Love and Sorrows (Part 1)

In a quiet, dark study, a lone figure stood still, surrounded by darkness. The only light came from a few flickering candles scattered around. Thick curtains covered the room's single window, blocking out any daylight. Despite the dimness, one could make out neatly arranged maps against shelves filled with books and various mathematical tools.

In this shadowy setting, the man remained fixed in place, staring intently at a large painting on the wall. The painting depicted two mysterious figures, a man and a woman, their features hidden by the room's deep shadows. This enigmatic portrait dominated the chamber, dwarfing the man who stood before it.

With a heavy sigh, the man frowned, his face showing a mix of pain and deep thought. The painting seemed to weigh on him, as he silently wrestled with his thoughts.

At that moment, a knock echoed through the study, breaking the silence. The man, Alastair, responded with a tired but welcoming, “Come in.”

“Lord Alastair, I do apologize for intruding. I come bearing a report regarding our newly arrived guest.”

Lord Alastair, his gaze now sharp with anticipation, leaned forward, his interest piqued by the forthcoming news.

William cleared his throat before continuing, “It is confirmed. Hiro is indeed a human possessing his own Attribute.”

Lord Alastair's reaction was a striking blend of shock and excitement, a whirlwind of emotions that momentarily seized him. His first instinct was to summon Hiro, eager to learn more about this unexpected revelation. However, a recent memory from dinner with the boy surfaced, injecting a note of caution.

He remembered Hiro's kindness and his willingness to help an Elven servant, a trait that had left a mark on Lord Alastair's mind. This lingering unease made him pause. He knew he couldn't proceed with his hidden agenda without first addressing this matter. It was like seeing a promising new path but knowing there were obstacles he needed to clear first.

“Thank you, William. That will be all for now. Ensure that our guest feels welcome in our midst.”

William, his expectations confounded by the Lord's response, widened his eyes in surprise. The Knight had anticipated Lord Alastair's jubilant enthusiasm, yet it was swiftly replaced with an unexpected restraint. A sense of disappointment trailed William as he merely nodded, bowed his head, and departed the study, carrying a lingering disquiet with him.

In the study, Lord Alastair turned his attention back to the enigmatic painting that had captivated his thoughts earlier. His lips curved into a smile, one that resonated eerily with his hidden intentions. Speaking to the portrait as if it were a living entity, his voice carried a peculiar intimacy.

“What am I to do now? Tell me... is what I’m doing foolish? What would you do, were you still here?”

His words reverberated through the dimly lit room, tinged with regret and doubt.

The remainder of Hiro's day was spent with Rayna, exploring the labyrinthine corridors and grand halls of the mansion. The estate, expansive and opulent, left them both feeling as though they were constantly rushing to take it all in.

“I’m honestly amazed you can just walk around this place day in and day out. I feel like my feet are about to fall off.” Hiro complained, glancing at the girl.

Rayna smirked proudly, “I guess you could say it’s good exercise! Not that I’m in dire need of it.” she gloated, turning to face his discouraged expression, “And it’s not like we tend to the whole place by ourselves. We delegate to make things easier.”

They continued a little farther before bumping into two maids.

“Oh? If it isn’t our little Rayna!” one of them exclaimed, hugging Rayna without any reservations.

“Miss Sakura, it’s embarrassing!” Rayna retorted, however she refrained from any struggle against the maid’s embrace.

The other maid joined in, turning the hug into a group embrace in the middle of the hallway.

“Miss Hana, not you too!” Rayna complained grumpily. The two maids ignored her completely, patting her head and doting on her like a little baby.

“Are you eating well? You seem tired. You should take better care of yourself!” Hana scolded.

“Literal bag of bones. Honestly, you can be so irresponsible sometimes!” Sakura added, only fueling Rayna’s embarrassment.

The whole scene reminded Hiro of how Ai’s interactions with her sister mirrored the ones unfolding before him. He couldn’t help but laugh quietly under his breath, much to Rayna’s dismay.

Sakura glanced toward Hiro, finally noticing the boy’s presence. She smiled warmly at him as she spoke, “You must be Lady Liliana’s savior. Are you friends with our little Rayna?” she asked curiously.

