Departure

The following morning arrived with the first rays of sun entering through the hotel window.

Hiroshi woke up first, as always. He got up from the couch where he had slept and looked toward the bed where Trixia was still sleeping. Her imposing figure occupied almost all the space of the bed.

Another day. Another step toward the conclusion.

Hiroshi prepared himself in silence, washing his face with the cold water from the basin. The metal arm, the right one, moved with mechanical precision while he dried himself. It wasn't perfect like the original, but it worked.

After a few minutes Trixia also woke up, stretching slowly.

"Is it morning already?" she asked with a still sleepy voice.

"Yes. We need to prepare to leave."

Trixia sat on the bed and watched Hiroshi who was arranging his few personal effects in a bag.

"Hiroshi," she said after a moment of silence.

"What?"

"Will you give me to the POPE?"

Hiroshi stopped moving. He remained still for a few seconds, then turned toward her.

"I have never given what is mine to another. We'll find a solution, don't worry."

Trixia looked into his eyes, trying to understand if he was telling the truth. Then, slowly, she smiled. It was the first time Hiroshi had seen her truly smile.

"Thank you," she said with a low voice.

Hiroshi nodded and continued preparing things. "We need to leave soon. And remember, no one can see you. Only I know who you really are."

"I know. I'll keep the cloak and mask."

"Good."

The two went down to the hotel lobby. Trixia was completely covered by a heavy cloak that hid her height and her features. She also had a mask that covered her face. At first glance, she just seemed like a very tall person.

Hiroshi paid the bill to the innkeeper and left with Trixia. The carriage was already ready in front of the hotel.

"Where are we going?" asked the coachman.

"To the east gate of the city," answered Hiroshi.

The coachman nodded and started the carriage.

During the journey, Hiroshi looked out the window. The city streets were crowded as always. Merchants shouting, children running, guards patrolling.

I did what I had to do here. The work is finished.

He thought about everything that had happened in the last few weeks. The trial, General Wilhelm, the marriage with the ex-queen, the contract with the king. Everything had gone according to plan.

But now comes the difficult part. The POPE is waiting for me. And I need to find a way to keep both the contract with him and the promise to Trixia.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Trixia, interrupting his thoughts.

"Nothing important."

"Liar," she said with a light tone.

Hiroshi didn't respond.

The carriage continued its path through the increasingly empty streets as they approached the east gate.

When they arrived at the east gate customs, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Hiroshi looked outside and saw guards stopping all vehicles.

"What's happening?" he asked the coachman.

"Routine checks, sir. You'll have to get down."

Hiroshi got down from the carriage and helped Trixia get down. She kept her head low, hiding her face as much as possible under the hood.

One of the guards approached them. "Documents."

Hiroshi extracted his documents from the inner pocket of his jacket and handed them to the guard. The guard checked them carefully.

"And her?" he asked indicating Trixia.

"She's my wife," answered Hiroshi with a neutral tone.

"Documents for her too."

Hiroshi extracted the marriage documents he had received the day before. The guard read them and seemed confused.

"These documents are... strange. Where did you obtain them?"

"Directly from the royal palace," answered Hiroshi looking the guard straight in the eyes.

The guard swallowed nervously. "I understand. All right, you can pass."

Hiroshi took back the documents and was about to get back on the carriage when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"HIROSHI!"

He turned and saw Rania running toward him, followed by Wilhelm who was walking more slowly with a smile on his face.

Of course. They couldn't let me leave without saying anything.

Rania arrived in front of him, breathing slightly heavily. "Did you really think you'd leave without saying goodbye?"

"I didn't think you were interested," answered Hiroshi.

"Don't be stupid," said Wilhelm arriving next to Rania. "You're our friend. Obviously we want to say goodbye."

Hiroshi didn't respond. He didn't know well what to say in these situations.

Rania looked at the tall figure next to Hiroshi. "And who is she?"

"No one that concerns you," answered Hiroshi quickly.

But Trixia, perhaps tired of staying hidden, lowered the hood slightly showing part of her face.

Rania's eyes widened. "You... you are..."

