Chapter 18: The Mourning of the Heart
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[Scene 1: Looks that betray feelings]
The group was gathered in the mansion, each relaxed after a long day. However, there was something in the air... something that felt different.
Juan, sitting in the armchair with a calm smile, casually chatted with Relámpago about any nonsense. But, without him noticing, Charlotte and Elizabeth did not look away from him.
Charlotte (thinking):
"Why can't he see me in another way?"
Elizabeth (thinking):
"How much longer do I have to wait for him to notice?"
Both realized that they were thinking the same thing... and their eyes crossed, lighting a spark of rivalry.
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[Scene 2: Charlotte on the roof]
That night, Charlotte was on the roof of the mansion. The wind moved her pale hair while her gaze was lost in the starry sky.
Charlotte (in a low voice):
"When will you see me as something else?"
His mind traveled to the past...
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[Scene 3: The memory of Charlotte]
The scene showed Juan, years ago, desperately hitting the glass that enclosed Charlotte.
Juan (hitting the glass):
"I'm going to get you out of here, resist!"
We see key moments:
? Juan protecting her in a dark cave.
? Juan joking with her after she almost fell off a cliff.
? Juan taking care of her when she got sick for lack of blood, giving her part of hers to save her.
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We return to the present. Charlotte sighed, hurt.
Charlotte (hispering):
"For him... I'm just a friend...
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[Scene 4: Elizabeth also joins]
Elizabeth appeared next to Charlotte on the roof.
Elizabeth (with a smile):
"You can't sleep either, can you?"
Charlotte (looking at her sideways):
"What do you want?"
Elizabeth (sighing):
"I think the same as you...
Both were silent, the rivalry was felt in the air.
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[Scene 5: Valtherion's intervention]
Valtherion appeared out of nowhere, with his imposing figure emerging from the shadows.
Valtherion (with deep voice):
"Lamenting instead of acting?"
They both jumped in fright.
Charlotte (annoyed):
"Do you always like to appear like this?"
Valtherion (calmly):
"I just came to tell you not to lose hope."
Elizabeth (curious):
"Why do you say that?"
Valtherion (with a firm voice):
"Juan is not incapable of loving... he just doesn't know how.
Charlotte (confused):
"Why?"
Valtherion (looking at the sky):
"Years ago, Juan had to learn that being strong meant... losing things. When one concentrates so much on protecting others, one sometimes forgets how to let oneself be protected.
The words hit both of them.
Valtherion (smiling slightly):
"But with time... that can change."
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[Scene 6: The duel of favors]
The next day, the true Heart Mourning began.
? Charlotte stepped forward to wake him up with a special breakfast.
? Elizabeth arrived earlier and brought her favorite coffee to bed.
? Charlotte insisted on cleaning her sword, giving it a "special" touch.
? Elizabeth adjusted her trench coat, taking more time than necessary to "accidentally" brush her chest with her hand.
The eyes between the two lit up more and more.
Lightning (murmuring to Valtherion):
"This is getting out of control...
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[Scene 7: The duel becomes spicy]
The situation escalated quickly.
? Charlotte, while training with Juan, ended up "accidentally" falling on him, their faces inches away.
? Elizabeth, during dinner, sat too close, letting her tail gently tangle in Juan's leg.
? Charlotte even put her hands in the inside of Juan's trench coat chest, pretending to adjust his clothes while letting out a seductive sigh.
Juan (already desperate):
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE TWO OF THEM?!"
Silence took over the place. Both were paralyzed.
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[Scene 8: Juan puts order]
Juan (sighing):
"Look... I don't know what's wrong with you, but this is already crossing the line.
Charlotte (embarrassed):
"I'm sorry...
Elizabeth (lowering her head):
"Me too..."
The two walked away, heads down and feeling defeated.
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[Scene 9: A ray of hope]
When Juan saw how they were moving away, something made him feel that he should do something.
Juan (sighing):
—... Wait.
They both turned.
Juan approached Charlotte first, leaned over and gently kissed her forehead.
Juan (smiling):
"Thank you... for always being with me."
Then, he took Elizabeth by the hand, leaning over to whisper in her ear.
Juan (in a playful tone):
"Don't think I don't realize your attempts...
He turned away, but not without first gently sliding his finger down Elizabeth's chin, making her shudder.
Both were stunned, their faces completely red.
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[Final scene: The duel is still alive]
When Juan withdrew, they were both silent.
Elizabeth (smiling to herself):
"This is not over yet...
Charlotte (with a defiant smile):
"Don't even dream about it...
Both stared at each other... and the spark of the duel ignited again.
End of chapter.
