Next day, we just finished preparing to go for our next destination, The Capital of Gothiceln Kingdom.
"You look a bit tired, Ed" Gino stated, as he noticed my face while we walked to the entrance of Forth's house. "Ah, yeah…" I nodded, as I remembered the events yesterday.
It's kinda awkward to talk with Forth thanks to that event.
I sighed, and I bumped on Reina's back who suddenly stopped with the others as we reached outside of Forth's house.
"Wait, what are you guys doing? Stopping like that, out of a sudden…" I mumbled, as I rubbed my nose. "Eh!?" Russell exclaimed.
Hmm?
After looking at Russell's face, I looked at the middle aged man who was standing in front of us, with a wagon enough to fit us all behind him.
"Yo!" the familiar looking middle-aged man waved at us.
We all tilted our heads to the side out of confusion, except for Russell who had his jaw on the ground.
Just who is this person?
Russell went near the man and asked him, "Dad, why are you here?" We all waited for time to sink what he just uttered to our minds.
"Huh?!" We exclaimed, as soon as we realized everything.
Lloyd Figmorth, the well-known commander of the Gothiceln Knights. And he is the father of my best friend, Russell.
This person is the so-called righteous Knight.
"So, why are you here?" Russell asked, as the wagoner started to drive the wagon. "Well, I was out on an investigation here at the Forthenor Kingdom" Sir Lloyd started.
Investigation here at the Forthenor Kingdom, huh..? Just why is a Knight from the Gothiceln Kingdom, not to mention the commander is investigating here at this Kingdom.
Lloyd continued, "Then. I remembered that you told me about being friends with Forth, and that you were going around everyone's houses"
"So, it thought that you might be here. And looks like I was right on the spot!" he smiled.
No wonder he is familiar, after all, he looks a lot like Russell, especially his smile. It is as kind as Russell's smile.
"Right, why don't we go there?" Lloyd stated. "There..?" Russell mumbled, and Sir Lloyd looked at Forth.
…
To the graveyard, where Forth's siblings and Mom is at, huh?
"Forth" I called out to him, who was sitting down in front of his Mom's tomb. "What is it?" he asked.
I fidgeted, "Well. I-I'm sorry about yesterday!" I bowed to him. "It's okay. More or less, I'm the one who's supposed to say sorry about the things I told you" he stated.
"Forth…" I mumbled, as I slowly looked at him. "I'm sorry about saying those things, Ed. But, I don't want you to forget it. After all, they are my feelings" he looked at me with a sad face.
I suddenly remembered how his sad face resembled his face when he said the words, "I envy you" to me, last night.
"Okay" I held out my hand to him. "We're fine now, right?" Forth nodded, and took my hand. "I think so" he smiled.
The others quickly went to Forth, "What did happen last night?!" they started asking him questions, without a worry.
"Looks like you've got a problem solved…" Lloyd mumbled behind me. "Yes, sir" I smiled, as I looked at Forth who looked so troubled thanks to Gino and Kirt's questions.
I spared a glance at Mister Lloyd.
"Mister Lloyd, can I ask you something?" I stated, as I looked back at the others. "What is it?" Lloyd asked.
I asked, "What were your connections with Lorenz?"
"Why are you asking such thing?" he asked. "Well, it wasn't weird that you know his house, but you also knew his Wife and children's graves, so…" I mumbled.
Lloyd smiled and continued for me, "You thought that I might have some kind of close relationship with Lorenz" I nodded.
"Well, He's a childhood friend of mine. It's the same with your parents, Harold, Neraida, Erio, Christophe, Annete, and my wife, Kyla" He stated.
I asked, "Even with Miss Neraida? The so-called Goddess of Music, that Neraida Kirthyln" He nodded.
"Our parents were nobles of the same kind, so we kinda got along with each other. Well, you can call it an albatross around my neck, as well" Mister Lloyd chuckled.
Childhood friends, huh..?
"Hmm, why was King Harold interested with your wife?" I asked. "Due to some circumstances…" he mumbled.
I feel like I shouldn't pry more about that matter.
…
Not that long, we arrived at the Gothiceln Kingdom's Capital, City of Laertes.
"The smell of Gothiceln Kingdom is soothing!" Kirt stretched, as we got off the wagon. "You're right!" I agreed.