“T-That… I guess. I hope so.” he stammered, slightly flustered by the sudden attention.

The two maids let go of Rayna, whose face was completely red from embarrassment. Sakura circled around Hiro carefully, examining him from different angles. Meanwhile, Hana was staring at him through the rectangle made with her fingers, almost as if she wanted to paint him. Hiro felt overwhelmed by the quirky duo and stood rooted in place.

“Umm…” he cleared his throat, “It’s nice to meet you. My name’s Hiro.” he introduced himself to get their attention.

“Cookie?” Hana offered, suddenly bringing a plate full of cookies seemingly out of thin air. Hiro accepted gingerly and took a bite.

“Hm!” he perked up, surprised by the taste, “They’re delicious!”

“We could’ve poisoned them, you know?” Sakura responded, her calm and somewhat cold tone sending a shiver down his spine.

Hiro examined the half-eaten cookie and, after taking a deep breath, he ate the rest of it without hesitation.

“If they’re poisoned, then I have no regrets. They’re literally to die for.” he explained, a droplet of sweat running down his forehead.

Both Sakura and Hana laughed at the same time, seemingly pleased with the response.

“They’re not poisoned, obviously.” Rayna interjected as she pulled Hiro away from the servant duo, “Please excuse us, we’re busy.” she pouted.

Both Sakura and Hana smiled warmly at them, nodding in acknowledgement. Before their departure, Rayna glanced back at the tray of cookies and swiftly swiped two of them for herself.

“Some things never change.” both of them mused, a light chuckle escaping their lips.

Once Sakura and Hana were out of view, Hiro couldn’t help but chuckle quietly as well.

“They seem like a pretty cheerful pair.” he spoke softly, his eyes wandering around the hallway, “And I can tell you’re close.”

“Yeah…” she replied and smiled fondly, “Miss Sakura and miss Hana have been doting and fussing over me since day one. They’re really important to me. Though, they treat me like a baby, which can be annoying at times!” she complained, pouting playfully.

“If it’s any consolation, I found your whole interaction kinda adorable.”

Rayna’s cheeks turned crimson from embarrassment once more as she playfully punched his arms.

“I’m tired of all this walking!” she complained out of the blue and pulled him by his hand, “Come on, I know a good place to take a break!”

Rayna led Hiro to a secluded bench outside, far from the prying eyes of the mansion's guards and nobility. This spot served as Ai's and Rayna's secret refuge, a place where, as servants and maids, they could occasionally steal a moment of respite without attracting undue attention.

“Are you sure? Aren’t you worried we might be seen?”

“Yup! It’s far enough, and nobody ever wanders here.” she explained, dispelling his concerns.

As the two of them sat there, simply taking in the serenity and peace surrounding them, Hiro couldn’t help but steal glances at Rayna’s calm expression. She had her eyes closed, but just by looking at her features, one could tell how relaxed she was at the moment.

“Hey, what’s up?” she asked suddenly, her eyes still closed, “Do I have something on my face?” she teased.

“I-It’s your imagination!” he quickly turned in the opposite direction, “But you know, it’s hard to believe that amongst the beauty of this city, and even the scenery right here, all those terrible things are happening in the background.”

Rayna sighed and finally opened her eyes.

“I get what you mean…” she said, hanging her head, “Sometime, you can find yourself wishing all of it was just but a bad dream…” Rayna continued wistfully.

Hiro felt an immediate shift in her tone. It seemed that something heavy was weighing her down. He remembered Rayna mentioning being used to dealing with nightmares and such, but he was hesitant to dig deeper.

Rayna sighed, clapped her cheeks twice, her smile returning instantly.

“Let’s focus on the task at hand.” she finished.

Wanting to avoid any sort of awkwardness between them, Hiro decided to switch the subject. It was about something that he’d realized fairly quickly, but didn’t have time to get into until now.

“Rayna, I remember how you mentioned that Ai can decipher the map as well. If your aim was to make Alastair reveal the map's location, why didn't you go with her? I mean, you could have resolved all of this much sooner. Instead, it seems like you lucked out because I happened to come along.”

