The garden was silent, bathed in the soft light of the moon. Nicholas sat alone on a stone bench, taking a weary posture and his gaze fixed on the ground. The night air was cool, but it did little to alleviate the heavy burden on his shoulders. His father just told him, he doesn't matter; his opinions doesn't count. He just made him finalize that he's only but one step of the ladder in his quest for power. Not that he never knew, but he had decided to disagree. To still see an atom of hope when there's none. To still believe that he's his father's begotten son and not just his heir. But everything was finally proven futile in one night. He just realized that he has to embrace reality. That he's in this alone and has to fight for himself. His freedom, his self-will, him.
Lily spotted Nicholas from the estate's doorway, her heart sinking at the sight of him. There were whispers that he just had a mild fight with his father and she could bet that, that is the sole reason he's sitting there, looking lifeless. She has been observing, just like she would always do and found out Nicholas might be a product of childhood neglect. Speaking of childhood neglect, she remembered how he looked the other time she observed him sleeping on the bed. He seemed like someone who didn't get enough care from his mother and is now craving for it. Yes, she had heard the news about his mother. They said she had died shortly after his fourth birthday celebration. Right there, Lily wondered what it felt like to grow without a mother. Her own mom, adopted mom rather, like she just found out weeks ago, was the best mom in the whole world. She could remember her vividly. The times they played hide and go seek. The times she taught her and Floria how to make doughnuts and cakes. She and Floria had spilled the flour everywhere but her mother smiled at them instead of scold them. She told them that those spilled flour is just the product of the beautiful pancakes and doughnuts they will make in the future. Yes, they had learned. Yes, they now make good doughnuts. She could remember all of it and she wondered if Nicholas would even remember his mother tying his shoelace when he tied it wrongly. If he could remember her cleaning his runny nose. If she ever cleaned his tears when he cried and lay his head on his laps and stroked his head. Maybe he doesn't know what love really is. Maybe his parents are the sole reasons for his hateful demeanor.
Out of a concern born of pity, she approached quietly, her footsteps soft against the floor. When she reached the bench, she sat down beside him without a word, sensing his need for company.
Nicholas glanced at her, pieces of questions, flickering in his eyes. "Lily. I didn't expect to see you out here."
Lily returned faked a smile, though it was tinged with concern. "You looked like you could use some company." she spoke neutrally, no atom of emotion in her voice.
Nicholas smirked, his eyes returning to the ground. "When did you begin to care about me?."
Lily studied him, trying to gauge his mood. "I don't care" she quickly defended "Just can't leave a poor soul out here alone. Seems you are struggling to bottle up your emotions this time around, Sometimes just sharing what's on your mind can help."
Nicholas sighed deeply, feeling a bit disappointed, as if he didn't hear what he hoped for. "It's just... I've been thinking about everything that's happened, and I'm frustrated. I feel like I'm failing in some way, unable to live up to expectations." he spoke, sounding genuine.
Lily's eyes softened with empathy, the reason why she's here. It's been long she offered comfort. Her parents accident ended that part of her life. Gorge road was the point of duty for her, the centre of everything that makes her human. With Nicholas, she felt the urge to try, to see if she's still with her magic of lightening up despondent souls. " It's easy to feel overwhelmed when everything seems out of control. That's why life is full of up's and downs." She uttered.
Nicholas looked at her, his expression a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. "I know. But it's hard when it feels like no matter what I do, it's never enough. I'm constantly questioning if I'm making the right choices or if I'm just a pawn in someone's else game." He said, betraying himself who just finalized that he is his father's pawn.
Lily reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Life is full of moments of doubt and struggle. What matters is that you keep going, even when it's difficult. Sometimes the path forward isn't clear, but that doesn't mean you're failing." Her mouth kept divulging. She was happy that she still had those words of solace.
Nicholas seemed to take solace in her words, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Lily. Never knew you were this knowledgeable..." He stopped on the way. "It was a rude thing to say about someone who just helped you out emotionally."
Lily was quite delicate and he could tell that he has hurt her a lot. Maybe it's time to stop.
Lily frowned and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "Bold words coming from someone who looks miserable under the moon. What's important is that even when the way forward seems uncertain. You've got a lot of strength, Nicholas. Don't lose sight of that."
A moment of comfortable silence settled between them, it was as if everything was okay between them. Then Lily hesitated before speaking again, her voice tinged with concern. Since they're on a friend zone tonight, she decided to use that opportunity to also seek advise from him.
"Nicholas, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you," she began. "It's about Floria. The pressure on her is immense, and it's only growing worse. She's slowly losing herself."
Nicholas's expression grew serious. "I know. The situation with Floria has been weighing heavily on my mind as well."
Lily nodded, her gaze focused on the flowers. "I'm worried about how this is affecting her. She's strong, but the constant highlights and memes are taking a toll. I need to find a way to address the situation that'll help her and not one that just puts a bandage on the problem."
Nicholas looked thoughtful, his brow furrowing. "What approach do you intend on using? Instead of reacting to the rumors and pressure, you could find a way to turn the situation to Floria's advantage. Use her strength and boldness to shift the narrative."
Lily turned to him, intrigued by the idea. "What do you have in mind?"
"Nothing actually" he said, his normal tone, returning. "What Floria displayed at the charity gala is brave. Like not every teen will do that"
"So what's your point?"
"Lily" he called, seriousness evident in his voice. "I want you to know that I will not support; never will. I will always support my family, any day, anytime. But my father is not a joke. If you want to help Lustre against an opponent like my dad, you'll need a brave person like your sister." He stood up, preparing to leave. "Help her channel that strength properly. Do not waste your sister's bravery" he said and left.
"Floria's bravery" Lily murmured, as if realizing what he just meant. She watched his back as he walked away. And with each step, she had clearer understanding of his words. Something is coming and Floria has a part to play. "Floria's bravery" she whispered once more.