Ceres

102

Gil and Ceres talked a bit before the latter started heading out once again.

Ceres tried to explore the city on her own. She went to different parts of the city incognito; not because she was enjoying it but rather, she was feeling something different.

While the competitions were ongoing, Ceres watched the arena battles and even sometimes, the other events. However, from time to time, she would escape and head out to the city.

She kept on looking around; watching everyone do their own thing and watching everyone as they passed by her.

This city doesn't feel nostalgic to me at all. Is it because 'Ceres' didn't spend time roaming around this city?

She posed as a normal citizen; eating in stalls or restaurants, looking at the different shops, asking other people for trivial things and so on. Yet, she is still bothered by something.

This was not her world. This was Ceres' world. And, even if that is the case, she shouldn't be bothered at all. Yet...

Why do I suddenly feel lonely?

Then, she remembered that one time when she encountered Lucas in the streets; on that first day of the competitions. Her heart started aching once more coupled by her head aching, too.

Memories started rushing once again in her mind. Those memories were not new. She has seen them before. Those were all memories about Ceres and Lucas being together; two children playing, laughing, talking, eating, and enjoying each other's company.

This... Is definitely not mine, right?

Ceres knelt on the ground and the people started noticing her. Some were gossiping while some were inquiring if she's fine. When a random person was about to touch her shoulder, Ceres immediately ran. She ran away from that place and looked for some place safe

While fighting about her losing consciousness and looking first for a safe place, Ceres suddenly passed out.

---

Ceres slowly opened her eyes. When she regained consciousness, she immediately stood up and looked the person in front of her.

"Gil...?"

Ceres saw that Gil was quietly kneeling in front of her. But, aside from that, a person was sitting in a table not so far away from them and was drinking something from a cup. This person was dressed in white scholarly clothes and emits an aura of gentleness in him. This person was none other than Roven, the Child of Light from the Holy Cross Church.

Ceres immediately looked around and knew that she was in a room somewhere in an inn within the city.

"How are you feeling?"

It was Roven who broke the silence among them. He smiled at Ceres but the latter ignored him and continued to look at Gil.

"What happened?"

Ceres knew that she passed out but after that, she of course doesn't what what happened.

Gil continued kneeling on the floor.

"I was careless and wasn't able to come to your aid. Please punish me, princess!"

"That's enough!"

Ceres wanted Gil to stop what he was saying because there was another person in the room aside from them.

"But—"

Because Gil was about to retort once again, Ceres reprimanded him through telepathy.

Stop that already. It's not your fault. Get up and don't kneel in front of me ever again.

Gil didn't immediately stand up but it was obvious that they were talking through telepathy.

This piqued Roven's interest because he knew that people who could communicate through their minds have high magic levels.

When Gil reluctantly stood up, Ceres turned to face Roven and bowed to him.

"I sincerely thank you for your help."

"No worries. I was coincidentally the person you bumped into before you passed out so I helped you in the end. However, please don't be rash with your subordinate. He was really worried for you and wouldn't leave you alone. If he could only approach you, I think that he would have left me alone already."

Ceres stared at Roven. Those eyes contain nothing but blankness. However, deep inside, Ceres was wary of Roven. She knew that the mysterious person placed a spell on her that prevents people, particularly men, from approaching her. However, if what this person said was true then, doesn't that mean that the spell couldn't affect him?

Ceres doubted that Roven was stronger than the mysterious person but she also kept in mind that there was something amiss with Roven.

"I will remember your words."

Roven suddenly stood up.

"I need to go because some people will start to look for me. I hope you take care of yourself from now on."

Roven started walking towards the door.

"And, I hope we may be able to cross paths once again."

Then, he left, leaving Ceres and Gil in the room alone.

As soon as Roven left, Gil knelt on the floor once again.

"Princess, I ought to be punished. Please."

Ceres looked at Gil once more and furrowed her brows.

"I told you to stop that already. It's not your fault."

Ceres doesn't want Gil to blame himself. If there is someone she should blame, it is only herself. Ceres knew that she was still weak. Even though her magic skills were proven to be exceptional, it's nothing in the midst of her transmigration problem.

"I know that you may be punished by that person but I don't want that to happen so don't inform him about this thing."

Gil gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"If you will not stand up and go back to your usual self, I will personally harm myself."

"But—"

"No buts. This is something I brought upon myself."

Ceres was a cold-hearted person but she clearly thinks differently about Gil and those other people she has been familiar with.

In this life, she was still cold-hearted but it was gradually fading... And she, herself, doesn't notice it. -tbc