Waking

Earnest felt like time had frozen. He could only stare as Rosalind spoke in a weak voice, barely louder than a whisper.

“...Earnest?”

It was Rosalind. The real Rosalind.

“Rosalind? Are you okay? How do you feel?”

Rosalind paused for a second, before giving a response in a dry voice.

“Thirsty as hell… Hungry as hell… and sore too… So yeah, I feel great.”

Rosalind gave Earnest the slightest little smile and that was all that it took to melt him. He crouched down to the bed and hugged Rosalind, holding her close as tears streamed down his cheeks. It felt like all the worry and pain over the past few days… no, over the past few months ever since Rosalind’s letters stopped arriving… Earnest felt all of it pouring out of him. All the negative thoughts that he pushed down and resisted… it was finally over…

“Rosalind… you’re back…”

“Yeah, I’m back.”

As much as Earnest wanted to keep hugging Rosalind until the end of time, he could tell that she was in need of food and water. Earnest carefully let her go, and saw that Rosalind had let out some tears of her own. He wiped the wet streaks from his own face and gathered himself.

“Stay right there, I’ll get something to eat and drink.”

Earnest left the bedside and turned towards the door, where he saw Coltia and Alesia looking through the open doorway that he forgot to close in his earlier haste. Coltia spoke to Earnest as he approached.

“Don’t mind us~ We didn’t want to interrupt you two~ Such a beautiful reunion~ Don’t worry we’ll take over for now. Alesia will take a look at Rosalind’s condition, and I’ll answer any questions that she has.”

Earnest gave a quick thanks to his reliable comrades before going downstairs and placing a breakfast order. The food would take a little time, but he could at least bring back a drink first, so he asked for water and brought it upstairs. He returned to Rosalind’s room, finding her still laying in the bed as Alesia checked over her body, while listening to Coltia explain the details of the possession spell. Rosalind sat up in bed as Earnest offered her the pint of water he brought, immediately draining the entire mug. Earnest asked if she wanted more, but Rosalind said that she was fine for now.

Earnest stayed for a few minutes, sitting next to Rosalind on the bed while listening along as Coltia explained the lasting effects of the spell. Rosalind discretely moved her hand over to his, surprising him as she interlocked fingers. Earnest quickly glanced at her, seeing that she kept her expression mostly the same, except for the smallest barely noticeable smile. Earnest looked back to Coltia, who hadn’t stopped her explanation, but gave him a look that told him that she noticed what was going on.

After he guessed that the innkeeper had enough time to finish preparing Rosalind’s order, Earnest gave Rosalind’s hand a little squeeze. She seemed to understand, as she regretfully let go. Earnest left and went downstairs to check, and the innkeeper let him know that the food would be ready in just a moment. True to her word, the innkeeper soon brought the meal out and Earnest quickly brought it upstairs. She immediately tore into her breakfast while Earnest sat next to her and watched. Coltia continued her explanation as Rosalind ate, and by the time Rosalind finished her meal, Coltia was explaining the black mind slime and its purpose.

“Wait, so that’s in my head right now?”

Rosalind rubbed her forehead with one hand with a concerned look on her face.

“Why yes, it is~ Don’t worry though, after… hmm… let’s say a few weeks to be safe… After a few weeks, we’ll take it out and you’ll be just fine~”

Over the next few hours, Earnest, Alesia, and Cotia told Rosalind everything. The journal, the misfits, the journey to Lindow, the deception of the knights and church members, everything. There were times when the information seemed to disturb Rosalind, but she managed to keep listening and asking questions until she knew everything that had happened to her. The discussion only ended when everyone else started to feel hungry, since they hadn’t eaten yet. Earnest asked if Rosalind wanted to join them downstairs, but she declined, saying that she wanted some time alone to sort through everything she was told.

The three of them left, and discussed Rosalind’s condition over their food. Physically, she was pretty much fine, except for the hunger, thirst, and soreness from her prolonged **** period, but those issues were already being resolved easily enough. Mentally, she seemed to be doing better than expected. Maybe it was the result of Earnest controlling her during their impersonation plan in addition to the black mind slime that helped? After the three of them finished their breakfasts, they returned to Rosalind’s room to find her out of bed, standing up and stretching.

