The Morning After the Ceremony
The room was still. Morning light crept through the cracks in the window shutters, casting golden stripes across the wooden floor. Joshua lay in his bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Across the room, Lancelot did the same.
Neither spoke. They didn't need to. The silence between them said enough.
Finally, Lancelot sat up.
"Joshua… I'm sorry. For what I did to your sister."
Joshua turned his head. "I forgave you a long time ago, Lancelot. And… I realized something."
Lancelot looked over. "What?"
Joshua slowly sat up. "I'm no different from you. I've been leading someone on. Amy."
Lancelot raised an eyebrow. "Amy? She used to hate you."
"Exactly," Joshua muttered. "But things changed. I didn't even notice her feelings until Jonathan told me… and now I can't unsee it."
"So… what are you gonna do?"
Joshua took a deep breath. "I'm going to tell her the truth. That I love Blanchette, and we can never be more than friends. It's time I stop avoiding things. Time to be a man… like you always say."
Lancelot looked away, conflicted. "You're brave. But my father..."
"No," Joshua interrupted. "It's your choice, Lancelot. Not his. If you marry Athena, that's on you. But don't pretend you don't love Merlin."
"I never said I loved her," Lancelot muttered, cheeks flushing.
Joshua gave him a hard look. "Stop lying. If you build your life on a lie, one day it'll become your cage. The first step to freedom is telling the truth to yourself."
He stood and headed for the door.
Lancelot laid back again, staring at the ceiling.
"I must stop lying to myself…"
In the hallway...
Joshua nearly collided with Amy. She stopped, blushing.
"H-Hi," she said, her voice softer than usual. "How… was your date?"
Joshua paused. She's trying to act casual. But I can see it now. Her eyes… she really does like me. How didn't I notice before?
"It was alright," he replied, forcing a small smile.
Amy's expression brightened with hope, but she looked away shyly.
"Hey," Joshua said. "Wanna go out this morning? I know a place in the slums."
Amy's heart fluttered. "Y-Yeah! Of course."
It's a date! A real one! Even if it's in the slums… he must feel more comfortable there. That makes sense.
In Amy's room...
Amy twirled in front of her mirror, holding up dress after dress. Her heart soared.
She finally settled on a sparkling blue one. Just as she slipped it on, her door creaked open.
"Dad!" she beamed. "Joshua and I are going on a date!"
Jonathan didn't smile. "What if… what if this is his way of turning you down gently?"
Amy froze. Her face fell. The color drained from her cheeks.
"Then…" she whispered. "Then I'd rather die than live without his love."
Jonathan's expression softened. He approached her slowly. "I gave him your bracelet. Maybe that's what changed his mind."
Tears welled in Amy's eyes. "Thank you, Dad. I was too scared to give it to him myself…"
She wiped her tears and turned back to the mirror. "What do you think of this dress?"
"It's beautiful," he said softly, forcing a smile. "I have to go now."
"Okay, Dad," she said, humming again, twirling once more, hope glowing in her eyes.
In the courtyard...
Joshua stood waiting, adjusting his collar when Jonathan approached. His face was tight with emotion.
"Forget what I told you last night," Jonathan said quietly. "Just… make today the best day of her life."
"I can't lie to her," Joshua said. "She deserves to know."
Jonathan stepped closer, grabbing his hand. His voice cracked. "Please. As a father… I'm begging you. Tell her tomorrow. But not today. Give her today."
Joshua hesitated, heart heavy. "…Alright. I'll tell her tomorrow."
"Promise me," Jonathan said, voice trembling. "Promise on Blanchette's life."
"Whoa... Jonathan..."
"Please."
Joshua clenched his fists. "…I promise. On Blanchette's life. I'll make today the best day of Amy's life."
Jonathan nodded. "Then put on the bracelet."
Joshua slipped it onto his wrist, eyes narrowing. Why does this feel so wrong…?
Amy walked into the courtyard, radiant in her dress. She saw her father's tearful face and Joshua beside him.
"Dad? Why are you crying?"
Joshua stepped in. "He's just emotional. His daughter's all grown up."
Jonathan nodded, forcing a chuckle. "That's right."
Amy smiled. "You look handsome today, Joshua."
"You look… beautiful," Joshua said softly. No matter how this ends, I'll keep my promise.
"Thank you, Joshua," she blushed.
Jonathan turned away, hiding the storm in his eyes. "Enjoy your date."
They walked through the slums, laughing at a cringy puppet show, dancing awkwardly to a lone violinist in a broken shack, and eating noodles from a street vendor who only served one dish.
By evening, Amy's dress was stained with dirt and sauce, but her smile never faded.
"This was… the best day of my life," Joshua said, staring into her eyes. Fake it. Keep the promise.
Amy giggled. "Mine too. Who cares about this dumb dress anyway?"
Her gaze lingered on his, warm and full of hope.
Joshua felt a chill. He forced a wink, and she blushed. Don't look away. Don't let her down…
Then, a heavy CRACK echoed.
Joshua's vision exploded in white pain as something struck the back of his head. He was thrown from his seat, crashing into the pavement. Blood flooded his eyes.
Voices. Growls.
"Amy...!"
Three werewolves surrounded her. One pulled her up roughly.
"Joshua...!" she screamed, reaching out, just before one of them bit off her hand. Blood sprayed like a fountain.
"Shut up, livestock," the first growled.
He plunged his fist through her back. Her guts spilled onto the pavement. She coughed blood, her eyes wide in agony.
"Tasty," one said, chewing her hand.
"Let me try!" the third one said, stepping closer.
Joshua's mind snapped.
Time slowed.
He launched forward like a bullet, leaping onto the third werewolf's back. With one violent jerk, he tore the creature's throat out with his bare hands. Blood sprayed across his face.
In a single motion, he twisted mid-air, grabbed the second werewolf by the head, and spun, SNAP, ripping it clean from its neck. The body collapsed as blood sprayed in arcs across the alley.
The first werewolf, trembling, dropped Amy.
"I... I'm sorry..." he stammered.
Joshua hurled the decapitated head like a missile... smashing it into the werewolf's face. The impact shattered both skulls into pulp, brains and flesh raining across the street.
Covered in blood, Joshua fell to his knees, dragging Amy to the wall. Her body trembled, barely clinging to life.
"I… love you, Joshua…" she whispered. "Kiss me…"
He trembled. "I… I love you too…"
No. Not like this. But I promised. I have to… I have to give her that moment. Just once. Kiss her like I'd kiss Blanchette.
In his mind, Amy faded. Blanchette's face appeared.
He leaned in, caressed her cheek, and kissed her with everything he had left.
When he pulled back, Amy was smiling.
But her eyes were empty.
Lifeless.
Joshua stared at the sky, blood pouring from his head, his body shaking.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhh...!"
The scream tore through the slums, raw and full of soul-rending pain, before he collapsed beside her.
Later…
Jonathan landed beside them, cloak billowing. He picked up Amy's body and cradled Joshua in his other arm.
Tears slid down his face as he looked at her ruined body.
"At least… she died happy," he whispered. "Thank you, Joshua."
He turned and vanished into the night, returning them to Kaizer's noble house.