Not long after, Kurtis fell asleep in Ultear's arms with a smile on his lips. She remain in his side for another half an hour doing nothing, just watching him sleep peacefully. Ultear wonder how did they end up falling for each other. How did she even fell for someone like Kurtis. He's not even her type but...his presence, his spirit, it's different from the others that surprisingly they draw him to her even more.
He's fun to be with. He could sometimes crack a joke with a serious face which made Ultear tear up laughing. But more than anything else, he's kind, strong, understanding and knows how to make Ultear's heart flutter. That alone is enough for Ultear to choose him.
After a moment, Ultear decided to leave. She can't stay any longer. She needs to go back in the palace even if she wanted to stay longer in his side. Ultear kiss Kurtis forehead before leaving. She stealthily search for Laurence whereabouts while avoiding every knights walking around the camp. They're busy that's why they did notice her. Well, aside from being busy, Ultear also has a high level stealth skill.
In one of the tent, she found Laurence with a female knight. They look like they're talking and they still haven't notice Ultear even if she's already near them. Ultear remain quiet and just stared at them. Laurence face was serious which pique Ultear's interest for a little bit since she seldom sees him with that kind of expression. Like her, Laurence would often mask his face with a smiling innocent facade.
The female knight has her right arm wrap in a bandage, her cheeks has small cut and bruises down to her neck.
"Why don't you stop all of this? Stop being rebellious, Aubrey!" Laurence voice was stern, filled with worry and frustration.
Do they know each other? Ultear titled her head in confusion as she stared at them thinking about their connection. It's rare to hear Laurence worry about someone else aside from himself.
"I told you many times that I won't and you don't have to worry about me. I'm a knight." the girl firmly reason out.
"Have you ever look at yourself, Aubrey? Look at all the wounds, bruises and cuts all over your body? Damn, just...give up already. Come home with me."
"Give up?!" Aubrey snap out. She abruptly stood up from her seat, stared at him for a long time and afterwards turn her back to Laurence. She gritted her teeth furiously as Laurence's words keep repeating in her mind. "How...can you easily tell me to give up? How can you tell me to give up my dreams?" Aubrey's voice crack, lace with sadness and anger as she ask Laurence. Ultear's eyes widen. She wonder if it's alright for her to hear all this things?
"Your dream will kill you. With your current situation, it will only bring you destruction. You know how much I want you to achieve your dreams, right? But after seeing you like this, do you think I can just stay quiet and not do anything? I'm your brother Aubrey, I don't want you to sacrifice your life just for the sake of your dreams--"
"My dreams are my life!" Aubrey shouted as she turn her face filled with tears to Laurence. Even Ultear was startled with how the situation unfolded. I-is it really fine for me to be here? Or should I leave?
"Dreams exist for them to be achieve. And you already know from the beginning, brother, that I don't plan to live my life just chasing after them, I will achieve my dreams even if I'll do it with the expense of my own life. And no one can stop me. Not even you, my brother." Silence envelope the whole place as Laurence stared at his sister's eyes filled tears and determination that not even him can make her change her mind. Laurence knew that Aubrey is a strong willed girl who single-mindedly chases after her dreams. Even if the people around her condemn her decision to become a knight and even if everyone, including Laurence, tells her to give up, she still stood her ground and remain true to her desire. She grasp her dream tightly and chase after them without stopping even if the path she take is not an easy one. A lonely and difficult path.
"Brother, please leave now. I don't want you to come here again if you will just tell me to give up. You should be the one to give up. Give up being a coward and stop running away." with that Aubrey left without giving Laurence a second glance.
Laurence step forward as if he wanted to chase after his sister but suddenly stop halfway. After hearing his sister tells him to give up, he realizes something. How dare he tells Aubrey to give up when in fact it's just his own desire to make her give up. Laurence was the one who feels hopeless while watching Aubrey chase after her dream with great difficulty. He wanted to make her stop struggling because she'll only feel despair the more she struggle. Only disappointments awaits at the end of the road. Dreams are just dreams. They exist solely for the sake of being chase...that's what Laurence thought but Aubrey just told him that dreams exist to be achieve.
Dreams exist to be achieve, huh...
Laurence put his palm in his face as a low chuckle escape his lips until it turns into laughter without any feelings. His laugh sounded ridiculous to Ultear the more she watch him. For the first time, Ultear feel pity towards him. She pity his sadden, confused, gloomy back.
"Laurence..." Ultear calls him. His laughter halted as he slowly glance at her over his shoulder. His eyes void of emotion.
"How long have you been standing there?" He stand straight and fix his clothes like nothing happened.
"Ah...not that long..."