To block out the Red
With all that we've said
You'd think we'd all be haunted.
But we do our best dance,
with a drink in our hands.
This is all we've ever wanted!
Lines from a popular drinking song post-Red Death
--------------
"Nothing is wrong, Artero."
Elise's tone suggested the opposite.
Artero looked towards Gwynevere, who seemed to already be in a deep sleep.
"Let's talk outside."
Elise nodded but stopped him at the door.
"Actually... Can I walk you back to your home instead?"
Artero blinked.
"If... you want."
On the walk back to the main manor, no words were exchanged between them. All the things Elise wanted to say were suddenly forgotten, or too difficult to say.
"I had a nice time with everyone today," Artero said softly after some time.
"It was fun," Elise said awkwardly.
This didn't seem to continue the conversation. They strolled through the gardens next to one another, just as they've done hundreds of times before. She suddenly found herself reminiscing about those times. The simple strolls as she looked upon the flower fields that went on as far as the eye could see.
She knew having all these flowers was impractical, especially in these times. But the Kosmairians were stubborn. They had to bring the flowers with them during every relocation. And at this moment, Elise was glad they did.
They reached the front door, Artero raised a hand, and the guards dismissed themselves.
It somehow felt more crowded and uncomfortable after they left.
When they were alone, neither person spoke nor showed any real interest in doing so.
Alcohol plus fond memories are always a deadly combination.
A sinking feeling brewed in both of their stomachs.
Elise stood in the moonlight, her kimono sparkling a radiant white. After several attempts at saying something, but nothing emerging from her lips, Artero finally spoke.
"Goodnight, Elise."
"Arty..."
She trailed off, the one word desperately uttered.
He hated that she still called him that. They weren't together anymore. The constant reminder of what they were made his heart feel as though it was being torn out and stomped on.
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" His tone was more frustrated than furious. "We are no longer together, Elise. You already won tonight. Must you insist on breaking my heart over and over?"
"It's not that..." Elise said quietly, shrinking.
"What is it then, Elise? Have you become some sort of sadist? Do you intend on hurting Gwyn as you hurt me?"
"I don't!"
She reached out for him, but he stepped away from her.
He crossed his arms.
"What is it then?"
"You know why we broke up... right?" Elise asked, her confidence wavering.
"I don't know if I can have this conversation again."
His voice broke, but he cleared his throat to mask the pain.
"No... it's... I didn't think we'd be interacting. I thought it would be better if you hated me. Saw me as the selfish ex-girlfriend so you could move on. So I had to lie to you."
"Lie about what?" His heart sank. "You seem to be full of lies, Elise."
"I did it to protect you, I didn't want—"
"You didn't want what?"
"For you to react like this!"
She became frustrated and backed away from him.
"You ended our relationship right before our anniversary, and how do you expect me to react? I love you, Elise." He paused. "Loved... I'm sorry, I meant—"
Tears clouded her vision.
"I know what you meant." She let out a long breath, trying to calm her emotions. "The real reason we broke up wasn't because of what I told you. That you were obsessed with school, that we were growing apart. That wasn't entirely truthful."
She wiped a tear from her eye and, in the process, smeared her makeup.
"What was it then?"
The Kosmairian Prince's heart was breaking, but he couldn't let her get to him.
Not again.
"My power. You know how it works, right?"
"You mind control people. Make them do as you please."
Elise shook her head, sniffling.
"No. I can't, Arty. I can't make people do whatever I want. Do you think I'd be banished to the Glided Towers if that was the case?"
Artero swallowed hard. He had never considered that if Elise could make others do whatever she wants, why would she live an exiled life?
"I..." He shook his head. "I'm assuming you wanted to tell me. So what is it?"
She took a deep breath, then exhaled.
"My power can only make people do what they were already planning on doing."
He blinked, then tried to parse what she meant. He came to no conclusion that made sense.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Every time we were with one another. I would have a great time, but... I would use my power on you, just to see what your true desire was." She wiped another tear away. "Just once... Just one singular time, it would have been nice if you wanted to stay with me. Every time I used my power on you... you'd want to be somewhere else, doing something else." She took a deep breath to calm down. "It was never me, Arty... Not once."
The edges of his vision became blurry.
"What are you saying...?"
"I... I know it's not fair... although your actions expressed interest in me, your true desire was to be with your family, to study magic, to help with the war." And she shakes her hands defensively. "T-those aren't bad things! Admirable, even." She looked away. "But I wasn't going to be the one to hold you back... I loved you, Arty. I loved you so much I knew you'd be happier without me."
Artero stood silently, fighting his tears, his frustration.
He now questioned everything he ever knew. He thought back to every date they had. Every moment they were together. Had he really been fully present for Elise? Had he been as good a partner as he thought he was? Was she actually holding him back? Was it all his fault?
The questions looped as they stood in the silvery moonlight; the insects chirped around them.
He lifted his gaze, and there she was, radiant as the day he met her. Her messy pink hair was tugged at by the wind. Her hands fidgeted with themselves.
Every feeling of longing, desire, and want was replaced with guilt. Guilt for not doing enough. Guilt for not being there for his partner, or truly wanting to be with her.
Now that she was gone and with someone else, he realized his error.
But before he could say anything, Elise spoke first.
"Goodnight, Artero. I'll see you—"
But she didn't finish her sentence.
He lifted his gaze, and their eyes met.
"Goodnight, Elise."
He stepped within the manor, alone and heartbroken all over again.