The Saint Who Healed Everyone and the Knight She Couldn't novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: Which World

Yui did not answer the Queen at once.

She walked out of the council room and down the stairs and across the yard, and her feet took her to the tower, as they always did.

The door was open.

Brunhild was sitting on the cot with a canvas pack between her knees and her sword across her lap.

She had been oiling the sword.

On the floor lay a folded winter cloak, two shirts, and a tin box of beeswax salve.

"That's my salve," Yui said.

"I know. I was going to ask first."

"You're packing."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"The Queen told me what she meant to offer you." Brunhild did not look up. "She told me last night, before the trial. She said I would want to know."

Yui stood in the doorway with her heart beating very hard.

"And?"

"And if the circle takes one, it takes two. I asked Greta to read the old Court Mage's notes. There is room for a second traveller. I would not be useful in your country. I cannot read a sign. I cannot cook rice." For the first time her voice faltered. "But I can learn. I would stand at a hospital door with a sword if that is all they let me do."

"Brunhild."

"I will not ask you to stay for me."

"Brunhild."

"I will not." She put the sword down very carefully. "I have taken things from you for a month. Your sleep, your hands, your light. I do not have the right to ask for anything more. If you wish to go home, I will follow you, and if you wish me not to follow you, I will wait at the circle until you are gone, and then I will come back and run the Shield."

Yui crossed the room and sat down on the cot and took the sword off her lap and set it on the floor.

Then she took Brunhild's face in both hands.

"Listen," she said. "Look at me."

Grey eyes met hers.

"I miss my mother," Yui said. "I miss the hospital, and the vending machine on the fourth floor, and the dumb songs my ward plays at three in the morning. I cry about it sometimes, in the supply room, when you think I'm counting bandages."

← Chapter 22 · All chapters · Chapter 24 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend