I felt a similar and familiar tone every time I was with Gesine, and now I know why she's the niece of a friend of mine. Though both of them are older, since they are elves, they still managed to communicate with me.
"Cassius? What are you doing here?" she looked at me and noticed the suit that I'm wearing. To her, it must be pretty usual since I always wore black stuff, but now I'm wearing white.
"I'm sure we both have the same reason," I said, paying my respect for their sacrifice and the blood they shed during the Times of war and evil.
"You came to pay respect to my aunt?" she questioned me with a confused face.
"Well, technically yes, but I'm also here for the others. As you can see, I have already put down some flowers for them."
"I see," she put the bouquet of flowers on Ayla's grave and started to pray. She's praying for her soul and well-being that has already left this world. I'm sure the Gods are taking good care of her.
"Anyways, why are you sitting on the ground, Cassius?"
"I just felt like it. Besides, when talking to these guys, I'd prefer to sit down on the ground."
"Well, how about the two of us sit over there," she pointed at the bench near a flower garden. It wasn't far from the gravestones, so I stood up and sat down along with Gesine.
"By the way, you said you prefer talking to them while sitting down. Do you possibly know the hero Esmond's companions?"
"I don't know them. I just happen to know them from the stories people tell around the continent." That's a lie. It hurts me to lie about my own companions, but this is for my safety, so they should understand, right?
What am I talking about? They are already dead; they won't even know what I'm saying now.
"Well, could you tell me more about your aunt? I never knew she was the hero's friend," I did know that Ayla had a family since she would always brag about their power and heritage.
"Well, there weren't any particularly good memories with her since she would pull me out of the house and make me use a spear."
"Classic Ayla," I chuckled.
"Hm? Do you really know her, perhaps? Seems like you met her."
"Ah, no, I just heard it from people who usually travel with the hero. They say she was a big fan of training every day, but there's one thing I'm curious about."
"What is it? You can ask me anything."
"You said Ayla trained you with a spear, but I never heard of her using one, not even in the books and records."
Gesine stayed silent for a while, contemplating whether to tell me or not. I don't know if it's something I should know about, but I never saw her use any weapon aside from her bow and arrow.
"Okay, well first, I'd prefer if you call her Lady Ayla or anything aside from Ayla since she is a hero's companion, even though the hero who led them became the demon king."
"Oh, then I'll apologize for the disrespect I gave her." Nah, I'm not sorry. Ayla, in the past, called me by many names, and those names weren't good ones. But for Gesine's sake, I should call her lady, though it feels a bit weird.
"Well... I don't know if I should tell you this, but my aunt was originally a spear user, same as I, but with the conflict in the family, she chose to avoid using it and strayed away from the direct lineage."
So this is her past. I never dived into her past since she would do anything to hide it. Is it because of family shame? Ayla's smile and laughter were hiding something within.
"I see. If that's all you have to say, I won't ask you any more questions about your family since I'll be breaking your privacy."
"Thanks, Cassius, but I'm curious as well. I just can't ignore it. But every time I talk about my aunt, your facial expressions always change."
My face did? Though it's no wonder I can't really tell her anything, though I wish I could. Some things must stay hidden.
"I have a lot to say but I can't. There's so much I want to say and share but... My fate won't allow it."
"What are you talking about, Cassius? You can tell me anything."
I stood up and looked at my comrades' graves. I took a final glance and sighed. I knew that this will be the last time I see them. I won't be back anytime soon.
"Let's go back, Gesine. Let's go home," I smiled, but deep down it hurts. There was nothing to show.
"Yeah, let's go back," she held my hand and took the lead as the cool breeze of wind came by, and as the sun began to set, she looked back at me and smiled.
I felt a faint thumping in my chest. It was the same when I was with Cecil. So this is where my life is going. This is the moment I want to live in, this moment forever.
"Come on, Cassius, the day is about to end and the festival is coming closer."
She pulled me, and we went home, still holding hands at this point. Gesine never bothered to let go until we arrived at the house, and she went to her room immediately.
Upon arriving, I heard Gesine screaming inside her room. I was caught by surprise, but this time I knocked on the door.
"Are you alright in there?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," her voice was kinda shaky.
"Alright, just call me when you need help or something."
"A-alright!" I headed towards the kitchen and drank some water before heading to my room. As I arrived, I took off my clothes and looked outside the window; it was already nighttime. In a few days, the festival will start.
I already invited Gesine so she would come with me. I'm looking forward to it since it will be the first time I'll be going to a festival with a girl alone.
Extra.
Gesine:
I held his hand until we arrived at the house. The entire time, my heart was beating faster and faster, but I had to hold it in. This day was a lucky day.
As we arrived, I suddenly let go of his hand and went straight to my room without saying a single word to him. I just couldn't hold it anymore.
"I can't believe I held his hand!" It was nerve-wracking and exciting. I couldn't contain my joy.
"He was taking other girls on dates, but he still held my hand!" I released my anger on the pillow and unknowingly screamed out.
"I didn't mean that!" Until I heard a knocking sound on my door.
"Are you alright in there?" Cassius asked me. I kept on being quiet since I didn't know what to reply. My heart was still pounding.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine."
"Alright, just call me when you need help or something." Yes! My knight in shining armor, wait, I mean.
"Alright!" After that, he was gone. He probably went to his room by now. There's a lot I didn't know about Cassius. I never knew he was interested in the hero's companions.
I feel like I need time to understand him more. Though I was already making this decision, I plan on following him. I want to accompany him. I want to be with him more and more.
That's why in the middle of the festival, I will tell him how I feel and that I want to go with him!