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"You're a little mad today sweetheart! Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?"
The sound of blades clashing is a familiar melody for the two lovers on the battlefield. Smoke rising, dead bodies strewn around and In the midst of it, Two lone souls face against each other.
"Would you be interested in joining me for a date?" A seemingly innocent question from Joanne.
"SHUT UP!! Surrender now! ....and I'll consider it." Katarina replied.
The fight continues with vigor as the two lovers strike without mercy. Joanne let out a small yelp when the sword came a little too close to her chest. She scoffed as the other let out a satisfied huff and smirked.
"You seem distracted darling! Thinking about what we should eat for dinner perhaps?" Katarina teased with a cheeky smile.
"Isn't it you who is distracted? Striking at a woman's chest... one would think you had more class than that. Though I wouldn't blame you, focusing on a fight is pretty hard when you have me as the target." Joanne replied leisurely.
Katarina blanched with a flushed face and almost tripped on one of the dead bodies surrounding them. Embarrassed, she let out a grumble and ignored how her heart jumped at the reply. With a determined gaze, she lunged and targeted Joanne with more effort. Joanne Surlaine, A major pain in the ass for Katarina Ross for as long as she can remember. Starting from that day when the citizens of the Kingdom of Kalis decided to rebel against the corrupt royal family and formed a force to be reckoned with. Katarina is one of the strongest fighters of the rebels meanwhile the Surlaine family has been the royal guard for generations.
'How did it become like this?' Katarina reminisced. She remembers the soft touches on her back, sweet lies whispered in the dark, and the empty promises in the throes of passion. She suddenly remembered a conversation between them a long time ago.
"Rina, what will you do after this war ends?" Joanne's tender voice whispered.
"Is this an attempt to figure out the rebels' plan?" a deadpan voice answered and continued.
"This war is happening because of the corruption of the royal family in the first place. You have no right to ask me that when you're one of those guarding them." a sharp retort.
"Oh come on pretty, I meant hypothetically. Indulge me won't you? I promise you it's not about them." An oddly apologetic voice replied.
"Hmm very well, firstly I will build a beautiful house in the mountains, then I will have a pet lamb that I will cherish and maybe a child or two-" her words interrupted by a soft chuckle.
"...What? What's so funny?" flustered, Katarina asked.
"I didn't know Katarina Ross was such an adorable person. Or maybe I should've known... given how cute she is!" She explained with a teasing tone.
"Ugh, you are an embarrassing girl! Why did u ask anyway?" Katarina huffed, hiding a fond smile.
"I don't know what I'm going to do after this war ends, so I figured I'd ask you." She replied casually as if the words held no weight.
"...Then why are you still working for them? ...why won't you join me...?" Katarina replied after a long silence.
Their forehead touching, she let out an impossibly gentle smile before kissing her and said the words,
"Because I'd have to die a thousand deaths before I can do that
."
...
'How can she still smile that beautiful smile while a sword is pointed at her throat?'
"Is leaving with me that repulsive of an idea that you are willing to die for it?" Katarina's solemn voice broke the loud silence.
"Oh, Katarina Ross... having you as my executioner is a blessing for a sinner like me." She replied still smiling blissfully.
"So be it, Royal Guard Joanne Surlaine. In the name of the rebels, I sentence you to death." Katarina raised her sword aiming for her beloved's head.
"Any last words?" tears threatened to fall, but she stood firm.
"I lied about not knowing what to do after the war, I do have one thing I want to do." a soft almost timid confession.
"And what is that," Katarina asked.
"Marrying you, Katarina Ross. See you in the next life." her final words.
Silence.