Chapter 17

The next morning, Reshia seemed distant, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a quiet focus that even Raul couldn’t ignore. He didn’t press her for answers, knowing she valued rationality. If something was weighing on her, it had to be serious.

Later, Reshia made her way to the chief’s place to train the local children. Despite her mood, she managed to keep the session engaging, patiently correcting errors and encouraging the kids.

The chief’s son, a young man about her age, had started making a habit of attending these lessons. His eyes lingered on her more than what was subtle, and when the lesson ended, he finally worked up the courage to approach her.

"Reshia," he started, his tone slightly nervous but warm. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

She turned to him with a polite smile. "Of course. What’s on your mind?"

He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, I just... I’ve admired you for a while. You’re kind, talented, and... well, beautiful. Would you consider going out with me?"

Reshia blinked in surprise but quickly composed herself. Her smile softened, kind but firm. "That’s sweet of you to say. You’re a nice person, and you’ve got a good heart."

The chief’s son’s face lit up with hope. "So, is that a yes?"

Reshia chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Not quite. You see, I’m not just looking for someone who’s nice or good-looking. I’m more drawn to someone’s way of thinking, their perspective on the world and magic. That’s what really matters to me."

He nodded, his disappointment evident but respectful. "I get it. That’s fair. I hope you find what you’re looking for, Reshia. You deserve to be happy."

She smiled warmly at him. "Thank you for understanding. And for what it’s worth, you’re already a great person. "

With that, they parted on good terms, and Reshia returned to her teaching, though her thoughts were elsewhere, on what Marcus had told her.

When she arrived back at Raul’s home later that afternoon, she found him waiting for her outside, practicing his spellcasting. His face lit up as he saw her approach, but he quickly noticed her subdued energy.

Raul greeted Reshia with his usual energy. “Welcome back,” he said, wiping his hands on his cloak.

Reshia gave him a faint smile. “Let’s see what you’ve got today.”

She ran through the lesson as usual, her tone light, but Raul could tell something was off. Her movements were a little too stiff, her laughs forced.

It was clear she was hiding something. He didn’t say anything, though. Reshia noticed his watchful gaze and felt a small wave of gratitude—he wasn’t probing, even though he obviously suspected she was struggling.

After the lesson ended, she took a deep breath and turned to Raul. “Raul,” she said softly, “can we sit for a minute? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Sure,” Raul said, curious but also slightly uneasy. They walked to a bench in the shade of the big oak tree in the yard and sat down. Reshia stared at her hands for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

“My family... they’re in trouble,” she began quietly. “I need to leave to save them.”

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Raul’s expression didn’t change. Instead, he nodded slowly. “I already know,” he said.

Reshia looked at him sharply, startled. “How?”

“I overheard you talking to my parents the other night,” Raul admitted, his tone calm. “I’ve known all along.”

Her jaw dropped slightly. “And you didn’t say anything?”

Raul shrugged. “I figured if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me when you were ready. Until then, it wasn’t my business.”

Reshia was silent for a moment, processing his words. “Wait,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that why you suggested I teach people your modified spells? To help me earn the money faster?”

Raul smiled faintly. “Yeah. I thought it might help you out.”

Reshia blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. “Raul... that’s incredibly thoughtful. And mature. You’re... you’re really something, you know that?”

Raul chuckled awkwardly. “I just wanted to help. “

Reshia’s admiration for him deepened, but it made what she had to say next even harder. She took a shaky breath. “Raul, I need you to understand something... I’m not coming back.”

The smile on Raul’s face froze, then disappeared. “What?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“I won’t be coming back after I’ve gone,” Reshia said, her voice breaking slightly.

Raul’s chest tightened, and he looked away, blinking rapidly to keep his emotions in check. “I see,” he said quietly.

The sight of his composed but clearly heartbroken face nearly broke Reshia’s resolve. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Raul... I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t answer.

Reshia stood, her own heart heavy with guilt, and walked toward the house, leaving Raul sitting on the bench, staring at the ground.

Once inside, she leaned against the door, tears pricking her eyes. “I’m sorry, Raul,” she whispered to herself.

Later.

Reshia was brushing her hair by the dim light of the lantern, her silver locks shimmering in the soft glow. Her light nightdress fluttered slightly as a breeze slipped through the window. She was about to climb into bed when a soft knock came at her door.

“Raul?” she called, puzzled.

He didn’t usually come to her room, especially not this late. She walked to the door and opened it to find him standing there, looking small and unsure, his eyes slightly downcast.

“Can I come in?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Reshia tilted her head in surprise. “Of course.” She stepped aside, letting him in.

Raul hesitated for a moment, glancing around her room, before looking up at her. He knew better than to ask for something he couldn’t have, like confessing feelings to someone who likely saw him as a child.

But he could exploit that very perception.

“I just...” He looked away, feigning embarrassment. “I just wanted to rest on your lap for a while.”

Reshia blinked, startled by the unusual request, but then a soft smile spread across her face. Seeing Raul like this—vulnerable, childlike—was new to her. He was always so composed, so mature for his age. Now, he looked like the ten-year-old he was, and her heart softened.

“Alright,” she said gently, sitting on the edge of her bed. “Come here.”

Raul climbed onto the bed and rested his head on her lap, closing his eyes. Reshia placed a hand on his hair, smoothing it down instinctively, her touch comforting.

“You need to be stronger,” she murmured.

Raul didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The steady rise and fall of his breathing soon told her he had drifted off to sleep.

Time passed quietly, and Reshia stayed still, watching the soft expression on his face as he slept. She hadn’t realized how much he had been holding in until now. She thought that for all his maturity, he was still just a boy, trying to navigate a world that expected too much of him.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Faith peeked in, her expression shifting from concern to understanding when she saw the scene.

“I’m so sorry,” Faith whispered, stepping inside.

“It’s alright,” Reshia replied softly. “He just needed some rest.”

Faith approached and gently scooped Raul up into her arms. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake, nestling against his mother’s shoulder.

Faith glanced at Reshia, her eyes warm but tinged with worry. “This is the first time I’ve seen him break like this. He’s always been so strong.”

Reshia nodded, her own emotions swirling. “He’ll be okay. He’s... remarkable.”

Faith smiled faintly, brushing a hand against her son’s cheek. “Even the strongest need someone to lean on.”

With a quiet goodnight, Faith carried Raul back to his room.

Reshia sat for a moment longer, staring at the empty spot on her lap, feeling a mix of tenderness and sadness.

Then she stood, turned out the lantern, and slipped into bed, hoping that the boy who had fallen asleep on her lap would find the strength to overcome her departure.