While she was alone, Rosalind thought about everything she was just told. The misfits, their betrayal, how they used her… She went through what she remembered ever since she arrived at Knottori, trying to separate what was “her” and what wasn’t. Which memories were… real? And what about the memories when Earnest was in control of her body?

All the questions made Rosalind feel restless, and she decided that sitting in bed worrying over it was doing her no good. She wanted to get up and do… something, anything! As soon as she got up, she felt her sore and stiff muscles complain, but she got to work loosening up and stretching out.

Upon discovering Rosalind out of bed and moving around, Alesia urged her to take it slow, and avoid too much physical activity. However, Rosalind argued against it.

“I’ve just had plenty of rest. I can’t just stay in bed forever. Besides, doesn’t Earnest have his exhibition match soon? I remember him writing about it in his letters. He could use a sparring partner, and Arthur only has so much energy. Earnest, why don’t you go out and start warming up, I’ll join you after I’m done stretching.”

Earnest was surprised by Rosalind’s concern for his upcoming match, but he couldn’t deny that she was correct in everything that she said. Well, Rosalind probably just wanted an excuse to go outside and move around, she was never the type to spend the day indoors after all. After Earnest left, Rosalind made sure he was out of earshot before asking Alesia for some of the libido suppression potion. She was embarrassed to admit that her body still showed certain… lasting effects that hadn’t completely returned to normal yet. Alesia obliged Rosalind’s request, and told her to stop by whenever she needed more.

Rosalind left the inn and found Earnest exercising nearby. She joined him in his exercises, shaking off the rust and clearing her mind of any concerns. It felt good to move around, to be in control again. After working up a sweat, the two of them took a break in the shade of a nearby tree. Earnest asked her some questions during their short rest, showing off his signature concern- or rather over-concern for her. Rosalind assured Earnest that everything was fine.

“I appreciate the extra concern, but you ought to worry a little about yourself Earnest. You’re gonna face a pretty tough fight soon… and I’m not talking about your exhibition match!”

Rosalind got up and grabbed two relatively long and straight tree branches off the ground, breaking off any twigs and loose bark before throwing one to Earnest. He was already on his feet as he caught it, and assumed his stance with the rudimentary training sword. Rosalind gave him only a second before she charged at him with full ****.

Many blows were exchanged between the two, most were blocked or dodged, but a few landed on Rosalind’s arms and legs, and a few on the top of Earnest’s head. It was clear that both of them were far from top shape, but through their bouts, they slowly regained their form, with Rosalind having a slight edge over Earnest.

For Earnest, Rosalind was the best training partner he could ask for. She knew him, his moves, his habits, and his mistakes, which made her a much more difficult opponent compared to any other sparring partner. Given the factors, it was understandable that Rosalind won most of their engagements, but despite this Earnest still didn’t want to lose. He still had some tricks up his sleeve.

Earnest approached Rosalind again after just taking another bonk to the head. He started off safe, only attacking with strikes that wouldn’t leave him open for counterattack, but these strikes were very predictable and easy to block. Rosalind noticed that Earnest was trying something, and played along, waiting for a mixup from the normal attacks.

The chance finally came when Earnest went for a strong overhead strike. Rosalind planned on deflecting it to the left, then striking his open side on the right, but as Earnest’s hands came down, the branch didn’t come down with it. Rosalind was caught in a moment of confusion as Earnest dove forwards, dropping his training sword and moving in for a full body tackle. Instinct made Rosalind try to pull her knee up to counter Earnest, attempting to strike him in the stomach. It would have worked, but the fatigue from the long sparring session and earlier soreness caused her leg to be a split second too slow.

