Sustaining The King’s Life - Chapter 235

A/N: We are actually nearing volume 5, yay! This part will cover 8 chapters featuring Faustina in Feuersturm. Expect some ‘scenes’ as well as burning jealousy.

Enjoy reading!

**

Faustina couldn’t help but wonder why she was wearing such a thin nightgown and how the king was in his sleeping robe, next to her in bed. It was an early morning with a cold breeze wafting against the air. The birds were also chirping so giddily, that Faustina was half-convinced they could understand the current situation she was in.

What happened?

This room was entirely unfamiliar to her… or is it?

“This…” Faustina felt her blood rushing to her face. “T-this is your room, right… Y-your majesty…?”

The king had his usual gentle smile, and it was refreshing to see even in such a bright morning. Faustina felt as if this was the first time she was able to perceive this side of the king; he, bathing with morning light, all in his glory—Faustina blinked as the image of his abdominal muscles flashed to her mind.

Embarrassed, Faustina covered her whole body with the blanket, yanking it from the king.

She heard him let out a low chuckle. Faustina felt as if she could die, and so she simply buried her face in the bed.

The bed…

Had his scent.

Faustina’s face grew hotter as she finally got out of the blanket. And then as she lifted the blanket away from her face, the king wrapped an arm around her back, drawing her closer. With head lifted, Faustina was able to see the king too close.

He had a minty scent. The king’s sapphire blue eyes also looked brighter in the morning, and his platinum-blond hair was also kempt even at the bed.

Whereas Faustina…

“Good morning.” The king greeted as he caressed her disheveled black hair. “Did you have a good night’s sleep?”

Earlier***

The familiar sound of birds chirping and the sunrays radiant against Faustina’s face had woken her up. She slowly sat down to the bed, still half-asleep.

Somehow, the room of her dormitory looked twice as big…

She sleepily looked around,

And sees someone reading a book beside her.

“Ah, good morning.” He says, noticing she was awake.

“Good morning, your majesty.” Faustina yawned.

Wait.

‘Your majesty’?

Faustina’s eyes widened, “Y-your majesty!?!?” as she pulled the sheets to her body, drawing away from the king.

The king was wearing his sleeping robe—

And she was able to see his hard and toned abdominal muscles from the slit.

Faustina’s face heated up as she noticed what she was wearing, too.

A pink sleeping robe and nothing else.

What?

Nothing… else?

The king then leaned to caress her cheek—but froze on the spot as Faustina spoke.

“Y-your majesty…” Faustina’s lips trembled. “Wh-what happened? Why… why am I… here…?”

The king’s sapphire blue eyes narrowed down.

“You don’t… remember?”

**

After the king asked that question, Faustina’s head turned blank and she wasn’t even able to respond for a minute or so. Instead, she just scanned the room and realized it was his majesty’s. Instead of answering her, he just said ‘good morning’ too!

Now, their faces are so close together that FAUSTINA HAD NO ROOM FOR HER THOUGHTS—

“Breathe.”

“H-huh.”

“You’re not breathing.” The king smiled, lifting Faustina’s chin.

It was true. Faustina was holding her breath. It wasn’t that the king had bad breath or anything; in fact, he smelled so intoxicating that Faustina had to hold her breath in order to contain her embarrassment.

What was the thing that she doesn’t remember? Did something happen? Or did she do something?

Questions were now brimming on the back of her mind. She exchanged gazes with the king, who was still smiling down at her. Faustina was certain she had the urge to ask the king but all words were lost the moment he leaned closer.

“You really don’t remember?”

The king’s voice had a hint of sadness in it, and Faustina couldn’t help but have her thoughts run wild. Why did the king have that kind of expression upon asking her that question? What happened last night?

“Lilianne—” Faustina exclaimed, “wh-where is she?”

That’s the last thing she remembers. When the king had caught Lilianne as she fell asleep. What happened after that?

“It seems like there is still hope.” The king smiled. “You didn’t forget everything else That’s good,”

The king then drew away from her and then ambled towards the arched window.

“You stayed in this room because I needed to keep you on check.” He said. “Thankfully, your body was able to handle it.”

Handle what?

Faustina’s chocolate brown-eyes then met the king’s sapphire-colored eyes. He smiled at her, almost gently, as he stares at her flushed cheeks.