Hiro raised a valid point, his curiosity and inquisitiveness prompting him to question their approach. Rayna, with a wry smile, shook her head, deciding to set the record straight. She didn't want Hiro to have any illusions about the situation.

“I get where you're coming from, I really do. But you'd be a total dummy to think that would work.”

To emphasize her point, she playfully flicked his forehead. Hiro recoiled with a surprised expression, rubbing the spot she'd hit.

“Alastair despises Elves. He wouldn't have been willing to cooperate in the slightest. Instead, Ai would've likely ended up being subjected to torture for information. And after that, they wouldn't have spared her life, because she might leak the information about the Fountain. Do you see where I'm going with this?”

Hiro nodded and hung his head, a sense of shame and understanding washing over him. It was clear that he still had much to learn and wasn't quite ready to stand on his own. His memories had been erased, leaving him clueless about the world around him. Seeing Hiro struggling, Rayna felt a pang of guilt for having scolded him so abruptly.

“I-I'm sorry! I know you're going through a lot right now, so I shouldn't have been so hard on you.” she hastened to apologize.

Her momentary embarrassment was clear, and she averted her gaze from Hiro to conceal it. Hiro, however, was perceptive enough to notice her reaction.

“Hey, Rayna.”

Her name, spoken with such gentleness, caused Rayna to turn back toward him, “What is i--!” but before she could complete her sentence, Hiro replicated her earlier action and flicked her on the forehead in the same playful manner.

“Ouch! Why!?”

“Consider it payback. Besides, it's better than me telling Ai about you bullying someone with amnesia.”

“Ugh, you!”

Rayna flailed her arms in frustration, mimicking Hiro's earlier reaction, all while rubbing her forehead and sporting a grumpy expression. In contrast, Hiro sat there with an amused grin on his face. His newfound contentment didn't go unnoticed by the girl, who was on the verge of asking about the reason for his sudden change. However, Hiro spoke up just as she was about to voice her curiosity.

“Honestly, I’m really lucky to have met you all. I hope I can be of some use soon.”

Rayna remained silent, slightly surprised by his sudden gratitude. A gentle smile crossed her features as she glanced at him with a little more curiosity. Hiro, on the other hand, felt a bit self-conscious about his statement. To break the moment, he abruptly stood up, trying to move from the exchange.

“Look at the time! How about you show me a place where we can have our sword lessons?”

Nervously stumbling over his words, Hiro unintentionally provided the opening for Rayna to regain her composure and adopt a more casual tone.

“Sure thing. Just so you know, I'm gonna put you through hell to meet my standards. Is that understood!?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

They shared a laugh and continued their tour. As the sun began to set, they realized they needed to pick up the pace, knowing that Rayna had her duties to fulfill. But despite the constraints of time, the prospect of their upcoming sword lessons infused their journey with an air of excitement and anticipation.

The time spent with his newfound Elven companion stretched on until the sky was painted in deep shades of black and the stars emerged to illuminate the night. Hiro's eagerly awaited training was scheduled to commence the following day, right after breakfast.

Exhausted from the day's events, Hiro returned to his quarters and sank into the luxurious embrace of his king-sized bed. A quick survey of the room revealed a fresh set of clothes awaiting him, eliciting a mix of relief and skepticism. As far as he could remember, he was supposed to choose his new attire himself. Despite his weariness, Hiro couldn't resist investigating the new garments further. Atop the neatly folded clothes lay a note, and it read:

‘Dear Big Brother Hiro,

Since you were occupied with Rayna today, I took it upon myself to select something for you! These clothes will symbolize the new and improved you moving forward.’

Hiro chuckled to himself after reading the opening lines.

‘...I put a lot of thought into how a true hero should look, so I hope you like it! P.S. – These clothes have been enchanted by one of our associates with the Attribute of protection. They should provide significant resistance to fire and offer substantial protection against blunt trauma. Nevertheless, please do exercise caution!’

Hiro couldn't help but smile at the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.

“That little… it’s kinda sweet of her though.”