Earnest put his full weight into Rosalind, sending both of them to the ground. He didn’t waste the chance, and pinned her down, just like he did when he fought the misfits. He stayed in that position, both of them panting from the physical exertion. Earnest didn’t have much energy to pin her down, but Rosalind had even less energy to resist. They were both enjoying their sparring against each other, but they both felt that their bodies were nearing their limits, and that it would soon be time to call it a day. Earnest looked Rosalind in the eyes, and she looked right back at him. It was good to have her back.

“I got you in the end Rosalind”

“Only in the end, I got you plenty of times more.”

They shared a small laugh, but Rosalind’s expression changed to something more serious.

“You know Earnest… While I was… not in control… When the misfits were… you know… When they were in control, it felt… wrong… gross… violating… I hated it.”

Earnest showed his concern on his face as he listened to Rosalind continue.

“But, when it was you… When you were the one in control, it was like you were… with me, like I wasn’t alone. You took care of me… and I felt your care for me… When you were the one… I didn’t really hate it because I could feel… warmth from you… Earnest, do you love me?”

Earnest was stunned. Of course he loved her, but he had never said it plain and out loud. He was sure Rosalind knew it too, and that she loved him back, just neither of them said it. But this was the moment to change that, he just needed the right way to say it. As he was stringing together the words in his head to properly convey his feelings to Rosalind, he felt a sudden **** rotating him. The world spun as Earnest crashed into the ground, now pinned underneath Rosalind. She had flipped him while he was distracted, and now looked down at him with a little smirk on her face.

“You don’t need to say it, I already know. I love you too Earnest.”

Rosalind lowered herself until her lips met Earnest’s, and brought him into a kiss him while he was pinned under her. Earnest returned her affection, and the both of them passionately made their love for the other known. It was Rosalind who had to break off the kiss, as her position on top of Earnest was a little strenuous given her exhaustion. She rolled off of him and laid down next to him on the ground, resting and enjoying the moment.

Both of them were totally spent from their sparring, and neither felt like moving an inch. Just staying there, laying next to each other… it was enough… It was perfect. Both of them stared up at the leaves above them, and the blue sky beyond. The only sound was the rustling of the leaves in the wind as both of them enjoyed each other’s presence, until Rosalind heard Earnest’s voice break the tranquility.

“Rosalind, I still want to say it. I love you.”

Even though Earnest tried to think of the most elegant, genuine, and beautiful way of saying it, he just couldn’t find the words, so he stopped overthinking and just let the words fall out.

“I want to be with you for the rest of my life, no matter what happens, I’ll stay with you.”

Rosalind was a little surprised by Earnest’s forwardness, but pleasantly so.

“Me too Earnest. I’d like that a lot.”

Rosalind felt like her heart was lighter than a feather. All those worries and concerns that she had earlier didn’t matter anymore. She was herself, here and now. She loved Earnest and he loved her back. Whatever had happened in the past, and whatever would happen in the future, they would have each other, and that was all that mattered.

…

Over the next few days, the both of them continued to train and spar together, steadily improving as they pushed each other to the limit. Rosalind decided that she would accompany Earnest back to the capital after he told her about his agreement with commander Roland. There was a good chance that Rosalind would join Earnest’s squad and get reassigned out of Knottori, but even if that didn’t happen, she didn’t want to stay in Knottori anyways. Sure it was peaceful and the villagers were nice, but it was too small and boring for her, not to mention it would keep her from being with Earnest. She was determined to stay with him and pursue her dreams, even if it meant leaving the knights.

Rosalind let the villagers know about her plans, and said her goodbyes. Arthur didn’t mind taking over until another knight arrived, after all he had been Knottori’s knight for the longest time. Coltia would travel with them to the capital, since she would need to remove the black mind slime from Rosalind after the prescribed two weeks had passed. Alesia would leave together with them too, but she would stop at Lindow to return to her shop. She hadn’t expected to be away for so long, and some of her regular customers were probably missing her by now.

The group stocked up on supplies and packed up their personal belongings from their inn rooms prepared to depart in the morning. Some of the villagers came to see them depart, but it was hardly a grand send-off. The group of four set off on the dirt path back to Lindow, leaving the remote village of Knottori behind them.