We strolled the shore, the sound of waves crashing offering a satisfying melody.
"I didn't know it was a competition." I laughed, stroking the flower crown on my head.
"Yet, we won." Len smiled proudly. The flower crown that did not fit on his head sat atop his hair, making him look silly.
Cutie.
I giggled to myself.
Len and I stopped beneath a Wusari tree. He placed his cloak on the sand for me to sit on.
For a while, we stayed silent, enjoying the scenery.
The sun was still bright, and the sky was clear. It was blue throughout.
Blue...
I closed my eyes, leaning on the tree trunk, the salty breeze becoming more prominent.
It really reminds me of Xavier... but... I'm a lot calmer now.
Xavier... Are you listening?
I just met a man who is so much like you, and it's scary. His name is Len.
He's as generous and kind as you. He even pierced his ears because he noticed I wanted to give him an earring, just like you.
Are you scared too?
...
I think... I'm starting to finally accept that I live in this world now...
So, if you want to show yourself in my dreams, can it be happy memories we had together?
That's right.
To not forget but move forward whilst cherishing the past.
That's the life I want to live here.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. My shoulders feel lighter.
"Sienna... I..." Len suddenly spoke up.
I turned towards him and saw that he was fiddling with the earring I bought.
"No matter how much I think about it... I can't accept this for free..."
My brows furrowed and I pouted. "Gifts are free. Just accept it."
"But... you must have more important things to spend on, no? I have a lot of money."
I raised my eyebrow, "Bragging?"
Len's eyes widened, "That- You know that's not what I meant."
I smiled at him, "I know. But you should also know, Duke Archen's salary is not low. Besides, you've been paying for all the food we ate."
"That's only natural..." Len leaned on the tree as well, our shoulders touching. "I actually don't enjoy eating."
"I've eaten food with the finest ingredients, made by chefs with decades of experience and it just taste... like nothing." He confessed, his eyes looking at the vast sea.
I had an inkling that Len was no ordinary knight, that inkling grew stronger the more I spent time with him.
He has the poise of a nobleman, his cloak, which I am currently sitting on is undoubtedly made with exquisite materials. More importantly, his sword had various quality gems embedded in it.
So, his words, which could be considered a confession, did not surprise me at all.
"But you see... seeing you eat firabimp and offering it because you found it delicious... made me hungry. That's when I realized, despite the food I ate with you were cheap, they tasted like something. They had taste in them. Food wasn't bland anymore."
"Do you find that odd?" He turned to me when he asked. We were so close to each other I could feel his breath.
I looked up and met a pair of anxious gray eyes that were searching mine for any sort of understanding. Which was funny, because I do.
I truly do.
There was a time when my life was gray. Colors were dull, tunes were nothing but annoying noise, and food tasted like cardboard.
'I'm clearly breathing, but why am I not alive?'
Those were the thoughts I had during those times.
"No." I stared at his eyes as I spoke, and I caught the relief it conveyed.
"Sometimes, the quality of food does not matter if you are sharing a meal with someone you hold dear. That's what my dad had told me."
And that's why... No matter how swamped with work he was, he always made sure to come home and share a meal with me.
"I suppose sharing a meal with someone will elevate the food's taste. So that's what it is..."
"Yeah, that's why I recommend eating with family." I said with a grin that quickly went away once I saw the subtle melancholy in his expression.
"Friends... work too."
Len patted my head. "The people who raised me are dead. My mother cannot be with me for long and my friends, well, we have to adhere to
certain formalities."
"..."
I fucked up, didn't I?
I was trying to comfort Len, not make him remember bad memories!
"I'm sorry-"
"Don't." Len held a stray strand of my hair, and he spoke, tucking it on my ear, "Don't apologize. I'll feel even guiltier."
Guilt? For what?
"Sienna." He looked away and with a gulp, turned his gaze back to me.
"Can you give me your hand?" He asked, stretching his hand.
I tilted my head, seeing his anticipation, I placed my hand on top of his.
His other hand reached out to his pocket.
Gently, he slipped a bracelet to my wrist.
I stared at it with wide eyes.
HOLY SHIT!
IT'S SO PRETTY!
The bracelet is made with white, pink, and red strings intertwined with greyish pearls knotted in place to resemble a flower.
When and where did he buy this? I was sure he was only following me earlier... I didn't even notice that he bought something.
"People are scared to look me in the eye... It's imposing, intimidating, but since earlier, you've been looking at me, eye to eye, as if it doesn't scare you at all."
Because it really isn't scary at all...?
"Your eyes are gentle and soft... like moonlight."
Len's expression grew softer but somehow, he exuded a sense of bitterness.
"Haha... Like I said."
He stroked the bracelet on my wrist, his eyes downcast.
"I'm sorry."
Len looked so sad that I didn't want to pry.
I thought that once I saw his face and could read his expression, I would finally grow closer to him.
Heck, he even opened up to me.
But why does it feel like, he's getting more and more distant?
I don't understand why he keeps apologizing when he hasn't done anything wrong.
I want to ask but my intuition tells me not to.
With a deep breath, Len finally let go of my wrist and stood up. He patted his pants. "We should get going. I told you we will only stay for a day, right? Your brother must be worried."
He offered his hand and helped me up.
We walked back to the stable where Jaya was. We didn't speak because of the gloominess that surrounded us.
Len went into the stable to fetch Jaya whilst I stayed outside.
I looked up at the sky that seemed to mock me with its grey clouds.
...What, are you picking a fight?!
'Plop.'
Something was suddenly placed on my head, blocking my view.
It was Len's cloak.
I fixed it so I could see clearly.
"Wear that. It looks like it will rain."
After saying that, he assisted me in getting on Jaya and we departed.
Jaya's steps were now hurried opposite of the leisure from when we were coming here.
'Pit'
I looked at my hand which had a droplet of water, then, rain began to pour.
'Pat'
"Jaya." Len called out as he moved the rein, signaling for him to go faster.
Jaya neighed in response and followed, running as though he was lightning.
Huh?
What's that?
From the distance, there were plenty of wagons and carriages scattered on the road, unmoving.
Len must have found it weird too because he pulled on Jaya's reins, making him stop. He drove us to a nearby cabin by the path.
"Stay here with Jaya, I'll check what's happening." He patted my head and handed Jaya's rein to me.
"Okay."
With my agreement, Len patted my head one last time and ran towards the carriages. I squinted my eyes, trying to get a closer, better view but the rain was making it hard to distinguish what was happening.
'Neigh.'
Jaya nudged my shoulder.
"Bored?"
Jaya neighed and nudged my shoulder again. I laughed and stroked his head, calming him.
As time went on, the rain began to grow heavier. The lightning glowed and disappeared, a loud roar of thunder following it.
"Calm down, Jaya-" I instinctively comforted Jaya, but the kid was so engrossed in enjoying my pets that he didn't even get startled by the thunder.
He's so cute, haha.
My stroking became more aggressive, and he retorted with an irritated neigh.
"Sorry, sorry..."
My gaze drifted back to the wagons and carriages, they were still unmoving.
I'm worried.
It's been 15 minutes... Len is still not back.
To be continued.