Chapter Text
Ruby had a massive headache today, along with the pins and needles feeling that pricked her every once in a while.
“Darling, are you okay? You look very pale.”
She looked at Izek who was looking down at her with concern over his face.
“…Yes…”
She felt like the room was spinning, to an extent that she was too dizzy to respond.
“Your nose is bleeding again—! Ruby—!”
‘Is it? How embarrassing…’
She could feel him shaking her and darkness swallowing her.
“Iz…”
“Once again, fate shall give you another chance.”
‘Damn you, ‘fate’. What the hell did I do this time?’
“Not you. I speak of Rudbeckia De Borgia.”
“…Am I not—? What the hell… this is so confusing.”
“No. Are you not an Omerta?”
“…Stop speaking in riddles damn it… I’m so tired…”
“Your place shall be swapped once again. Ruby Van Omerta. And as for you, Rudbeckia De Borgia, take this chance to learn from your mistakes.”
“Shut the fuck up!”
Ruby’s eyes burst open and she looked around her cold room.
‘That was a strange dream… and why is it so cold?’ She shivered.
‘Did that bitchy maid extinguish the torch yet again? No… Iz wouldn’t have allowed that to happen.’ She shook her head.
‘Why am I in this room again? I remember being in Izek’s room before…’
Ruby gasped and touched her nose. Sure enough, there was blood coating her fingers.
‘I fainted, but why hasn’t anyone treated me?’
The cold was only agitating the pain, so she got up.
‘Hopefully this time a monster doesn’t come.’
A part of her felt a little upset. Why had Izek left
her like this?
‘Surely I’m misunderstanding. Something must’ve happened and he left and my nose just started bleeding again. He wouldn’t ever do something mean like that.’
She heard a growl and turned white as a sheet.
“You again… You stay away from me… Eek!”
She shrieked as the monster approached closer. She grabbed the fire poker and waved it in the air awkwardly at it, trying to threaten it.
“B—bad monster! Stay away—!”
It knocked the poker out of her hand and she shrieked again.
The door had not burst open this time. Izek had not magically appeared and instead the monster got ready to pounce on her.
‘Shit.’
She was unsure what to do.
‘If I run for the door, will it attack me once it sees my back?!’
She panicked.
Regardless, the door seemed like the best option.
The monster, indeed, did pounce on her as soon as it saw her back. Its claws ripped through her nightgown and scratched the flesh on her back. She cried in pain.
“Izek… Help me please..!”
The beast had not been able to hurt her a second time, because like magic, her dear husband showed up.
He looked furious.
“Iz…”
He killed the monster effortlessly before glaring at Ruby.
“Do you see what happens when you do this nonsense for attention?! Look at your back!”
He grasped her by the shoulders and shook her.
“You can’t just sit quietly for one minute, can you?! You always have to cause some sort of drama.”
‘Has a switch flipped in your head? Have you gone mad?’
She started crying.
“What are you saying…? I didn’t do it…”
“Stop crying.”
She looked up and her eyes widened.
Why did his eyes look so weary?
“Your voice sounds like a banshee. Stop your acts. Or do you enjoy turning everything into a theatrical performance?”
Forget the pain on her back… her heart was breaking seeing this man.
Ruby wrapped her arms around him, and grasped onto the back of his shirt.
“What the hell are you—?”
She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Stop… ” He mumbled in sorrow.
She had seen this wounded man before.
.
.
.
“Can I ask you something?”
Izek didn’t respond. Ruby asked anyway.
“Are you the Izek from my dream?”
“…What..?”
Ruby shook her head.
“Don’t worry about it. Are you alright?”
“I really don’t understand what you’re doing this time, but shouldn’t I be asking you that?” He sighs, resigned to whatever new tricks his wife had up her sleeve.
She wiped the tears off her face.
“I'm not doing badly. Although my back hurts.”
He tsked and picked her up. He put her back on the bed and lit the fire.
“Someone will come to treat you.”
He moved to leave, but she grasped his arm.
“Won’t you stay?”
“I’m a busy man, Rudbeckia.”
“Please? Let’s talk.”
He huffs and takes a seat in the chair next to her bed.
