ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 80 - Strained Relationship

BANG!

"Christy!" An old woman wearing slightly black and white robes with a golden sun chain, slam opened the church’s front doors and stormed inside. "Why is it that whenever I take my eyes off you for one second you always seem to disappear!?"

"Hello, granny! Circumstances called for my immediate attention. I ’o so deeply apologise for vanishing away from your watchful gaze."

"Do not give me that sass! What ’circumstances’?! Does it have something to do with that man you’re healing? Because if it does, then you could’ve ordered the priests to take him to the hospital!"

"Him? Oh no no no, granny." The light faded away from Christy’s hands as she took them away from Kurt’s body and sat facing cross legged towards the old lady. "Maxy required my assistance which is why I’m here at this lovely church. Isn’t that right, my lovely devotees?"

The priests who were sitting at the pews, and admiring Christy, all nodded their heads enthusiastically.

"Is that so? Because I don’t see any king around. Also, how many times do I have to tell you that you should not refer to his majesty in such a formal fashion! He is the king of Eldoria for goodness sake! Show your respects!"

"Boo. Maxy doesn’t seem to mind." Christy pouted as she put her hands behind her head and looked away.

"Where are you manners!? Get up from that floor right this instant–!"

SHWOOSH

"Christy! I’ve brought the other two!" Diana appeared at the front door again. She ran inside the church with Kiana in her arms and Emelie walking slowly behind her.

She set the princess down beside Kurt and quickly went to check up on him.

"The bleeding stopped? Is he alright now? Emelie told me he was poisoned by the cult so I imagined that the procedure would’ve taken a bit longer." Diana held onto his now warm hand and asked the Saintess.

"Yep, he is just dandy. Although, I don’t know what you’re talking about when you say that he was poisoned. All he really needed was a little healing. So much so that you could’ve just rubbed some dirt on it and he would’ve been fine."

"Wait? So you didn’t cure the poison out of him?"

"More like there was no poison to begin with." Christy shrugged.

"Emelie? Is what the Saintess saying true?" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Here. This was the dagger used to stab him." She handed the blood covered dagger to Christy.

"Oh wow! Aren’t you Emelie Herst!? I loved what you did at the entrance exams two years ago! Very awe inspiring! And the way you beat the entirety of Future Academy last year was quite the spectacle to read about!"

"Hm." Emelie, not feeling any desire to strike up a conversation, just let out a simple hum while holding out the dagger for the Saintess to take.

"Aww. Feeling a bit tired? Want me to give you a little boost in energy?"

"No thanks. Just take this and confirm to the principal whether there’s poison on here. Because this is definitely Kurt’s blood."

"You! How dare you refuse Saintess Christy’s kind offer! Do you know how many people would die for a chance to–"

"Shut up, old hag. Your screeching voice is giving me a headache." Emelie’s eyebrows furrowed in irritation as she glared at the old woman.

"Ahahahaha! No one has ever spoken to you like that, have they, granny! Ahahahaha"

Flushed in the face from frustration and embarrassment, the old woman was about to lecture Emelie when she suddenly turned around and walked toward the exit.

"Wha–! Where are you going, young lady?! Where are your manners?! Do you want me to report this unethical behavior to your parents?!"

"Do whatever you want. Now that I know Kurt’s safe, I’m going to sleep. Principal Valentine, I’ll swing by later to see how he’s doing." Emelie looked back once more at Kurt then turned her attention to the Saintess.

"Hm? Want a little boost after all?" Christy offered as she made creepy gestures with her hands.

Emelie’s blank expression suddenly turned into a little smile. After which, she opened the door and left the church.

"Boo. What a bummer."

"That young lady has not an inch of the respect and elegance that her parents and siblings have."

"Oh give her a break, granny. She was clearly drained. Now let’s take a look at what we got here." Christy held the dagger in her two palms and coated it with her holy light. "Eew! This thing reeks of malice! And that’s definitely poison alright, which is funny considering that my magic didn’t detect nor dispel any poison."

"Hmph! Maybe she was lying about that man being stabbed with it. How else would there be nothing to purify inside his body."

"No. Emelie’s not lying." Diana defended her. "I was there. And although I didn’t witness him being stabbed, the aftereffects of the poison were most certainly present. I also might have an idea as to how he is alright..."

"Oh, care to tell, Diana~" Christy skipped and kneeled next to her.

"Honestly, I’d rather take him somewhere safe right now. If he wants to, he can explain it to you once he wakes up."

