SIGH*
"My Lord you look tired." the butler said.
Sebastian reclined back on the chair placing the feather pen on the desk.
The warm sunlight entered the clear, transparent window glass. He looked out of the window. Birds chirped on the branches that shed leaves. The trees were almost bare while some leaves turned red, orange, and yellow making trees look like fire torches.
"The fall is here...and soon will winter."
"Indeed nature repeats itself young master." the old man agreed calmly.
-"It's troublesome."
Knock*Knock*
"Please look who's at the door for me."
The moment he opened the door he froze in one place unable to look away from those blood-red eyes.
"My...lord?"
"Who's there?" Sebastian looked at the door.
"Lord Nirvana? To what pleasure do I owe you for this sudden visit?"
"The pleasure is all mine, your highness."
Azriel bowed humbly.
"Butler please leave us alone. Send in some refreshments."
"Right away my lord."
"Please have a seat."
"As always you are good at picking up hints." Azriel sat on the luxurious black velvet sofa.
"..."
"The border has investigated the mountain."
He placed the dagger wrapped in a cloth on the black rosewood table.
Sebastian came forward picking up the small weapon analyzing it thoroughly.
"This is...!"
"Yes.Nethiloria.Sloane and her team found it."
"But why bring it here?"
"You are not so naive I suppose your highness."Azriel sarcastically replied.
" Oh please. I'd feel better if you stop with that Highness. I'm no prince."
"Lord Sebastian. I presume you still haven't forgotten how much you were degraded by those demons. Lest you still feel satisfied with the position of a 'Cursed Marquess' while they consider themselves saints? Remember where you are from. And you hold equal rights and a high chance for you know what I mean."
"...I know. Thank you for the reminder." Sebastian looked away without another word. Hearing this left a vile taste in his mouth.
The maid entered the room with tea and other refreshments.
But Azriel only accepted a glass of water and started with the rest of their discussion.
"That traitor might know their plan. I recommend asking him about it."
"It's useless. We tried every method to get information out of him."
"Just keep going with it. He will give up any time soon. If he doesn't, ...then we may consider him a soldier who sacrificed himself for the sake of the enemy." He smirked.
"Then we shall proceed to the next level. The others will be executed on the hunting grounds after the awards ceremony."
"I shall look forward to it."
The butler escorted the cold-hearted marquess to the doorway where the luxurious carriage of House Nirvana stood with elegant black horses.
- "Marquess Valentino? Rather Prince Sebastian is what I'd prefer."
—————————
"Milady. May I enter please?"
"..."
"Milady?" Cecile opened the door slowly.
The curtains were drawn leaving the room dark.
The young girl lay down on the bed looking at the amber pendant.
-"The shock is greater than I expected for her."She looked at her sadly.
Sloane only continued to caress the pendant lost in thoughts.
"Milady?"
"Oh, Cecile. You came?"
"Are you...alright milady?"
"I...am fine. I apologize for screaming at you."
"Please don't! I know how it feels to lose someone precious."
-"Of course. You too lost your mother."Sloane got up.
"Come sit."
"Eh? o-over here?"
"Yes over here." Sloane patted on the mattress beside her.
The maid sat hesitantly beside her.
"You know you are like an older sister to me Cecile. I've always admired you for living a free life of dreaming freely."
"..."
"You are strong and can speak your mind."
"That's...I appreciate your thoughts about me. This means a lot to me milady."
"But I'm not. I'm not strong enough to face reality."
"That's not true!"
"When mother died. I locked myself away from the world. I despised everyone. Even my father for not saving her.Left Yulia alone. Let people die around me. I'm a worthless daughter."
"Milady. You are not worthless. You are not weak."Cecile said confidently.
Sloane looked at her.
" You are brave, you are bold and a fearless warrior. You saved me when I was in danger. You avenged your sister worrying about her. You proved yourself to the marquess."
"But that's -!"
"Please hear me out."
"..." Sloane looked at her in disbelief.
"And what about Nine and Jack? Even after the tragedy that befell them you are still thinking of a way to help them. I know that you are worried about them and their future. You try to help others who are in need. You give hope to those who are in despair. I know you try your best in everything because I have been watching you."
Sloane was at loss for words for what she was hearing right now.These words she heard. She was never praised personally like this in the past or the previous life. She was only praised as an outstanding knight before.
"So please do not despair. Give your best in everything like always. Because you have people around you who support you, who have hopes for you. They have trust in you milady." Cecile smiled gently.
A tear came out of her eye. It was the second time in her life she ever felt something by heart. She only shed a tear when Estelle died.
"Please don't cry. You have a bright future ahead of you." Cecile hugged her.
-"These are the words of encouragement I ever yearned for. Not even my father gave these to me.Only my mother used to cheer me on. Mother, why did you leave us?"
Sloane sobbed in Cecile's arms. She was warm. She was gentle. But she wasn't her mother. She didn't mind it. Cecile wasn't her maid but an older sister to her.
"There there. Cry as much as you want.No one is looking." Cecile gently caressed the girl's head. But Sloane didn't cry much.
"Thank you, Cecile."
"You know milady. The philosophers say an ancient saying.'Crying is not a weakness. It's to relieve one's mind and heart.'Even the world's most stone-hearted man will cry after bearing the harsh world to an extent."
"You are right." Sloane smiled.
-"Father cried as well."