“Fine. You can bitch all you want.”
Ruby was aware she probably looked like shit, with her bed head, blood stained face, and dirty dress, but Izek didn’t seem to mind.
“…I’m sorry, Izek.”
“For what? For causing a ruckus this early in the morning? Or for being rude to Freya? Or was it for slapping me yesterday? You’re going to have to be more specific.”
‘What was wrong with the original Rudbeckia?!’
Ruby shook her head.
“…I need to tell you something that will be hard to swallow.”
Izek raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not your wife.”
She couldn’t read the expression on his face so she began rambling.
“I mean I am your wife but I’m also not? I honestly don’t even know why I’m telling you this when I haven’t even told my own husband yet but—!”
“…You’re really not Rudbeckia?”
“…Not your Rudbeckia, no.”
She swallowed. It was hard to talk to a man who looked like her was going to cut your head off any second.
“I—I am from another life.”
“…”
“Do you believe me—?”
“Then what happened to ‘my’ wife?”
“I don’t know…”
Was he really buying this? It sounded terribly absurd, and maybe he’d think she hit her head or something, but she couldn’t stop herself from speaking further.
“You— You will kill her in the future.”
His eyes widened and he looked away, pain distorting his face.
“She— She asked you to let her die as your wife.”
“…”
“I’m not asking you to understand her absurd behavior or anything, but please realize she loves you.”
“…No…”
His shoulders began to shake.
“Izek?”
He places his head on her shoulder and shudders. She feels a wet patch start to form.
“Oh no… please don’t cry…”
Ruby could feel her heart breaking into pieces. She felt so tender towards him. Although she may not be the same soul as the original Rudbeckia, this was the same soul as her husband. She could not help but love him, despite it not being romantically. (She’d only feel that way towards her own Izek). She felt the urge to make all the sorrow wash away, but all she could do was sit still and, quite literally, be a shoulder to cry on.
She patted one hand on his broad back and carded the other through his messy silver locks. She murmured and soothed the paladin.
“Shhh… It’s okay. It’ll be okay.”
Eventually, he lifted his head up and wiped his eyes. She smiled and shifted a little, wincing when she felt the scratches burn.
“…I’m sorry.”
Ruby shook her head.
“…I will call Sergei.”
“It’s not necessary. Stay here. I’m fine.”
“Then, I will treat you myself.”
“Thank you.”
He came back after grabbing bandages and ointment. He scooped a generous amount in his fingers and rubbed his coarse fingers over the fresh wounds.
When Ruby made a soft whine in pain he grimaced.
“Deal with it.”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
“…No. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to treat a lady gently. My fingers may be pressing too hard.”
“Not at all.”
“…Is it because I’m like this that my wife suffers so much?”
“Iz, that’s not true.”
“I know she’s been struggling in this strange place away from her family and yet I… I get infuriated and I fight with her endlessly.”
Ruby had nothing to say to that.
“I really must send her back to Romagna. Why is she so adamant in staying here? Does she really enjoy this hell she’s creating?”
“Do you have any idea what happens in Romagna? You really think she’s so fervent in her desire to stay just because she’s a wicked woman with a screw lose who wants to cause trouble?!” Ruby blurts out angrily before gasping and covering her mouth.
“…What?”
“ Ah no it’s nothing! I’m sorry I’m too much of a blabbermouth. Please ignore what I just said.” She laughs, filled with anxiety.
“Tell me what happens in Romagna.”
“It’s really nothing—!”
“Right now!” He shouted, angrily.
——————————————————————————
Rudbeckia opened her eyes and rubbed her head.
“Ruby? How are you?”
She looked at her husband leaning over her.
“What’re you so close to me for, huh?”
She grabs his collar.
“Are you looking to fight again? Or do you want to sleep with me?”
“What? Are you okay? Should I call Sergei?”
“Oh don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine.” She crooned. “My darling, handsome husband. Your face is always a sight for sore eyes.”
Izek looked very confused. Why was his wife behaving like this?
“Do you need more rest?”
“Ah, just shut up. I said I liked your face, not listening to you. Did you suddenly decide to start acting like a proper husband?”
