathtub.

I closed my eyes. "Yeah."

Once again, my mind drifted to the events today. After threatening the princess, I managed to get out one important fact from her about my past.

I am, in fact, the original author of this novel.

"What are you thinking?" Haniel asked softly.

"That I'm the worst," I answered. "Because I have gotten used to hurting people for my own benefit."

He kept quiet, as if waiting for me to say more.

"When things don't go my way, I immediately resort to violence." I smiled bitterly to myself.

My lover caressed my shoulder affectionately. For a while, the two of us indulged in the quiet night.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"I left my father who raised me and abandoned the tower that sheltered me." Haniel blurted out.

I looked at him. He gave me a small smile.

"I desired a woman who already belonged to someone else." He continued. "And I feel no remorse after taking her from another man."

He placed his lips on my bare neck.

"What I'm saying is that we all have our own share of bad deeds, because we're humans."

My eyes moistened with tears. "Hmm."

"Whenever you feel guilty for being the way you are, come to me." He smiled warmly. "I shall tell you how much of a bad person I am, so that you won't feel alone. We'll be two bad people in love."

If I truly am the one who wrote this story, then I'd like to thank my previous self for creating such a wonderful character. To be able to meet this man, who should only exist in fiction, is a huge miracle.

Haniel eyed me when he noticed me staring at his face. With his hand, he brushed his long hair upwards, his purple eyes focused entirely on me.

A small smile dawned on his face. "What is it?"

"Wanna kiss?" I shamelessly suggested.

Instead of answering me, the mage gently grabbed a fistful of my hair and claimed my lips hungrily.

The way his hands freely roamed on the most delicate parts of my body made me shiver.

"Callie," He breathed my name when he pulled away from me. Shortly, his lips left my face and went down to my neck. "I love you so much."

I desperately held onto his shoulders as Haniel sucked a portion of my skin. When he was done leaving a mark on my neck, his mouth slowly went down even more, leaving kisses on the trail.

The next thing I knew, he was indulging in my breasts. His hand was groping one, while his lips were playing with the other. Even when he was fully occupied, Haniel never took his eyes off me.

His purple eyes never once left me. They were staring intensely at me, fervent and passionate.

And it felt so good to be the subject of his desire.

Even as we were both short of breath, none of us stopped. In that small tub filled with warm water, I was leaning against him with my back turned.

"Ah, Callie..." He groaned, his breathing ragged.

Moans of pleasure filled the privy as our bodies got entangled with one another. It was one of the rare times that Haniel lied to me. He said that he'd be gentle, but then he pounded on me like a beast.

It's a memory that I will always treasure.

That night, we became one in body and in soul.

We were ignorant of the heartaches and tragedies that await ahead, but it was fine. Even if centuries pass and we don't end up together, it's alright.

The trees heard, the ground knew, and the moon watched. We were there. We lived, and we loved.

Both of us knew, and that was more than enough.

---

Wow, this exceeded my usual word count. I got carried away and it was awkward to cut the chapter so I decided to leave it like that.

Btw, I hope you don't feel uncomfortable reading this sensual chapter. I'm actually worried that the smut scenes might turn you off. I hope it doesn't.

Anyway, thank you for your voting and leaving comments on my story! I really appreciate it.

Yours Truly,

Aomine-san