Chapter 14

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕱𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

Within a week, a great deal transpired. I had hoped to be able to work my way out of my plans in peace and quiet, but I never imagined that Henry would return to our home in the first week.

My favorite parts of our time together have been our trips to the market, where we were able to purchase a beautiful pair of jewels from a generous old lady, and my introduction to Claudius, the little child we rescued from an irate nobleman.

I never would have guessed that I would end up saving Claudius that fateful night, but I have been able to relish every moment I've spent with them ever since. My ideas are still in the works, but I always anticipated that they would evolve as time went on.

When I told Henry Claudius's name, that was the first time Henry met him. He was more of a quiet, cheerful person who never gets angry, which goes against the impression I have of him from my memories.

In the little time we've spent getting to know each other, Henry and him have formed an immediate friendship, and that's what I've noticed about him.

Just one thing: whenever Claudius and Henry got into a disagreement, Henry would be the one to start it. I would then be the one to console Claudius whenever Henry caused him to weep. In subsequent arguments, Henry would use such a statement before abruptly leaving us.

The friendship has been a wonderful cycle. We get into our fair share of fights, but I suppose Claudius could be considered an observer, as he was usually in the corner while Henry and I fought.

As he watched Henry say something to me, I would do the same, and he would eat his special tart cake with delight while making flower crowns.

Every day brought me closer to reality, which in turn allowed me to imagine a world with more positive and expansive perspectives.

This profound joy would never have occurred to me if I hadn't crossed paths with Henry that fateful night. If that were to happen, I would never have met Claudius that night, and I would remain trapped in the past, following after nothing more than the darkness that would eventually consume me.

I knew I would never again have to worry about being lonely because of the two of them.

"...that's why a young lady like you should learn embroidery rather than a sword, goodness," I sighed after a few blinks of the eye.

"But I made a promise to you that day, right?" Since Caliere wasn't out to welcome us that time, I had no doubt that he never laid eyes on him.

He may have been busier studying embroidery with his mother than I had imagined.

"A promise? It could always break, though, wouldn't it?" In a casual tone, he spoke as if he were making fun of the words I'd stopped trying to say. After a moment of staring out into space, he finally glanced over to meet my gaze after crossing his arms and staring elsewhere.

Even with my hazy eyesight, I can still make out the expression on his face as his eyes expanded and the folded arms that had been held aloft relaxed.

"Henry, you idiot!" My last words were, "Goodbye, Henry." And with that, I was gone.

I refrained from looking back because doing so would just bring remorse to my remarks.

I never expected to hear those words from Henry, but Verfeil had told me in the past that promises were supposed to be broken. Not when every time he does it, he just serves to spark hopes before putting them out.

Although I've always understood that a promise is merely a word without any real significance, I've also always appreciated the weight that friends' promises carried. I assumed that if someone betrayed their word, they would have to consume thousands of needles.

My mind may have been engrossed in my body's development, since I was not like the previous me, who would dwell on such trivial matters. Concerning issues such as these, I have been overly sensitive.

The constant presence of warmth, though, was something I never anticipated. I grip the area of my chest that houses my drum. It was really hot.

I struggled to control my eyes as I wiped the warm tears from my face until I recognised a familiar figure.

His sun-kissed silvery-purplish locks glistened in the light, and his red eyes, which usually squinted, were fixed on me by myself. When I glanced at his lips, I noticed that they were slightly parted.

I gazed down at the silky white fabric he was clutching as he stretched out his hand.

"Miss, it would be even better if this could dry your eyes," he said in a soothing voice, like honey dripping into a cup of hot tea. Because of it, I felt like a brand-new person who had recently emerged from her delicate shell.

In my eyes, I see the white fabric and his hand instead of his face. His repeated offers of this have stuck with me ever since the first time he did it.

Giggles ensued. Without hesitation, I grabbed the cloth and drew him nearer until he sat down next to me. Even though I could feel him getting stiff, I still rested my head on his shoulder.

A few more seconds of laughter escaped me before I wiped away my tears.

"Claudius, do you remember the first day you gave me a handkerchief?" I inquired, and I could feel his gaze shifting to mine, but I forced myself to keep my eyes on the scenery ahead of us.

The gentle wind's caressing of our hair and skin as well as the shade provided by the enormous tree in front of us, whose fleeting reflection in the still lake mesmerized us, revived me.

His hum was just "hmm," and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Young Master Henry would always manage to bring tears to your eyes, no matter what, and I would always be there to offer you a handkerchief whenever that happened," he said, his voice filled with reverence despite its melodious quality.

I was about to look at him and laugh, but I guess another word slipped my lips before I saw he was staring at me.

"Just as when I initially told you, Claudius, during our alone time together, you are welcome to call me by name. In addition, Henry thought of you as a friend, so it would be fair for you to treat him similarly." I could feel the tension in his shoulders, and as I turned to face him, he was grinning and laughing.

In response to his words, "Thank you, Mi—Vestia," I felt compelled to playfully twirl his cheeks.

We continued to make each other laugh for a few more seconds before we finally came to a halt, our heads resting on the grass. I couldn't help but laugh along with them.

I reached out for the leaves of the enormous, unattainable tree, but all I could do was stretch them until the sun's rays illuminated their edges.

"It's warm..." Claudius seemed to be staring at me as I spoke, even though I had already closed my eyes. We lingered there for an unknown amount of time until I perceived the sound of approaching footfall and a rustling in the nearby foliage.

As soon as I opened my eyes, a familiar warmth enveloped me. Henry seemed to be staring out into space with one hand delicately brushing across the nape of his neck as the other held one of the flower crowns that Claudius had fashioned.

I was well aware of that gesture and his inevitable reaction, so I faked a pout by making a face and biting my bottom lip.

He was right to apologize, and I'd rather not hear anything further from him than that.

Just like he did before, I narrowed my eyes, crossed my hands, and paid close attention to him.

"I-I apologize, alright? I-I really doubt that you would risk injuring your valuable hands due to such assurance. And yet, he whispered those words without meeting my gaze: "I'm afraid your callouses will make you hurt." His words were as compassionate as they were sweet.

He started to flush, and I could see it in his neck, ears, and face. I simply let out a sigh in response to his words and actions; I still don't understand.

As I turned to look at Claudius, I beheld his smiling countenance, which betrayed his desire for me to leave and forgive the boy.

Standing next to him, I paused to close my eyes for a while.

I took a flower crown from his palm and placed it on my own head, as well as the ones belonging to Henry and Claudius.

"What you said earlier was completely unintentional, and I get it. But hear me out, Henry," I urged, pausing to grasp his shoulders—as if I needed to tiptoe to match his height.

"Don't ever break any promises, okay?" His pupils widened for an instant before he sighed, shook his head, closed his eyes, and then opened them to meet mine.

Whenever he's hell-bent on doing something, I can always tell because his eyes are the same.

He seemed worried for my welfare as he said, "Then tell me that you'll be okay even if it hurts, so I won't be able to worry," but all I did was burst out laughing and embrace him.

"My sincere apologies. Henry, I am grateful. Come on, Claudius! Give us a big bear embrace!"

Knowing that my friends would never be able to back out of their pledges made that day unforgettable. But I didn't anticipate that it would cost us so much, particularly Henry.

***

"Vestia, this is the letter Henry left this morning before you woke up"

"Why is that Claudius?"

"He already left for his household."

***

Author-nim note: edited ^-^ Please forgive my grammar; English is not my first language. ^-^