"The ex-queen," completed Wilhelm with a serious voice.

Silence.

Hiroshi prepared himself mentally to give explanations he didn't want to give.

"Why is the ex-queen with you?" asked Rania with a confused voice. "And why is she covered like that?"

Hiroshi sighed. "It's a long story."

"We have time," said Wilhelm crossing his arms.

Hiroshi looked at both of them, then looked at Trixia who nodded slightly.

"All right. But not here. Too many people."

The four moved to a more isolated corner near the city walls, away from indiscreet ears.

Hiroshi began to explain. "As you know, I made an agreement with the POPE some time ago. He helped me with some things, and in exchange I had to bring him the ex-queen."

"What?!" exclaimed Rania. "But this is—"

"Wait," Hiroshi interrupted her raising his hand. "I'm not finished."

He continued. "I married Trixia yesterday. Legally she's my wife. And I never give what is mine to anyone else, not even to the POPE."

Wilhelm smiled. "So you found a loophole."

"Not exactly. I still need to find a definitive solution. But I have time until we arrive at the POPE's."

Rania looked at Trixia with a confused expression. "And you agree with all this?"

Trixia spoke for the first time, her voice deep but calm. "Hiroshi promised me he'll find a solution. I believe him."

"But why do you have to hide?" asked Rania.

"Because no one can know that the ex-queen left the city," explained Hiroshi. "If someone recognizes her, there will be problems. For her, for me, and for the king who permitted all this."

"I understand," said Wilhelm nodding slowly. "It's a complicated situation."

"Very," confirmed Hiroshi.

There was a moment of silence among the four.

Then Rania asked: "Where will you go?"

"I don't know yet precisely. I need to think about the next step."

"And if you need help?" asked Wilhelm.

Hiroshi looked at him. "I don't want to involve you in this."

"Too late," said Rania with determination. "We're already involved. You're our friend, Hiroshi. Friends help each other."

Friends. What a strange concept. I'm not sure I completely understand it, but... maybe it's not so bad.

"I'll let you know if I need it," said Hiroshi finally.

Wilhelm put a hand on his left shoulder, the real one. "Be careful out there. And protect her," he said indicating Trixia.

"I will."

Rania approached and suddenly hugged him. Hiroshi remained rigid, not knowing how to react.

"Come back safe and sound," she said with a slightly trembling voice.

"I'll try."

Rania detached herself and quickly wiped her eyes. "And you," she said addressing Trixia, "take care of him. Even if he thinks he doesn't need it."

Trixia nodded. "I will."

Hiroshi and Trixia got back on the carriage. Wilhelm and Rania remained near the city gate, watching them leave.

The carriage passed through the gate and began the journey along the road that led out of the city.

Hiroshi looked back once, seeing Wilhelm and Rania's figures becoming smaller and smaller.

Maybe one day I'll return. Maybe not. But for now, I need to move forward.

Trixia was sitting in front of him, still with the cloak but with the hood down now that they were alone.

"You have good friends," she said.

"I suppose so."

"You're not very expressive with them."

"I'm not expressive with anyone."

Trixia laughed slightly. "That's true."

The carriage continued along the dirt road. The landscape around was green, with cultivated fields and small farms scattered here and there.

After a few minutes of silence, Trixia asked: "So, what's your plan?"

"Which plan?"

"To solve the situation with the POPE."

Hiroshi looked out the window. "I still don't know. But I'll find something."

"Do you always have a plan for everything?"

"No. Sometimes I improvise."

"That doesn't reassure me much."

"I didn't ask you to be reassured."

Trixia smiled again. "You're impossible."

"I'm told that often."

The journey continued in silence for a while. The sun was rising higher and higher in the sky, promising a hot day.

Hiroshi thought about the future. About the POPE, the contract, Trixia, everything that had happened.

I started this journey alone. Now I have a wife I need to protect, a contract to respect but also to work around, and friends who worry about me. Everything has become more complicated.

But maybe... maybe that's okay. Maybe complication is part of life.

He looked at Trixia who was looking out the window with a serene expression.

She trusts me. I don't know why, but she does. I need to find a solution. I can't disappoint her.

