WHEN their audience with the king ended, Charles and Ada went home, but for some reason, Linus led Fiona to his office. She suspected they would be discussing their strategy on how to deal with the fake saint situation.
She waited for the servant to pour tea and leave before she turned to Linus, sitting next to her.
“Your Highness, I believe we need to make the first move before I’m exposed as a fraud.”
“No need.”
“We came up with the story that a soul was summoned, so if we proclaim the soul left, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
She doubted she would be completely acquitted of wrongdoing, but at the very least, that explanation would reduce the impression of any involvement by Linus and Charles in the matter of the imposter saint. If anyone was to be suspected, it should be Fiona, who claimed to host the soul, so she alone should be punished.
“No need.”
Without hesitation, he rejected her motion again with the same words. She hung her head dispiritedly.
“But I don’t want to cause any trouble for you and His Holiness, Your Highness.”
He sighed, and before she could even react to it, he reached out with his arms and pulled her into an embrace.
“You aren’t, and you won’t. If anything, you should rely on us more.”
“No. I won’t do that. I can’t.”
When Fiona pushed experimentally at Linus’ arms, he loosened them, then peered into her face.
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve been nothing but a burden to you both for ten years now,” she said.
“Right, I know that’s been bothering you for a long time, Fiona. But there’s more, isn’t there…? Go on, tell me.” His gentle voice convinced her she could say anything she wanted without fear of repercussions, which made her want to blurt out words she never intended to say out loud. “Why don’t you want to cause trouble for us?”
“Well, I—”
What she should say was, “Causing trouble for others is never a good thing.” But another reason existed within her. And he probably knew what it was.
“Because if I don’t fulfill my role properly…you’ll think I’m useless and unnecessary.”
She wanted to return the favor they’d done for her by looking after her all these years. Yet she also knew that was just lip service to make herself feel better. The truth was…she just didn’t want to be abandoned.
Although she now had a few acquaintances, Linus and Charles were absolutely essential to Fiona, who had lost her memories. So she couldn’t help the fear she felt at the thought of being abandoned by them. Even though she knew they would never do such a thing because they were fundamentally kind people. Even though she knew simply having such thoughts was rude, she couldn’t help them.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for saying things that sound like I doubt you and His Holiness, Your Highness.”
Though Linus might not be angry at her, he must surely be disillusioned with her. The thought alone made her feel sad, and her head unconsciously drooped.
“Of course, I’d never abandon you.”
As soon as she heard his gentle voice, he tightened his arms around her again.
“Haven’t I been by your side this last decade, Fiona? And I will be from now on, too. Forever.”
He stroked her head as if silently telling her not to worry. His gesture was enough to steadily calm her heart.
“Don’t worry about the Saint of Abundance either. Believe in me.”
When she lifted her face, his gentle indigo eyes, narrowed thoughtfully, were there like always. She found it curious that just looking at that beautiful bluish-purple color put her at ease.
Linus would never betray her, nor would he abandon her. Which was why everything would turn out fine. Fiona nodded in acceptance. He smiled in response, his hand stroking down her head, her cheek, then her black hair. He pressed his lips to her hair, her forehead, then her cheek before laughing softly, the sound sheepish.
“You know, it makes me happy that you believe in and accept me as I am. But I really wouldn’t mind if you were a tad bit more wary of me.”
“Wary? But why? You’re a person, Your Highness, so I see no reason to be wary of you.”
Sometimes, he went overboard with the sexual harassment, but it wasn’t as if she disliked it. So, she truly didn’t see him as someone to have her guard up against.
“Well, I suppose I am grateful for your faith in me. But know this, Fiona. I’m not quite who you think I am.”
When she cocked her head in confusion at his enigmatic words, he grinned and patted her head.
“I’ll enlighten you on that front some other time. After you’ve come to see the real me, hm?”