Chapter 11.1: The Celebration
As everyone was celebrating the thirteenth birthday of the three...
Aerwyna: Aerielle, do you remember your classmate, Reno Altobar?
Aerielle: Yes, the child of Viscount Artemis and Viscountess Rena.
Aerwyna: Yes, they are here now. She pointed to a spot.
Aerielle looked in the direction her mother was pointing.
Reno waved at Aerielle, blushing and staring at her.
Aerwyna: Come on, let's go over there.
Almorante watched with a mix of curiosity and concern as Aerielle chatted happily with a boy of her own age.
Almorante remained silent.
After the celebration, Aerwyna spoke with Aerielle.
Aerwyna: Dear, you need to marry Reno on your eighteenth birthday. It's for your benefit and ours.
Aerwyna explained in detail the Altobar family's proposal and the benefits they would gain from it.
Aerielle: Okay, Mother.
But Almorante was also present.
Almorante remained silent.
Since that event, Almorante began to distance himself from Aerielle.
Chapter 11.2: Reno's Birthday
Aerielle sat down. Thank you, Almorante, she said with a smile.
Almorante: ..., I'll leave you here, Miss. He bowed and walked away.
Aerielle: Al----, .... She looked saddened.
Almorante became very formal with Aerielle, and their relationship felt more like that of a master and servant. Aerielle often saw Almorante with Selena.
Selena laughed.
Almorante smiled.
Aerielle looked on, feeling down.
One night...
In Aerielle's room...
Aerielle sat up in bed. Why has our situation with Almorante changed, and why do I feel sad when he's with Selena? She thought deeply.
Then she realized...
Aerielle: Am I jealous??!!! (Does this mean I have feelings for Almorante??) More than a friend??!!!! She was shocked.
As Aerielle's fourteenth birthday approached...
Aerielle opened her mother's room door. Mother, we need to discuss my marriage to Reno.
That night...
Aerielle walked to the soldiers' training ground.
Almorante: Yah!!!! He struck the hanging bottles with a practice sword.
Crash! Crack!
Almorante: Hah! Hah! He panted.
???: Almorante!
Almorante turned around. Miss? he said, surprised.
Aerielle approached Almorante. I knew you'd be practicing here to get stronger. She wiped Almorante's sweat with a handkerchief. But you shouldn't be practicing at night. Your body needs rest, or you might faint tomorrow from lack of sleep. She was concerned.
Almorante grabbed Aerielle's hand, stopping her from wiping his forehead. Did you come here just to tell me that? he asked, somewhat irritated. What if you get sick tomorrow because of coming here tonight? It's cold, Miss. He was serious.
Aerielle remained silent.
Almorante released Aerielle's hand. Leave, Miss. You don't need to worry about a mere soldier like me. He turned away.
Aerielle: Why have you changed? She began to tear up. I thought you wouldn't leave me no matter what, but why....., hic-hoc. Tears fell.
Almorante turned around. Miss.... he said, feeling guilty.
Suddenly...
Almorante: ??? he was surprised.
Aerielle hugged him tightly.
Aerielle: I talked to my mother about my marriage to Reno earlier.
Almorante: Tsskkk!!! he said, annoyed, and whispered.
Aerielle: And I told her I don't want to marry Reno.
Almorante: What??!!! he was shocked.
Aerielle: And Mother agreed. She said:
Aerwyna: If your decision is something you have thought about carefully and that will make your heart happy, then I agree. I'll talk to your father about it. My child's happiness is more important than money. She smiled. I won't stop you from doing what you want in life, just follow what your heart says.
Almorante: But I thought you liked Reno.... he said sadly.
Aerielle looked into Almorante's eyes. Are you numb or just not paying attention?
Almorante: Aerielle.....
Aerielle: If I liked him, why would I go and tell my mother that I don't want to marry Reno?
Almorante blushed.
Aerielle: Also, I get jealous when you're with Selena, hhmmppphhh!!! She pouted.
Almorante: But I'm only with her because she's always alone. I don't want anything bad to happen to her. And besides, I enjoy your company more than anyone else's, whether they are male or female. I am truly happiest when I am with you. He blushed deeply.
Aerielle released Almorante from her embrace. So, do you like me too?
Almorante: Huh?!!
Aerielle: Hayyysss!!!! She was worried. Do you think I would come here if I didn't like you?
Almorante: Like me for what??
Aerielle: Tsskkk!!! She was annoyed. I like you more than a friend! I REALLY LIKE YOU, ALMORANTE CADEZ!!! She shouted.
Almorante blushed even more.
Aerielle: I have liked you since we first met. You are the only one who understands my true feelings and everything. She was blushing.
Almorante: Aerielle, I like you too. Let me court you, and let's be together when the time is right.
Aerielle: Okay.
Almorante knelt.
Aerielle: Almorante...
Almorante: I promise you that I will not look at another woman, I will not leave or deceive you, and I will always stay by your side through good times and bad. He kissed Aerielle's left hand. For now, let's be friends again.... He smiled.
Aerielle: Okay, Almorante. She smiled back.
And everything returned to how it was between them.
Chapter 11.3: The Festival
Aerielle held Almorante's hand. Let's go buy taiyaki over there, she said, pointing.
Almorante blushed. Su-sure!!!! he replied.
Aerielle: Hehe!!!
Almorante smiled.
And when Aerielle turned sixteen...
Almorante: May I court you now, my lady? He kissed Aerielle's hand.
Aerielle nodded, blushing.
A year later...
Chapter 11.4: Preparing for Valentine's Day
Aerielle: Can you get the Japanese paper from my closet, Almorante?
Almorante: Sure, I'll be right back. He smiled and left.
Until some masked men in black clothes entered without them knowing. As they were about to grab Aerielle...
???: Aerielle!!! one of them shouted.
Aerielle looked. Aahhh!!!! (Selena, help!!!)
The men grabbed Aerielle tightly and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.
Aerielle: Hhmmm!!!!, Hmm!!! She struggled.
Selena bit the shoulder of the man holding Aerielle.
Selena: Arrghhh!!!
Man: Ackkk!!! he released Aerielle.
???: Aerielle!!!! another one shouted.
Aerielle: Almorante.... she cried.
Almorante managed to get Aerielle but couldn't reach Selena, as the group of men released a cloud of black smoke, causing Selena to faint and fall into their hands.
Almorante and Aerielle covered their noses with their handkerchiefs.
Selena: Ahhhh!!! She closed her eyes.
Aerielle: No, Sister!!!! she screamed.
Suddenly, the men disappeared like shadows while Selena was carried away on one of their shoulders.
Almorante: Tsskkk!!!!