Chapter 18 Electric and Water

After they ate, there was a lot left in the dishes but Pearce was full and he couldn't swallow some anymore so Femme just took out everything left, at the same time she also paid.

They left the restaurant and actually, the waiting electric princess would have approached Pearce for progress but she was immediately stopped and even hidden in an instant and peeked because they came out at the same time.

"Thank you for the food princess," Pearce thanked Femme. "I'm sorry if I ate even though it was not for me."

"It's okay Pearce," Femme replied with a smile. “At least I have something to take to him. Hehe.”

Pearce just gave her a look and suddenly, bowed his head to her and immediately also lifted.

"In that case, I’ll be on my way," Pearce said, turning around and he would have been ready to leave when,

"Just a moment Pearce," Femme said as he stopped at the same time facing the princess.

“Uhm are you busy? Is it okay for you to come along with me?” the princess asked.

Pearce didn’t answer immediately and looked in the other direction first. If that's what you all are thinking, the truth is, he was looking in a corner where he saw his companion supposed to be a princess peeping but she hid when she saw him look in her direction. Pearce wondered at what the princess did but he looked back at the princess in front of him.

"All right," was his simple answer.

“Really? Yehey. Thank you Pearce,” Femme happily stated.

As they walk down the hallway…

"Uhm Pearce," the princess began, breaking the silence between them as well. “Let's just go through the orphanage hah. I'll just give them the other take out. Then I will just greet them.”

Pearce just nodded in response.

"By the way," Femme said again and looked at Pearce. “Thank you for that one day for accompanying Elesa to deliver the dolls she made for the children. You know, they were really happy because they had new toys. They can even move it. Hehe. Elesa is really good. I really want that too.”

When the princess said that, Pearce immediately remembered the child who had a toy he had fixed with. He really can't forget that… that once, he made a child happy just because he fixed his toy. How is he? Is he able to control his toy with electricity?

And another… he also will not forget that incident because… because of Elesa as well.

When they arrived, Femme immediately went inside (because she’s in charge of it) and her assistant just told her everything that was going on in the orphanage. They did not stay long either and Femme just gave the food to the people preparing their food there and also said goodbye.

They were walking down the hall when Pearce noticed that the only food left with her was the three fried tilapia. Pearce was not surprised there and just looked at what they were walking to.

"By the way Pearce," Femme said again, breaking the silence. "I'm going to Zoltar today."

Pearce was surprised when he heard that.

"I'm sure he's in his special room now… doing a great experiment."

Pearce just looked at the floor he was walking on and even so… if there's one thing he knew about this princess, that she didn't know how to be sarcastic so whatever he heard before, he knew she was not being sarcastic. That's how he is amazed on how she really loves her prince. She already knew… she already knew that the prince could not come… but she still waited…

…so who will not be against it and reject this plan? The plan to destroy such a relationship? He should have really just backed down at first… but that's not an option either. He knew in himself that he needed that princess.

Don’t worry Pearce… this is almost over…

"Pearce, I’m suddenly nervous," Femme said suddenly so Pearce returned to the truth and looked at the person next to her.

"Nervous?"

"Hehe," she nervously chuckled. “I don’t know what I will tell him later. I plan not to say about him inviting me to a date earlier because I know he is really busy, but if I give him his favorite food later, he might remember it and regret it again. He's doing his best. He's doing his best to go on our dates… but he can't really go all the time because he needs those experiments.”

Pearce did not know how he would feel after hearing that from the princess. He just realized that he looked like a bad person because he agreed to this plan.

"But I will not lose hope," Femme said to herself which Pearce was a little surprised.

“Someday, he will not be swayed by his experiments. Someday, he can also go on our dates. Someday, I will also feel that once… I was also one of his priorities.”

Femme turned to Pearce and gave him a smile.

"I will not let this ruin my love with Zoltar," said Femme.

Pearce knew the princess was saying this to herself… but somehow, when he heard that from her, he was also reassured by what could happen now.

Never mind the plan…

"I wish you luck," Pearce smiled back at her.

Femme was not surprised by what he showed… instead, she also smiled back happily.

Pearce was still smiling back at the princess, but it gradually disappeared when he found the princess… the princess he was with in this plan. He was a little surprised and stopped in his place because that princess followed them and he didn’t know what to do after he saw her.

