>> Meanwhile:

I came back to my room after the conversation with Abigor. The agitated feeling still unsettling through me after she found that I lied.

“Welcome back, sir Justine...”

Bowing while standing in front of the door is Aeshma. “Yeah, I’m back...” I utter. She lifts her head up and opens the door. I came in right after as she follows me inside.

“Is something bothering you, sir Justine?”

A sudden question popped from her. I quickly turn to face her as I heard it. “Huh?” I mumbled. Aeshma quizzically gazes at me as she heard my reply.

“You seemed troubled, sir Justine. I can sense through you.”

How impressive. She knows there’s something happening to me right now. “If you want to, I can be all ears to your troubles. Though, I can’t promise to help you out. That is... if you just want to.”

“Aeshma...”

She shows eagerness to know about this thing. “Oh, I apologize if you don’t feel comfortable ‘bout it so—”

“No.” I quickly interject to her and gazes in her eyes. “You see, I told a lie to the Queen.”

Those words eloquently conveyed. My hands clenched tightly as my teeth grits. I don’t know what will happen to me to this moment. I’m sure she will get mad at me, like Abigor does.

“If it’s okay, may I know what is that you told to the Queen you feel guilt about?”

Her voice mellows my heart as I heard that response. Her expression softens as well. She offers me to sit on the bed right after before we continue our conversation.

“I told to the Queen that I’m also in love with her.”

“And you didn’t mean it?”

I nod to respond on her question. Aeshma let out a deep sigh after. “Deceiving the Queen is the last thing you should do, you know?”

I face her, as Aeshma show a grim looks on her face. “Huh?”

“You telling something important to her even if you didn’t mean it. How cruel it is, huh?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Tell that to her, that words, to the Queen.” Aeshma responded.

They have same lines as Abigor. I really am indeed in a pinch right now. “I don’t know how to. This is my first time I told a lie to someone about my feelings.”

“Then, tell her how you told it before. You don’t need to be fret about it. I mean, in your world, you told you haven’t accepted other people’s feelings. Am I right?”

I nod to her question. Aeshma smiles at me right after. “I know the Queen will get hurt if you tell her the truth. It’s part of life; it’s inevitable.”

The way how she deliberates those words made me feel at ease. “Making her believe in a lie would hurt her even more. So, I know you will do the right thing, sir Justine.”

“Yeah, I said it because I don’t want her to feel sad.” I replied.

“What do you mean?” Aeshma asked me. “Awhile ago, she asked me if I want to go back to my world.”

“And? What did you say?”

That question petrified me. I know there’s no way I can tell her my motive right now. I don’t belong here in this world. “You’re wishing to go back to your world, right?”

Before I answered, Aeshma blurt those words out. “You’re wishing to go back to your world, and forget everything...”

Her eyes glimmer as she gazes at me. It seems like she knows perfectly what I’m planning. I feel that she sees through me. And that made me reluctantly nods to give her an honest answer as I sigh.

“I see. You thought that leaving this world and going back home made you worried about her, huh?”

“It’s not that—”

“I can tell through you. Because you are bound to be the Queen’s husband. Us Demons bind in the red string of fate when we found our significant other.”

“Huh?”

Aeshma grabs my left hand and touches the pinky finger where the scarlet lining attaches. “Your world and our world are truly different. You bound to this place without you knowing, and the Queen as well. Meeting her lines through the gears of fate made by Goddess Lenir.”

Aeshma caresses my finger as she continues. “We can’t helped it if you wanted to go back to your world. You have been pushed to have this life in a blink of a moment, and made everything conflicted.”

She let go of my finger and faces me right after. “But have you ever thought about the feelings of those you will leave behind here? It’s just been a moment, but I’ve thought of serving you...”

“Aeshma...” I mumbled. Her words full of sincerity as it encompassed out. “You might think this isn’t the life suited for you, and the people here won’t love you. If you just know how much we are glad you came... because the Queen shows vigor to live.”

That thought made me awe. It’s that time I came here wherein the Queen’s still mourning from the loss of her mother. A meeting we had after she lost the person whom she dear the most.

But still, my decision is already made up. I know they will be sad once I leave here. I have my life, and my world. I have my family waiting for me.

I have someone I need to see, and tell her how much I really am sorry. I want to see those people again, once more.

“A world where Astarte isn’t around.”

That sudden thought rushed through my mind. The world where I live without her. The modern world where I can’t see that radiant smile of hers.

The world of mine, without her. And in a sudden... “Please take me with you. I’m not so sure when you want to go back... but imagining without you here by my side is something unfathomable.”

Recalling those words made my heart sting. Why? Why I feel that? What does that sting in my heart right now?

Is that the reason why I did tell that lie to her? Are those words dwelled out to me, ending up to make her believe about my feelings?

A world without her. A life without her...

No. I need to stop being naïve. I don’t belong in this world, and living a luxury life, but having threats with these people around won’t make me feel at ease.

I can’t live a fulfilling life in this world so...

“Sir Justine?” Aeshma cracked the thought rushing in my mind.

“Yes, I am planning to go back to my world.” I blurt out. She jolts out after hearing my answer, but slowly composed herself right after.

“Are you sure about that?” she asked me again. I then look at her in the eyes, as I sigh in resignation. My conviction and ideals will never settle here.

I only have one world and that’s Earth. “Yes. I know this is painful for you and for everyone... but it’s my decision. I will go back to my world.”

Aeshma didn’t respond to my words as she remains gazing at me. Heaving a deep sigh, she shows a sincere smile at me. Then, her arms open wide and suddenly embraced me tight.

“Miss Aeshma—”

“I’m happy, even for the limited time that I met you, Master. I’m glad you became my master even just for a little while, and I know this time will come.”

Her voice slightly quivers. Her embrace tightens. “Miss Aeshma—”

“Thank you. And be well. May you find the path on your way back home, wayfarer.”

She then loses her embrace at me and smiles. Tears flow down on her eyes as she cups my face. “Miss Aeshma.”

Pursing my lips, I embrace her as well. The warmth of her body lingers to me, as I close my eyes. The words she told me awhile ago were too comforting. It soothed me truly.

And I know that would be the last time I will hear it to her. “Thank you...”

Those are the words left in my mouth. Without saying anything, I bid good bye to her once and for all.