Chapter 18

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝖂𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

Perhaps, Celna wasn't able to know like Cain, but Henry was my very first friend and her words made me feel as little as if Henry didn't tell me those things. Or was it because I still have to read his current letter?

When I looked at Claudius back then, I could see how his eyes widened and they darted to me, I had the time to tell them and talk about Henry but the words would come out.

We had fun as we talked a lot of different things with each other, but only one word and one name changed my whole plans. Why would Henry leave?

These questions had been engraved in my mind that I didn't have enough courage to ask since I knew that they were only rumors.

However, they wouldn't be able to become one if there was no original source. By the time they left the duchy, all I could think of was his letter.

Then the time came when I was able to land my hands on them after picking many letters that came from the children and Sister Cristine.

My hands started to shiver, I didn't know what to do at first, and I couldn't even look at it as if he had been feeling the same emotions that I had.

Was he also pained before he approached me that night? Was there any conflict that happened between him and his family? Is he currently doing well?

I don't know since all the words that he had written in those letters, were sincere but I felt like there was always something missing as if something was off.

Now that I was facing his letter, looked at the bright silvery rays descending to my room and realized that I'd been staring at it for too long that I hadn't managed to open it until now.

I didn't think I would open this now when my mind kept telling me to tear the letter, my hands rebelled only to hold the soft paper that embedded his scent on it.

As if the world had become heavy and vague, my vision started to blur. Memories from the past kept creeping through my mind, and laughter that was visible to my ears became faint as time went by.

As if my feet followed my hands, I didn't even notice that I was already standing in front of my cabinet. My hand kept touching the walls, it was cold, but I felt like there was warmth within.

Touching the only solace I could have, I opened the cabinet and took his coat, the small coat that had his minty scent, a refreshing a bit intoxicating smell that he had made me drown in our memories together.

And before I knew it, the silver rays became my only comfort right now.

I knew that one day I would have to read his letter, so I walked to where I was previously seated and put his coat on my lap. I took a deep breath and began to unfold it only shifting my emotions from the paper to the door. Someone knocked and I sighed.

Claudius opened the door, he was looking straight into my eyes but I could see how those warm waters came down while his hand was trembling to even crumple the paper from it.

"Vestia, did you read what Henry wrote to you?" He asked and I shook my head

"I am on the verge of reading it," I honestly told him, and he nodded. He took a few steps near my bed and sat. I observed him fiddling with his hands while his eyes were still focused on the paper.

I sighed, put Henry's letter on the table, and walked to where he was.

I hugged Claudius as he only cried his heart. I continued to pat his head, while my vision started becoming blurred again.

"I also wanted to ask why, earlier. I felt like I did not understand Henry when I heard the rumors from Celna. Yet, I know that as his friend, we should be there for him, right Claudius?" I felt like he nodded from my hug and when I looked at him, he seemed to be pouting

"Henry's an idiot, right Vestia?" Those words made me chuckle until I could no longer feel the burden weighing heavy on my shoulders.

"Someday, when he would face us, I know he would never break his promise..." I said but when I went to my seat, my hands were still shivering when I held the papers.

I saw he had written ten pages when I looked at Claudius, he was smiling sadly at me.

"Then from his writings, let's find out his reasons..."

After that night, everything felt surreal but also light like a feather.

Days passed by like spur of the moment, and I got to know more about Cain, and Celna whenever they would visit our duchy. Cain would always have a look on his face at every tea he would drink while Celna and I would always laugh at his expressions.

Celna would then ask me what I would like and she would take notes of it, I only chuckled because she seemed to be jolly and healthy compared to the rumors of her in the past.

Claudius, on the other hand, would always accompany us and make us laugh while he would train whenever there was vacant time on his side. Cain would usually disagree on everything he would say but when it comes to swordsmanship, he would agree instantly.

That's where they found their common ground. Celna and I would always take our chances to peek and eavesdrop at the two's conversation and we would laugh from their perspectives.

We ladies just don't get boys and what their likes or dislikes are, and yet, they reminded me of the time I spent to know what Caliere would like and not.

Whenever I got to visit the small village, I would be reminded of Sister Cristine and the children as they would always be sincere and kind, I had a lot of time to be with them, talked to them about many things and they would be amazed by my stories.

From time to time, I would do those things with the people I love, but whenever I look at it, the very first friend I made, was not there. Still, I was happy because I managed to expand my circle, but I felt like there was always missing.

Then days became weeks, I finally managed to talk to Cain and Celna about Henry and how he as a Vellitas came to be my friend. They managed to admire him and eventually asked more about him.

They even asked about Claudius on Henry and based on their knowledge, he was a good young boy. They were eager to meet him and I would send him a letter about the two.

Henry had been sending me letters every week, and I would do the same thing as I had also written him letters about becoming friends with Cain and Celna, and at first I was shocked that I didn't know those two were from the Greviore and Devinseil duchy.

He would send me letters about how grateful he was that I was expanding my friends, but there was never any information about how he was currently doing, no other information that would put me at ease.

Other than he was fine, that he had taken a four-year vacation in his country estate, and that he was treated warmly by the servants there.

But there was no more additional information as he would always ask me about myself instead. If I'm alright, if I'm eating well, and doing fine, I should be the one asking him those questions but all I got was three words.

"I am fine."

Those words made me feel light for a moment after I read the first letter from him, but this time, I don't think I could be fine for him at all.

And yet, all I could do was bite my lower lips and clench my hands as I looked at his letters once more. It's because I am not feeling what he is feeling right now and all I did was send him happy letters about what I was experiencing when I knew little about what he was doing.

I couldn't help but think of his experiences and before I knew it, there was this shadow looming behind me and wrapped me in this aromatic sense of lightness and brightness.

The one thing that I knew I couldn't find, I found from Henry and Claudius with the rest.

Now that the warmth encased me to something I never felt before, his scent descended on my nose like a sweet peach mixed with strawberry lemon.

I chuckled while I wiped the warm waters streaming down my face

"Thank you, Claudius," I say. Perhaps, I may feel that I'm alone in this room, but I would never feel that I'm alone in this world.

The people I love became a source of inspiration for me and Henry wasn't the only one encouraging me to have a bigger circle, the people around me became the source of my own happiness.

"Always remember Vestia, that what Henry wants for you is to move on from your life, of course, if he would come back, he would be happy to see you shine, just like what you're currently doing. Like Henry, I'm already enchanted with you, Vestia..." When the days came to weeks and months, with this warmth surrounding me, I knew I was not the only one facing the future ahead.

***

"Now it's time, Vestia, are you ready to learn swordsmanship?" I never knew back then that after months had passed, years would also pass and change.

"So you have to get yourself at best when Henry arrives to see you later on"

"He was one year late in showing at my duchy, that young boy"

"Correction Vestia, he's not a young boy anymore. He's already a senior knight."

"A senior knight?!"