"You have many kids with you, Lloyd" A woman stated, as approached us. "Ah, they're my son's friends, madam" Lloyd stated.
After talking with the woman, we went straight to the Manor of Figmorths.
Figmorth is known for their humbleness. Well, they started from mercenaries and managed to make it up to Marquess.
"Is it alright if you don't check your home over, Anna-chan?" Lloyd asked, as we walked the corridor to the great hall of their manor
"It's alright, sir. It is not like Mom will be there" She stated. "Jeez, that Neraida…" Lloyd-san mumbled.
Mister Lloyd is childhood friends with Miss Neraida and they live at the same city, so I guess Russell and Anna kinda knew each other since they were kids.
"Did you got to see Nera-chan?" A beautiful woman opened the door of the great hall. "I didn't! You're too fast, when it comes to her, Kyla" Lloyd-san chuckled.
She giggled, before looking at us. "Sorry for the sudden appearance, I am Kyla" she politely introduced herself.
"I am Edward Finn von Collins. Nice to meet you, Miss Kyla" I greeted. "Ah! You are Geralt-kun and Lia-chan's son!" She gasped, as she hugged me.
I mumbled, "Ah…madam…"
"Ah! Sorry!" She apologized, as I cleaned my throat. Lloyd sighed, while Russell giggled at the sight of his mother.
Kyla looked at Gino and stated, "You are Christophe-kun's son, right?"
"Yes! I am Gino Borther" He bowed. "You look like him very much" Kyla cheered. "I'm always told that…" Gino mumbled.
Kyla went to Kirt next, "You too! You look a lot like your father, like your pointy eyes. It is the same as Erio-kun"
"Thank you very much" Kirt bowed.
Kyla turned her eyes to Reina next. "Red hair and amethyst eyes, and that face that looks angry… You are Harold-kun's daughter, right?" Kyla stated, as Reina jolted.
"Wahh! You look like a doll!" Kyla added, as she hugged Reina.
I am slowly realizing why King Harold is interested with her. Does she hug people who are the same age as her, as well?
"It has been a while Anna-chan!" Kyla cheered, as she got off Reina and went to Anna. "Yes, it has, Aunty" Anna stated.
The Figmorth Manor gives me off a cozy feeling.
They don't have that much servants, most of the chores are done by Kyla, with the help of the few servants they have.
They sure are normal than any noble. Even if I say that their ancestors are commoners, Lloyd grew up as a noble, yet he is friendlier than any noble.
…
I walked over the street to Laertes Park. I saw Anna sitting in a bench, while singing. This is a déjà vu.
I first saw her singing alone, like that during the day of Royal Battle's Second tournament, Cavalry's third round.
This will be the second time…
Anna's songs always reach my heart, as if she sang that for me. I always end up crying, while I remember everything, when she sang.
"Ed-kun…" Anna mumbled, as she saw me sobbing, in front of her. "Here" I mumbled, as I gave her a handkerchief.
I spoke, "Unlike Reina, I won't be able to stop you from crying easily. All I can do is stay by your side and hear your grumblings"
"Eh?" Anna mumbled, as she slowly took the handkerchief.
I blinked. "So, don't worry about anything. Just shout and cry all you want. I will give you the permission to do so, Anna" I stated, as tears unconsciously flowed from her eyes.
Anna sniffled, before wailing like a child as she grabbed my shirt.
I guess everyone has a problem of their own. It's just that they don't say it and keep it inside them.
And that hurts more. After all, you can't easily force yourself to open up to others and have them listen to your grumblings.
I slowly crouched down and hugged Anna.
Hugging her like this felt like I was hugging my past self. And it kinda reminds me of someone, who seems so vague to me.
Someday, I hope that she can tell me her problems. That way, I can comfort her more.
After a few minutes, Anna stopped crying. "Ed-kun, I'm fine" She stated, as she slowly pushed me away.
"Ah, I'm sorry" I spoke, as I took my hands off her back. "How do you feel?" I asked. She looked at me, and smiled.
"Somehow, crying out like that made me feel satisfied. Thank you, Ed-kun" she stated. I smiled at her. "Just tell me if you need a shoulder to cry on, again" I stated.
She looked at me a bit surprised. But soon enough she stood with a smile, and walk off a few steps away from me.
She turned to look back at me and stated, "Okay!"