Chapter 172:
On a High Note
"Thank you for having us, Yulia." Inside Yulia's bedroom, a small group of women gathered around the bed, casually sitting and enjoying the casual atmosphere late in the night. After the girls' late night arrival the other night, Jasmine and Yulia had taken the princesses under their wing to make sure their transition from royalty to commoners was smooth and painless.
This had led to a conversation between them, one that would help finalize their place in the new world. Having left behind their palaces and their past dreams, it was now time to find out what the future had in store for them.
The girls stumbled upon the discussion of relationships and marriage first, started by the ever-curious Yulia, who had not entertained even the thought of a relationship. "Neither of you is in a relationship?"
"Clarence and I are no longer considered married. Now… we're practically strangers." Charlotte confirmed, her tone somewhat distant. "Since we've separated, I want to put some distance between us, and I would like to leave the palace."
"Do you plan to return home at all?" Yulia sat between the girls, enjoying the presence of other young women for the first time in some time.
Charlotte fell silent, pondering her words as Philomena responded, "Until it is safe to travel again, I want to stay with Charlotte. Even if I do return home… I have no plans to return to my royal lifestyle and get married. I-I want more for myself, now."
Lifting her hand, Charlotte gently patted Philomena's head, a sweet smile on her face. "Thank you, Philomena."
"Know that you are all welcome here. Eva's group will not discriminate against you. We are here to rebuild the kingdom, and that means helping those who help themselves. That includes your companions too." Yulia's words caught the ear of Basch, who stood to the side, keeping a watchful eye on Charlotte, having been allowed to stay in the room.
Listening to Yulia, Philomena seemed to remember something, saying aloud, "Alywin said he'd be returning to live with Theresa. She helped keep us safe from…" Her words trailed off, carrying more meaning in silence.
"Theresa is a wonderful person." Yulia responded, nodding her head thoughtfully. "If you are ever in need of a place to stay, she will help you."
Even though Theresa's was a brothel… the atmosphere felt safe and warm. Charlotte recanted her previous bias of the woman in her mind. Would it be bad to follow Alywin… and settle down too?
There was a brief knock at the door, interrupting the conversation at hand as Basch quickly stood to open it. They were welcomed by Jasmine, wrapped in a white lace dressing gown. Her long pajama dress trailed by her ankles, her feet covered by warm, soft indoor shoes. In her arms sat a basket of items, covered with an opaque white fabric, keeping the contents well hidden. The tricky smile on her face gave her away, though. Running over to the bed, past Basch, who quietly closed the door behind her with a light, soundless sigh.
Jumping to the end of the bed with a bounce, Jasmine set down the covered basket next to Yulia, who stared towards the door, asking in a low voice, "Jasmine, is that you?"
Hearing Yulia call out to her, Jasmine responded, "Yep. You always know it's me, don't you?"
"Your footsteps are louder than you think." Yulia quipped in response, smiling with a laugh. "Did you finish your mission early?"
I barely even heard her footsteps as she walked! Charlotte and Philomena thought in unison, surprised by Yulia's observation.
"Let's just say I took a shortcut to spend time with you all." Ignoring Yulia's pointed comments, Jasmine greeted Charlotte and Philomena with a giggle, "It's been a while, princesses! I brought something to share while we chat!" She moved the fabric covering the basket, revealing two expensive bottles of fruit wine and three small ceramic glasses. "Care for a drink?"
Looking at Jasmine, Philomena and Charlotte paused, having never experienced such a scene. Most women's gatherings in high society involved tea, and very rarely alcohol except for balls, which did not encourage drinking for young, unmarried women. However, it was a novelty, and the silence was read as acceptance by the enthusiastic Jasmine.
There were only three cups, but Jasmine did not seem perturbed in the slightest. Smiling, she poured wine to the brim of the three cups, starting with Charlotte, then Philomena, and finally Yulia. Jasmine led the cup into Yulia's hands, ensuring both hands cupped the ceramic glass before she moved her hand back, moving the open wine bottle to the side table. She then opened the second bottle, knocking it back before anyone could ask what she was doing.
However, before Charlotte could take a sip of her own glass, Basch moved to her side and grabbed the glass, sniffing the liquid before he sipped it himself, waiting a moment before moving it back to his lady's hands. "It's safe to consume."
Puffing up her cheeks with an indigent trace in her voice, Jasmine responded, "Of course it is! I wouldn't have brought it here without checking it first!"
Basch had already moved back to his spot by the door, having said to Charlotte, "Make sure not to drink too much, my lady." His gaze moved to Philomena, giving her the same warning with his gaze.
"Thank you, Basch." Charlotte responded, holding the glass carefully in her two hands before she lifted it to her lips and took a small, elegant sip, tasting a slight alcoholic tinge to the fruity beverage. At least there wasn't any crimson nightroot this time. She thought, her mind still lingering on the scene involving Clarence's poisoning, nearly wishing he had died that day.