“Oh Pearce, let’s go. We are close,” Femme said suddenly.

Pearce was still looking at where the princess was hiding and he heard the princess' offer but…

“Just leave me here princess. Go to him… before he disappears,” Pearce said while still not taking his eyes off where she’s hiding.

“Ah okay, all right. Ba-bye,” Femme happily replied and ran away.

When she finally disappeared, there was only silence in the halls, when…

"You can come out now," Pearce said as if he was talking to no one… but Elesa immediately came out where Pearce was looking…

…carrying her serious face. Pearce also gave her a serious look and that's just what happened a few minutes later, they just gave each other serious looks.

It only broke when Pearce turned away from her and started walking away. Elesa also said nothing and walked… next to Pearce.

We don’t know if the two talked to each other because they are both thinking, and going the same thing. Again, the silence between them was not even awkward or a dead one. It was really just… silence.

Pearce suddenly stopped in front of a wall and at the same time, Elesa also stopped next to him. They didn’t look at each other and Pearce just peeked at what was happening… and soon, Elesa did the same… peeking at the prince and princess that will talk.

Sometimes, Elesa will first glance at her companion who has a serious face while peeking… and she can't figure it out but she looks away immediately, and she must be angry after she heard what Femme said earlier… but she doesn't feel angry at him.

Knock, knock.

Elesa only returned to the truth when she heard repeated knocking. How many times has that been and her prince still not answering him? She probably knows he’s too busy inside so he’s not answering… she’s the reason why that prince was so busy anyways.

Gradually the door opened that somehow startled the two… the 'startle' was actually the two peeping, not Femme but they were even more enticed, making sure they could hear their conversation.

"Sorry for making you wait—" Zoltar just stopped in shock because of the person in front of him.

"Oh uhm Femme."

Femme smiled at him. “Hi Zoltar. Sorry to disturb you.”

“Oh no, it's okay. I think I'm almost done with my experiment anyways,” Zoltar replied with a smile.

Femme just smiled back at him in response.

"So, what brings you here?" Zoltar asked.

Somehow, just this question, the smile gradually disappeared from Femme's lips and she even looked down because she felt really… down.

“Uhm Femme…” when Zoltar said that, she went back to reality and…

"Uhh… uhm well I… uhh…" she's stuttering, and you can really say she's nervous. “Uhm I…”

“Are you okay? What's wrong?” Zoltar asked.

Femme looked at him.

You can do it princess, Pearce whispered in his mind.

“Uhm ho-how are you? Uhm, is your experiment doing great? Are you sure you can leave it like this?” Femme asked.

Pearce almost clicked his teeth after he heard that from Femme because he was sure that should not have come out of her mouth… but he could not blame the princess if she said that because of nervousness. He also knows the feeling…

…but that was actually a wrong move in Femme's part. Starting that conversation with someone like Zoltar, will turn out like this…

“Oh glad you asked. It's okay if I leave my experiment for a while. You see the chemicals that I used today must be left for a while for I think maybe…” he looked at his watch. “…about 30 minutes.”

"Uhm… I see—"

"Oh and by the way," Zoltar butted in immediately. “There's this experiment that I just performed a while ago by mixing this chemical with this… I wonder if I should mix this instead…”

He started to talk about his experiment a while ago, the time that he and Femme should be together but she can see how happy he is in talking about it. Femme would smile back and reply but slowly…

…she felt like she was faking her expressions right now… because she was not happy with what she was hearing… more like even hurting. She even felt as if Zoltar meant to hurt her, but she didn’t make it obvious because the person she’s talking to is not aware.

Ring, ring! An alarm sounded from inside Zoltar's special room.

"Oh looks like it's time," said Zoltar and immediately went in to take care of what should be taken care of… without even asking permission to the person he’s talking to.

But even so, Femme still didn’t leave her place and watched her prince inside his special room from outside it... and she can really tell how happy he really is because of that smile in his face… but most of all, she felt a great distance between them just by looking at him at where she is standing right now.

Will that day come… that she will be like an experiment too... that she can make his beloved prince happy and smile like that? That maybe that someday will also come… someday that she would be his first priority for him?

…or is that just wishful thinking?

