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The rain continued to pour from morning to noon. The sun was hidden behind the dark clouds and showed no sign of ever returning for the rest of the day. In the silence of the library as I aimlessly browsed through books, I was reminded of the history of this Kingdom that I painstakingly had to learn when I was young.
The Kingdom of Elysian, founded almost a thousand years ago. It is known for its fields like paradise, the final resting place of virtuous heroes in books about myths.
I took one book and opened it, tracing the page as my eyes scanned the words written on it in an attempt to fill my mind with other things except for the one that's been in my head since my father received that summon. How long has it been since father left with Sir Darwin? Since the downpour continued, it's hard to tell the time. I don't even know if it's still mid-noon or afternoon.
"Ah, this is no good." I closed the book and put it back on the shelf where I took it from. "Maybe I should have some tea."
Deciding that tea is better than trying to read a book, I headed outside and asked a maid to bring me tea to the drawing room. I did not wait long as the tea was served and I let out a sigh of relief when the lukewarm liquid filled my stomach on a cold day like this.
"Here you are."
I heard a familiar voice before Damian came and sat down on the couch across from me. I stared at him as he poured himself a cup of tea as well.
"You were right," he said, leaning back on the couch. "It did rain. Ah, it was such a bright day yesterday and now it's raining."
"My father said no one can be certain of the future." I looked down at the black tea and saw my reflection on it. "It's like the heavens are in mourning."
Otherwise, why would it suddenly rain when it was such a sunny day yesterday? I used to believe that the sky has feelings too. Sometimes it could not hold back its tears and it would cry. Sometimes its cry would be accompanied with rage and there would be lightning and thunder. And when it's raining while the sun is still shining, then those are tears of happiness.
"Yeah, it's probably mourning because Lady Huntress did not have her re-match today."
"I'll have you know it wasn't like that at all. I asked my father to train with you today to assess my sword skills. Your younger brother was not enough."
Damian chuckled as he took a sip of the tea before he shook his head at what I said. "If Darius heard that, he'll be heartbroken."
"That's why I didn't tell him."
Because Damian and I are the same age, and he was my first sword training partner. And because our fathers are each other's closest friends, Damian and I may very well be bosom siblings. But it wasn't like we were very close to each other. Though there were times like this when we were comfortable around each other's company.
Granted that we are quite closer than acquaintances but are still not close enough as siblings, I think it's alright to voice it out.
"Damian," I called and I heard him humming in response. "Why do you think our fathers are called to the Palace?"
"My father just tagged along. It was your father who was called."
That wasn't my point though. "They were there yesterday too. Did you know? His Majesty had checked his will. He wouldn't have done that if—"
"Aeris," Damian said, and it wasn't often he would call me by my name without honorifics. Though he used to do that all the time when we were children. "A fish is captured by its mouth. Don't speak carelessly."
Though his words were meant as caution, my eyes could not help but sharpen into a glare and Damian noticed it as he flinched slightly. Why should I worry about speaking carelessly in my father's own house? It seems Damian heard what I was thinking as he averted his gaze and I let out a sigh.
"Then," I started, taking a sip of the tea before it goes colder than Damian's eyes that are staring at me. "Forget what I was saying."
Although I believe that he is thinking the same thing. He's just someone who can keep those thoughts in his mind without feeling the need to voice them out.
I watched as he gulped down the rest of the tea in his cup before he stood up. "Thank you for the tea, Lady Aeris. I'll be taking my leave now."
"You're leaving as fast as you came," I said, simply as a statement and was not meant as a question. My second statement, however, is a question. "Why did you come here anyway?"
Damian stopped for a moment before looking up as if he was thinking. Did he come here on a whim? I could very well hear his answer saying 'just because' with a nonchalant shrug of his broad shoulders.
"Let's continue our duel," I said before Damian could come up with that answer to my question.