Chapter 385
"Even if the children are innocent, should we really not spare them?"
Veronica couldn't understand the statement. 'Why harming innocent people? What will be the difference between us if we do that?
Felix explained, "They might grow up and then find out that we killed their family members. Later, they will come for vengeance."
Veronica was restless. "But it's still an 'if. Not everyone is like that Punish people if its necessary. Let's reduce the number of murders."
Ovior rubbed his temple. 'I think I have to take things in my hand. Her childishness is beyond boundaries. So annoying.'
"They don't care about right from wrong," he said. "When they are hurt, they will think that no matter what their families did, they didn't deserve to die."
Veronica retorted, "Even so, killing them isn't a good option when there is still a chance for them to become someone better."
"You are the Mistress of the Magic Tower," Ovior reminded her. 'Your job is to protect the people that belong to the tower. Not anyone else."
"Nothing good comes with a cheap price, Ovior. That's why being true to oneself is the hardest part."
Ovior's ice-block cold eyes stared at her. "1 don't care if I'm true to myself or not. I don't have the time to think about that rubbish! I need to work my butt off to keep the tower in one piece. If the tower is destroyed, the whole world would be in chaos.
"Maybe it is time to look at the bigger picture, Veronica. To keep peace intact, small sacrifices are needed. We can't take Veronica felt ashamed. She looked around. "Does everyone think the same?" she asked while observing everyone's
reaction. ..." Everyone stayed silent. They didn't even meet her gaze 'I take your silence as yes,' Veronica thought. "Arthur..." She glanced at him. The person, who murdered people in the blink of an eye, bit his tongue. He couldn't utter a single word that could appease her "I'm going out for a walk." Veronica then left with tearful eyes. "I will follow her," Catherine said before walking out of the room. "Phew! Women!" Darius exclaimed. He was holding his breath up until now without realizing it. Zinnia glared at him for mentioning 'women' but said nothing. "As if one problem isn't enough, another one just added. Maybe today is an unlucky day," Felix stated. At his statement, Arthur looked at Ovior. "Did you really have to be that harsh on her?" "Great power comes with great responsibilities. I'm her teacher. I must make sure that I'm giving the Mistress's power to the perfect Mistress of the Magic Tower. The position isn't something that should be taken lightly." Ovior's answer was straightforward. He didn't feel the slightest guilt when he lectured Veronica. Arthur sighed and pressed his temples. "Just let me have a peaceful wedded life." "You? Peaceful life? Darius chuckled. "Dream on!"
In the meantime, Catherine rushed to catch up with Veronica. Veronica went to the garden and sat on a chair beside a round tea table.
Catherine paused before carefully approaching her. "Are you all right?"
Veronica lowered her head. "I don't know."
"It's all right to feel sad. It's really hard to get accustomed to new rules which are completely different from your belief." Catherine pulled a chair and sat beside her
"Do you think I'm wrong?"
Catherine shook her head. "Not at all. What they are doing, it's inhumane. It's so wrong. However, this is the way to save millions of lives. All those lives, Magic Tower has the responsibility to protect them. Its a heavy burden.
"Even if the leaders don't want to do something cruel, they still have to. They know that if they soften even a tiny bit, some people might take advantage of it and harm them. They don't have the luxury to keep their guard down."
Veronica wiped her tears. "I have faced it. When I was out there, even when I slept, I couldn't let my guard down. Thus, I could hardly sleep. So, what's leadership? How is running a tower any different from war?
"I Imow I'm being immature and I should solidify my heart for the sake of all people... but killing children who did nothing wrong... I wish I could do something to change that. It hurts my conscience that I can't do anything despite knowing it's wrong."
"I understand. In fact, I feel your pain. I also knew about it. When you were gone, Arthur killed dozens of people. Men and women. With a qualm. The tower filled with the smell of blood. Everyone stayed tense. I got sick of this.
"Then suddenly one day I thought, 'why am I hurting myself? Why am I going through all the trouble just because some things are not going according to my wish? I'm living a better life than many people.
"I can eat fancy meals daily. I earn a lot. I have a roof above my head. I can buy anything without looking at the price tag. I don't have a trashy family to deal with. What more do I need in this life?
"I realized that I was hurting myself because I didn't want a peaceful life for myself. I wanted a life filled with problems. And I had no problem. So, my head was making up some problems on its own.
"That's when I decided that I wouldn't act like that anymore. I knew there was a reason behind their cruelty and I asked Ovior about it. He told me the reason. That's when I knew it was because of powerless civilians like us they have to be cruel even if they don't want to be.
"That's when I felt ashamed of myself. They were dirtying their hands because we couldn't protect ourselves. We didn't want to feel guilty and that's why we didn't want to dirty our hands. We just wanted people to be the bad guys and protect us.
"I felt like I wasn't a human. These people are heroes who have gone through so much for our sake. We shouldn't blame them for being cruet Rather we should thank them for keeping us safe.
"They are like those soldiers who fight for us at war to keep us alive. That's why I think we should just let them do their job. It's not our responsibility to question them. We dont have rights. We can only wish them happiness after everything they have gone through."
Catherine smiled at Veronica. "That's why don't be mad at Ovior. He is the one reason we are still able to live in the tower peacefully. We owe him a great deal."
"That means I was being childish, wasn't I? I'm so ashamed." Veronica covered her face.
Catherine patted her back. "As long as you understand. I still think killing children is a bad thing but this is all for the best. You know better than anyone how cruel the world is. I've seen the whole world in this tower. I just don't want to go anywhere. I will stay here and work. A peaceful life."
Veronica said, "I remember. You always dreamed about a life where you can live without conflict and hunger while I wanted to travel the world. I guess both of our wishes have been fulfilled."
"What do you mean? Don't you want to travel the world with Arthur?" Catherine inquired
'Oh crap! I didn't make her change her decision, did I? I don't want to be killed before I live a happy life with Vincent,' she prayed in her mind.
"How can I?" Veronica forced a smile. "He is a soldier who has to protect good people from bad people. He has a huge duty here. I don't want to burden him." "How can you say that? He is not only a soldier but also your husband!" Catherine exclaimed in disbelief. Veronica chuckled. "You don't understand yet. Sometimes, to gain something you have to lose something. When you love a person, you will want to care for them without any regard. "It's safe for me though since Arthur won't take me for granted. Cathy, you are in love, don't you feel like you want to make your man the happiest person in the world?" 'Do l?' Catherine was taken aback by her own thoughts. "I don't know what to say. I never thought about it before," she replied. "Is it really like that? Falling for someone I
"When you love and care for a person to your fullest, you will want to give them your everything. You will want to sacrifice yourself to shower your love. That's how it mostly turns out," Veronica explained.
"But its not like it happens all the time. Love comes to us in different shapes. Let's just say there is a couple who keep bickering day and night. But when real danger approaches, they forget about their own safety and try to save each other."
Veronica mischievously stared at her.
Catherine wondered, 'Huh? Why do I think it sounds so familiar?
(A/NJ Showing my respect to all Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting to protect your beloved ones and our motherland. My prayers are with you..!
historical