As he continued to read the note, he came across the mention of the enchantment.

“Okay. So it's a done deal. I have no say in what I wear anymore. I can't just reject something so valuable!”

With that, Hiro resigned himself to the fact that his wardrobe had been decided for him, and he looked forward to discovering the outfit that had been chosen on his behalf.

Hiro sprawled himself out on the comfortable bed, using his arm to shield his face from the ambient light. In this moment of solitude, he finally had the chance to reflect on the whirlwind of events that had transpired over the past few days. Life had gone from hectic to downright chaotic, and he found himself grappling with a profound sense of disorientation.

As he lay there, Hiro's mind became a vortex of fragmented memories. There wasn't much to grasp onto, but these were the only remnants he possessed of his current life. The past, shrouded in an impenetrable fog, remained an enigma. The present, though filled with moments and faces that felt familiar yet distant, was still a puzzle to him. And the future was a realm he could only imagine, a realm he hoped to shape in some meaningful way.

Hiro held no sentimental attachment to his former self. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The vague nightmare he couldn't fully recollect was the closest link to his past, a connection saturated with feelings of sorrow and regret. It was a facet of his existence he preferred to keep buried, never to resurface.

Instead, he chose to focus on the events that had unfolded since his awakening in the forest. Saving Lili from the clutches of bandits, forging a deep sibling bond with her, and ensuring her safe return home were all highlights of his recent journey. Meeting William, Ai, and Rayna had added vibrant new chapters to his life story. Despite the uncertainties, doubts, and lingering suspicions that occasionally clouded his thoughts, one undeniable fact remained: the people surrounding him treated him with kindness. Whether it was because of his condition or for entirely different reasons, their compassion was a steadfast presence in his life. These newfound relationships and the shared experiences they brought were the most precious memories he held dear in his current existence.

“I really am glad… that I met them. I’m glad, that they saved me… I was… so scared.”

Tears cascaded down Hiro's bright red cheeks, tracing a glistening path across his face. Since his fateful encounter with Lili, he had striven to project an image of strength, not just for her but for everyone around him. He had been determined not to reveal the depths of vulnerability that still gripped him. The initial shock of awakening with no memories had never truly dissipated; it lingered beneath the facade of confidence and feigned obliviousness he presented to the world. Now, in the solitude of his room, there was no need to maintain that charade, and the floodgates of his emotions burst open.

He sobbed and cried with a raw intensity, allowing his anxieties and fears to pour forth. These emotions gnawed at him, making him feel unsteady at his very core. The tears he shed were a mixture of relief, a catharsis long overdue, and the searing pain of his inner turmoil. His body seemed to instinctively trigger this release, a way of finally letting go. And so, after what felt like an eternity, Hiro cried himself into a fitful slumber.

Unbeknownst to him, there was an unseen presence concealed within his room. Once the boy had succumbed to sleep, this hidden observer emerged from behind a large curtain near the window. It was none other than Liliana herself.

Earlier, once she had completed her duties for the day, Lili had been seized by the desire to surprise her hero. With utmost care, she had selected and prepared the new set of clothes meant for Hiro. In fact, she was the one who had brought his fresh attire to his quarters. As she placed the neatly folded clothes on the chair, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. That's when the mischievous idea to hide and play a prank took hold of her imagination.

Initially, Lili wanted to ensure that the person approaching was indeed Hiro. She bided her time patiently, forcing herself to remain concealed behind the curtain. Then, she heard the unmistakable voice of the boy, grumbling about his wardrobe situation. It was at that precise moment that Lili had been tempted to leap out and give Hiro a playful scare. She had been pouting due to his complaints, and it felt like an amusing way to get back at him.

‘Although, he did say that it was sweet of me, so…’

Her consideration gave her pause, and she ultimately decided to withdraw for now. The situation was growing increasingly awkward by the minute, and Lili's anxiety mounted. She had put herself in this position, and she was becoming uncertain about how to extricate herself. It was now too embarrassing to reveal that she had been there the entire time.

Lili worried that Hiro might interpret her actions as a lack of trust on her part or even as spying. Her heart raced as she grappled with these feelings of hesitation. Just then, she heard a sound emanating from the direction of Hiro's bed.