After Zoltar dropped something in a beaker, it was good he at last noticed Femme.

"Oh you're still there," he said with a smile as he removed his goggles.

Femme suddenly smiled… but that was not for him, it was for 'absence' because she thought…

…maybe… it was really just wishful thinking. She will never be able to match the pleasure that his experiments provide. And no matter what happens…

"Sorry to keep you waiting—"

"It's okay," Femme smiled immediately. “Must be really nice to perform what you are performing. You look really happy.”

"Of course I do," Zoltar smiled. “I always do.”

Again, Femme's smile didn’t fade… but she bowed her head.

…she was right. No matter what happens…

She immediately handed him the plastic with the fried tilapia in it that had been hidden behind her while bowing which slightly surprised Zoltar.

"Oh what's this?" Zoltar asked suddenly but for the first time, Femme didn't say a word while still reaching for the plastic.

"Uhm is this for me?" he asked innocently and still, with her head bowed down, she tried her best to nod to answer him.

"Oh uhh thank you," Zoltar just thanked. "What's in here?" At once he opened it and was surprised to find its contents.

Gradually a smile etched on Zoltar's lips… but Femme didn’t see that.

“Oh look, it's fried tilapia, my favorite. Thank you Femme,” Zoltar happily said but sadly, even that simple gesture was still not noticed by Femme…

…because all she really has in mind right now is… no matter what happens, she will not be his first priority.

"I'm sorry Zoltar," Femme said suddenly which surprised Zoltar and wondered.

“Sorry? What are you sorry for? You know that I love fried tilapia,” Zoltar replied but Femme shook her head sideways again and raised her head, and when Zoltar saw her face, he fell silent.

“Femme…”

He doesn't know what to say… especially when Femme is in this state, she's like crying endlessly.

“Femme, wha… what's wrong? Why are you crying? Have I said something—“

“No. No you didn't,” she sobbed and tried her best to wipe her tears.

"Then why are you crying?" Zoltar asked worriedly. “Oh wait. Here. I think I brought my handkerchief—“

"No, it's okay Zoltar," she stopped him. "I'll make this quick."

Zoltar stopped searching when he heard that and looked at her in no time. Tears are falling down her cheeks and she's saying this while sobbing,

“I think it's wrong to assume that maybe we can work this relationship we have. I'm a princess now and we have our own priorities and we can choose what we want to prioritize more…” she paused.

"Prioritize?" Zoltar asked. "Femme, what are you saying?"

"Hik", Femme sobbed. "Zoltar, from now on, please don't make me your girlfriend anymore."

Femme didn’t directly say what she wanted to say but Zoltar was stopped because he is an intelligent guy and of course, he is not as dense as you think because, he got her point but…

"Why?" he asked but Femme didn’t answer him and kept sobbing.

“What did I do this time? Please tell me,” added Zoltar but instead...

"I'm sorry," Femme replied back.

Zoltar is not satisfied with her answer and would have forced her but when he suddenly looked at the bag he’s holding… he was really surprised, when he realized about their ‘should have been’ date.

When he found that out, he could not speak immediately and felt so shameful.

"Femme… I…" he wanted to apologize but she was ahead.

"It's not that," Femme replied. “It's okay if you didn't come. I just realized how much you needed all your time for your experiments… and thought that maybe I'm just… a hindrance.”

Zoltar was shocked, especially at the last word.

“No. You're not a hindrance. I just… I just… I think I just…” Zoltar can't say it. Zoltar can't say that he forgot about it, that he chose to perform his experiment first rather than the date… that in fact he did and he already did it but…

“It's okay. I understand Zoltar,” Femme said trying her best to smile. “I hope you do too.”

Those last words struck Zoltar so much that he didn't realize Femme is already walking away. It is good that he is still in his reality.

"Wait Femme!" Zoltar shouted, but it was as if he was just shouting in the nothingness because she was no longer in sight.

Zoltar didn’t bother to close the door of his special room or finish what was going on inside because he ran away immediately.

When they disappeared from the sight of the two peeking, Elesa immediately let out a sigh while the other… was the only one who could not believe what had happened.