Izek could hear how much aggression was dripping from her. But that wasn’t the only emotion he could sense.
‘Is it… resentment?’
He had never heard Ruby sound resentful towards him. He had heard her sound sad, and he had even heard a bitter acceptance that day in the garden… but not this.
“Did I do something to upset you? I’m sorry.” He soothed, kissing her palm. She snatched it back as if he had burned her.
“I must be dreaming, right?”
“Why would you think that?”
“There is not a universe outside my dreams where you would treat me like this.”
“…Do you really feel like that? Have I not treated you well enough yet?” He asked, concerned.
“Just the other day you… nevermind.”
“Tell me.” He gently ran his fingers through her hair.
“What the hell is your deal?! Just get lost!” She shouted. She shoved him away.
“Ruby—!”
“No! Get out—! Get out—!” She cried, throwing any possible thing she could find in the room at Izek. He ended up being forced out like that.
Rudbeckia heaved, exhausted from her outburst.
“Why am I in his room anyways?”
She sighed, pinching her forehead.
“Gods. Why did I have to be so dramatic?” She said, leaning against the wall. She ended up sitting, holding her knees to her chest. She frowned.
‘He was so nice to me…’
Bright red eyes, a smile, and no anger. There was no weight of bitter, long-drawn silence between her and Izek.
‘One of us has definitely gone mad.’
She could still feel the lingering warmth of his kiss on her palm. She traced her fingers over the spot and felt her eyes water.
‘I’ll let myself have this. Just this once.’
She started sobbing. Once the sounds began to escape her throat, they didn’t stop. She cried painfully, and Izek clenched his fist from outside the door.
‘Why must you always hide your tears from me?’
He wanted nothing more than to go back inside and kiss her tears away, but she clearly didn’t want to see him.
“Brother.”
He looked at his sister.
“Ellenia… could you check on Ruby for me?” He whispered, sadly.
Ellenia looked at the door before looking back at her brother, confused.
“She doesn’t seem to want to even see my face right now. I don’t know why.”
“…Of course.”
“Can I bring in some snacks for her later? Will that make her feel better?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Izek nodded and left. Ellenia took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Her mother had also been prone to outbursts similar to this and the whole situation made her want to bite her nails, a long gone habit of her childhood, in nervousness.
‘No. There is nothing similar between both of them besides the eating disorder.’
“Ruby?”
The door was opened and Ellenia looked down at the blonde who was still in her nightgown. There were fresh tear tracks on her face.
Ellenia paused, about to say something when there was the sound of a resounding slap. Ellenia held her stinging cheek and looked in shock at Rudbeckia, who had her arms crossed over her chest and a furious smile on her face. Her voice was sweet when she spoke.
“What are you doing here, Freya’s little dog?”
Her smile dropped off immediately. She grasped the taller woman by the chin and forced her down.
“How dare you show your face in front of me?”
She smiled brightly again and released her.
“Now go bark to whoever you please. Who will it be this time? Izek? Freya? Maybe even my father-in-law?”
Ellenia’s hands shook as she shook her head.
“I—I was worried about you…”
“When did Omerta’s princess learn to sweet talk? You’re almost as attractive as your brother when you lie.”
“I—I’m going to leave then…”
“Good idea. Get lost before you taste my hand again.”
She slammed the door shut, assuming Ellenia took off.
‘How dare she show up and act concerned about me after what happened with Freya yesterday?’
Rudbeckia sat, boiling in rage until the door opened. This time, there was no knock.
“Ruby, what is going on with you?”
“So, Ellenia chose to tell you about my behavior.”
“You slapped her?”
“What’re you going to do about it? Beat me? Whip me? ”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s exactly the same as yesterday. You won’t do a single thing.”
“…What happened yesterday?”
“Are you trying to prank me? Perhaps, you’re trying to drive me insane so I run back to Romagna? It’s not happening, no matter if you get on your knees and beg.”
“Humor me.”
“Well, we had a fight after the banquet the day before yesterday.”
‘Banquet?’
“There was no such banquet, Ruby.”
“Yesterday you called me a wicked woman, and now you’re trying to call me crazy?”
