Sustaining The King’s Life - Chapter 278

278: Cursed no more

The birds chirped at the windowsill, as the curtains opened.

Slowly, the girl opened her eyes, only to see a maid opening the curtain walls.

“Oh, it seems you’re awake, my lady.”

The maid was familiar.

“Maddie…?”

The maid smiled, “yes, my lady?”

Faustina turned to the newly opened balcony door. It was a sunny morning.

“Nothing…” Faustina exclaimed.

“Today is your scheduled tea party with the noble ladies.” Said Maddie as she began to dress Faustina.

“You know, Maddie,” Faustina exclaimed, “it feels like I’m forgetting something.”

Maddie was now decorating Faustina’s black hair with beautiful purple ornaments and flowery designs.

“Something that’s very important.” Faustina said as she looked at her red eyes in the mirror.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to remember it later, my lady.” Maddie smiled kindly. “Come now. The marquis and his wife are waiting for you.”

The doors to the dining hall opened, and that’s when Faustina saw them.

Red hair tied into a bun which had white flowers enamored around her braid; a white dress with a hinge of green gradient that complimented her emerald eyes.

“Eula…?”

The woman chuckled. “You’re calling me at my first name now, mm?”

Faustina then turned to the person who faked a cough.

A swept-back black hair, and red eyes that were very much like hers.

“Father?”

Jonathan smiled.

“Come and sit, Faustina.”

“How’s your sleep, Faustina?” Her mother smiled. “Did you dream of monsters?”

“Eulalia…” Jonathan shook his head. “Moreover, Faustina, how are your magic studies? Did Mr. Lotheringwood teach you new things?”

Faustina then recalled. “Yes, father… I learned a lot from him.”

“That’s great. It’s better that we prepare you first before you go to Magierstadt.”

“I’ve been telling you that Faustina’s already great~ she’ll ace the test, you know~” Eulalia grinned. “She’s the daughter of mine, after all!”

Faustina felt a strange clenching in her heart again.

Eula noticed this quickly. “Are you alright, Faustina? Do you want to cancel the tea party appointment today?”

Faustina smiled, and then shook her head.

“I’m alright, mother.”

“We love you, Faustina.” She said. “Always remember that.”

Faustina turned to her father, who smiled lightly as well.

**

“Faustina, you’re here!”

Faustina smiled as a girl wearing a yellow dress went towards her.

“Lilianne!” Faustina beamed as the girl wrapped her arms around her. “It’s been ages! I missed having tea parties with you!”

“It’s been… ages?”

“Yes, you’ve got cold for weeks, right?” Lilianne pouted. “I really missed you. Come here, I brought someone with me.”

Faustina entered the Disfiegro greenhouse, only to see familiar amethyst eyes and striking silver hair.

“Greetings, My Lady.” He smiled, “My name is Ezekiel Unsterblich.”

Faustina turned to Lilianne. “Th..the son of the schoolmaster of the school I’m about to enroll from?” she whispered.

“I’m helping you build more connections!” Lilianne whispered back.

“So you’re the rumored daughter of Magierstadt’s prodigies.” He said. “It was nice to meet you, my lady.”

**

The day ended with Faustina returning to her home with a smile on her face. It was really a fun day for her. Lilianne and the other girls were fun to be with, and Ezekiel was very informative regarding magic.

But…

“What’s this unsettling feeling that I have?”

—

But she couldn’t narrow it down, somehow.

She woke up again, had a nice meal, and as she finished her etiquette and magic lessons, she was summoned into her father’s office.

“You called for me, Father?”

Jonathan smiled at Faustina. “Yes, have a seat.”

Faustina sat into the couch, looking around. Her father’s study was very organized and had a very clean finish. It was neat, but at the same time it gives off a feeling of coziness.

“You do know that the king of Feuersturm has a son, right?”

Faustina blinked, turning to her father quickly.

“The firstborn prince—”

“—Noah,”

“Yes. Prince Noah. I believe he is of your age.”

Faustina blinked.

“Well, not really your age. Maybe a little older than you are.”

Faustina awaited his words.

“He asked me if I would give him the permission if he would ask my daughter for a dance this upcoming ball.”

Faustina blinked.

“Aaannd what did you say?”

“Mother!”

Eula then entered the study, and kissed Faustina’s cheeks.

“Surely you didn’t reject the prince?”

“Of course I did,” Jonathan raised his brow. “Why would I give him the permission to dance with my little girl?”

Faustina felt her heart clench heavily again. She watched her parents playfully argue.

Each time, she was showered with happiness…

“This… is a dream, right?”

It felt like she just pushed a lump off her throat.

Jonathan and Eula stopped. Faustina waited for darkness to take over, but she only received someone’s embrace.

“Faustina,” said Eula, “aren’t you happy in here?”

Faustina’s eyes widened, “I’m happy!” She exclaimed. “I really am…”

“But?” Jonathan walked towards Faustina.

Both of her parents are now sitting on her side. The sun had bathed the place with a soft, warm glow.

“But this isn’t real, is it?”

Eula c.a.r.e.s.sed Faustina’s cheeks as tears began to flow from Faustina’s eyes.

“God has given us a second chance.” Said Eula. “A choice.”

“A choice…?”

“You can stay with us to be reborn in a world free of all the hardsh.i.p.s you have experienced,” said Jonathan, “or you can come back.”

Faustina then felt her father embracing both Eula and her.

“If God granted me this second chance, does that mean… I… I’m no longer cursed?”

“Faustina, my child,” Jonathan smiled warmly as he wiped her tears.

“You were never cursed.”

“Then…”

“Whatever choice you will make…” Jonathan kissed Faustina’s forehead.

“We will always be here with you.”

Tears flowed from Eula’s eyes.

Faustina sobbed as the warmth of her parents surrounded her heart.

“We love you, Faustina. In this life, or the next.”