The gears of fate are sadly unhinged

Chapter 07

Lucia was on the Tea Room, sitting on Arthur's favorite couch.
Even if Arthur didn't remember it was his favorite one, she chose it because it was where they usually had tea, since they first met when they were child.
Arthur was sitting in front of her, with a big smile on his face.

--I'm very happy to be able to see that smile again... but it isn't the same smile as before, it's like he's far away from me.... Like the smile you direct to someone you like but you never talked with before.

Lucia's eyes couldn't help but reflect her inner sadness, something Arthur noticed immediately.

"Why are you so sad?"
"Huh?"

His expression clouded over for a moment and asked deeply concerned.

"Is there something bothering you?"

As usual, Arthur noticed every change on her mood in an instant, but since he was the cause of her sadness, the servants on the room let out a sigh, while everybody... even Lucia asked themselves the same question.

--Did the fall affected him so bad? Or was he always so slow and I didn't notice?

"Is it because of your fiancé?"

"Huh?　Well, certainly he's the cause... but since you're the one asking, I don't know what to do"

"I really envy him, for you to think about him so much .... I'm jealous."

It was a deep voice, as if coming directly from a broken heart, this made Lucia look at his face, he was making a sad grin and looking to the ground. 

But from a moment to another, when Arthur noticed that he had Lucia's attention. 

He changed of seat, sitting on the same couch as her, just some inches away and seconds later, with a swift move he closed the little distance between them.

--I had heard that he was injured, but it doesn't seem to be the real case, and he looks like he has excellent health... except for the memory loss. It seems that girl - Millenia - found him just in time, for that alone, I would have to thank her from the bottom of my heart.

"...um...um..."

"Huh?"

Unconsciously, Lucia leaned over Arthur's arm, and she only discovered it when her face was at millimetres of his, with one of her hands touching his right cheek.

Realizing that, she tried to sit properly and put some distance, so she said.

"Oh-- My-- I'm really sorry! I wanted to make sure that the injury was really healed ...excuse me"

As she was trying to move away in embarrassment, Arthur took Lucia's hand between his and stopped her.

"Don't worry about it, you can touch it as much as you want! It helps me recover faster"

"No, no! It's okay. I'm sorry"

"Don't be shy!"

"No, I'm really fine."

When she flatly refused and, her hand finally escaped his grip, Arthur's face turned into a dejected grimace. 

--It doesn't really change. 

He's just the usual Arthur I've known for so many years.

Realizing that Arthur had finally returned, Lucia couldn't hold back her laughter. 

Looking at Lucia who was laughing and smiling in a relieved way, Arthur tilted his head.

"Did I do something funny?"

"No, I'm sorry. Rest assured, it's nothing! I'm just feeling relieved"

"Uhh, relief?"

"That you came back in one piece. I was really worried when I heard you were injured."

"... Were you worried about... me?"

"Yeah, of course!"

Suddenly, he pulled her hand, and she found herself over his chest, she startled with surprise until she understood he was embracing her tightly.

She stopped resisting, in part because she knew by experience that she won't be able to escape and by the other hand, even when she didn't want to recognize it, she had missed him very much.

"Oh no!"

"Your Highness?"

"Showing me a smile like that, after telling me you've been worrying about me ... I don't think I can let you go ever again"

Lucia, after hearing this, felt a strange sense of relief as she was held tightly between his arms.

For some reason, the feeling that Arthur had finally come back to "her" invaded her heart, so she responded, pressing her face against his chest as he held her close. 

It was Arthur who was upset about this, even after going this by his own will, he was still recriminating himself the way he acted, trying to convince himself to let her go.

--No, No! What are you doing? No matter how much you love her, she's a lady of good reputation... Even worst she has a fiancé! They'll think bad about her, all for your fault.

Arthur summoned all his reason and will, and tried to break the embrace, but his own arms refused to move away from Lucia's back.

