Regrets of The Fallen (Victis Honor Book 1) (22 page)

“If you want to spend the rest of the day sick as a dog, sure.”

“Hmm… You’re probably right,” Isabella said, looking back to the woman behind the counter. “Okay, one slice of caramel cake. And one of that strawberry one. Aaaand chocolate.”

The woman laughed. “Is that all? What about your friend?”

Isabella looked back at Haruka as the monk looked thoughtful. “Just one… Um… Apple iced.”

“Right!”

They sat down after Bella paid, and Haruka watched in amusement as she stacked her three slices atop each other, picked the combination up like a sandwich, and took a bite from all three at once. “You’re a professional,” she said with a chuckle.

Isabella grinned, licking icing from her finger. “I’ve had experience. Eating dessert is a skill like any other.”

“Uh-huh.” Haruka ate hers normally, finding herself truly enjoying the laid-back feel of the day. They had little to worry about; if the Black Sun actually attacked them, they had an entire crew of pirates that would help them fight, most of whom were spread out throughout the town if the two she spotted walking by outside were any indication. Isabella was certainly enjoying herself as well, if the fact that she was almost done already meant anything.

Haruka stared at her empty plate and Isabella blinked. “What?”

“That was, what, thirty seconds?”

“Don’t be jealous of my skills.”

“Calling it a ‘skill’ is being generous.”

“I learned to eat fast before a food fight started.”

Haruka smirked. “Started by your parents?”

“Who else?” Isabella stood, putting her hands on her hips. “How are you not done yet?” She picked up the third of cake that remained on Haruka’s plate, basically shoving it into the monk’s mouth. Haruka glared at her and Bella beamed. “Now you’re done, let’s go!”

Haruka swallowed it and followed her out. “Annoying.”

“I know.” As soon as they were outside Isabella pushed her against a wall and kissed her for several long moments before pulling back with a smile. “Better?”

Haruka sighed. “Unfair… But… I won’t complain.”

Isabella grabbed her hand, pulling her along again. “You better not. Hey, that Apple one
is
good.”

After that Haruka found herself visiting shop after shop. Isabella didn’t even seem to be looking for anything specific, she just wanted to look, and the monk had to admit it was fun, although she was certain that was only because it was with Bella. She kept an eye out for an appropriate gift though, as it would probably be nice to get her a present, but she had no experience with that so she didn’t know what to look for. After a couple hours of visiting all kinds of shops they decided to stop in a tavern for a couple drinks before continuing.

Inside Isabella smiled, spinning around. “I love places like this. There’s always a feeling of people from all over the world coming together to share stories.”

“You gonna start story time?”

“Hmm… No, I think I’ll pass,” Bella said. “I-“

“The Golden Butcher! I don’t believe it…”

Isabella paled, looking over at a haggard man as he stood from his seat. “What… What did you call me?”

“You heard me… I’ll never forget
that
face,” he said as he stalked over. Haruka watched him carefully but he didn’t even give her a glance, his eyes remaining on Bella. “Isabella of Two Faces. What are
you
doing here? Was
one
country not enough for you?!”

They were beginning to draw attention from the rest of the patrons, but neither of them seemed to notice. Isabella’s voice was small and full of dread as she said, “You know me…?”

“Know you?
Know
you?!” He clenched his teeth and fists at the same time, his glare exuding hatred. “You killed my family and you don’t even have the decency to remember?”

Isabella looked down, her face full of sorrow and regret but her voice weak. “I killed a lot of people… I’m sorry, I… I don’t know how I can repay you for such a thing…”

“Sorry?!” The man, understandably, couldn’t accept that apology; he stepped forward and his fist made contact with her jaw, knocking her back into the wall.

Haruka growled and stepped forward, lifting her own hand. “Haruka, stop!” The monk froze and stepped back, looking to Bella. The blue-haired knight stepped away from the wall and the man hit her again. Haruka shook with anger but Isabella just dropped her arms to her sides, looking down and making no move to defend herself or fight back. In his anger the man took advantage of this and continued beating her while she made no move to respond. After a few
seconds Haruka caught the man’s wrist as he pulled it back for yet another punch, yanking him away despite Isabella’s lack of resistance.

As she let him go Isabella lowered herself to her hands and knees and bowed her head to him as tears hit the floor beneath her. “I’m sorry,” she repeated in a soft voice, “Forgive me.” The man himself was crying now, but his anger was far stronger; before him was the monster that had slaughtered his family and nearly everyone he knew. The last time he had seen her she’d been covered in their blood, feeling nothing. As she bowed before him he stepped forward and gave her a vicious kick, knocking her back and at least bloodying her nose.

Haruka, however, was not willing to sit by, and a second after the kick connected her fist hit his chest, sending him flying into a table that he splintered on impact. Isabella stood up, wiping away the blood. “I’m sorry,” she repeated again, leaving the tavern. Haruka paused a moment to give a look to the man as he sat up; hopefully he would take it as a warning not to go after her. Haruka then left as well and caught up to Bella back near the docks. As she approached her Isabella gave a shaky sigh, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “I was stupid.”

Haruka’s expression softened as she stopped. Isabella looked back at her. “I had hoped… It was stupid of me, I know, but… A part of me had always hoped I could be forgiven for what I’ve done, as much as I don’t deserve it.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “But there’s no forgiveness for me, Haru… And nothing I can do to earn it.” Her fingers curled into tight fists. “I’m… stuck…” She looked up at the sky. “Trapped by my past and refused an escape.” Bella shook her head, more tears falling as she sniffed. “And you know the
really
stupid part?” she said as she looked back at Haruka and gave a humorless smile. “Even now I’m still just a coward. I just want someone to forgive me so I can escape my guilt, and pain. I don’t deserve to escape, but I still want to.”