Pearce was really shocked about the break up and seemed to stiffen in his place because he could not believe he had seen it. He thought something different would happen since he heard those words to the water princess but… he immediately averted his eyes from the place where the incident took place and he started to clench his hand forming into a fist because he started to get annoyed… and there’s no one to hate about, but himself.

"Well that was quite a show," said Elesa, suddenly the reason for Pearce to return to the truth. "I did not expect this to happen but it was good that it was successful…"

“…good job Pearce.”

And just hearing those last words, Pearce 'snapped' and his anger only increased. He even turned his head to Elesa and gave her a glare… which surprised Elesa and if before… as if anything Pearce did she was not shaken… now she’s shaken.

It's good that Pearce did nothing after that glare and just walked away. Elesa could not move in her place after that and she thought Pearce would finally leave…

…but he stopped.

"Of course, this is the plan," he suddenly said. He may have said that to himself, but Elesa heard it.

Pearce clenched, this time both his hands into a fist. "Always..." and restraint was evident in his voice. "…I always don’t have any intention of harming people… but…"

He looked up to the ceiling, showing a very sarcastic smile. “Who am I fooling? That's all I can do.”

He turned his head again to Elesa, now wearing a very serious face. "I thought you understood."

That statement left Elesa shocked. He faced back to his front and lastly telling her with his deep and angry voice,

"You're happy now?" and continued to walk away.

Elesa could not really move in her place because of that incident. It was as if he was attacked by ice that really penetrated inside, not only on her feet but all over her body because she was really hardened by what happened. His stares are like ice daggers piercing her. It's unfortunate because she’s not a fire person so she can't melt the ice that hit her… but she doesn't know how…

…but gradually the shock on her face also disappeared because she found someone at where she was looking. She didn’t see a fire guy because it was obvious from his blonde hair, so how did he get back to the truth?

She’s still looking at where that man is standing.

Maybe it's because that’s Zoltar… you know, the person she has 'loved' for a long time…

Just by his sight, she moved her foot and just approached him just in case the ice that hit her body will completely melt away… and also

"Zoltar,” Elesa called so she got his attention.

…this is her chance. This is her last chance.

"Elesa," Zoltar said, slightly shocked back.

"Can I take your time?" Elesa asked immediately.

Zoltar paused. "Oh uhm I'm sorry…" he said. "…but I'm in a hurry right now—"

"I know," Elesa interrupted. “I just need some of your spare time. This talk won't take long.”

…Zoltar let out a sigh. “Okay. Just make it quick.”

Elesa took a deep breath just to get all her might to say this…

“I don't know if you ever noticed but, I like you Zoltar. I have liked you since that day when you asked me to be your assistant… up until now.”

She said this without stuttering. She didn’t even know where she got the strength to do that. It left Zoltar shocked to hear that and he was speechless.

"I'm saying this because…" added Elesa. “…I want to know. I want to know, how about you? How do you feel about me, Zoltar?”

After Elesa asked that, it was only then that Zoltar returned to the truth. Even so, silence passed between them before Zoltar could speak.

“I don't know how to say this but…” he paused and looked at Elesa. "…the moment you confessed to me, I actually realized my feelings."

Elesa was slightly surprised by what he said. Zoltar suddenly smiled.

“I realized my feelings for Femme. I realized how much I love her.”

…Elesa should be completely shocked after she heard that… but why does that seem to have no effect on her?

“I'm sorry Elesa. You're a great companion, a great assistant and a great electric princess… but that's all there is to it. I cannot give back the love you want,” Zoltar said.

…it took a while before Elesa smiled.

"I see," she said. “Well, that settles it then. Thank you for your time and for listening to me.”

Zoltar smiled back. “Thank you too.”

Elesa wondered. "For what?"

“Somehow, your confession made me realize my feelings. I think I really need that.”

She suddenly gave him a reassuring smile. "Then go talk to her and settle this."

Zoltar was slightly surprised by what Elesa said last and just nodded as a reply. Despite the rejection, Zoltar was able to smile before running away.

…but after he's gone, Elesa didn't realize that a tear fell from her eye which surprised her because, why is she crying? She told herself that she expected and she would accept that rejection so why? Why is she crying…

Suddenly, a picture of Pearce's angry face and what happened earlier showed in her mind so she realized what she was crying…

…so she sat on her knees and cried… all because of him.