“No. I’m truly just worried about you. Yesterday, you had the tea party with everyone in the greenhouse, remember?”
“What greenhouse?”
“…The one I gifted you?”
“You have done no such thing.”
‘I really think I need to call the doctor.’
“I see… Uhm, Ruby, darling. Will you wait here for a while ? I brought sweets for you. Please enjoy them and rest comfortably until I’m back.” He said, putting on an anxious smile.
Ruby frowned and looked at her husband softly closing the door. She angrily grabbed a bowl of chocolate pudding and shoved a spoon in her mouth. She shoved a few more bites in her mouth, making sure to make a loud clunking sound when the spoon hit the bowl.
“This is fucking delicious… Damn you, Izek! Just because I’m eating your stupid sweets doesn’t mean I’m listening to you, okay?!” She shouted.
Rona and Lucille sweated nervously in the hallway.
“I never would’ve imagined hearing any sort of swearing from the lady’s mouth…” Lucille whispered. Rona nodded in agreement. They both continued to eavesdrop.
“How dare you try to placate me with such palatable chocolate? Are you looking down on me? Do you take me as a child or something?!”
She still savored the rich taste, despite her bitter words. Since nobody was listening (at least nobody she was aware of ) she quieted down.
About half an hour later, the door opened again.
“Ruby, were the sweets to your liking?”
“Hell no! What took you so long anyways?!”
Izek winced a little and gestured for Sergei to open the door.
“Hello, Madame. I’m just going to check on you quickly, okay?”
“As long as he isn’t in here.”
“My lord, if you’d be so kind.”
Izek left once again without protest.
“So, how are you? Any discomfort?”
“My back hurts like anything because that bastard is too rough.”
“I see…” Sergei blushed furiously.
“Besides that, I’m feeling these weird pins and needles feelings across my entire body.”
“Again? Are you not wearing your bracelet?”
“Which bracelet?”
“The dragon heart bracelet the lord gave you.”
“…My husband never gave me anything like that.”
Sergei nodded, noting something down in his notebook.
“My Lady, actually, the lord mentioned that your memories aren’t matching with past events, and I have been able to confirm this. Do you have anything that you could add to that?”
“…I don’t understand. Why is everyone so kind to me? Why does Izek look at me as if he loves me? Why was Ellenia worried about me? Am I really going insane?”
“Why does it shock you so much? Did you expect them to behave differently?”
“Well, obviously… I’ve been no angel either but… doesn’t everyone hate me?”
“No way! Please don’t think like that…”
Rudbeckia starts crying.
“It— It feels like I’ve woken up in another world. I feel so scared. It feels like my husband is on my side for once… and I don’t know how to handle it. It feels so strange. He hasn’t yelled at me once…”
‘Another world?’
Sergei awkwardly hands her a handkerchief and she wipes her eyes.
“I believe you may actually be from another world.”
“What..? How would that be possible?”
“Your mana feels different compared to usual. Maybe you are another Rudbeckia? At least, a different one from the one we know.”
“…This Rudbeckia is so lucky.”
“Of course we don’t want to jump to conclusions. It may be some sort of effect of some unnoticed head trauma or illness. Still, I’d recommend visiting the temple. I think we can get some ideas in this way.”
“Ah, alright…”
Sergei leaves respectfully and a few minutes later, Izek knocks.
“May I come in?”
“Yes…”
He frowned when he saw her curled in on herself and crying. He went over and hugged her. She buried her head into his chest and let her tears soak up his shirt.
“No matter whether you are my Ruby or not, I still care about you. I don’t want you to suffer in silence.”
“I’m sorry… if you really aren’t my Izek, I’m so sorry for misbehaving with you. I’m sorry to Ellenia too…”
“Shhh…”
He patted her back and she stiffened before relaxing into the touch.
“Sorry…. Sorry…. I’m really so sorry Iz…”
He had a feeling that this apology was not meant for him.
Eventually, Rudbeckia fell asleep in his arms. He got a wet cloth and wiped her face, which caused her to awaken again.
“What…”
He stroked a thumb over her cheek and shushed, lulling her back to sleep.
“Please have sweet dreams, whoever you are.”
He whispered, running a warm hand through her scalp.