The Royal Mark-Chapter 32: My Home
Volume 2 - Vectus Mundus - Zemaria
Elsa rose to her feet with a fiery determination, removing the cloak that Chris had placed on her as she advanced toward him. He retreated step by step, his retreat only coming to an abrupt halt when he found himself backed against a tree.
With unrelenting fury, Elsa repeatedly struck Chris’ chest with clenched fists, her cries of "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" echoing through the air. Her tears flowed endlessly, a torrent of emotion.
Chris stood still, absorbing every blow, letting her unleash her anger upon him. Eventually, as Elsa’s energy waned, she slumped back to the ground, her tears continuing to flow like a never-ending stream.
Nuri retrieved the discarded cloak and handed it to Chris. He knelt down, gently draping it over Elsa once more. This time, she didn’t resist, continuing to sob as Chris offered a comforting touch to her shoulders.
She covered her face with both hands, crying even more.
Chris couldn’t bear to see his mate in such mourning, and so he took a chance, gently drawing Elsa into his embrace. To his surprise, she offered no resistance, allowing him to hold her.
"I’m deeply sorry, princess," Chris murmured, his voice tender and understanding. "Your father made a difficult choice. He wanted to protect you, and I understand the consequences of opening a portal like that because I’ve witnessed it before. He knew as well, which is why he sacrificed himself; it was the best he could do for you at that moment."
Elsa slowly wrapped her arms around Chris’ neck, embracing him. "I understand that," she replied softly, her voice loaded with emotions. "But I’m still angry with you for not attempting to bring him with us. I hate you, Chris! I hate you!" She held him tighter, tears continuing to flow.
In the past two days, she had lost count of the tears she shed, as if her sorrow knew no bounds. Her heart ached, and her head throbbed, yet her tears showed no sign of stopping.
She doesn’t know where they are and if what she had glimpsed in Chris’ memories was indeed true, then she was no longer in her own world but in his. The thought intensified her heartache. She had left everything behind—her father, her friends, her possessions, her career, her patients. Everything she cherished and had worked so hard for was now gone.
But then she remembered what Ambros said to Chris... ’Take her home’, but where is home?
"Poor dear, I have never seen our girl cry like that since her mom passed away," Ciel commented.
"Should we do something to make her stop crying? Her sobs are making me want to cry too!" Nile said.
"How about we all hug her so she will feel a little better?" Gaia asked.
"Can we all do that later? I’m hungry!" Nuri said.
"Nuri!!!" Ciel, Niel, and Gaia exclaimed.
"What? Can’t I be hungry? Fighting those demons made my stomach growl, not my fault! I’m just–"
Elsa ceased her tears and distanced herself from Chris’ embrace upon hearing other voices near them, "OH MY GOD! All of you can talk?" she exclaimed with great astonishment, her eyes nearly bulging in shock.
"Oh, my goodness! She can finally hear us!" Gaia leaped with delight, and Ciel promptly approached Elsa.
"Yes, we’ve been able to speak from the very start. It’s just that you couldn’t hear us, perhaps due to your weakened powers in Novus and your mother suppressing your memories," Ciel explained.
Elsa let out a sigh and used both hands to wipe her face. "I am truly an orphan now," she said with a heavy heart. "My mom and dad are no longer here. I didn’t even realize it until today, but now it’s confirmed. I am surely alone, I have no one."
"You have us..." Nile said before licking a lone tear that fell from Elsa’s eye.
"But you are part of me–"
"You have me, princess. And I promise to never leave you alone until I die. I will be by your side... always..." Chris affirmed, getting Elsa’s attention.
"I am still angry at you, so don’t talk to me. I don’t want to hear your voice. And I don’t want to see your h-han... f-face." Elsa said while glaring at Chris. ’I almost said handsome, what is wrong with me?’ she thought.
Chris bit his lip trying to hide his smile. ’You’re angry but still, you hugged me. You won’t be able to resist me. You’ll come running to my arms again sooner or later,’ he thought inwardly. He would never dare say it in Elsa’s face for he doesn’t want to infuriate her any further.
Elsa stood up and surveyed their surroundings, which were filled with an abundance of trees. Just like Chris, she couldn’t help but notice the unfamiliar season in this place, confirming they were no longer in her own world. She recalled that her world had either been in the midst of summer in the southern regions or engulfed in winter in the north.
"Where are we?" Elsa inquired of Ciel, completely ignoring Chris. A chill breeze swept through, causing Elsa to shiver. She clutched Chris’ cloak tightly and noticed that he was fixedly gazing at her. She rolled her eyes at him before turning her attention back to Ciel, who took a moment to sniff the air and examine the ground. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
"We’re no longer in Novus. This could very well be Vectus, just like your mother used to tell you about when you were a child," Ciel explained.
Elsa looked at her dogs, they were calm and dirty. They bore bloodstains and dirt on their fur, evidence of their recent fight.
"We should all freshen up first. All of us reeks of blood," Elsa remarked before turning to Nile. "Can you find any water source nearby?"
"I believe I can. Coming here feels like a rebirth, doesn’t it, girls?" Nile responded, and the three dogs nodded in agreement.
"What do you mean?" Elsa inquired with curiosity.
"It’s as if our powers have been enhanced as if there were limitations before, and now there aren’t," Ciel explained.
"That’s the effect of being in Vectus Mundus, where magic knows no bounds, no restrictions, and unlimited," Chris added.
Elsa gazed into the distance and whispered, "Vectus Mundus... My mom said this was her home... my home. But she also mentioned that it wasn’t my dad’s home. I wonder where he’s from..."
