The sun gradually filled the sky with a warm glow, pushing away the darkness. It was morning, but this morning was different than the others. This morning, we were running away. I didn't get any sleep last night, the feeling of insecurity keeping me awake. I know that mother never intended to settle down here; that's why we were living in an inn and why she avoided getting involved with others. But I was born in this city. I've lived here for almost two years. It may seem like nothing, but right now, it's my whole life. I can't help but feel insecure about this uncertain future. Where will we be going? How will we be living?
I wasn't the only one feeling sad about it. Mother and brother both had to leave their friends behind. Aoban had Rivan, and even mother, who tried her best not to get attached to anyone, had Leonara and Randy. It's regrettable, but we don't have a choice.
Mother didn't get any sleep either last night. She had to pack our things. We didn't have a lot since she was planning on traveling light, but she wanted to leave a clean room for the owners. I'm going to miss this messy little room.
We spent the last evening saying goodbyes. Everyone was taken aback when mother announced our sudden departure. We were bombarded with questions as everyone demanded explanations. Why were we leaving? Why so suddenly? Where would we be going? But as secretive as she is, mother never gave a clear answer.
Within a few hours, the entire neighborhood heard about it, and the inn was flooded with people. Everyone came to say goodbye, but I'm not good with goodbyes. I hate those emotional moments. In my past life, I used to have a lot of friends, but as the years passed, my number of friends quickly decreased. When I first got admitted to the hospital, a lot of people would come to visit me, but after the first month, most of them stopped coming. Only a few close friends would come regularly. However, as we grew up, our paths diverged. Many of them moved away, while others were busy with their studies. So I tried making friends at the hospital, but that was worse. The kids I got along with at the hospital left me even faster. Some passed away, and those who recovered never came back to the hospital since it was a place filled with painful memories. In the end, I said goodbye to almost all my friends.
I'm used to saying goodbye, so I'll be fine. To be honest, besides mother and brother, I'm not really close to anyone, but I know it's different for them.
Ever since he woke up, Aoban has been really quiet. He has always been a pretty talkative child, talking about anything even when I wouldn't answer, but right now, he seems really down. On the other hand, mother, who is usually pretty silent, started to talk a lot. She kept saying things like "it's going to be fine" or "it will be great." I think she was trying to reassure us.
Having finished preparing herself, mother turned her gaze to brother. "Are you ready?" she asked.
Aoban did not reply; instead, he simply nodded. Mother picked me up in her arms, and the three of us went downstairs, where Randy and Leonara were waiting for us.
"So you're really leaving," Leonara sighed.
Mother politely bowed her head. "Yes. Thank you for everything. We weren't supposed to stay that long anyway."
Randy answered with a weak smile. He then pointed at the single bag attached to her back. "Is that all you have?"
Mother nodded. She had packed a few clothes, Aoban's favorite books, some dried food, and all our money. We sold the rest.
Leonara suddenly rushed to us and gave mother a bear hug, while I was stuck in the middle. Then, she smiled at me, gently stroking my hair. For the first time, mother did not object.
"Take care. Come to visit us sometimes; you will always be welcomed," she said.
"Aoban, boy!" Randy called out. "You must protect them, alright?"
Brother looked up at him. A new glimpse of determination formed in his eyes. He nodded.
"Good. That's a promise between men!" the owner chuckled.
At that moment, the entrance door slammed. All of us turned in the direction of the noise as a young man entered, trying to catch his breath. He was one of the inn's employees.
"B-Boss!" he tried to speak up, his face drenched in cold sweat.
"What's wrong? You look pale," Randy asked.
"Y-You should come out right. There are people waiting outside. They said they're looking for Miss Maedis."
When she heard this, mother blanched. A sudden tremor ran through her body as she could guess the situation. We were too late. Seeing her reaction, Randy and Leonara exchanged glances without uttering a word. Somehow, they had understood that whoever was out there was someone mother didn't want to see.
"Don't worry, I'll deal with it," Randy tried to reassure her.
"N-No... It's fine... I'll go. I think I know why they're here," mother replied, her voice trembling.
She probably understood that there was no point in running away anymore. She put me down on the floor and gently caressed my cheek. Her hand was shaking.
"Stay here, alright? Mommy will be back soon," she told me.
As mother gave a quick glance to Aoban, he nodded. The two of them went outside, closely followed by Randy and Leonara, unwilling to let them go alone after seeing the fear in their eyes.
As the disobedient child I was, I did not comply. Once they left, I headed to the entrance, silently peeking behind the door.
The first thing I saw was a huge carriage that could barely fit on the road. A few people gathered around it, wondering what was going on. Then I saw a black cat covered with scars. I immediately recognized Mister Cat, who was not in his human form this time.
Why is he already back? Is that what he meant by "let's meet again very soon"?
But Mister Cat didn't come alone this time. There were three more people with him: two men and one woman.
One of the men was at least six feet tall. Standing by the carriage, he was wearing light armor that allowed him to move freely, and a sword was hanging on his waist. He was probably a guard.
The second man was around his thirties. He had distinct cheekbones and an angular jaw. His tousled dark brown hair was thick and lustrous, and his black eyes were like two stones of onyx. His simple yet elegant clothes gave him the look of a gentleman. He was obviously a very good-looking man, and judging by his appearance, a noble.
The woman looked to be in her late twenties. Dressed in a much fancier way than the other noble, she had the same black eyes and dark brown hair as him. If not for the arrogant expression on her face, she would have been a fairly beautiful woman.
Mother and brother were standing in front of them, clearly intimidated. I don't think mother could get any paler. She was so white that she almost looked like a ghost. Blood drained from her face, and she couldn't stop shivering as an unsettling chill continued to run down her spine and make her skin crawl. Anyone could see the fear leaping out of her.
Recognizing the crest on the nobles' chests, Leonara glanced at her husband, her eyes tight and worried.
"T-That's the crest of the Whiteheart Family, isn't it?" she whispered.
Randy did not reply, but seeing his body stiffen, Leonara had her answer.
"W-who might you be?" he still asked.
"I apologize for the inconvenience; we will soon be leaving once our matter has been settled," the noble said as he stepped forward. "I am Marquis Jack Whiteheart, and this is my sister Nora. Please do not mind us; we're only here on a personal issue."
"The Marquis himself? Really?"
"Shouldn't he be in the capital?"
Ignoring the commotion he just created among the crowd by giving out his name, the Marquis turned his attention back to mother.
"Hello Azariah. It's been a long time, hasn't it? I heard you were leaving the town."
Randy and Leonara kept glancing at each other in confusion. Just like the crowd that had gathered, they were trying to figure out the relationship between mother and the Marquis. I'm curious too; I also want to know.