Chapter Text
In the sight of the last full moon, she was trapped in the worst situation of her life, convinced that letting her feet slip off the edge was the most practical solution at the time. That was going to happen until, her body already trying to climb onto the balcony ledge, a voice called for her.
“Arlecchino.”
Her eyes widened as she turned around to see Columbina standing behind her, her posture proper, the sight pure and perfect as the gentle light radiated off of her.
The two weren’t close at the time. Arlecchino tried her best to get along with her but the damsellette had always remained mysterious, not allowing anyone to see through her. That was the case until she caught the knave one step away from a bloody death. From what Bina could remember, she took a few steps closer before the knave completely broke, falling to her knees as tears dripped down her dazed eyes. She cradled her in her arms, whispering sweet nothings until Arle finally fell asleep.
But now…
Arlecchino completely depended on her for everything, obeying every order from her little dove like a slave. Bina found it a little annoying but enjoyed the control.
Columbina came back to the Zapolyarny Palace after some time of dealing with things in Nod Krai. Despite being the moon goddess there, her own selfish desire for benefits overpowered the love for her people. The kind Kuutar was just an act, and perhaps maybe her whole thing of caring for Arlecchino was the same situation with Nod Krai. Maybe behind her comforting words of “I love you” were just bullet lies coming from the gun disguised as a mouth. Maybe she was just using her.
“Bina…” Arlecchino acknowledged as she went to greet her. “You’ve been.. gone for quite a while. I wasn’t sure you’d come back.”
“You couldn’t have thought I was dead, right?” The dove’s question was followed by her childlike giggles.
“No, of.. of course not. I trust in you to keep yourself safe.”
She walked to her room to which Arlecchino followed.
“Why are you following me?”
The knave froze. “I.. I just wanted to spend time with you… We haven’t seen each other for a week, and we usually-”
“Stop it. I want to be alone.”
Arlecchino’s shoulder fell. “Yes.. of course. I’ll respect that,” she said as she turned away.
She went to her room and sat on the bed, feeling empty. Without her lover, she felt as if her life had no meaning once more. She eventually fell asleep after hours of being haunted by thoughts replaying Bina’s words over and over. She analyzed the tone each time, the level of noise coming from her lips, and thought about every word.
They were in a harbinger meeting the following morning. Apparently the Tsaritsa had important matters to discuss and trusted Pierro to inform everyone about them.
“Her majesty, the Tsaritsa has declared a new mission to be prioritized. She…”
Arlecchino tried her best to focus, but she was so tired from the little sleep she got last night. Her eyelids were dropping down and the sounds were starting to blur and…
“Knave!” Her eyes opened and she realized that Pierro was referring to her. “Knave, focus.”
She adjusted her posture again. “Yes, my apologies.”
After the meeting Columbina came up to her. “Arlecchino. Did you eat this morning?”
“Not yet. The meeting took place early, so I had to get ready and missed breakfast. What about you?”
“Same. I’m genuinely so hungry. Do you wanna go out to get food together?”
“That.. that sounds good. Very well.”
The two exited the palace, Arlecchino’s heels clinking against the slippery ice that threatened to break beneath the sharp points of gold stilettos, and Columbina’s bare feet levitated by the orb of hydro mimicking heels. How was that even possible? Perhaps when one has the power of a goddess anything is.
“My love, I’m really craving onion soup. Would you take me there?” Columbina smiled at her.
Someone who didn’t know the girl well would’ve mistaken her as sweet and innocent, like a wild pink rose with delicate petals. Oh, but that rose has thorns. Thorns that could pierce through Arlecchino, cut her up and bleed her out. The knave knew this, but love kept her from making better judgment.
“Yes. Certainly,” Arlecchino responded as she held out her hand for her little dove to take. Bina’s hands were as cold as ice and Arlecchino quickly drew her hand back from the searing pain that bursted through her skin.
“Ah!” She rubbed her hand but then froze as she realized what she had done. “Apologies, my lady. That reaction was purely from instinct.”
“Trying to break my heart, dear knave? You know better.” Her palm connected with her cheek with a quick slap, the skin quickly reddening as Arlecchino reached her hand to touch the stinging area.
“My lady.. That wasn’t necessary…”
“I know. But I wanted to do it anyway. Let’s go.”
At the restaurant, Arlecchino ordered her usual order of raw steak tartare whenever she came, while her lover ordered large steaks that came with a side of the onion soup she wanted. It was strange, despite her beastly appetite for meat, Bina had a small skinny figure. The outline of her ribs could be seen through her skin and the curve of her belly did not exceed the small mounds of her breasts.
“Has no one taught you how rude it is to stare at someone while they’re eating?” she asked as she sucked her spoon.
“I- excuse me then. You’re just so… lovely.”
“I know.” She gave a cute smile. “Consider yourself lucky you scored such a goddess.”
Afterwards, the two rode back to the palace together in the carriage, the sweet smell of wood filled their nostrils. Perhaps Columbina could be a little harsh and self-absorbed, but Arlecchino loved her dearly. Maybe tonight the dove will be a little kinder to her lover.
Back at the palace, the knave stood in her private bathtub, water cascading down her back soaking the long hair with it. Her cheek still stung and a bruise was forming. She stared mindlessly at the water going towards the drain and the door opened suddenly. It was Columbina.
“Love, hurry up. You’ve been showering for too long and I’m craving your touch.”
Arlecchino nodded and turned the water off before drying her hair and dressing in a robe. She climbed onto the bed and turned off the lamp before finally retiring for the night.
Maybe things will get better. They have to, right…?