"How are you feeling?" Kileana asked, looking at Nina as she sipped a cup of coffee while sitting at the table.
"A little sad... I took care of that boy for over eighteen years," Nina looked down, the coffee in her cup untouched, and she seemed to have been sitting at that table for quite a while.
Kileana sighed, placing her wrist against her forehead, speaking with a tone of concern, "So you really liked him, huh? I swear, a over a hundred years ago, when you said you wanted to be the caretaker of the first fruit, I got worried."
With a small laugh, Nina took a sip of her coffee, "Honestly, I don't know what got into me that day... I hated each one of them and refused to believe the request from all the others to bring him back, especially since we sacrificed so much to kill each one of them."
A slight hint of anger lingered in her eyes as she tightened her grip on the cup in her hand, causing a small crack to appear, "But the moment I saw those strange letters written on the fruit's skin, like ancient runes unlike what the other girls saw, I could understand what was written – his name, Mikahil."
Kileana grabbed a chair and sat down beside Nina. "If you felt that way, even with all that hatred embedded in your body, why didn't you say goodbye to him?"
Nina took a sip of her coffee and rested her head on Kileana's shoulder. She replied, "I already did... Before he went for the ritual, I said my goodbyes to him."
Letting out a sigh, Nina continued, "I'm just the caretaker, and like the other girls, we don't matter anymore. After all, this village is only what remains from the great war."
"So, is that why all the other girls went on some important mission after the ritual ended?" Kileana asked.
"Yes, they wouldn't be able to see Mikahil leave, so they took random missions and won't return for a week. After that, we'll just wait for his return with open arms," Nina spoke, downing her entire cup of coffee in one go.
Kileana looked up at the ceiling, smiling and patting Nina's head as she said, "I'm sure he loves you and the others as well. It's just a pity that you're all ancient imperial mages."
"Hahaha, if my daughter were still with us, I'd want to introduce her to Mikahil. I think they would make a pair," Nina spoke, closing her eyes and drifting to sleep, thanks to a little sleep spell Kileana cast.
"So, Mikahil, do you understand one of the reasons why you're so important now?" Kileana said, dispelling the camouflage magic cast on Mikahil.
Mikahil's eyes held a mix of sadness and longing, yet there was also a glimmer of understanding as he absorbed the depth of Nina's feelings. His brows were slightly furrowed, showing the weight of his own thoughts and inner conflicts. The ambient light reflected in his moist eyes, giving them an added gleam that contrasted with the shadows of his emotions. His lips were subtly downturned, revealing a trace of the pain he carried within. The creases on his forehead and the tension in his jaw unveiled the complexity of the emotions he was grappling with.
"So, that was the reason she never spoke about her past," his fist clenched, a fraction of anger crossed his face, "And it's a damn shame they're all six feet under now because I would've loved to strangle every one of those traitors myself."
"I can tell you what they went through is something you wouldn't even want to imagine," Kileana rose, picking up Nina in her arms and walking over to Mikahil, "I think, before you leave, it would be nice if you put her to sleep and give her a goodnight kiss."
Mikahil picked up Nina, a smile forming on his face as he looked at her happy expression, as if she knew it was him holding her. "Yes... but why did I have to be curious? Now it's even harder to leave this village."
"Hahaha, over time, you might be able to master my teleportation magic, so you can always visit us. Just don't come too often, or the impact of your grand return might fade," Kileana smiled, waving her hand and saying, "I'll head out to give you some alone time with her. I'll meet you at the village exit gate."
"Thank you so much for fulfilling this selfish request of mine, something I've suppressed for so long and didn't care much about, but now I wanted to know before I leave," Mikahil spoke, watching Kileana exit Nina's house and closing the door. As he looked up at the sky, he thought, 'I hope he doesn't notice anything strange about my dear daughter...,' a sad expression settling on Kileana's face.
'He hasn't even subjugated me and he's already made a complicated request. He's quite a boy,' Kileana thought as she walked toward the village exit gate.
Mikahil walked towards his room, reminiscing about all the years he had spent in this village, where they always changed the subject when asked about his history. ' Damn it, you guys were lucky I unlocked the main system functions recently... Although I don't think it would have helped much ' Mikahil smiled, looking at the system screen in front of him.
[The target in question has a very high level, it's impossible to access the character sheet]
' I would have never thought you were so strong, acting the way you did ' Mikahil thought, stopping in front of his room's door. "I'll miss sleeping here."
Creating an ice hand that floated, he opened the door to his room. As he placed Nina on his bed, he gently passed his hand over her face, saying, "I'll miss you too, but I promise we'll meet again." Mikahil leaned down and kissed Nina. As their lips parted, he stood up.
Looking at Nina lying on his bed, bathed in moonlight coming through the window, Mikahil thought, 'System, take a photo.'
[Photo taken and stored, ready to be viewed at any time]
' Great... I wanted to take one with all the others, but they're gone ' Mikahil turned and left Nina's house. "My eyes are aching a bit, hahaha."
Kileana was waiting for Mikahil in front of the exit gate, and hidden outside in the tree's canopy was Praia.