--It's funny. Did they just melt or are they glued? C'mon! You can do it!

In reality, they weren't glued and, he was serious trying, but it was only after a long fight against himself that he pushed her away.

"Ah."

"Huh?"

"No, it's nothing."

--How could this be! I had been trying to let her go her, but now it's so hard when to stay away from her...but I did it! I actually left her go!

After realizing, Arthur looked at his empty arms and sighed. 

Then, he looked at Lucia with a strong determination on his eyes, she was once again sat on the couch. 

Seeing his gaze Lucia moved to sit a step more away from the place he was ...but, he moved a step forward and took her hand.

"Lucia!"

"Yes..."

"I know this is wrong but... I love you!! I want you to become my wife!"

"Arthur, I'm--"

"I know I'm a terrible person! Desiring a woman that already has a fiancé... But I can't give up! I won't be able to think on anyone but you!　If this is necessary let's leave everything behind my status, your fiancé... Let's run away! Together to the end of the world "

A serious strong determination was shining on Arthur's eyes, but, everybody there couldn't help but think the same thing. 

--His Highness, It's a completely unnecessary determination!!

As Lucia felt a headache coming, she frowned and said.

"Arthur... I don't know how to explain it for you to understand"

The troubled look on her face made Arthur grit his teeth, as he thought. 

--Her expression shows how much she loves him. I know! She must think my feeling are just an obstacle on their love path.

"Are my feelings a trouble for you? Of course it's an uncomfortable situation. But I can't give up. In the meantime, tell me who your fiancé is."

"If I tell you what are you going to do?"

"That is-- Of course, I will "persuade" him. And I'll make sure you cannot reject me! I'll do anything that's necessary!"

His true intentions that leaked out that moment, ruined the beautiful atmosphere he just created some minutes before.

--I'm sure Arthur will do something like that... Now, what do we do?

Lucia was at a loss. --or rather, she was starting to get angry with him.

"I love you so much." 

He had said he loved her, but there was no sign of him remembering her at all. 

She wanted to make sure he really loved her by her true self, that it wasn't just the "old legend about the Diering family boys".

But, the situation didn't change a bit from before.

She stood up and looking at him angry said.

"You can find out for yourself."

"Hmm?"

"Go and find out for yourself who he is and talk to yourself in the mirror about it"

Arthur's eyes opened wide at Lucia's unexpected words.

"Are you sure you want me to look for him and convince him to leave you?"

"Yeah, I don't mind."

"Will you become my wife if I make sure your fiancé disappear of your life?"

"Yes, I will."

Arthur's was surprised at the clear answer. 

However, Lucia's eyes gradually began to glow even more angry than before, thinking about the unexpected promise she just made.

Arthur started to think on a plan to win Lucia's heart and dispose of her fiancé at a tremendous speed.

He didn't look at her anymore, lost on his thoughts and plans, he didn't notice that she was going to the door decided to the room.

"Ah, Your Highness."

"Yes, what is it?"

Her voice pierced through his deep thoughts, and he turned his head around to look at her.

Seeing the scene, the servants thought at the same time.

--As always, no matter how concentrated he is he cannot lose a word she say

Lucia didn't move from her place, neither looked back at him, fixing her view on the wood door, she said.

"Promise me you'll go to see me only after you've recovered ALL YOUR MEMORIES"

"All..?　Mmmm, I'm not sure I want to make any promises about my memory since I don't even know what I'm missing and what not..."

"No, remember... Make sure there's nothing you're forgetting... Take your time! No problem. Because the more I look at you, the more I want you to remember it."

Leaving those final words as if they were a prophecy, Lucia walked away, leaving a strange-looking Arthur afterwards.　

Arthur pondered for a moment the meaning of those words, but he thought about her fiancé and decided he must start moving if he wants to chase him out of her life.

It was not long after that he understood the real meaning of Lucia's words, but it was late a very troubled Lucia was already on her carriage going back to the Marques's house.. 

