Capítulo 17: Malachi's Little Revelation

The room was shrouded in a somber silence, the kind that settled into the walls and crept into every corner, leaving no space untouched.

The only sounds were those of the girl's slow, steady breaths as she sat lost in thought. She had been staring out the window for what felt like hours, watching the raindrops slide down the glass like tears. Another wonder that left her dazzled at how the rain could fall in the world she found herself in.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door, and a man entered. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see everything and nothing at once. The little green scales that shimmered at the side of his neck stood out against his light skin.

His brown hair fell neatly around his handsome face in disarray, making it seem like he hadn't slept for days. But when his gaze swept over the room, it softened, just slightly, as if he were seeing the same sight she had seen all day long.

"Good morning, my Queen," the man greeted her respectfully. The words were said with the utmost seriousness, as he made his way to the window where Rachael sat.

The way he addressed her as his Queen made her question the nature of their relationship. Rachael wondered who made her a queen, or was it a name for mere formality? She couldn't quite pinpoint it, but there was something about him that gave her chills.

When he walked towards her, she could feel an odd sensation that rose within her chest like the tide pushing through the sand. Rachael wasn't sure what to make of this new man. He seemed harmless, though dangerous was perhaps not the right word. Dangerous in the sense that she was unsure of who he was.

"My name is Malachi, and I am lord Icarus' trusted ally."

He bowed deeply to her, offering her his hand to shake. Rachael took some time to comprehend her situation before she finally shook hands with him.

"My name is Rachael," she responded slowly, her voice laced with caution.

"You need not to worry Milady. You're safe with me. The Lord already told me to keep you under my watch. You need to be careful, your presence here alone will cost us more than we have ever expected," he explained.

Rachael frowned. "How so?"

Malachi looked away momentarily, seeming to contemplate whether or not to tell her. Eventually, he spoke.

"I have waited patiently for centuries, waiting for the day of the lord's arrival. After the great war, our lord disappeared into thin air. The outcome almost led to an internal war between us, the Merfolks. Then out of the blue, an announcement was made by his father that his body had been found in an unconscious state," he said solemnly.

Malachi sighed quietly, looking sad.

"We had hope that at least he had been found. But the moment I saw the body of my master, lying like a dead carcass, I had my suspicion that something was wrong. Something deep within me told me that the person lying there was not my master. And my suspicion was confirmed when they had captured you and brought you here to revive my 'Fake' master..." he trailed off, his eyes darting down and to the side. For a second, Rachael couldn't read his expression, but she could hear the slight tremble in his voice.

There was silence in the room for a few more moments as Malachi seemed to consider what he should say next. He finally spoke again.

"When they brought you into the theater for the sacrificial ceremony, I was quick to recognize you, my queen." His eyes bore hers, baring his tortured soul to her for the first time.

Malachi knelt before her, bowing his head deeply. When he looked up at her, he looked almost broken as he solemnly declared,

"I wanted to protect you. I wanted to come to your rescue. But I couldn't find how to do so. I am nothing but a servant bound to my master's wish. So how could I, a mere servant, jeopardize the moment my people had waited upon for years." His stoic expression never wavered, and yet, his voice cracked, betraying an emotion that he was unfamiliar with.

"Not until my Lord, Icarus appeared to save you, Reginà Màe." His voice was deep and melodious, yet his eyes were filled with unshed tears.

The way he mentioned the word 'Regina Mae' scattered her thoughts with the imagery of one man. Icarus. Her eyes glistened in remembrance of him, but it did little to ease the pain that stabbed through her chest the moment they addressed her with something that she thought she was so unworthy of.

"I am, and never was your queen," Rachael's cold tone caused him to wince, though her words were not spoken harshly. Her tone was simply indifferent, lacking any real emotion. Yet, there was a hint of sadness in it too. A hint of regret, as if she knew this already.

"Do not call me by such a title." Her voice sounded more like a command than anything else.

Malachi stood up from where he knelt and took a few steps away from her before turning back around. In a much softer voice, he said,

"How quick were you to forget who you were, Milady? Even after you abandoned him?" He looked at her, searching for answers that would help him piece together her true identity from her demeanor.

Rachael stared at the merman who had dedicated his whole life to his master. Her mind whirled at how he had patiently waited for centuries for his arrival. His undying loyalty for his master was a jarring shock to her senses.

"How did I abandon him? Please explain why! Because you'll be making me question my existence," she said in a monotone voice. She was trying desperately hard to remain aloof, but she failed miserably.

Her emotions showed through every pore on her face. Her heart ached at how Icarus had told her about how she had abandoned him, and now, she was regretting why she did so without knowing how she did it. And that was the painful part; she didn't know how she did it. The part that made her feel guilty for letting him down when she should have been protecting him.

Malachi sighed, "The information or answers you sought is not mine to share. Why don't you ask Icarus?" His voice dropped to a whisper. So soft even Rachael could barely hear him.

"Icarus was betrayed. The day he was supposed to be crowned as the king was the day the great war broke out. Even after the way, the effect threw our world into instability. And that made his father assume the throne again. I believe he was robbed of his inheritance... Abandoned..." Malachi paused here, seeming to contemplate whether he should reveal more and whether he was going too far at this point.

"Now he's back. To reclaim what was rightfully his, and to make them pay for their transgressions. So brace yourself Milady, for this is going to be a chaotic ride." Malachi's expression hardened slightly.

"But most importantly, we'll do everything we can to prevent you from getting hurt. For that is Icarus' top priority." He said while walking towards the door. Malachi opened the door and then stopped.

"There'll be a celebration party to mark the Lord's arrival. Icarus has specifically ordered we give you a 'human' dress to make you feel more comfortable. Be careful. There's a lot of people who are eager to know the lady our lord has saved."