Elise POV
My mourning usually begins at the break of dawn when the first blush of the morning sun colours the blackened world. I would usually wake up earlier than anyone in my household, even earlier than most people in the town would wake up and then begin my morning training sessions. This training would usually consist of hogging in the still-asleep town and refining my sword arts. Some times I would even hunt a deer or a bird, not that I am successful most of the time, or sometimes I would even spar with the other kids who 0would have woken up by then. Afterwards I would have washed myself with water to get rid of the sweat and have breakfast with my father.
My father and my grandfather were the only ones of my family. My mother had died when I was a toddler due to some unknown disease. I don't remember much about her. However everyone would often compare me with my dead mother and say that except for my attitude and talent in swordsmanship, I looked every bit like my mother. My mother was just your everyday average women who you could find everywhere. Her only perk was that she was beautiful, which I had inherited from her.
My father, Stuart was someone I deeply admired and respected from the bottom of my heart. He did not need to belong to any chivalric knight order to prove his courage. His feats and achievements in the werewolf stampede form 13 years ago earned him the post of town lord and the name of Stuart ushered in Nirmia.
My grandfather was a famous swords trainer from the royal military in the capital. He was discharged honorably some 15 years ago and spend his retirement over teaching me and a few other children from the town about magic and swordsmanship. Much of his fighting capabilities and his sword arts were inherited by me. Of course I was not completely depended on his sword arts and hence further refined what he would teach. Grandfather's knowledge in magic was quiet superficial as he did not posses much mana, so neglected his studies in magic.
My every day was pretty monotonous and planned out so that nothing unexpected would ever happen. Perhaps 13 years ago, when he was still there my life was still interesting. Everyday was fun. But now everything has changed since him and his family abandoned this town. They say that your first love is always unrequited. For me that was the exact case. It might have just been a childhood crush for the both of us. An innocent childhood fantasy or perhaps an unforgettable dream, but sometimes it still hurts. Those days back then, filled with my gleeful memories are still unforgettable for me. He might have already forgotten me. But I still hope sometimes that those days will come back again, that we will meet again.
Today wasn't like everyday, hence I did not train today. Today was the festival of victories. The victory that we had gotten over the were beast 13 years ago was to be celebrated today. Hence, Since today was a holiday, I woke up late after a long restful sleep. I had intended to spend the day alone thinking about the future and perhaps study some advanced magic. However because of my father's pestering and my best friend, Carla's insistence I had to cut my 'self-reflecting' short.
I got dressed in a newly bought colorful long skirt, as advised by Carla and left for the town square along with her by evening. Even my grandfather had left for the festival to get some drink along with other similar aged men. My father said that the entire town would be there to enjoy the night, hence it was a night for every one to enjoy.
It was a bright night, so bright that I would doubt that it was even night time. The entire streets were lit up by magic lamps. It was a night that was perhaps even blessed by the goddess of the night as the bountiful stars illuminated the night sky.
"Hurry Elise," Carla exclaimed, "follow the crowd, the fire works are going to start soon."
"You know how much I hate crowds," I reply, "yet you are taking me through this crowd."
"Its going to be fine, its just for today, "she retorts.
"Look those earrings look pretty good," Carla points towards a stall manned by a middle aged woman with curly hair.
"How much are these?" Carla asks picking up a pair of earrings.
The middle aged woman shows 2 fingers while replying, "20 coppers".
"That's too much!" Clara complains "it should be 10 copper!"
"That's impossible, miss," the middle aged women retorts while laughing, "these might be handcrafted but the market price is still way above 10 coppers."
I pick up a pair as well and say, " I will take this so give us 25 coppers."
"30 coppers or 1 silver," she says.
After a bit more haggling the price settled down to 27 coppers and we bought those earrings. Truthfully, the earrings weren't that special. They looked like any cheap earrings would like except the fact that a pearl was attached to it. These moonlight pearls shone in the night, hence the extravagant price of these earrings. Both me and Carla wear our earrings as soon as we bought them. Carla already had a pair on her ears so she stored her previously worn earrings inside her spatial bag before wearing the new ones. Usually spatial bags are incredibly expensive and almost no one could even afford them. However since Carla's father is a merchant she got it as a gift from her father due to the fact that she became eligible to go to the Eton academy. Of course, I too am eligible to go to the academy but my family, although renowned throughout the town, is not rich nor well connected to get me a spatial ring. Not that I am complaining since I did still receive a great gift, that was a mithril short sword.
"Follow the crowd, Elise" Carla screamed pulling me along with her towards a moving crowd.
Although I definitely did not want to get in, I gave in to her demand.
The extreme smell of sweat, oil and sugar accompanied by the hubbub of the townsmen and the thudding of their feet was making me incredibly dizzy. Even though Clara held me by her hand I still had the anxious feeling of getting lost in the crowd. I knew I did not belong here. This was too much for me. I wanted to give up and go back home. I didn't care much about socializing. Too me the people here might be the people I intended to protect. They might be the people I had grew up with but by no means do I want to go see fireworks along with all these people and feel claustrophobic.
Then I do want I should have done a long time ago. I slip from Carla's clutch and immediately make a run for my money.
"Make way! Make way!" a loud voice probably amplifies with magic commanded.
Yes this was my chance . I think as an uninhabited gap comes to my view. I run even faster and then make my victory leap.
"At last!" I exclaim before taking a look at my right after realizing that I wasn't the only one who tried to escape the crowd. I was awestruck when I saw the person beside me. He was someone of my age with jet-black hair and a cold but handsome face. His was someone whose face was etched deep in my memories. Of course the face in my memories was that of a child. A child who was always playful and friendly. A child who would not cry even when hurt but try to hide his pain. If that child grew up I am sure he would look like the boy I was staring at.
"Hello Elise," the boy says with a surprised look which slowly changes into a sad and lonely look that was full of longing.
It was then I was sure the boy before me was none other than Radcliffe Kousov, the boy of my dreams. The boy who was my first love.