Chapter 10: Farewell Part I
Sevi took a deep breath, mentally bracing himself for the changes ahead.
'Anyways, I should say my goodbyes first to the knights,' Sevi thought, deciding to spend his remaining time wisely, starting with bidding farewell to those who had been a significant part of his life here.
As lunchtime approached, Sevi made his way to the training grounds where the knights were gathered, enjoying a brief break from their rigorous training. Sir Garef and the others were in high spirits, sharing stories and laughter.
"Sir Garef, may I have a word?" Sevi called out, catching the knight's attention.
Garef looked up from his meal, a smile forming on his face as he saw Sevi approaching. "Of course, Sevi. What's on your mind?"
Sevi took a seat beside him. "I wanted to let you know that I'll be leaving for the Celestial Academy tomorrow. My father has arranged for me to enroll there."
Garef's eyes widened in surprise. "The Celestial Academy? That's quite an opportunity."
"But we'll definitely miss you around here."
Sevi's heart sank a little at the thought of leaving the training grounds.
"I'll miss being here too," Sevi admitted, his voice tinged with emotion.
"From the past months, I've learned so much from all of you... And it's been an honor training alongside such skilled knights."
The other knights, having overheard the conversation, gathered around Sevi, offering their well-wishes and congratulations.
Each of them shared a few words of encouragement, reminding Sevi of the bond they had formed during his training.
"Make sure to keep your skills sharp," Sir Cedric advised. "The Academy will be tough, but we know you'll be fine." He continued while ruffling Sevi's hair.
"Yup, definitely!" Sevi said as he smiled widely.
'I hope I can live up to their expectations and make them proud.' Sevi thought, feeling a mix of pride and sadness.
With his farewells to the knights complete, Sevi headed to the main house to bid goodbye to his mother and the maids who had served him so faithfully.
He found the duchess in the living room, her expression a mixture of pride and sadness as Sevi entered. Her eyes softened, and she stood up, wiping away a stray tear.
"Sevi, dear, I heard the news," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Are you sure you're ready for the Academy? What if you struggle there? What if you don't eat properly and become malnourished?"
Sevi sighed.
He could tell that her love, though overwhelming at times, was sincere. Even though he had grown somewhat resentful of her constant pampering—which somehow contributed to the old Sevi being a brat, he couldn't deny the depth of her affection.
"Mother, I understand your worries," Sevi said softly, trying to reassure her.
"I promise I'll look after myself at the Academy. I'm ready for this, and I'll also make sure to stay healthy."
The duchess pulled Sevi into a tender embrace. "We're so proud of you, Sevi. I just want to make sure you're safe and well."
Sevi hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her embrace and the weight of her love.
"I'll be okay, Mother."
After their emotional farewell, Sevi made his way to the maids' quarters.
As he entered the bustling area, he spotted Lotte among the other maids, her face lighting up when she saw him.
Lotte, a maid who was slightly older than Sevi, had been initially wary of him. She was among those who had faced punishment from the old Sevi, which had made her nervous around him.
But after helping him dress for his meeting with the royals, Lotte had come to see that Sevi had changed. Over the past two months, their interactions had blossomed into a genuine friendship, marked by playful banter and mutual respect.
"Lotte!" Sevi called out, his voice carrying a note of familiarity and affection.
Lotte looked up from her duties, her expression shifting to one of warmth as she saw Sevi approaching.
"young master Sevi! I didn't expect to see you here. Is everything alright?"
Sevi smiled, his gaze softening. "I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm heading to the Celestial Academy tomorrow."
Lotte's eyes widened in shock. "The Celestial Academy? I didn't realize you'd be going so soon."
Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, "I'm going to miss you a lot. It feels like just when we were starting to get close, you're already leaving."
Sevi nodded, understanding her feelings.
Lotte reached out and gave Sevi a heartfelt hug. "Take care of yourself at the Academy. And don't forget us here. We'll all be cheering you on from afar."
Sevi returned the hug, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I won't forget. Thank you for everything, Lotte. I'll make sure to stay in touch."
With a final, heartfelt exchange, Sevi took a moment to look around at the other maids, each of whom had watched the interaction with a mix of curiosity and affection.
He offered them each a nod and a smile. "Thank you all for everything. I'll miss you all."
Sevi exited the maids' quarters with a mixture of emotions stirring within him.
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