The conversation shifted as the mood settled, allowing the princesses to quietly sip at their wine while Jasmine chatted. "Now that you two are on your own, assuming you aren't returning to your kingdoms, it wouldn't be a bad idea to look into work." Jasmine said, sipping at the tip of the wine bottle with a thoughtful hum. "I might be overstepping a bit, but if I know noble ladies, I know they like romance novels. Have you two ever thought of doing some writing?" She raised a brow, her expression full of trickery. "
"I sometimes write in my free time." Charlotte shyly admitted, Philomena nodding sweetly by her side.
With a smile, Philomena said, "Charlotte's writing is lovely!"
"She's probably too shy to tell you, but Jasmine moonlights as a popular romance novelist." Yulia giggled, moving her own glass to the side as she asked, "Have you heard of Madame Tiger Lily?"
Philomena looked confused, but Charlotte nearly choked on the sip of wine she was taking. She attempted to hide her blush by shoving her face in her cup, but Jasmine noticed and said, "We'll discuss that later, if you're interested, of course. Anyway, Theresa is always looking for tailors. I'm sure she would be more than happy to take you both on as designers."
Conversations of the future continued, and as they ingested more wine, their lips became looser, but it seemed only Jasmine, after finishing one bottle by herself, was actually drunk. Though her words were not slurred, she was somewhat unsteady as she spoke. As the night grew on, everyone became tired, and it was apparent their next move could only be bedtime.
"Alright, it's about time we get you all to bed." Jasmine stood up, retying her dressing robe shut as she directed her gaze towards the princesses. Basch, standing not far away, moved towards Charlotte, preparing to take her back to her room.
"Thank you, Yulia, Jasmine." Philomena thanked the two women with a bow of her head, her bouncy curls bobbing with her movements, her face bright with tinges of red. Additionally, Charlotte bowed her head lightly, her previously-disordered mind falling at ease.
The future is bright. There is something to look forward to now. This thought lingered, holding a sense of calm over those present.
Quietly separating, even a little tipsy on the light atmosphere, the two princesses were sent to bed before Yulia was tucked in by Jasmine, who was somewhat unsteady on her feet. Having drunk enough to make her unsteady, Jasmine jumped on the far side of Yulia's bed after helping the other woman, rolling up in the covers contently. Having done this many times before, Yulia let out a light laugh as she turned to the side, blowing out the final lit candle next to her bed, covering the room in darkness.
"Good night, Jasmine." She said tiredly, her own mind slightly fuzzy from the alcohol.
There was a weak murmur from the side before the room fell quiet. They were the only residents in the palace able to sleep well that night.
…
The day of Silas's departure to the Faelfier Kingdom finally materialized. Adora and her soldiers traveled to a nearby rendezvous point to wait, ensuring the safe arrival of the people they were escorting. With the sun rapidly rising as dawn grew, Silas hurried to stow away the last of his things in his travel bag, storing two outfits and his necessary travel supplies.
Watching him pack so earnestly, Clarence stood to the side, nearly wishing he could grab the bag and throw it out the window, keeping Silas in one place. However, it was a necessary journey, even though neither of them was interested in separating. Their last meal together was one in solitude, eating food prepared by the kitchen for those leaving to escort the group back to the Faelfier Kingdom.
The air carried an indescribable energy, pulsing, accelerating, and moving, carrying with it the new kingdom. Though many of Eva's group members would be leaving, there were still many occupying the palace, and there were no more fears of hostile takeover now that the pro-royal terrorists were subdued into submission.
Those who were interested in leaving the kingdom and returning home were now able to do so, save some of the rebel forces occupying the palace and the capital. Those like Maeir, who felt Eva was untrustworthy, took the chance to leave while they still could, having accomplished the majority of their shared agendas. Now, the leadership of the kingdom had been changed, and it was time to shift to the new future.
When I go back home, back to the Faelfier Kingdom, what should I do next? There would be an adjustment period before Silas would have to settle into his daily life once again, after nearly three years of hunting and chasing in the Yursear Kingdom.
Would he go back to the Faelfier Knights as a guard captain as he was? Or was there something else that he had wanted to do, paving the way for a new future. In the past, his father had taught him everything he knew, teaching him and the other children in the village. Maybe he could move to a more peaceful life, living as his father did.
"Silas, is something wrong?" Standing outside, Clarence squeezed Silas's hand. Since they had taken Silas's luggage out, the other man seemed to be lost in thought, drifting by Clarence's side as they walked to the side of the palace, into a small grove out of view.
Shaking off his distracted demeanor, Silas laughed lightly to himself, finally noting where they were, and what conversation was to come. "We should get ready to say goodbye. There's not much time."
The sun had already left the horizon. If it were to rise any faster, they would be late, so the pair could only match their gazes and express what was on their mind directly.
"I'll write you a letter everyday." The young royal asserted, his gaze domineering as his words, wishing he did not have to send off the other man so soon. "And I'll send them as soon as the courier arrives."
"If you're here at the palace, you can always use a mana stone to communicate with me, you know." Silas retorted, smiling with a trace of mischievousness as he added, "I'll write to you often, too."
