Blossom

Even amidst the differences about this matter Teiran and I departed on his horse for the Silvas Mansion in the south. Rusha wanted to stay back to make sure that the preparations for the ball were going well. She told me that Carina and her were working on a new potion that could help us to identify the members of the Black Obsidian. So I accepted her request and left only with Teiran. Everyone else was also eager to come with us saying it would be too dangerous to go alone but Teiran persuaded them to stay back at the duchy, since it was only his horse that could keep up with our time limit for the masquerade ball. It was a black stallion who was well known in the empire to be one of the fastest horses to exist here.

So at the end it was just his horse Ragnar, Teiran and me on this journey.

“Since it’s only the two of us right now do you want to talk about it?” Teiran asked.

“You mean about my grandmother?”

“It must have been a shock for you, I know you were close to her since you were so thrilled about the rose back at the estate .”

“You still remember that? Yeah, my grandmother was always loving and kind towards me unlike the rest of the family. Everything I know, I learned from her, like reading and writing. Since my family didn’t care about me she took the initiative until I turned nine and she…”

“I understand. You don’t have to force yourself to tell me the rest. So it seems like your grandmother was a really great person” He responded.

“That’s right! There seems to be even more to her than I knew, like her being the lady in the velvet dress everyone talked about. You see, it still feels unreal. My grandmother is a nation's hope? A hero? She was just an elderly woman who loved to tend to her flowers and sip tea in the afternoon. I never could have imagined her to live a second life like that.”

“Maybe she wanted to help people but didn’t want the praise and honor since she did it out of care and love not because she seeked for authority? She probably wanted to be remembered just like a normal grandmother for her loving and sweet grandchild.”

“I wasn’t loving though? I was rather scared and weak. I could have used these powers of mine a long time ago but I feared using them. Because I hurt my grandmother and all her attendants really badly when I first awakened. So to her I probably was more of a burden.” I responded.

Teiran suddenly leaned forward. He was so close that I could feel a warm breath against my skin. Since his hands were holding the reins of the horse it felt like his whole body was wrapping me up like a huge warm blanket on a winter night. Although I felt nervous every time we came close, this time even more than that, it was a warm comfort I felt. A warm comforting feeling that made even his breath and gentle touch feel soothing and peaceful. I also leaned back and turned my head back so I could look him in the eyes. His deep blue eyes stared forward and glanced at mine every few seconds.

“You already know what I would tell you don’t you?” He stated.

“You would tell me that I should love myself more and that I wouldn’t be a burden right?”

“Yeah, also even if you can’t seem to see how loving and sweet you are, everyone else besides you can see that. I always do! I genuinely wait for the day where you finally are able to see that for yourself too.” He responded.

“I see, your words always carry such a depth, it always makes me believe that I can learn to be firm too. I don’t want to disappoint you. With you believing in me I want to be someone you can be proud to believe in.”

“I am already proud of you, if you need more reassurance I will tell you as often as you want me too.”

“You! D-do you know that you're far too good with words it leaves the other person flustered! B-be careful with who you talk like that, you might give them the wrong idea.”

“But I only talk like that with you!”

“Huh?” I felt the warmth rushing to my cheeks while hearing his words. Was he always such a flirt? How could he say things like that so easily.

“Flustered?” He asked while smirking.

“What, me? No way! I am just feeling the heat of the weather creeping up, that's all!”

“Strange, the weather is rather cold today though?”

“I get it already! Stop teasing me!” I responded with a flushed face.

“Alright, well should we talk about something else, we still have some time left before we arrive, anything you would like to talk about?” He questioned.

Of course I had things I wanted to ask you, Teiran. So many things I couldn’t ask because circumstances and time didn’t match. You remember? Back then there was one thing that I genuinely wanted to ask when I thought we would be separated.

“Color” I mumbled.

“Color?” He questioned.

“What’s your favorite color?” I timidly asked.

“Purple, It’s purple.” He responded.

Purple… just like my eyes and hair? The color people considered as poisonous and disgusting. That purple was your favorite really? It made me happy. So you like the color of my hair and eyes. I am glad. Truly glad.

“I see, so you like purple.” I responded timidly.

“What about you? What’s your favorite color?” He questioned. When I was younger I loved the red of the roses my grandmother tended to. It was really beautiful and bright, but that changed already. I don’t think I will ever change my favorite color again, I couldn’t.

“It’s blue, a deep blue like the night sky.”

“I see, blue!” He responded with a slight smile.

Yeah a deep blue just like your eyes. A blue that makes you forget every burden in the world. That’s my favorite blue.

“Can I ask you questions like these from time to time?” I wondered.

“Of course you can!” He responded.

“Wait, did I say that out loud just now?” That wasn’t even my intention! I was just lost in thoughts.

“You did, I am glad you did say it out loud. Knowing you, you probably would have kept it in otherwise without asking me again. I would be sad if you didn’t ask me, so please talk to me whenever you feel like doing so!” Teiran responded.

“Well, if you don’t mind then I will take you on, on that offer.”

“Good!” He responded.

“I would love for you to ask me more questions but I guess we have to wait for later to do so, I can see it from this uphill. The old mansion surrounded by clouds, that’s how you described Silvas estate didn’t you?” He asked.

“That’s right! We are here.”

Welcome back, to the memories that faded away just like the state the mansion was in. Will we be able to uncover the truth that lies upon the secret of the lady in the velvet dress and the Black Obsidian. This will either be the answer to all of our questions or our downfall.