CHAPTER 41: I NEED YOU

I immediately let go of her hands, mortified. "Oh my goodness. Ma’am, I am so sorry. I didn’t–"

"Come now, Lloyd. Meet me outside. I don’t need you harassing any more of the women in here."

"Y-yeah. I’ll meet you there."

With that, Isobel left the library, leaving me alone with the woman I’d unfortunately just... ugh.

"She’s angry at me, ma’am. She uses illusion magic. I swear I thought she was her."

The woman blessedly laughed. "Oh, don’t mind me, dear. I’ve been young once, too. Raking men through the coals is something all fiery young women get a kick out of! Don’t take it to heart. She still loves you."

"I hope so," I mused absently. I rose from my seat. "Thanks for that. And again, I am so sorry."

"Water under the bridge." She smiled, a glint of something fiery in her eyes. "Though, if she ever does push things too far, be sure to find me, okay? I’m always here in the library. I’d love to listen to you vent about your troubles over at my house." She bit her lip. "We could talk for as long as you need to."

"I... uh..." I stammered, forcing a smile to my face. "Duly noted. See you around...!"

***

I saw Isobel standing by the Paladin statue the moment I left the library. The moment we made eye contact, she burst out into laughter. Perhaps under any other circumstances, I would’ve joined her. Not this time, though. Sure, her laugh was cute, but... not this time.

"You didn’t have to take things that far, Isobel," I said as I approached her.

"Considering you and Lyra were conspiring to kill me, I’d say some light embarrassment is comparably quite tame."

"Isobel, I don’t want to kill you. Please understand that."

Isobel’s laughter subsided. She continued to smile, but her voice betrayed her face’s calm. "What is there to understand then, Lloyd? I’m quite sure of what I heard. Lyra said that she’d kill me, as she apparently has done in the past. I’ll have you know I am very much alive, Lloyd May. What could she possibly be talking about?"

I looked around, unwilling to talk about this in a place where we could be overheard. "Can we go somewhere else and talk about this...?"

"Go somewhere secluded with the man conspiring to kill me? Perhaps I pulled off the ignorant act a bit too well if you think I’m foolish enough to do that."

"I told you I don’t want to–..." I buried my head in my hands. "I’ll explain everything to you, Isobel, but I’m going to sound like I’m insane. I understand if you think I am, but understand that everything I’m about to tell you is the complete, unfiltered truth."

Isobel stiffened. "That’s what I’ve been waiting for. No more of this ’trust me’ nonsense. Besides, you’d be surprised what I’m willing to believe."

And so, I explained everything. About my past, the Demon Lord, time travel, and Isobel’s fate as the Demon Queen. I left no stone unturned, allowing her to ask any question she had. This went on for hours. So long that we’d ended up stopping by the Rogue and Ranger cafe to eat, only to return to the bench outside of the library and continue the conversation. By the time I’d finished, the sun was starting to set, and, just like the day we’d met, I’d begun to walk Isobel to her House, arm-in-arm.

"You mentioned early on that your goal was to use House Greaves to build an army. That army was meant to take down the Demon Lord? The Demon Lord of Rushela?" She paused. "The very one I pledge allegiance to...?"

I nodded grimly. "The very same."

"And what was the name of my House?"

"That’s the part you’re concerned about?"

"It’s very important, Lloyd. Please tell me, and do not lie."

"House of the Unblinking Eye. After the Demon Lord turns you into the Demon Queen, he allows you to build the ruins of House Greaves into it. It becomes the strongest House in Aspia, and you use it to take the Amelian Continent over within your first year as its leader."

Isobel and I were on that farm path leading to House Greaves. During my entire story, she’d been attentive, allowing me to speak with only minimal interruption for questions. Now, though, was different. She looked visibly pained, squeezing my arm and shaking like she’d seen a ghost. I instinctively stopped to hug her, which she surprisingly let me do. Isobel leaned into me, still shaking, even as I held her tight.

"I’m sorry, Isobel. I shouldn’t have told you–"

"No, Lloyd. Don’t say that. I’m glad you were honest with me. That’s all I wanted. I know that’s hypocritical coming from me, and I will explain myself, but please... don’t feel guilt for being honest with me."

She didn’t speak for a long time, and I didn’t pressure her too. When she spoke again, her voice was shaky and desperate.

"I don’t know what the Isobel of your time was thinking, so I cannot speak on her behalf. The one in your arms, however, would never stoop to such... depths..." She held me tighter. "You have to believe me when I tell you my intentions for you two weren’t malicious. In truth, my intentions were to buy House Greaves from you two, then hire you both as my Paladin and Instructor. I figured you were strong enough to take the Paladin role, and Lyra is a decent enough teacher with enough of an attitude to be a disciplinarian. When we went on a Quest together, though, I knew that wasn’t an option. I may be strong, but I’m no Adventurer. I... I wouldn’t have been able to make the money in time to go through with my plan. So, I wanted to delay things as much as possible to figure something out, but... I just... couldn’t think of anything. And that was when it hit me: there was nothing I could do. If I voided the Contract, I’d inconvenience my family, and I’d lose you two as friends. I... I had to be rid of House Greaves. It was over."

"I didn’t know you were still trying to keep the House," I said, tone soft.

The dam broke. "It’s mine! It’s where I grew up! It’s been passed down for generations! I don’t want to lose it! I can’t just give up on it! I can’t fail House Greaves. I’m all it has left!"

I held Isobel as she wept into my chest, gently caressing her back for comfort. "You’re not alone, though, Isobel. You don’t have to leave the House behind." I pulled her away a bit, looking her in the eyes. "I don’t want to live there if you aren’t there with me, Isobel. House Greaves isn’t just yours now. It’s ours. At least, I want it to be."

"I’d love that, Lloyd May. I... I can’t do this alone anymore. I need you."

I leaned forward, resting my hands on her waist as I pulled her into a kiss. Isobel leaned into it, resting her arms on my shoulders as our lips pressed together. She pulled away slightly, still close enough for our foreheads to touch, filling my nose with the lavender patchouli that I craved.

"I love you, Lloyd."

I kissed Isobel once again, losing myself in her lips. Her arms. Her scent. Her everything.

"I love you too, Isobel. I love you so very much. I can’t stand the thought of not being there to comfort you. Please forgive me for yesterday."

"I– mmph!" Isobel started, interrupted by a kiss. She laughed softly. "I do, Lloyd. I do. You don’t have to look so– mmph!"

I kissed her once again, pulling her in close, drinking in her essence. It wasn’t enough to kiss her. To feel the sensation of her lips on mine. I wanted so much more of Isobel. I needed more. Craved more. My lips traveled from hers to her cheek, then down to her neck.

"L-Lloyd~..." Isobel moaned softly, grabbing a scruff of my hair as she pulled my head closer to it.

"I need you, Isobel," I panted, lust and love combining into something bordering on feral. "I need you right now."

Isobel leaned forward, whispering into my ear. "Then have me, Lloyd May."