"Hiroshi," said Trixia suddenly.

"What?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not giving me to the POPE immediately. For looking for a solution."

Hiroshi looked at her. "You don't need to thank me. You're my wife now. It's my duty to protect you."

"Duty..." repeated Trixia with a strange tone. "Is it only duty?"

Hiroshi didn't respond. He didn't know how to answer that question.

Is it duty? Or is it something else? I don't know. I don't feel emotions like others. But... maybe there's something. Something different.

Silence returned to the carriage, but it was a different silence. More comfortable.

The carriage continued its journey for hours. The sun was now high in the sky when the coachman announced: "Sir, we need to stop to let the horses rest."

"All right," answered Hiroshi.

The carriage stopped near a small stream. Hiroshi and Trixia got down.

Trixia stretched, her long body extending to the maximum. "Finally. Sitting like that for so long is uncomfortable."

Hiroshi nodded and approached the stream. He knelt and drank some water. The metal arm creaked slightly as it moved.

Trixia approached and sat next to him. "Does that arm hurt you?"

"No. I don't feel pain from that arm."

"I meant the other arm. The one you use to compensate."

Hiroshi looked at his left arm. "Sometimes. But I'm used to it."

"What happened to your original arm?"

"It's a long story."

"We have time."

Hiroshi looked at the flowing water. Should I tell her? I've never talked about it with anyone.

"It was amputated," he said finally. "A long time ago."

"Why?"

"Because there was no other choice."

Trixia didn't ask more questions. She understood it was a painful topic, even for someone who didn't feel emotions.

They remained sitting in silence near the stream, listening to the sound of the water and the chirping of birds.

After a few minutes, the coachman announced they could leave again.

The two got back on the carriage and the journey continued.

Evening arrived quickly. The sun was setting on the horizon, tinging the sky orange and red.

The carriage stopped at a small inn along the road.

"We'll leave again tomorrow morning," said the coachman. "It's too dangerous to travel at night."

Hiroshi paid for two rooms, even though he knew they would probably only sleep in one.

Once in the room, Trixia took off the cloak and mask and sat on the bed with a sigh of relief.

"Finally I can breathe."

Hiroshi sat on the chair near the window and looked outside. The road was empty, illuminated only by the moonlight.

"Tomorrow we need to decide precisely where to go," he said.

"Where were you thinking of going?"

"Initially I was thinking of going directly to the POPE. But now... maybe it's better to postpone."

"Why?"

"Because I need to think carefully about what to tell him. I can't show up without a plan."

Trixia nodded. "I understand."

Silence.

Then Trixia asked: "Hiroshi, can I ask you a personal question?"

"It depends on the question."

"Have you ever loved anyone?"

Hiroshi remained silent for a long moment.

"No," he finally answered. "I don't think I know what it means to love."

"Not even a little?"

"I don't feel emotions. I don't know if what I feel is love or something else."

"And what do you feel?"

What do I feel? It's a difficult question. I don't know how to answer.

"I feel... duty. Responsibility. Maybe something similar to loyalty. But love? I don't know."

Trixia looked at him with an expression that Hiroshi couldn't decipher.

"Maybe one day you'll understand," she said softly.

"Maybe."

The night advanced. Trixia fell asleep on the bed while Hiroshi remained awake on the chair, watching the moon through the window.

The future is uncertain. I don't know what will happen when I meet the POPE. I don't know if I'll be able to keep both promises. But... I have to try.

For Trixia. For myself. To understand who I really am.

The wind outside blew slightly, bringing with it the smell of earth and grass.

Hiroshi closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.

Tomorrow is a new day. And every new day brings new possibilities.

In the solitary walk of a man without a heart,
A road opens that he hadn't seen.
The future is fog, but the fog clears,
And perhaps, beyond the horizon, there is a light.

What was lost can be found,
What was dead can be reborn.
And even those who don't feel, can learn,
That life is more than simple existence.

The journey continues, step by step,
With those who chose to walk beside.
And in tomorrow, which doesn't exist yet,
There is hope for those who seek it.