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Purple hues found their way back to the still form on the neighbouring bed, sadness replacing the anger that had been there just moments ago. Everything about this entire situation; from Francis’ casual disregard, to the fact that the still form had once been alive with a passion that could rival any living being, was wrong. The form, who was his partner, should be lively and awake, her eyes filled with fury as she told him off for his idiocy. His partner, who had remained by his side during the attack on the Zelda should be awake and carrying out her duties to the Guild in order to support her family back home. She should be the one awake in the sick bay, while he should be where she currently lay.
All of this was wrong.
Being the elder of the pair, as well as serving as her superior (though some days this was debatable, given how capable she was of leading their various missions and taking charge while he hung back), he saw it as his duty to protect her. Not only that, but in the time they spent working together, he developed a fondness that quickly escalated into something he never saw coming. This newfound feeling, added onto his sense of duty, was yet another reason he felt compelled to protect her. He was the one responsible for their failed mission. He was the one who used his ability to shield her from the trap set up by the bomber. He was the one responsible to keep her, and the rest safe when the assassin came to claim their lives.
He was the one supposed to protect, yet he was the one protected in the end. Margaret had sacrificed it all; her family, her family’s reputation, a shot at living a long life ahead of her filled with as much happiness and love as she desired. She sacrificed it all to save him, and without a second thought or expecting anything in return.
It was all so wrong.
As these thoughts began to circle themselves around in his mind, a question soon spawned from them: Why had she done it? What purpose did it serve her to sacrifice her life and everything she fought so hard to obtain for someone like himself? He was hardly worthy of such a thing, for he knew deep down how detestable he actually was. Her sacrifice was, in all honesty, wasted on him. The sacrifice made little sense, and as the days began to pass, he was no closer to understanding it.
However, there was one thing he understood: This whole situation was wrong, and this wrong needed to be made right.
As he donned his clerical attire, purple hues took one last look at the woman on the bed. He swore at the moment to fix the wrong that stood before him, no matter the cost. A sacrifice such as hers was not something that should be ignored, nor should it be left to waste. It deserved a proper response, much like his commitment to the Lord after learning of the sacrifice his Son had made on the cross.
Her sacrifice would not be in vain. She would live to rise from her bed and walk again, donning a smile that would make any heart, especially his own, flutter. She would wake and be able to reclaim her family’s reputation. Above all else, she would be happy and live her life to the fullest.
He would make certain of this, and would do so regardless of the cost.
When he had met the leader of the Rats, Nathaniel knew there would be no going back. By forming an alliance with him and revealing the secrets of the Guild, there would be no way for him to return to Francis’ good graces. By making this move, he had effectively betrayed the only place he could call home, and with it any chance of seeing Margaret again.
Yet, if he did not go forward, she would remain comatose. He could not trust Francis to bring her back, which left him with little choice in the matter. He had to follow through with this; her happiness and well being were on the line, and he was not going to let anything stand in his way.
She would awaken. She would be happy. She would live life, even if it meant he were no longer in it.
He would repay her sacrifice the only way he could; he would sell his soul and everything he had. He would offer up himself, much like how she had done while expecting nothing from her in return.
For her, his beloved lady, he would do anything.