Chapter Six - Rescue (a)

She nodded, paying full attention to what I’m about to say.

“I’ll give you the chance to be with me just so I don’t have to deal with this melodramatic scene for the rest of my life,” I started. “We can be a couple only until I turn twenty-one thousand years old. I think that’s a fair chance for you.”

“Really? You would do that… for me?” she asked, her tone became hopeful. She also started to smile amidst the tears running down her cheeks.

“I’m only doing this because you said you wanted to. And I don’t want to see you crying every time we bump into each other. I don’t like it when people are sad, especially when it’s because of me,” I explained.

She quickly locked me in her arms, saying, “I love you so much, Robert.”

I removed her as fast as I could, my face not amused.

“Please do not do that.”

“Why?” she hugged me once more but I removed her again. “Robert, I just wanted to show you how much I love you.”

“First of all, you’ve told me too many times today and it’s getting annoying,” I replied. “Second, I don’t like being touched or hugged by anyone other than my mother, my sister and Nana Olsa. Don’t expect me to be all loving and sweet, whether it’s in public or in private.”

“Does that mean I can’t even hold your hand in the castle grounds?” she asked, confused.

“Yes, that is also included.”

“But why? If we’re a couple, what’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t we be proud of our love?”

“Mallory, you’re being delusional. I already told you: I don’t love you the same way you love me,” I repeated. “And I’m being careful with my image. My family’s reputation is very important to me and I must protect it.”

“Are you saying that all you care about is your image? You don’t care about what we have?”

“Mallory, this relationship I’m offering you isn’t of any value to me. I value our friendship but if you’re asking me to do the same with this so-called relationship, I can’t do that. I agreed to this so you would stop with your endless proclamations of love,” I explained. “And if I don’t care about my image, we could lose everything. And if that happens, you would love everything as well. Would you want that for yourself? Would you want that for Nana?”

She stood quiet for a moment, staring into nothingness. “Robert… you said we’re now a couple. But you don’t look like you’re happy about it.”

“Because I’m not, Mallory,” I replied, turning around and locking Lady’s saddle in place.

“Then why did you agree if you don’t even want it in the first place?”

I groaned. I don’t know if she’s deaf or she’s playing dumb because I’ve explained this already and she’s asking me the same thing over and over again. “Mallory, didn’t it really occur to you?” I asked as I turned around to her. “I did it for you.”

Her lips slowly formed a smile and hugged me again. “You do love me,” she uttered.

I removed her arms from me, holding them firmly as I looked into her eyes. “Let me repeat this again for you, Mallory: I did it because I want you to stop professing your love to me. I didn’t do it because of feelings,” I let go of her hands.

“You really can’t love me?” her eyes started to swell again.

I closed my eyes as I let out a sigh, my hands on my waist. I have somewhere I want to be and Mallory is just becoming a nuisance now. “Mallory, no matter what you say or do, I love you as my sister. All I can give you is friendship.”

“Now that we’re a couple, why don’t you try loving me for real?” she asked as she started to cry.

I sighed as I made sure that the saddle is locked in place. I then turned back to her. “Mallory,” I gently wiped her tears. “Look, I agreed that I will be yours until my next birthday. A year isn’t enough to know if you truly love someone.”

She sniffled. “I know you can’t offer any more than what you incorporated within the deal but… can’t we be together for the rest of our lives?”

“You know I can’t Mallory,” I replied. “You know that I already have a fiance. And once I turn twenty-one thousand years of age, we’re to be wed.”

“So, you’d rather marry someone you don’t even know than to be with someone who knew you since birth?”

“Mallory, I have no other choice. It’s a decree from my parents and hers,” I answered, hopping onto Lady after. “And like what I’ve said many times already: I see you as my sister. Therefore, I can’t be with you.”

And with that, I gave Lady a light kick on her side and we went on our way back to the Mortal Realm.

Lady and I finally arrived at Bullingar and the streets have become busier. Perhaps it’s because it’s already afternoon, people may be buying their needs at the very last minute. I was looking around when a specific voice made my head turn around. There, I saw a familiar face stand-out from the crowd. I got off Lady and walked towards her, pulling Lady along.

“How much for the apples?” Laura asked the vendor as I stood behind her, keeping silent.

“Twenty gold coins a barrel,” the vendor replied.

“Twenty gold pieces? That’s outrageous!” she exclaimed.

“I know that the price isn’t the best but for the past few days, trade has been made a lot harder for everyone,” the vendor snapped. “Are you a rich person to even complain?”

I quickly intervened, “I am.”

Laura’s head immediately turned and as she saw me, her face printed an expression of shock. “Robert, what are you doing here?”

“Just trust me,” I smiled as I stepped forward. I handed over the money needed and carried the barrel of apples, tying it onto the saddle. As the barrel was secured, Laura and I began to walk away from the street of vendors to avoid getting squashed by the ever-growing crowd.

“Robert, you didn’t have to,” she said.

“Laura, that was nothing. It’s my pleasure,” I smiled in reassurance.

“Are you sure?” she asked. “Because I could have just gone to a different vendor. There are a lot of stalls here that sell apples.”

“Laura, what I did for you is because I wanted to help. You don’t need to be so uptight about it,” I laughed. “And besides, I don’t think a different vendor would see you apples because of that argument you had with that lady.”

She sighed, letting out a giggle after. “Well, in that case, thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome.”

“Well, I have to get back now,” she then turned to Lady and attempted to reach for the barrel. She stopped midway and turned back to me, “How do I untie the barrel?”

My brows furrowed at her question.

She looked at the barrel once more before she continued, “Oh, wait! I think I know where I can do it.”

She reached for the barrel once again but I stopped her just in time.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, still holding onto her wrist.