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Lucia couldn't think on anything more, so she focused on the sound of the horses, running wildly over the road.

The sounds eventually stopped when they arrived to the front door of the mansion, there someone called her name out very loud.

"Oh! You've come to welcome me... Thanks"

"Well, I was worried... You've entered through the gate without even lowering the speed. See... Even the gates men were scared because of this, what happened for you to be in such a hurry?"

The fear could be sensed on Martha's troubled voice, but she couldn't answer anything.

Lucia was holding her tears, to avoid start crying at any moment, so she couldn't answer properly, only a few mumbles were heard.

Noticing that, Martha took her to the main room and prepared some hot tea.

Lucia asked for her embroidery tools, doing something like that at this moment may be strange, but it always helped her relax.

Martha went to look for them, after coming back and gave them to her, Lucia started making the clothes' preparations.

But suddenly, they sensed that another "rude" visitor landed on the front door, even if Lucia hasn't seen his face yet, she already knew his identity.

Leaving the embroidery needles she just picked up away, folded her hands and prepared for the future confrontation.

Just as tea was almost ready, the door of the room was opened with a big push followed by a loud sound of wood nearly cracking.

"Wow! I didn't know that the new greeting used these days is entering another person's house without even call at the door? And also, I don't remember inviting you here, do I?"

"........Lucia,"

"Yes, That is my name!"

She was still trying to look strong and uninterested on him but something on his voice make her turn around and look at him.

His voice was nearly a whisper but was filled with nostalgia, familiarity and affection.

"Arthur...."

"Do you remember our promise?"

"..."

--From the way you called my name, it seems you've recovered your memories of me.

"... Lucia"

"Did you remember? Everything?"

With three big steps he closed the distance between them, while with a jump she stood up, as if his body already knew what was coming next.

With his long arms, he hugged her with all his strength, the suddenness surprised her, but when she felt the slight trembling on his embracing arms, Lucia decided to not resist.

After holding her on tightly for a long while, Arthur moved a little away.

He glared at her face, that looked like she was about to cry at any moment.

"You seem to remember, don't you?"

"Lucia...I'm really sorry."

"For what?"

"Everything. I brought a strange woman with me. I had forgotten about you"

Lucia smiled bitterly, knowing that he was truly worried, from the bottom of his heart and his words were real. 

He was feeling so culprit for his actions, that a cloud so damp that can help you grow mushrooms over Arthur's head, that was nearly visible.

--It can't be helped. Let's stop being mean with him for a minute.

She guided Arthur to one of the sofa near the tea's table, sitting down while Martha served two cups of tea and handed them to us.

"Have you recovered your memories again?"

"Everything.I remembered everything! From the day I first met you to today."

"My fiancé... So you were able to discover who he was, uhmm?"

"Give me a break...."

Arthur turned his head up at the ceiling with a thoughtful look on his face. 

"Don't be so mean, ok? I'm sorry" 

He said in a tearful voice as she cuddled up to his chest.

Lucia decided to call it a day, and smiled as if anything hadn't happened.

He noticed that Lucia was the most relieved that his memories had returned, even more than anyone on the palace.

"What if I don't have your arms to hold me ever again? The truth is, I was worried that you had fallen in love with that girl and you were going to abandon me"

Arthur was happy to see that Lucia was leaning over his body, again... As now, he knew, she didn't often do because she disliked that kind of displays of affection.

"When I remembered everything, I literally felt my blood drain from my body.

Forgetting the existence of a being so dear for you. 

... A part of me thought of my beloved Lucia as a stranger and treated you as such.

The fact that your own fiancé took a strange woman home with him.

If I were in Lucia's position, I would have fainted in despair. 

Especially if he has memory loss and can't remember who you are.

I'm really glad I remembered. If I had forgotten and because of it, lost you... I would have definitely gone crazy."

"...I don't know about that."

"Wha--! I won't let you go!"　

