Legendary Knight - Bad night

This night, I remember I was sleeping peacefully despite the heavy rain outside. What dream did I have? Oh, I don’t really know, honestly. I suppose it’s because I didn’t sleep enough to remember it. I could not because a succession of more or less loud noises woke me up. They came from the door of my room and were both insistent and hesitant. It's a funny description, I know, but I felt that someone wanted to talk to me without disturbing me. However, despite the fatigue, I calmed the knocking by signaling that I would come before leaving my bed.

When I opened, I saw Katia, dressed in a white nightgown, who slowly raised her head towards me while she stared at her candle. She gave me a small smile, but her face looked pale. I also noticed that his forehead was slightly wet because of the sweat.

— Katia? Something is wrong? I asked her in a low voice.

— I… Sorry to wake you up at this time, she replied with the same intonation, but I needed to talk with you.

— Talk with me? About what?

— Oh, nothing in particular… I have some trouble to sleep well and… Can I come in, Cyriel? Please…

She intrigued me. She seemed in a hurry to be in my room. Maybe she wanted to talk to me about something in private, I thought simply. In any case, I saw no reason to refuse her that. I opened the door a little more, inviting her to enter. Returning to her after closing, she asked me in her usual politeness if she could sit on the bed. I jokingly told her she could as if she were at her home, what made her laugh. She then settled down not far from the bedside table and left her candle next to mine. Her eyes were lost in the flame that illuminated her face. For me, she looked less tense but still tired.

Preferring to stand up, I put myself against the table where my sword lay to stay in face of Katia, arms crossed. We were both silent, I waiting quietly for her to say something. In truth, the calm that could have been in the room was quickly broken by the water striking the glass. Her eyes dropped, staring at the corner of the furniture, then she blew softly from the nose. Since nothing was happening, she really worried me.

— What’s happening to you, Katia? I said with impatience. You are very pale. Are you sick?

— No… but we cannot say I feel so good… Forgive me if I have this face, I suddenly woke up because of a horrible nightmare and I cannot get it out of my head…

She ran her hand over his face. It was like she wanted to keep something. I felt she was in pain and seeing her so could hurt me too. Although my touch of irony had relaxed her a few minutes before, she had become much more tortured. I had to reassure her that she would let go of this thing that devoured her from the inside.

I decided to leave my desk to sit with her. I had the furious desire to take his hand but I restrained myself, thinking it would be inappropriate for me. She gave me a look that still kept this ill in her. However, she needed to leave it. I guess she wanted me to help her feel better, now I remember her look. I noticed then that I had already taken his right hand with mine. I didn't want to rush her, but I thought my body felt obliged to show my support. Since she seemed to let herself go, I just had to put her at ease.

— This nightmare… Do you want to talk about it? Maybe it would help you to get it off your mind.

She suddenly turned her head to the ground.

— I-I don’t want to bother you with that…

— You don’t bother me at all. Katia, if you came to see me, it’s for talking, right?

— I… I don’t know…

I felt her hand trembled in mine. Her breathing quickened too. She must have remembered the bad dream that tormented her. I had the reflex to calm her by tightening my fingers a little more.

— It will be fine… Breathe quietly… There… Take all the time you need and begin when you feel ready, okay?

She just nodded between two breaths to answer to me. She was completely lost because of all that. I felt her delicate and frightened fingers close our grip, as if she were trying to find herself with my presence. Even her eyes were back on me. I gave her a benevolent smile and felt that it had an effect. She had become much more serene, ready to tell me this painful memory.

— At first… I was in the castle’s gardens. The weather was lovely and I walked calmly. I don't know if I was enjoying the fresh air or looking for someone. I was just going, but little by little, I had a weird feeling. I hadn’t seen anyone since I was walking. No servant, no guard, nothing. I felt that something was wrong. In addition, the gardens seemed strangely bigger than usual. Like if I had already gone around two or three times. That is when I heard footsteps behind me… but when I turned around, there was no one. However, I could still hear the footsteps approaching me. There was not even a trace on the ground, nothing. Only the noise. I was getting scared at that moment. I called Yoko to find out if she was in the area but no answer. So, I decided to speed up the pace to get out of the gardens, hoping to see you and her on the way. This is when the steps began to pursue me. I was running, running, running… I couldn't leave these accursed gardens. I turned back at times and there was still nothing. Nobody. My fear grew so much that I panicked. Then I heard someone say my name from afar. The voice was getting closer. She even resonated in my head…

She paused a little. I gently stroked his hand to encourage him. She took a deep breath then continued:

— After that… I understood that the voice didn't call me only by my name. She said… “Princess Katia”. I didn’t understand… then, when I turned around… that’s was a shock. I… I already told you about Lydie, right? (I just nodded.) The tree where she was hanged… It had pushed back. It was standing in front of me but it had no more leaves. Its trunk had become grayish, as if it were dead… And there… it started to move… It turned on itself. The sky was becoming red… I recoiled before what was happening. I was completely lost. Then the voice repeated the same thing. “Princess Katia… Princess…”. Even before I scream "who is there", something was hanging on one of the branches… That was her, Cyriel… That was Lydie…

Tears ran down her cheeks as her hand tightened. I could only imagine the horror it could be. I continued to reassure her as best I could.

