She's That Knight Known as Zero 293 This Is Payment For Everything

"No, mom. Wait. For now, let's not tell them yet," Eureka hold unto her as she too wiped her tears.

"I understand, you still have some things to tell us right? But I'll go and ask a maid to make us something first. It may already be the middle of the night but I guess you need to eat. Don't worry, they wouldn't think much about it," Haruka understandingly said as she stood up.

"Are you really alright? You look so weak and thin," Akihiro then said after Haruka went out.

"This is payment for everything," she replied before excusing herself in order to clean up.

"Don't think that I am trying to stay away from you, I really need to get changed and wash myself. I am filled with sweat after all," seeing the pained look that went pass Akihiro's eyes she immediately explained.

"Go on then."

It was not long after the maid arrived with snacks and a hot pot of tea. Haruka brought it in herself but was momentarily shocked to see that Akihiro was alone in the room.

"She went to get a warm bath and get changed, she must have felt sticky," Akihiro explained.

Another few minutes before Eureka came out. She was already changed differently.

Haruka couldn't help but to cry once again upon seeing how thin she became.

"Mom, please don't cry. I will gain back all the weight I have lost after this. So don't cry too much for my body."

After remembering everything and knowing that everything was indeed over, it became more natural for Eureka to call them with mom and dad. In the past she still have reservations when calling them, even with mother and father.

But right now, she felt so free that she just wanted to call them in such an intimate manner.

"Oh dear, are we really not dreaming?" Haruka couldn't help but cry more as she lean towards Akihiro.

Eureka smiled defeatedly and knelt down in front of her parents, she then placed her hands on top of their clasped ones.

"I'm sorry I had to put you into so much trouble, so much pain and so much distress. I never told you any of my plans or what I think. But please listen to me, the only reason I don't do it was because the time and events didn't allow me to do so."

"I need everything to look natural, Juzo was a strong opponent after all. If he noticed just anyone even the normal knights having a bit of difference, he will surely know instantly that we have a plot against him."

"It was already a risk when I told you that we can save sir Leo, that is why after that I had to do everything on my own. Even scarifice my body, I know this would hurt you for hearing it."

"But I didn't want to leave anything behind, anything that may become a backlash to all of you."

"Then why didn't you tell us anything about your return or about your memories?" Akihiro then asked seeing as Haruka was sobbing uncontrollably.

"It is because I have no idea if I could really return. Despite promising it, I can only see the future as a far one. Somewhere down the lane where we are all reborn. That is the extent of the promise I made," Eureka explained.

"I know, that was bad of me to make such a promise. But there's nothing I can do. If I wanted to let you live in peace I have to do all those things. I can't leave another juzo or another person to come back and create another war."

"I can only ensure another thousand of years. If he still managed to come out by then, then those who lived at that time will think about it themselves. All I want is to get back everyone for you."

"I know I was selfish, you wanted to stay with me but I only wanted all of you to stay together. Knowing that all four kingdoms were at peace was more than enough for me."

She then proceeded and explained about the things she talk about with Dai, the deals they have and the favors given to her.

"That is also why I did my best to return within the time frame of five years."

"Who was it then? Who did you speak with?"

Eureka smiled and shook her head, "That is the only secret I need to keep from you. He became a treasured friend to me and if I disclose of his identity I would surely lose him."

Eureka knew that once she told them about the almighty one, her memory of him would surely disappear. After all no one must know about him coming over, no one in particular know that he was real after all.

Seeing her look, the two of them understood that she had truly wanted to keep her friend a secret. They could only silently thank him for helping her out in everything.

"I somehow became hungry, shall we have this snacks now?" she then asked lightening up the mood around them.

The three of them happily ate the midnight snacks and drank the tea that was still warm.

"How do you plan on telling everyone?" Haruka then asked after a while.

"I still don't know. I was thinking about that when you came in and everything just spilled out. I am happy you didn't get mad at me but I can never tell what the others would think."

After sipping more from the warm tea she continued, "I had been selfish all along, I have hurt everyone no matter what time. I have given them psychological trauma because of this. That is why I am uncertain."

"I know they will understand, you look like you are completely free right now. You look more cheerful compared to the you in the past. That is why I know they will surely understand you," Haruka smiled warmly as she spoke.

"Well, maybe. But I want to speak with him first," Eureka placed down her cup and looked at them seriously.

The he she was talking about, they knew who it was exactly.

"We were actually cruel of him, we left him the final choice of whether we would let you remember or not. In a way we left him the guilt of making a choice for you. For that we truly are sorry of him," Akihiro couldn't help but comment.

They then told her of how much Raven cried the day after the incident with the rebels. How much he suffered from the blow of hearing her question.

"I really am a selfish person, knowing full well that I made him suffer I actually still wish to be with him," after hearing this. Eureka couldn't help but smile bitterly.

She made him wait and suffer on his own, yet here she was still wishing that she could still stand beside him.

"I wonder if he would still accept such a person?"

"We can never tell you, for that is his decision. But we do hope that both of you will end up being happy after all the suffering that you two have encountered," Haruka replied knowingly.

Whatever it is that Raven decides on, they will acknowledge it and wouldn't pressure him in taking Eureka to be by his side. They also witnessed how much he suffered while Eureka was gone and even when she returned.

"Well I can only give it a try," Eureka replied as she look outside the window where the moon hung up high above.

"Very well then, go and rest. We won't tell anyone about this until you yourself have finally told them," Akihiro stood up with Haruka as he placed his hand on top of Eureka's head.

"I am very proud that you are my daughter. Even though the time we all spent with you was very short at least we can catch up from now on. My only wish right now is for you to be happy no matter what."

"Thank you, dad."

"Go and sleep now my sweet child," Haruka kissed the top of her head before the two of them left Eureka's room.

Eureka then went to bed with so many things running through her mind. She didn't know how she will speak with Raven but she will surely do it by tomorrow.

With that she finally let go of everything and allowed herself to fall into a deep sleep. The best real sleep she had after a very very long time.

The very next day, she asked a servant for her usual clothes as an aide. She wanted to act for now, not until she faced Raven properly. So upon seeing her, everyone only ask if she truly was already fine to which she smiled and nodded like the calm her who returned.

No one gave it much thought as they didn't notice any change on her. Even Hikari, to whom Eureka spoke with and told her that she will go out to the city for a bit.

Hikari was not suspicious at all, "Then come back and chat with me okay?"

Eureka smiled, "Of course."

She knew Raven was in his off and knew he only have few places he would go to, that is why not long after she arrived by the cliff. Where he told her to look at him properly and to remember that he would not die.

Chapter end