“The absorption.” The king explains. “Usually, your body would only last minutes at most when I absorb your mana. When that happens, you rarely remember a thing afterward. But last night—you were able to surpass that limitation.”

The king then began explaining to Faustina what happened that night. He elaborated details Faustina didn’t remember, including the part where Sheila used her clairvoyant magic to conceal all of their presence as they exited the premises. He said they were picked up by the knights and then after they were outside of Magierstadt’s security system, the king then teleported back to Feuersturm.

“Then Orwell handled the rest?”

“Yes. He had negotiated with the schoolmistress. Fortunately, they were understanding enough and did not think twice before giving you an excuse letter.”

Faustina could think of the reasons why this was the case; Magierstadt’s scandal didn’t completely disappear on the surface, so if they would displease the dukedom of Feuersturm, then it could result in the country having to make themselves an enemy of the country. Maybe that is why they allowed Faustina to take a week break despite her not being even a month in school.

The maids then entered the room and then headed towards her.

“The breakfast will be served shortly.” The king smiled warmly at her. “I already prepared your dresses. You will be back in your room shortly after this.”

“O-okay…”

“I’ll see you right after.” The king exclaimed with a smile.

Faustina’s hair reverted to grey the moment she returned to her room—and it was because of the woman who was in the vicinity before she was. The woman held a staff with entangling vines in them. She had flowing honey-blond hair that was now braided.

It has been a while since she has seen her.

“Sheila.”

The high priestess, Sheila, crossed her arms. “You don’t need to do the pretend noble thing with me. You’re just nothing but a mere Heilen, remember?”

Faustina was now dressed in a light purple dress, which complemented her grey hair that was ink-black just mere seconds ago. The dress had frills and was beautiful—but again, Faustina felt as if it was just waste on her. She was no noble, Sheila was right about that.

“Know your place. Does being a Feuerlon get into your head?” Sheila harshly spat. “Just because you’re dressed fancy, that doesn’t change what you are inside.”

Sheila then thumped her staff to the floor, projecting a magical image in front of Faustina. In that image, Faustina had seen herself—her frightened expression and her shabby appearance. This was what she looked like several months ago.

Her real self.

“You are brought here because we have to rethink and strategize again. It seemed like the Forsaken had the warlock generals under his command now.” Sheila said. “And I’ve been seeing it now.”

Faustina watched as Sheila walked away from her.

“I can see it. The prophecy.”

Faustina blinked, remembering Eula’s words.

‘Do not adhere to the prophecy.’

“The prophecy is something that we would not know if it’ll exactly happen now or tomorrow or many eons later.” She said. “After the Great War, all kings were tasked to prepare for the worse. The prophecy foretold of catastrophic happenstances that will determine what path this world will take in the future.”

Faustina stared at Sheila’s back.

“This is the Forsaken’s reappearance. There is no mistake that the prophecy will occur now. Which is why those who use the Opus—only a few—have to prepare themselves for the worse.” She exclaimed, with her grip around her staff tightening. “The king had to get stronger. And he could’ve done that if he would have taken all your mana…”

Faustina lowered her gaze.

“…I think he just made the right decision.”

Sheila scowled.

Did Faustina… just talk back to her?

“What?”

Faustina lifted her gaze.

“I’m not just a mere pawn. Eula, an important person for the Forsaken, is my master. He did not kill me back on the cabin because I may have some use to him, or there was something stopping him.”

Sheila gritted her teeth. “What are you talking about?”

“You know that, don’t you?” Faustina exclaimed. “I also know it.”

“So why are you trying to lash out on me, Priestess?”

Faustina had enough of people trying to belittle her. Use her. Try to shove into her face how ‘useless’ she was when she was practically what they need.

“I’m a valuable asset to the king,” Faustina exclaimed. “And I know that.”

Faustina then sauntered away from Sheila. “Thank you for all your help. Please leave.”

Sheilalev’s gaze darkened as she exited Faustina’s room.

And as she walked in the hallway…

Her aura emanated loathing and hate.

“If only she was gone… if only the king killed her from the start… then…!” Sheila gritted her teeth. “…then his majesty… would have belonged only to ME…!”