Haruka was silent; what could she say? Instead of speaking she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the other woman. Bella buried her face in Haruka’s chest, her fingers weakly gripping the material of her green coat. “If it wasn’t for you, Ruki… If you didn’t care, I’d… I’d just take the only escape left to me. That’s how much of a coward I am.”

Haruka ran her fingers through her hair. “Don’t talk like that. He wasn’t angry at you, he was angry at who you used to be.”

“I can’t just forget what I did, and neither can they.” Isabella stepped back, looking away. “I don’t really feel like visiting any shops or anything… I feel like being alone. I think I’ll just go back to the ship and take a nap.”

“…Alright.” Haruka let her go, watching her leave. This hadn’t turned out as she’d hoped.

IXH

Isabella awoke to the feeling of fingertips brushing her cheek; she opened her eyes to see Haruka’s face close to hers, and the monk was smiling. “Get up; you need to get dressed.”

The knight blinked a few times, sitting up. “What? Haruka, I really don’t…” She stopped, staring for a few seconds. “Are you… wearing a dress?”

Haruka straightened, setting a hand on her hip. She was indeed wearing a dark green, sleeveless dress with a high neck and a slit down the side to reveal a leg; it was a very different look, and it surprised Bella how natural she looked in it. “You look surprised,” Haruka said with an amused look. “That’s what I was going for. Now come on, get dressed,” she said, pointing past the knight before leaving the room.

Isabella was confused, that much was certain; even
more so when she stood from the bed and found another dress apparently meant for her. She considered trying to follow Haruka and tell her she didn’t feel like leaving this room, but she was so curious she
had
to find out where this was going. Apparently Haruka had an eye for sizes, as the garment fit perfectly; it was dark blue (not the same shade as her hair, but complementary) with short sleeves and a curved neckline, and long enough to reach the floor. It wasn’t one she’d have picked herself, but she found that she liked that.

However, she wasn’t about to sit here and admire it. Her curiosity drove her forward as she stepped from the room minutes later to find Haruka there waiting. The monk’s smile as she looked at her made her blush, and Haruka nodded. “I knew you’d look that good.”

“Thanks,” Bella said in a small voice, utterly bewildered. “Ruki, what’s going on?”

Haruka grinned, grabbing her hand. “Something simple, but we need it.” She led her out onto the deck and towards the pier. It was evening judging by the dark sky; the sun had long since set, leaving the stars once more visible as they were still blessed with clear weather.

As they passed Freya the pirate leaned back against the ship’s railing and folded her arms, grinning as she looked them over. “Guess she was right. You two ‘ave fun; remember, if there’s trouble, give a yell. If I miss it I’ll be mad.”

Isabella looked to her hopefully for answers but Haruka just continued pulling her along, waving to the captain. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t fight without you.” They entered the town, which was a lot
livelier than it had been earlier that day. Apparently the tourist life of Cullis was bigger at night, as people milled about everywhere; some of the same shops they’d visited earlier that day were now full of people. However, Haruka bypassed the shops completely, continuing down a road they hadn’t taken before.

“Haruka, where are we going?” Bella said as she looked around, dodging people as they passed.

“We’re going here,” Haruka answered as she slowed down in front of a fancy, tall building that appeared to be a
far
more expensive restaurant than Bella would ever dare to stop at.

Isabella blinked, looking up at it. “I can’t…
Here
? Haruka, neither of us have the money to-“

“Relax,” the monk said as she led them up the steps. She smiled at the person at the door, giving her name, and the woman opened the door for them. As they stepped inside, she looked back at Bella. “I traded something to Freya for the money.”

Isabella looked around in admiration at the restaurant. It was mostly white with extremely tall ceilings, and the carpet and curtains were a deep red. As they continued going up a long staircase, she looked at Haruka. “What did you trade her?”

Haruka
replied, “A Black Sun Medallion. They’re extremely rare, perfect for her collection, and
I
certainly don’t want it.”

“Are you sure you won’t miss it?”

“I almost threw it into the ocean,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m sure.”

Bella smiled as they reached the top of the stairs. The reason for so many steps became obvious then as she looked out tall windows over the rest of the town. Someone met them, taking Haruka’s name before leading them through the busy restaurant to one of the many balconies. Haruka looked at her as she pulled out the chair for her. “I guessed you’d prefer to eat outside.”

“You guessed right,” Bella said with a smile as she took a seat, watching Haruka sit across from her. She looked off the balcony, taking in the night view of the town before looking back to her companion. “Haruka… Why did you decide to do this?”

“I don’t like the way you were thinking earlier,” Haruka answered without hesitation. Her gaze was intense, locking Bella’s eyes on hers, but her lips held a light smile. “What you think you deserve is wrong.” She leaned forward, tapping the table. “For the rest of your life, whenever you think about what you deserve,
this
is what I want to come to mind. This is what you deserve.” The monk looked around. “Not just the fancy restaurant or the nice dress or the pretty view, but the attention and the effort. You deserve to have someone care enough about you to try to make you happy. And that’s me.”

Isabella looked down, to the side, and then back at her, unable to prevent a smile. “No matter what I say, you just keep believing the same thing. You’re very stubborn.”

Haruka chuckled. “It’s a quality I’ve been known to have.”

“I don’t…” Isabella sighed, smiling as she looked off the balcony. “You’re making it very hard to keep hating myself. Are you
trying
to make me crazy?”

Haruka leaned forward. “Bella… You’re already crazy.”

“Crazier? Mad? Insane? Bonkers?” She tilted her head. “I’ve always liked bonkers.”

Haruka smirked. “Apparently, so do
I.”

Isabella grinned at her. “Attracted to crazy women? That’s unhealthy, you know.”