‘Is he… going to sleep?’

Her initial assumption was that Hiro was retiring for the night, which seemed perfectly reasonable given the late hour.

Then, she overheard Hiro speaking to himself in a soft, introspective voice.

“I really am glad… that I met them. I’m glad, that they saved me… I was… so scared.”

The raw emotion in his words caught Lili completely off guard, sending her heart racing. Her initial intention had been to approach him, but her legs remained rooted to the spot. She clenched her lower lip, trying to suppress the urge to burst into tears herself. After a period of silence, Lili finally mustered the strength to move from her hiding place.

With her breath still caught in her throat, she approached Hiro cautiously. Dried tear marks marred his flushed cheeks, and his eyes appeared slightly swollen. He lay there, seemingly shattered and vulnerable.

‘He’s still in so much pain.’ Lili thought. ‘I wish he’d tell me. I won’t know unless he does.’

With a sorrowful expression on her face, she extended her hand and gently brushed Hiro's cheek.

‘He didn’t want me to worry.’ she realized, ‘That must be it. In that case, there’s only one thing I can do.’

…

“… so that’s why, I need your help!”

With her head bowed and an earnest plea in her eyes, Lili beseeched assistance. In front of her stood two girls in their nightgowns, both wearing sleepy expressions. Their eyes were only half-open from drowsiness as they gazed at Lili, wondering about the urgency of her request.

“So… it does bother him, huh?”

Rayna finally responded, punctuating her words with a yawn. She shifted her gaze to Ai, who appeared lost in thought. As se released a loud sigh, her attention refocused on the younger girl before her.

“I'm training him starting tomorrow. You could say we're already quite close. When I used my powers to calm him down, I didn't sense any malice or ill intentions from him. I wouldn't say I fully trust him yet, but I definitely don't hate him. We got along just fine today, so there's that.”

Ai, with a teasing glint in her eye, couldn't resist poking fun at Rayna, “Oh my. It seems like you've taken a bit of a liking to him. Could it be that you have a crush...”

“P-Please be quiet! He’s just a friend! A friend!” Rayna, her face flushing with embarrassment, quickly interjected, her voice laced with protest.

Ai simply chuckled and stroke Rayna’s head as an apology. With her cheeks puffed out, despite enjoying the attention from her older sister, Rayna still pouted childishly.

“Lili, your concern and determination only goes to show how much you care about your big brother. I can relate to that.”

Ai's gaze shifted toward Rayna, continuing to affectionately pat her on the head. A warm smile graced her snow-like features as she offered reassurance to Liliana.

“Let's just do our best to make him a part of our family. Then, he'll forget about his sorrows in no time.”

Lili nodded earnestly in response to the encouraging words from the smiling blue-haired girl. Tears welled up in her eyes as she moved to embrace both Ai and Rayna, overwhelmed with gratitude.

In this tender moment, the three girls shared an unspoken understanding and a bond forged through their shared determination to support Hiro and help him overcome his struggles.

As the early morning light filtered into Hiro's room, he found himself in bed, staring up at the ceiling with a solemn expression. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on his mind, refusing to let go of his thoughts.

“I can’t believe this.” he mumbled to himself in quiet reflection.

Embarrassment tinged his emotions. Even without an audience, the display of vulnerability and raw emotion from last night felt overwhelming to him. The memory of it made his head spin. He couldn't help but confront the reality that he had felt pathetic, scared, and weak. The experience had taken a substantial toll on him, both emotionally and physically.

“And after I’d been boasting about self-sacrifice and whatnot… I can’t even handle my own emotions!”

He couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy, and in his moment of embarrassment, he rolled around in his bed. The only comfort he could find was the belief that, to the best of his knowledge, no one had witnessed his emotional breakdown the night before.

However, there was little time for self-loathing. Hiro swiftly pushed himself to his feet, determined to face the day ahead. He made his way to a nearby mirror, and upon glimpsing his disheveled hair and haggard face, his eyes widened in surprise.

‘Crap, can’t go out like this!’