Clarence pulled Silas in for a hug, holding back his own tears as he blinked repeatedly. He rested his nose on the crown of Silas's head, snuggling him close, as if he would disappear the next moment. The gentle scent drifted from Silas's body, filling his nose with the scent of his dear lover. The only sound around them was the sound of the birds chirping, and the distant echo of the wild frogs and insects in the forest around them.
I wish we never had to separate again. After this… I won't let anything take him away from me, even death. Clarence lifted his hand, catching a stray tear before it fell from his eyes. Hearing the young royal sniffing aloud to hold back his tears, Silas pulled back, lifting his hands to stare the young man in the face.
"Are you crying?" Silas asked gently, rubbing the redness under Clarence's swollen eyes.
Embarrassed, Clarence swallowed down his sadness as he responded a quiet, "No."
He is crying. To Silas, there was only one thing he could do now. Lifting on his toes, Silas kissed Clarence's left cheek, his lips softly pressed against his right cheek, still damp with the trace of tears as he then moved to the right cheek in the similar fashion, his own eyes faintly red.
"I'll miss doing this too." He let out a sigh, his smile still infallible as he pecked the other man on the lips, lowering himself back down to the ground, amused as he watched Clarence's cheeks burn red. His heart was sufficiently soothed. A peaceful calm surrounded them.
The two men's rendezvous was well hidden, but Silas had informed Maeir well in advance, allowing them privacy up until their departure was imminent. Stepping around the castle to the hidden in the cover of trees, nearly a grove of perfectly grown maple trees. The two, still held deep in their touching conversation, were swiftly interrupted by Maeir, announcing her arrival.
"Time's up." They'd carry on all day if I'd let them. Maeir grabbed her son's shoulder, staring towards Clarence with a knowing glare. "We have to leave. Until next time, Clarence."
Before Maeir could pull him away, Silas lifted his hand and said, "Wait, there's one last thing I want to do."
Reaching into his side pocket, Silas grabbed out his dagger, removing the sheath off the blade before he raised it to the side of his neck. Clarence was alarmed, nearly raising his hands to stop him before Maeir grabbed his arm, shaking her head. "Hold on."
As usual, Silas's long hair, having trailed past his shoulders, was gathered behind his head in a ponytail. Using his dagger, he raised the blade and swiftly cut off the hair to the base of his neck, allowing the bundle of golden hair to fall safely into his hand as the rest of his shortened hair cascaded down, neatly cut into a short style once again.
He… cut his hair? The young royal paused, with Maeir having removed her arm long ago.
"This is for you, Clarence." Silas uttered, holding the bundle of hair in his hand outright, placing it in Clarence's palm.
With his hair trimmed, Silas's appearance softened, framing the sides of his face. Regardless of hair length, in his eyes, Silas was beautiful, and nothing could change that. But, knowing he had cut his hair for him, his heart fluttered like a dove, his face burning red to his ears.
"T-thank you… but, why?" He responded, tightly wrapping his fingers around the strands of hair, enraptured by the silky texture.
Falling into thought, Silas wanted to explain, but Maeir spoke first, sighing quietly to herself. "In elven culture, particularly for the forest elves, we give our loved ones parts of our hair when departing for long journeys. Treasure it."
Staring at the hair in his hand, Clarence could not stop the tears from pooling down his eyes, nearly sobbing aloud as he raised his arms and wrapped Silas in a tight hug, swallowing the man in his embrace. "I wish you could stay here. I don't want you to leave."
"Clarence." Maeir warned, unafraid of prying their arms apart. "We have to leave. We're already behind as it is."
Silas let out a light sigh, placatingly so as he looked up, grabbing Clarence's tear stained cheeks as he whispered. "Be strong for me, alright? This will be our last separation, you hear me?" He kissed a stray cheek from Clarence's chin, his smile dimmed with tears of his own. "Goodbye, Clarence." His hands withdrew, and Clarence could only let him go.
Walking with Maeir at his side, Silas wiped away the stray tears from his eyes as Maeir patted his back. She looked over her shoulder, seeing the prince looking towards them, a somber determination held in his gaze. I'll leave this kingdom, my family, anything behind if it means I can spend the rest of my life with you.
If only they knew how short their final year apart could be.
…
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I'm still alive. I thought the worst of my stomach issues were over, but ohoho that was a lie. Eating and sleeping regularly has not been my friend the last few weeks, and it's only exacerbated my lack of appetite. Needless to say, I've been as miserable as I was last update. But I've been doing a lot of work for my day job lately that's been super cool/ insane. I'll share that later.
I wanted to write something happy and fluffy but also move plot forward. There are so many players in this novel that each of them takes a chunk to wrap up. While y'all might not like every character, I feel the main players deserve some closure at least. Definitely took off a bit more than I could chew cast-wise, but..... I can't wait for the end and what I have planned~~ Hopefully this post lifts your spirits as well. Thank you always for sticking by and reading YMtK. Take care, y'all.
**Also, I have migrated to bluesky (from Twitter), so you can find me under @catmasseuse