Homecoming

The trees’ leaves were falling and finally, December was knocking at the door, Owen was reading a book, Lotus was dusting the rabbit dust, Bala was standing next to the door distracted by Lotu's motion, and Seren was sitting on a sofa looking through the window at the leaves and how they dramatically fell on the ground.

She thought about how death and birth are intertwined, how each dead leaf is a promise for a new tree, and then she wondered if she were in their shoes. What if she died? Who would care to mourn her?

“I was thinking,” Seren spoke out, making everyone in the room turn and listen to her.

“If I were to die, would anyone mourn me…” She confessed.

Lotus gasped and ran closer to her, while Bala stood there, surprised.

“What brought such thoughts to mind, my Lady,” Lotus squawked.

Owen closed his book and raised his head, looking at Seren, focusing on her.

“Well, I am just wondering,” Seren explained.

“Also, I was looking at the falling dead leaves, and it got me thinking.” She added.

“So you characterized the leaves,” Owen said, standing up, leaving his book on the sofa, to walk towards the window.

“No, but I was just saying, just like dead leaves, no one really cares when a noble dies, they probably enjoy it, just another snob was taken for good,” she said.

“Well… I think you are looking at it wrongly,” he said.

“Eh?” she questioned.

“Look at the tree. It is alive and standing. What fell is its leaves, its hair,” he said.

“So what you really should ask us is, would we still like you if you're bold,” he continued.

“If that's the question, then I would… like you …but from afar,” he added.

“BOLD of you, Boldy,” she teased.

“Who you calling Boldy? I have beautiful hair!” he said.

“Nonsense, you are always wearing a cap,” she snickered.

“I have beautiful hair,” he said.

“I bet… Oh! Speaking of beautiful hair, Hatter has the most wondrous hair,” she said.

“Who!” He exclaimed.

“Oh! It's that guy,” he said.

“Yes! He is ginger, unique, never met any ginger before,” she said.

“My hair is better, it is more beautiful than his.” he crossed his arms playfully.

“No, his hair is unique,” she pouted.

“I bet your hair is rusty,” she sneered.

He raised his eyebrow, followed by a laugh. How could she ignorantly guess his hair color while trying to offend him?

“I bet it's hatter's hair too,” he snickered.

“Whatever, I bet it is roasted,” she puffed.

He chuckled once more and said, “I take that”.

Lotus and Bala were watching the entertaining battle go back and forth. They looked at each other and smiled as if they knew what was slowly brewing.

Seren was longing for her home more than ever before.

Soon, the temperature would drop, and the wild would be crueler; she would have to wait for the spring to arrive before she could visit her land once again.

She was brainstorming for an idea that would allow her to visit her home, looking around the room, her eyes drifted to the jester, followed by an idea.

“Owen!” she yelled.

“The king said that I should follow you wherever you go, right?” she said.

“What do you want?” Owen replied, already guessing what idea she could be holding.

“I wanna go back home just for like a day or two,” she declared.

He looked at her. It was those hamsters’ eyes, he wanted to reject her. There was still unfinished business out there, but her starry eyes had beaten all the logic out of him.

“Fine,” he sighed.

“I'll ask the king,” he continued.

Seren's eyes sparked even more, “I'll make you Yalanci,” she said.

He paused a bit and then said, “I would mourn”.

“Hmm?” She hummed.

“I would be in grief if something were to happen to you,” he said, answering the question she had asked earlier.

He turned his back and strolled out of the room.

Owen’s footsteps echoed through the empty halls as he made his way to the king’s chamber. His mind was filled with questions. Why had he lied to her? Said he would grieve? He wasn’t sure. Was it pity? Obligation? After all, he was just a fool following orders, playing his part as the king’s dog. The king had taken pity on him, given him a place after he'd been robbed one. Owen owed him.

Yet, here he was listening to her, watching her, admiring her determination to live, to feel. How could he not lie to her? Or more... Why wouldn't he be honest with himself?

But no. It's not his place. He can’t care. He’s not supposed to. He can only lie.

He finally reached the king's chamber. He looked at the grand door and knocked.

“Come in,” the king said.

Owen walked and lowered his head in respect.

“What is it, Owen?” the king remarked.

“I have a request, your majesty,”

“It's her grace, Ms.Seren, she would like to visit her family before December's winter hits,” he continued.

The king contemplated the request since it was becoming dangerous, Seren wasn't just any noble lady, she was the daughter of a close friend who fought with him at war, her father, Marquess Hamid fought alongside the king and guarded him well, so his daughter should be protected however, it was still early December and the lady had been here for three months, it is time for her to see her family.

The king sighed and accepted the request, they could visit for a week.

Owen nodded and excused himself. He walked back to Seren, reaching her door and knocking.

Lotus opened the door of Seren’s room, Owen smiled at Lotus, and informed her in a high tone to pack up her clothes and let Bala prepare the carriage.

“We will leave tomorrow,” he said in a loud voice, making sure to be loud enough for Seren to hear.

Seren heard him and quickly sprinted towards him, grinning.

“Are you for real?” She asked.

“The king accepted!” She added.

Owen nodded his head.

Seren quickly grabbed her handkerchief embroidered with her family crest and gave it to him.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling.

Owen looked at the handkerchief with a smug.

“ Do you enjoy distributing your handkerchief around?” he asked.

“What?” She asked.

Her one-word question made him quickly realize he had gotten himself in trouble.

“I don't know, what what?” he replied.

“What do you mean what what?” She asked.

“What, what do you mean what what?” he questioned.

“What, what, what do you mean what what?” She replied.

“ok, I think it is enough,” He said.

She giggled and said, “True, we need to pack some stuff”.

She nodded and returned to her room.