— She still had that face… The same as when I saw her that day… That expression of terror in her eyes… It seemed as if this painful souvenir had come back to haunt me… I cannot move with fear but I wanted to escape as far as possible… Then she started to move… Her head turned to me and she stared me with those eyes… She started crying blood and said: “Princess Katia… Why did you do that to me…?” I didn’t dare to speak… She repeated the same word louder and louder… “Why?” I started screaming that she stopped… and after that, I woke up… I didn't scream in my bed, you would have heard me, I guess… but I had tears in my eyes and sweaty brow… Oh, Goddesses…

She didn't stop crying, even after telling this long story. Her breathing had also accelerated. I realized that she had managed to restrain herself before bursting into tears and then go to stick against me. She crushed my chest with her cheek, trying to sink as far as possible. I was completely surprised to see her in such a state. I was even heartbroken. I hugged her with my left arm, trying to calm her gently. It had taken her a good five minutes to make her a little quieter. Despite that, she didn't pull away. She didn’t seem to want to leave my embrace anymore. To tell the truth, she had even settled there by putting her hand on my chest. Now that I think about it, I was absolutely not embarrassed. All I wanted at the moment was that she felt good, no matter under what conditions.

We stayed like that, allowing the rain to calm down for a moment before be intense again. I could feel her breath even through my shirt. It was not unpleasant. After a small sigh from her, Katia faintly confessed:

— I am sorry…

— Why?

— I behave like a child… It’s not worthy for a queen…

— Everyone can have moments of weakness. Even a ruler.

— It is true…

A new silence filled the room.

— Thank you…

— It must be so… I am your knight, right?

— You are more than that, Cyriel… You are a true friend who I can always count on…

— I’m touched.

— You know… It must be several days that I don't feel very good. Sometimes, I walk in peace in a hallway and… I feel to hear her…

— Who? Lydie?

She shook her head gently.

— Lady Fear… Since I saw her, I feel that she haunts my thoughts. I even wondered if she had not thrown me a curse… but Ynaris assured me that no. I am just stressed…

— You should take some times for you, I recommended her. To relax.

— Maybe, yes… I need a break…

The silence resumed a few moments.

— I behave like a child, she added in a whisper. A foolish child.

— Katia…

— It obsesses me… My mother did not stop to call me like that when I was little… This two words are anchored in my head since…

I felt her remove my hand from my chest to put on her stomach. I wondered instantly if she did not have a slight discomfort.

— Are you okay?

— Yeah, yeah… Don’t worry, I’m good… I’m better. Cyriel, can I ask you something sully?

— Of course.

— My mother… Is she really dead?

She surprised me with such a question. I tilted my head to the side to look at her. She stared at the floor under the door, without any smile. I raised an eyebrow.

— Why do you ask that?

— I don’t know… I doubt everything right now. And you know, I didn’t see her when…

— I stayed with Lord Aldrich when Dollam took you out of the throne room. I can assure you that I did see him cut off her head with his sword.

— Alright. I believe you. Forgive me…

She snuggled a little closer to me. I couldn’t blame her for being like this. I took a look at her candle. It didn't have much wax left.

— Do you think you can go back to your room? I asked, keeping her close to me. Do you need me to escort you?

She didn't answer. She seemed to think about what she really wanted.

— Do not you mind if… if I sleep with you tonight?

Normally, I would have hesitated for a long time. But given the circumstances…

— If it can help you feel better, of course…

— Thank you very much…

We didn't move for a long time before finally deciding to go to bed. I lifted the blanket so that she could get into it first and then join her. While she was looking for a comfortable position, I blew on her candle so that we would find ourselves in the dark. I felt that she was looking for me with her hand. I grabbed it before slowly approaching her. I could barely discern her face but saw that she was getting closer to mine to place a soft kiss on my cheek. You cannot imagine the heat stroke that I had at that moment.

— You really are a great person, Cyriel, she said calmly. What a chance I have...

I didn’t know what to answer. I was completely lost because of that kiss she gave me. When I could finally find the words, she had already fallen asleep.

— Me too…