Martha was staring at the couple with a subtle expression

--I suppose it was a great way to make them realize what they really feel for each other

"Does My lovely Lucia doubt my love for her?"

"No, I don't doubt it. Rather, those were my previous worries because I'm not suspicious now...."

"Hmm?"

"You cannot support staying away from me for a long time, can you?"

She whispered it, as a very confident thought, that she didn't want to be heard by anyone else.

Arthur, who was staring at her with a bemused expression, swallowing the meaning of the words, smirked grimly.

"Yeah. There's no way I could forget about the Lucia I love so much for a long time."

Saying that, Arthur's face came closer to her, she looked at him and softly closed her eyes.

She felt a gentle warm touch on her lips, but a second after, he pulled his head away regretfully. 

When she opened her eyes to see what had happened, Arthur was pressing his forehead against hers and laughed.

"I feel like I'm finally home. I can't think of anything but Lucia."

"Your Highness..."

"If is Lucia here, it's where I'll be, I don't need anything else"

--Those words came from Arthur's heart. I think I already knew it deep in my heart, but I didn't realize it until now.

Normally, Lucia would be embarrassed of being seeing like this with him on public, and she would leave immediately, but this time she leaned on his chest as if there was nobody else on the room to see them. 

To his surprise and delight, Arthur hugged Lucia more tightly and enjoyed the feeling to his heart's content.

"Your Highness,"

"Hmm?　What's going on?"

"I love you, too, Your Highness."

".........hmm?"

It was a situation so unfamiliar for him, that Arthur moved away from her and looked at her face as if trying to understand what she was saying.

Lucia's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying for a long time. 

Arthur was dismayed by that sight.

It never happened before, he had been always the one showing and saying how much he loved her, even to the point to look dumb and childish... while she was acting distant, uninterested and dignified.

Lucia understood his confusion, but she didn't care and, staring into Arthur's eyes, she repeated.

"I love you, Arthur. ...I'm glad you remembered about me."

"Wow!"

The sudden confession took Arthur's breath away, he blacked out and fell over the floor with a loud sound. 

Having foreseen the situation, Martha called his personal servant and instructed him to lay the fallen Arthur down on a large soft sofa, placed near them.

--Arthur is constantly shouting out his love for Lucia, but it is rare that Lucia responds. Hence, Arthur's inability to react to Lucia's return of love was too much for him to bear.

Even if Arthur was asleep his grip was so strong that for Lucia, who was holding hands with him at the moment he had fainted, there was no other option but to sit on the same sofa.

Staring at his sleeping face, she noticed that he had a subtle smile, that sight warmed Lucia's heart deeply.

--Finally, my Arthur is back.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

There is a new novel that is popular on the streets of the Capital, it's a romance novel.

It tells the story of a Prince of certain country.

He was betrothed to the daughter of one of his country's Marquess since an early age, and the two spent their childhoods together.

One day, the Prince went on an inspection tour in the countryside of his kingdom and, had an accident there.

A big storm, caused his fall from a cliff.

He was rescued by a kind-hearted local village girl, who was able to save his life and, she kept nursing him until the royal servants found him.

However, after recovering for his body's injuries, even when he recovered his memories, he forgot about his fiancée.

So, he returned with the woman that took care of him to the Royal Castle.

--- NEW ENDING ---

The Prince, who lost his memory, met his fiancée, the Marquise, and fell in love again.

He fell in love with the Marquise at first sight by second time and, regained all his memories through the power of love.

Once again confessed his love for the Marquise, and after she accepted it and exclaimed that the feeling was mutual.

The prince kept showing his love to the Marquise every day, at every hour of the day... So often that was annoying for everyone on the Castle.

There's a rumor that the story is real, it is also commented that they eventually married and lived happily ever after.

It's also rumored that the two happy lovers are still alive and their love is a model to follow in their country.

-END-

NEXT CHAPTER: Millenia's story