"F-Father…?" Rowena choked out for a moment.
She didn't believe that he actually injured her and the man's thoughts were similar to her.
However, there was proof that he did it.
She felt the warm blood and he saw it with his very own eyes.
The undoing was caused by his own actions. King Draco stared at the blood on his daughter's cheek.
Her beauty, the beautiful face that was supposed to make him ascend into the lands of the gods now marred by that one injury.
His arm that held onto the sword shook and trembled.
Dreams of him ascending into Cretea vanished and turned to dust. The image of the beautiful goddess he loved disappeared as the blood remained on Rowena's face. His one and only daughter's face was spoiled by that flaw.
Did he do this?
Was it his fault?
For a moment, King Draco wondered if it was his own fault and if it wasn't too late to drop his sword and check upon his daughter, ask her if she was hurt by what he did… but then decided that it was Rowena's fault.
He was not in the wrong.
King Draco was not weak.
It was Rowena's mistake.
The phoenix's life was trivial and worthless when compared to that of Rowena so why did she have to risk her life for that stupid bird? She should have avoided his blow instead of trying to save that phoenix and now look where they were?
King Draco gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. Unadulterated anger flowed through him and he was tempted to slap the child for ruining his plans. Plans of a brighter future now tarnished because of this one event.
He shook his head and laughed.
"You could have avoided it and yet…"
King Draco turned his back on his daughter and promptly left the room. He needed to control his anger. This was not the end of his story and reunion with his beloved. There was still a chance to remedy this, an ointment of sorts to prevent scarring.
"Father!" Rowena shouted again.
"Stay in your room and don't you dare touch your face, Rowena!" King Draco glared at his daughter and stormed out of the room. The door slammed behind the king as he left, the princess forgotten and abandoned.
Rowena collapsed into the floor and lost the strength in her limbs. Lucent's urgent squawks fell to deaf ears as Rowena stared blankly at the floor and smiled numbly.
"After everything that happened, he still thunders out in a rage…" she muttered dejectedly.
She was still the daughter of her father so why didn't he care? Rowena called to him because she hoped and wanted a little bit of assurance. She didn't even want an apology since she willingly threw herself in the way of her father to protect Lucent…
"But he didn't even once ask me if I was alright or okay," Rowena's voice broke and her entire body trembled. Tears stung her eyes as pain wracked all over her chest and heart as she clutched her hands together.
She yearned so desperately for his love, convinced herself of the lies that said everything was done for her sake, and yet all he gave her was false hope.
Lucent quickly landed in front of her and flapped his wings.
He grabbed her attention away from the event.
He wanted to comfort her.
Rowena's eyes widened at the sight of him, she slowly raised a hand and touched the bird's head. She tried to smile and blinked back the tears.
"Lucent… I'm glad you're not hurt."
Lucent's wing gently touched her cheek.
It made her laugh.
She wanted to protect him, but somehow, Lucent was the one who was more worried about her. It was almost like he wanted to comfort her so he touched her with his wing. He was such a silly but caring bird.
"Please don't worry about me, Lucent. It's just a tiny scratch," Rowena said as she smiled. "It didn't hurt me at all. I didn't feel a thing at all."
The look that the Phoenix gave her seemed to say that he disagreed. Despite the minor injury she received on the physical extent, the invisible wounds that rested on her heart were far more painful than anything.
Even he could see that.
Rowena pulled herself up to her feet and sighed softly. So far, the events of today filled her with so much nervousness… but finally it slowed down a little. Julian successfully escaped. Lady Liz, Javis and the rest of the knights were unharmed and her precious friend Lucent was safe too.
And the only terrible thing that happened was Rowena's little injury.
Compared to what might have happened if anyone else got hurt and died because of her… she thought it was a fair exchange. She much preferred that nobody else suffered on her account, even if it meant that she'd be the one who endured the pain.
A weary smile formed on her face.
She decided this was the best outcome.
"I think I'll be taking a nap," Rowena said at last and tiredly moved over to her bed.
Lucent watched her from afar, until she laid down and rested her head on the soft pillows. She tried to sleep, but it was unsuccessful. Her heart pounded loudly. She was still alert, unable to actually relax and it showed on her face.
Rowena's gaze lifted to the bird that watched her.
She smiled a little and patted her bed.
"Come here, Lucent."
The phoenix didn't move for a second, but then saw the tears that glimmered on Rowena's eyes, and then finally flew over to her side. Rowena quickly but gently held Lucent closer to her and sighed softly.
"Thank you for being my one and only friend. Please don't leave my side, Lucent."
After a long time, Rowena's breathing finally calmed down as her eyes fluttered to a close.. Suddenly, high above the castle, a beautiful star shot down from the heavens and into the earth—a god.
