Now, it was just the two of us. I turned to Xyriel, and though his eyes were brimming with tears, he held back from crying. He gazed at his garden, let out a sigh, and managed a small smile.
Although I wasn't sure why he was smiling, I couldn't bring myself to ask him anything. Instead, I looked up, allowing myself to be captivated by the breathtaking view of his magnificent garden.
After a few moments, animals began to gather around him. A bird perched on his shoulder, while a fox and a raccoon leaned against his legs. It's almost as if he was a Disney princess, I have to admit. He was like Snow White, though with a distinct appearance and, of course, being a guy.
"Aren't you curious, Zinnia? About my past?" He asked softly, breaking the silence as he tenderly pets the fox by his side.
"True, I am. But I won't pressure you to share anything. I know you've likely faced difficulties, and I don't want you to feel obligated to reveal your experiences," I replied.
He chuckled softly. "Thank you, Zinnia," he said, his smile warm.
"What for?" I tilted my head, puzzled.
Why would he thank me? In fact, I felt like I should be the one apologizing right now, as it seemed that being around me had caused him harm.
"For standing up for me. Honestly, I was prepared to be criticized by you. But when I heard you defending me against him, it's as if the emotions I've kept inside me have been released, and the burden of my thoughts were lifted," he explained.
"You never fail to amaze me, Zinnia." He added.
"I consider you special, Xyriel. All I want is to see you happy, and it pains me to see others hurt you," I said, locking eyes with him as he met my gaze.
A smile formed on his lips, accompanied by a light blush. "You hold a special place in my heart as well, Zinnia. Your actions earlier truly lifted my spirits."
I tilted my head in confusion. "Are you not angry? He's your uncle after all, and I can't help but worry that your relationship with him might fall apart."
"Our relationship was already broken long ago. I've always wished to express my feelings to them, but I could never find the words. Then you came along and spoke my mind for me," he chuckled.
Though his response surprised me, I smiled. Relieved that he was in a better mood and not dwelling in sadness.
"Well, I'm glad I could lift your spirits, Xyriel. But I do hope you'll find the strength to stand up for yourself if he ever raises his hands to hurt you again!"
"He's still my uncle, and I feel obligated to obey him. I'm not sure if I can muster the courage to defend myself."
"You need to stand up for yourself, Xyriel! I know it's difficult, but with practice, you can learn to protect yourself," I encouraged, rising to my feet.
"Perhaps, if you could help me learn how to do it, I might be able to fight back."
"I'd be more than happy to help you! I'm not one to back down, and I have some knowledge of self-defense techniques," I stated proudly, lifting my head high.
Back in my previous life, I had learned self-defense and a bit of jiu-jitsu in order to fend off those who harassed me. Because I know the importance of being strong.
"I'd be more than happy to learn from you, Zinnia!"
"Fantastic! So, I suppose I'll be dropping by more often?" I playfully winked.
"I'd love that! You can send me a letter in advance if you plan to visit," he suggested with a smile.
"Aww, do I have to? Can't I just come over whenever I feel like it?" I pouted.
He chuckled, "Well, if you surprise me with a visit and I happen to be away, I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. It might be better if we coordinate our visits. That way, I can prepare for your arrival."
"Valid point. Then I'll write letters from now on if I want to visit. But you're welcome to send me letters too, or simply drop by whenever you want some company," I enthusiastically proposed.
"Understood!" He said with a salute.
"Perfect!" I replied.
We both shared a laugh, and after a few minutes, Xyriel stood up and took my hands. Confused, I looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
"I'd like to show you something, Zinnia," he said softly, guiding me along.
Expecting that we were returning to his mansion, I was surprised when he suddenly changed direction, leading me through a fenced gate and towards the back of his property.
We continued walking for a few more minutes until we stumbled upon a wooden cabin about a kilometer away from his mansion.
"We're here," Xyriel announced, searching through a potted plant in front of the house and retrieving a key.
Unlocking the door, he motioned for me to enter, and I stepped inside as instructed.
I surveyed the house, it was simple yet well-maintained, giving the impression that someone was living there.
The wooden structure was small, housing two rooms and a bathroom within.
Xyriel led me toward the fireplace, and above it hung several picture frames. Intrigued, I examined the pictures one by one. The portraits were meticulously drawn and colored by an artist, capturing the moments in a time when digital cameras were nonexistent, and the cameras of the era could only produce black and white photos.
The image I held depicted a family portrait. In the frame, there was a radiant, handsome man with black hair and rosy cheeks. He was smiling with immense cheer as he held a baby in his arms, and the baby, too, wore a joyful expression as he reached out to touch the man's face. Beside them stood another man with brown hair and red eyes similar to Xyriel's, his expression filled with awe.
"This is beautiful," I commented.
"Thank you, that's a picture of me and my parents when they were still alive," Xyriel shared.
"I see," I replied, carefully returning the portrait to its place.
As I looked at the other pictures, I noticed that many of them were from Xyriel's childhood.
Turning to face Xyriel, I saw him tilting his head curiously.
"Xyriel, A-although I did mention that I didn't want to pressure you about your past, I understand how recalling those memories can be painful," I stuttered.
"B-but if you ever feel like talking about what happened, I'd be more than willing to listen. You can trust that I won't spread your secrets to anyone," I added, gently holding his hand. "I genuinely want to offer you a listening ear, without any judgment."
He chuckled in response to my words. "I believe you! How about we make some tea and have a seat for a chat?" he proposed.
"Absolutely!" I replied with enthusiasm.