Chapter 14 A TALE OF THE PAST

Chapter 14 A TALE OF THE PAST
Aria’s POV

I tugged at Ciora’s shirt softly, trying to get her to stop but she probably didn't even feel my touch. There was a blaze of wrath in her eyes, like she’d spotted the demon king himself and she would do all it takes to kill him.

Vianka also met her gaze. “You have a little rat protecting you now?” she asked. “That classless buffoon wasn't enough you had to tag up a little slut to help you out, didn't you?”

“You should mind your tongue near me, I don't fear you nor the stupid connections you might have.” Ciora retorted sharply, her eyes twisted in disgust wandered from Vianka’s head to her toe. “You are such a despicable human being, thinking you can bully someone just because of your position.” 

“Ah, I am pathetic for being a bully, but your murderer of a friend isn't?” Vianka shook her head as Ciora's aggression faded. “Oh, she didn't tell you? Who is the pathetic one now?” she swung her head and walked off, leaving my friend and I in limbo.

“Ciora?” I called. 

The girl turned to me. “What did she mean?” 

“I will explain when we get inside. We wanted to discuss this before, remember?” I said, hoping she would listen.

“Have you killed someone?” she asked, her eyes bulging in curiosity.

“No, gods no!” I yelled. “I just tried and failed,” I added softly.

“You tried to kill her?” Ciora whispered, she had this look of horror on her face as she spoke, like I was a monster. 

I looked at her. “So a word from her and suddenly you wouldn't even listen to me?” I snapped, her reaction hurting me more than I imagined it would.

I understood her though, the Flure kingdom is a Kingdom of pacifists. Since its founding they have never been to any wars as a kingdom but its citizens do participate in the wars of other kingdoms as healers and rescue operatives for children and the disabled. 

So I get that she couldn't understand why I would try to murder someone since she grew up with that kind of philosophy but it still hurt me when I saw that look on her face. “I am sorry,” she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Let's go inside, and I want you to tell me everything.”

I smiled, a gasp of relief escaping my lips. It was really great having a friend from the Flure Kingdom. I started my story as soon as we entered my room. 

I told her how I was treated since I was a kid, my entire life of pain and torture. I felt myself tearing up just by narrating it. I didn't know why but it hurt me more now than it did then. Maybe talking made me realize how bad my life really was, there were loads of things back then I considered normal that I am starting to realize weren't so. 

“Vianka was the daughter of a baron and she lived within the confines where I worked as a maid. She bullied me like the rest of the folks but over time her bullying became life threatening. I think she began to relish the idea that she could do anything to me without consequences. She began playing tricks that she found funny in that twisted mind of hers.” I explained. 

Ciora listened intently without interrupting me, she just knitted her brows and stared directly at me. That rapt attention made me bawl out my heart more, all those things I have kept within me. “There was one time I had to clean a certain tank, it used to be a fish tank, like an aquarium of sorts but it stopped working a while ago. I think the baron or one of the lords ordered the artificers to fix it, after they did, I was tasked to clean it. I had to enter it to wash and drain out the water.” 

I paused to catch my breath. “I went in that day and someone sealed the lid and trapped me inside then released water into it through one of its metal pipes. I almost drowned that day. I didn't know how it happened but the lid magically opened after many attempts at trying to push it open. When I came to it, I spotted Vianka laughing with her friends and talking about her clever plan, so I knew it was her.”

I stopped for a bit, realizing how much I hated that girl and how much she’d put me through. “Her pranks got worse till one day she actually got bold enough to try and choke the life out of me. I couldn't take it anymore. It was beside a stream and I lost control and I stabbed her. I left her there. I thought she died and no one ever said anything about her after that and I didn't bother asking.

Ciora looked at me for a long time, she didn't speak, her eyes held a forlorn expression and she couldn't move. “Ciora?” I called. “Say something please?” 

She didn't answer me. She only stood up and stood above me, her eyes never leaving mine. After a while she pulled me into a tight hug and said a single word. “Sorry.” 

I didn't know why but the gesture broke me and tears began to flow freely from my eyes. I didn't know how long I was in that position but I must have fallen asleep in her arms. 

For the first time in a while though, I slept peacefully. I felt protected and loved even though I’d just met Ciora, I knew she was different. 

When I woke up, Ciora was laying in my bed beside me and she was fast asleep. I crawled from the bed and realized time had passed and we’d probably missed an entire day. 

I didn't feel bad about it though, I was just surprised the school guards didn't check our room. A soft knock landed on my door and I went to answer it. 

I pushed open the door and standing there were Zephyr and Payten. “You missed an entire day of classes? Are you both insane?” Zephyr yelled.