"Hmm? Oh! Ahh. Does this have something to do with his skill? If that’s the case, I understand the secrecy. I won’t ask you any more questions then."

"Thank you, Christy. About the price I must pay..."

"You don’t have to worry about that. There was nothing serious about him that required the assistance of holy magic. Just a small healing spell to close his scars and stop the bleeding." She winked at Diana.

"I see." She looked down and touched his cheek. His skin had returned back to its natural complexion and he was now resting easily. "Can I leave Princess Kiana in your capable hands? I soothed and stopped her mana veins from going out of control for now, but it would be better if she had someone like you to treat her."

"Of course!" Christy jumped up and knelt beside Kiana, "I’ll even put it on Maxy’s tab hehehe. In return, I expect you to spill all the beans as to why you’re going through such lengths for him."

"Hehe, sure." She held Kurt in her chest and said her farewells. "Christy, Madam Gloria, until next time."

"Bye bye, Diana!"

"May Goddess Bula watch over you both." The old lady, now known as Gloria, gave her a respectful bow and said her farewells.

SHWOOSH

.

..

...

Although there was still light outside, the street lamps flicked on when the clock tower in the distance struck 6:00pm. The skies were gray and small drizzles of rain hit Emelie’s head as she walked back to the hotel from the church.

’Great. Nothing seems to be going the way I had hoped for today...’

The rain was light, a subtle, cold mist crept along the streets which only served as fuel to remind her of what happened. Rain drops clung to everything it touched, but Emelie’s exhaustion was heavier than anything that would drag and slow her down.

Each step was a conscious effort to fight against fatigue that was more than just physical. Thankfully, her body knew the ins and outs of Eldoria, as it was moving on autopilot to take her through any shortcuts and alleyways, all to get to her destination quicker.

After walking for a while, the rain really began to pour when a familiar street came into view as she turned the corner. And to her left was Sophie’s Diner, where she and Kurt were supposed to have dinner.

’... Haaaaa. Guess I’m skipping dinner tonight. What a pain...’ After staring at the diner for a good second, Emelie walked the final stretch of street where finally the City View Hotel came into view.

She was about to open the door when a soft voice whispered to her right, "What are you doing here?"

"Hmm? Amy?" Emelie slowly turned her head and saw her best friend completely soaked to the brim as she was standing out in the open rain.

"Why’re you standing out here? Do you want to catch a cold?"

"I asked you a question first, Emy. What are you doing here?"

"... I’m staying here for the week."

"But you told me you were going to your family’s estate."

"... Sorry. I lied."

...

The two of them just stared at each other as the rain kept pouring on them. They were waiting to see who would speak first, when finally,

"... A-Are you staying here because Kurt stays here?" Amy hesitantly asked her.

"... Yes."

"But why? Why would you lie to me about this? You’re always telling me to forget about him and move on. Meanwhile you’re out here sneaking behind my back and staying in the same building as him."

"Heh, we’re basically neighbours too."

"Why’re you laughing? Is this a joke to you?"

"N-No, sorry. I’m just... really tired. Look, I can’t tell you why but let’s just say we’re both helping one another out."

"Helping?..... Emy, did you know that Kurt and the principal are dating."

"... Where did you learn of that?"

"So you did know... W-Why didn’t you tell me?"

"... I just found out myself not too long ago, but since then I’ve been too busy with other things. Didn’t really get the chance to."

"Too busy going out with Kurt behind everyone’s back?"

"... What?"

"Gary told me everything."

’Gary, again?’ "Amy, I think you’re misunderstanding something. Kurt and I aren’t–" Emelie reached out to Amy but she swatted her hand away.

"Misunderstanding?! You lied to me so easily, and with a straight face no less! What makes you think I’d believe what you’re telling me now?!"

"A-Amy?"

"I came here to hear it from Kurt himself! I wanted to hear from him that he and my best friend aren’t in some... some... f-f-fucked up relationship! But instead, I find out that you’re staying here with him?! After you told me so many times to forget about him, you’re staying here with him?!"

"I’m telling you, you’re misunderstanding. Can I explain myself now?"

"Why?! So you can tell me more lies!?"

".... I’m too tired for this shit." Emelie, sensing that Amy’s emotions are too high and that she won’t listen to her, decided to turn away and enter the hotel.

"Where are you going?! Why’re you walking away from me?!"

"It’s raining. Let’s talk once you’ve calmed down." Emelie held her hands to the door handles and opened the door.

"Don’t walk away from me, Emy! Emy! Emelie–!"

Shut