In the De Lolce estate, amidst the grandeur of its gardens and sprawling grounds, a sense of urgency filled the air. Aerielle was absorbed in her gardening when a commotion drew her attention.
A maid, her face a mask of distress, exclaimed, "Oh no! Why did Miss Aerielle's cat climb up that tree?"
Aerielle, panic rising in her voice, called out to the maid, "Yaya, how do we get my cat down from the tree? *I'm so worried!* She's on a high branch! (If she falls, it will be the end of Molly) hic-hoc *crying*"
The maid hurried to comfort Aerielle. "Calm down, my little lady. *hugging Aerielle* I'll call a guard to rescue your cat. Stay here, alright? It'll be over quickly." With that, she rushed off.
Moments later...
Aerielle called up to the tree, her voice filled with desperation, "Hold on, Molly! (Help is coming) hic-hoc!!!"
But suddenly...
Aerielle's voice rose in a desperate cry, "No!!!"
A branch snapped under Molly's weight, and the cat yowled in fear, "MEOOWWW!!!!!"
Aerielle shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for the worst. When she finally dared to open them, she saw a figure below, catching Molly.
**With wide eyes, Aerielle gasped, "Huh?!"**
She saw a boy standing there, having just saved her cat.
Aerielle rushed over to him, her voice trembling, "A-are you alright?!! *worried*"
The boy stood up, dusting off his clothes. "Is this your cat, miss?"
Aerielle, taking Molly from the boy's arms, said, "Yes, she's my cat. How did you get in here, and why are you in our garden? (Aren't our guards supposed to be watching?)"
The boy, with a gentle smile, handed her a handkerchief. "Wipe your tears first; it's ruining your beauty, miss." His emerald-green eyes sparkled, and his blue hair and pale skin were striking against the backdrop of the garden.
Aerielle took the handkerchief, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "T-thank you!!!" She wiped her tears, taking in the boy's appearance.
The boy introduced himself, "I'm Almorante Cadez, miss. I'm the child of Captain Viktor and Countess Alina. I'm one of the new trainee soldiers here to protect the mansion's inhabitants. I got lost because I'm new around here." He scratched his head sheepishly.
Aerielle, still holding Molly, responded, "My name is Aerielle. *stroking the cat*"
Molly meowed softly, as if in agreement.
Almorante knelt, his tone apologetic. "I'm sorry I didn't show the proper respect earlier."
Aerielle smiled warmly. "It's alright. I should be thanking you for saving my cat from danger. And I apologize for any scratches and wounds you might have gotten because of my carelessness."
Almorante shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "It's nothing, miss. I'll be one of your guards and soldiers someday, so it's my duty to protect and rescue you from any harm."
Aerielle's cheeks flushed with gratitude. "Thank you for saving my cat."
Almorante grinned. "It was a small thing."
Aerielle suddenly said, "Wait!"
Almorante looked puzzled. "Why?"
Aerielle began to remove the twigs and leaves from Almorante's hair and clothes. "There, all done!" She smiled.
Almorante blushed, "T-thank you!!!"
Aerielle set Molly down gently. "By the way, my name is Aerielle." She extended her hand.
Almorante shook it, "Nice to meet you, miss."
Just then, the maid arrived with a guard.
The maid, surprised, said, "Oh, Molly got down by herself, miss?"
Aerielle pointed to Almorante. "No, this boy *indicating Almorante* saved my cat from falling to her death."
The maid turned to the guard. "But how did this boy get in here?"
The guard swallowed nervously.
Aerielle reassured them, "Don't worry; he's one of the trainees here to become a strong and good soldier someday."
The maid asked, "But why is he here, miss?"
Aerielle whispered to the maid, "He got lost..."
The maid responded, "Ah..."
Aerielle whispered again, "Yaya, I'll explain everything when we get back to my room."
The maid, understanding, said, "Oh, do you need to rest, miss?" She whispered back.
Almorante looked curious. "???"
Aerielle nodded. "Yes, I need to go to my room to rest."
The maid added, "And you need to bathe and change clothes because you're dirty."
Almorante bowed. "Alright. Until we meet again, miss."
Aerielle smiled.
The maid picked up Molly.
Molly meowed contentedly.
The maid said, "Come on, miss."
Aerielle waved, "Goodbye, Almorante."
Almorante smiled back.
As the maid and Aerielle left...
The guard said, "Let's leave too."
Almorante saluted. "Yes, sir!"
The guard patted Almorante's head. "Hehe!"
Almorante smiled brightly.
Thus began the friendship between Almorante and Aerielle, a bond that was fated to form early in their lives.
**One Day in the Snowy Field**
Almorante and Aerielle decided to enjoy the snow.
Aerielle, playfully, threw a snowball at Almorante. "Oh, catch this!"
Almorante yelped in surprise, "Ouch!"
Both burst into laughter.
Almorante was Aerielle's first true friend, the first person to be drawn not just by her appearance but by her true self. He was also the first to make her smile when she was sad, using his own unique ability to create fire from his hands.
Aerielle, tears of emotion in her eyes, cried, "Almorante.... hic-hoc!!!"
Almorante hugged her tightly. "Don't cry, Aerielle. Everything will be alright."
He made her laugh again.
Aerielle giggled, "Hahaha!"
Later...
Aerielle asked, "Almorante, aren't you afraid of me because of the fire that comes from my hands? (I hope we can still be friends despite this)" *worried*
Almorante reassured her, "No, it's just fire."
Aerielle continued, "But what if the fire comes out again and hurts you?" *sadly*
Almorante replied with a smile, "Then I'll just avoid it."
Aerielle looked at him hopefully. "Almorante...."
Almorante, his smile unwavering, said, "No matter how you look or what happens to you, I won't leave you. I'll always be here for you because we're friends, right, miss?"
Aerielle smiled warmly at Almorante.
**One Day in the Garden**
Aerielle saw Almorante walking with Selena in the garden.
She hid behind a tree, her curiosity piqued as she listened to their conversation.
Selena said, "Thanks for calming me down."
Almorante replied, "It was nothing, hehe!" *scratching his head*
Selena blushed and smiled.
Aerielle wondered, "???"
After they left, Aerielle walked away, her face clouded with sadness.
**At the Playground [Siso]**
Almorante noticed Aerielle's downcast mood. "Miss, why do you seem so sad today?"
Aerielle forced a smile. "Oh, nothing much. Just remembering a sad story I saw yesterday at the theater."
Almorante gently advised, "Ah, don't think about it. If you keep frowning and dwelling on it, you'll just look worse."
Aerielle laughed, her sadness lifting. "Hahaha!!!!"
And so, Aerielle's sorrow faded away, replaced by the warmth of her friendship with Almorante, who always knew how to make her smile.