Without further ado, he hurried into the bathroom. The luxurious quarters of the mansion afforded him the privacy he needed. After a refreshing bath, Hiro knew it was time to don the clothes that Lili had thoughtfully chosen for him.

“How did she get my measurements so perfectly?”

The outfit she had prepared for him stood out in stark contrast to what most people in the city wore.

The primary color palette of the ensemble consisted of deep grays, pitch-black, and pristine whites. The foundation of the outfit was a fitted, charcoal-gray tunic, meticulously adorned with intricate silver embroidery that spiraled from the shoulders to the cuffs. Over the tunic, a sleek, jet-black leather vest cinched at the waist, accentuating his silhouette. The vest was embellished with silver buckles and clasps. Dark trousers, nearly obsidian in shade, clung snugly to his legs, tucked neatly into knee-high, black leather boots with sturdy soles, ideal for traversing challenging terrains. Completing the ensemble was a flowing, silvery-gray cloak that gracefully draped over one shoulder and billowed dramatically behind him. A broad leather belt encircled his waist, carrying various pouches and a finely crafted scabbard, as dark as the night, which securely housed his sword.

“Gotta admit though, I’m liking this.”

Just as he was getting accustomed to his new attire, a knock echoed through the room. It was Rayna, his newly appointed maid, who entered while pushing a cart with something on it.

“Hey there. New look, huh?” Rayna greeted Hiro with a casual tone, immediately noticing his new attire.

“Hi, yeah. Lili actually picked it out for me. Does it look... strange?” Hiro responded with a touch of uncertainty.

Rayna scrutinized him intently, her hand resting against her chin as she focused on his outfit.

“Looks perfectly fine to me.. You kinda look like a knight.”

“C-Cool.” he stammered, both happy and somewhat flustered with her comment, “It’s supposed to be enchanted or something?.” he added hastily.

Rayna smiled at his enthusiasm, Liliana’s plea from yesterday still fresh in her mind. Hiro seemed better than she’d expected him to be after what she was told about his mental state. There was a sense of familiarity when she considered his worries and self-doubt. Rayna knew that the best remedy for that is to simply treat him as usual, make him feel welcome.

“Yup, for the most part, at least. Our clothes from yesterday are the same. Turned into charms, I mean.” Rayna explained as she casually seated herself backward on a nearby chair.

“I see. Who exactly enchanted them for us?”

“We have two girls on the staff with quite potent Attributes; we occasionally request their assistance. But let's not dwell on that.” she switched topics and gestured toward the cart, “I hope you're prepared, because our training begins today. But first things first.”

Hiro joined her by the four-wheeled trolley, and together they unveiled a sumptuous breakfast spread, enough to serve a small feast for four people. The food’s quality, just by looking, seemed incredibly exquisite. Fresh fruit of various kinds adorned the colorful picture of freshly baked baguettes and a selection of sausages arranged in a decorative manner. The faint scent of the freshly brewed tea tickled their nostrils, bringing the peaceful atmosphere to their surroundings.

“Woah. That’s an overkill.” Hiro managed to mumble out as his mouth watered at the abundant sight.

“You said it. Since you're not an actual noble, you'll be eating in your room from now on. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing.”

Rayna alluded to Hiro's previous dinner and encounter with Lord Alastair. Despite being the guest of honor, Hiro's status didn't grant him the privilege of dining with the Lord every time.

“Yeah, the atmosphere out there would be a bit overwhelming for me.” he admitted, a sigh of relief escaping his lips, “By the way, have you eaten anything yet?”

“No, not yet. I'm sacrificing my breakfast to have more time for your training in between my chores. So, I was kind of hoping...”

She playfully hinted at her desire to share Hiro's breakfast, but her stomach had other plans and rumbled loudly, much to her embarrassment. Her widened eyes and flushed cheeks betrayed her unintentional admission.

“Uh, well... you know.”

“Sure thing. I’d be happy to.”

With a light chuckle, he maneuvered the cart filled with food closer to Rayna, facilitating her self-service. Hiro also fetched an extra chair for himself, and thus, their inaugural breakfast together commenced.