THE ELDERS

THE fates held a serious discussion among them. And Joachim as one of the spectator of the debate. He wanted to laugh because of the irony of the situation. In all honesty, he wouldn't actually listen if it wasn't for one thing.


"So, what are we going to do with Adarmus?" he couldn't help himself and personally asked the question.

For someone who doesn't know him, his question might mean that he's impatient of the verdict and he wants to get his revenge in instant.

But for the fates who witnessed all of his actions before, they cursed under their breath. Saying what a lovesick fool is he.


Not this time. Joachim couldn't bear to destroy the seal the last time. It was made by a huge sacrifice. It feels wrong to wreck a delicate gift.

In the end, he had no choice but to destroy it.


He can sense malice all over his son's person. He could not set that aside. Adarmus won't be able to handle the consequences. The man's power had weakened because of his incessant use of it.

That man's time is up.

'No. Adarmus might be the greatest love of my life but that doesn't mean he's acquited from all of the mistakes he repeatedly do.'

"Adarmus, the manservant of Prince Lance asked for you to save the prince. You did. You made him your personal nanny and took his will and right to decide for himself. Do you have any explanation for this?"

Adarmus had his head lowered as if he's ashamed. Joachim longed to read his mind but he resisted. He stopped visiting his thoughts when the first time he did it, he was scared of how his mind works.

Adarmus is the most cautious person that he know. He refused to believe anyone but himself.

"Hitting two birds with one stone. I get to do what the manservant wants and I get to have my son a friend."

He learned something from the past.

That is, Adarmus can be thoroughly moronic at times. He fails to think when his emotions were involved.

He thought he knew everything solely by his own instinct. He doesn't want to trust anyone except his own judgement.

It was hard to get past his insecurities. Joachim naively thought there would be a day when he can finally crack down his heart but after the long wait, it never happened.

"You traded Joaquin's eyes in order to make the strongest array so you can seal Joachim's spirit, is that right?"

'Incredibly stupid.'

"That's right."

Joachim inhaled deeply. His jaw worked repeatedly before he was able to whisper his one word question.

"Why?"

Adarmus spun his head to Joachim's direction. He was surprised to see tears in his ocean blue eyes. "Why? Well, I hated you. I figured you wouldn't last in the urn where I left you so I have no choice but to use my son's eyes to seal you again. It worked, didn't it?"

"You... chose to harm your own son..." Joachim was left with no words.

This was not the person who was promised to him. This is not the person whom he fell in love with. The person in front of him was not the one that made him break several rules in order to bond with.

'Why did you become a monster, Adarmus?'

"Joachim, what do you think is the best punishment for him?"

Joachim closed his eyes and smiled bitterly. "Grant him a body that will never take any physical harm. Make the most beautiful cave to seal him inside for long as he live— just like what he did to me and my son's eyes. He hated seeing me, and he couldn't care more for my Joaquin. The best punishment would be giving him his greatest wish."

"Adarmus, I hope you're now happy that Joaquin and I are never going to appear in front of you again."

Joachim tried to ignore the sobs on his way out of the temple. He waited for Adarmus to open the seal on his own and admit his mistakes but he never did. The man doesn't know how to regret.

Maybe it was a mistake asking for a true love with the fates. Looks like it was not meant for him.

"ARE YOU happy now?" Adarmus grunted. He tried to control his tears but they started to pour without a hint of stopping. "You should have never tried to pair him up with me. Everything was fake, even from the start."

The Fates stared at him from the chair where they sat. "Adarmus, Joachim differed from everything that we've expected from him and you."

"What?"

"The first time you two meet should have happened two months later than Joachim did. You met earlier, and the process was not the same." The Fates hummed for a moment. "I think you misunderstood something, Adarmus."

"We didn't pick who would be Joachim's bride. His life was not included to the tapestry we are making. That makes his choices depends solely on him. We never chose who is he going to fall in love with. He has the right to choose who is it going to be. That was the request he asked to us. To let him decide who's deserving of his attention."

Adarmus stared blankly at them. He couldn't believe his ears.

"You mean..."

"It doesn't matter anymore. He had already left. You failed to trust him, even when he was willing to wait for you to open the seal. You couldn't set aside your pride to listen."

"No..." Adarmus couldn't breathe. "I hate him..."

"You can hate him all you want in your new life, Adarmus. No one's going to stop you. And no one will be able to come near you. Just how you wished your life would be peaceful."

'No... why is it like this?' Adarmus believed that Joachim is the villain of his life. He's not willing to admit that he's wrong.

He only did what he think is best for everyone.

Adarmus not only love Joachim but his son.

He wouldn't be able to see his face anymore.

Adarmus regretted not saying how much he loved him.

He loved Joaquin, in his own way.

And just like what the Fates told him not too long ago...

It doesn't matter anymore.