Love and Sorrows (Part 2)

In another wing of the grand mansion, Lord Alastair and his daughter, Lili, found themselves in the midst of their customary morning repast. The Elven staff, attired in their impeccable maid uniforms, executed their duties with practiced precision. This daily ritual typically began with a mild dispute between father and daughter. The crux of their disagreement revolved around Lili's unswerving kindness and respect for the household servants. Lili insisted on undertaking menial tasks herself, such as fetching her own plates and pouring her own tea. She showed no aversion to sharing a meal with the maids.

Alastair's response was invariably marked by a scoff and a disapproving click of his tongue, finding Lili's conduct vexatious. Consequently, the maids and Lili would position themselves at the opposite end of the dining table, distanced from the Lord. Alastair held a certain fondness for his daughter, and he was aware that he could not entirely suppress her ‘shenanigans’.

Despite their initial hesitation and trepidation, the Elven servants took solace in Liliana's presence. Breakfast was a unique occasion, the sole time when such interactions were deemed acceptable. In the privacy of this dining chamber, with only Alastair and his daughter in attendance, the Lord need not concern himself with whispers of him exhibiting favoritism toward the Elves. Nevertheless, the sight continued to repulse him deeply, even though it represented one of the few opportunities for him to connect with Liliana.

“So, my daughter, how’s our special guest faring thus far? Is he pleased with the accommodations we've provided?”

Liliana responded with a hint of exasperation, her frustration thinly veiled.

“You would've been able to ask him that yourself if he were allowed to dine with us, father.”

Alastair's brows furrowed, and he exhaled wearily. Meanwhile, Lili took another bite of her toast, her dissatisfaction visibly etched on her countenance.

“We have discussed this matter, haven’t we? I can indulge you only so far…”

Lord Alastair remarked with a gravitas, casting a cold and penetrating glare toward the Elves dining alongside Lili. His piercing gaze sent shivers down their spines, causing them to avert their eyes in fear.

“Father…”

Liliana interjected softly, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with her father. Her message was swiftly understood by Lord Alastair, who promptly relented and withdrew his stern scrutiny.

“In any case, Hiro does not hail from noble stock. Regardless of whether he is your savior or not, I must uphold my own image. You may visit him later, and that should suffice.”

Lili nodded in agreement, acknowledging the suggested compromise. With this resolution, their daily exchange came to its conclusion. The remainder of the breakfast transpired in relative silence, save for the amiable chatter shared between Lili and the Elven maids. Nevertheless, despite his imperfections, Alastair retained a vital place in Lili's heart; after all, he was her father.

Upon finishing his meal, Lord Alastair rose from his chair, signaling his intention to depart. Just moments before crossing the exit, Lili called out to him with a palpable note of desperation in her voice.

“Father, wait!” she implored.

Alastair came to an abrupt halt in his stride, though he refrained from turning to face his daughter immediately. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lili mustered the courage to utter the words she had consistently offered her father at parting.

“I love you.” Liliana confessed, her sincerity evident in her voice.

Alastair was her father, one of the most significant figures in her life. Her breath caught in her throat as she awaited his response, the uncertainty of his reply a source of perennial concern for her.

Alastair finally turned his head to the side, his gaze distant yet affectionate.

“I love you too, my dear daughter.” he replied, his words lifting the burden that had momentarily weighed upon Lili's heart.

Meanwhile, in yet another corner of the sprawling mansion, William had just returned from his morning patrol and decided to steal a brief respite on a garden bench. The gentle caress of the morning sun bathed the surroundings in a radiant glow, offering a breathtaking view. For William, this serene garden was his sanctuary, a place of solace where he could momentarily escape the daily tumult of life.

From behind a verdant hedge, a sudden voice disrupted his solitude. It was the blue-haired girl, Ai.

“Slacking off, I see.” The knight leaped in surprise, his heart pounding as he clutched his chest to quell the sudden surge of nerves.

“Ai, seriously. You’re gonna give me a heart attack one day.” William admonished, his voice still tinged with lingering astonishment.

“Serves you right. Hmph!” Ai retorted, her lips pouting while her cheeks puffed out.

She swiftly retreated behind the concealment of the plant. William sighed, making his way to the opposite side of the hedge.

“Is it because of yesterday?” he inquired, his tone softened with guilt.

“You're always so stubborn, and you end up being mean to others.” Ai chided, her words carrying a hint of reproach.

“I was merely worried about our safety,” William explained, his voice tinged with regret. “That said, you're absolutely right. I feel bad about the way I acted yesterday. I’m sorry, Ai.”

The knight bowed his head and clasped his hands together in a gesture of sincere contrition. Ai, hidden amidst the foliage, bestowed upon him a gentle smile.

“I’ll forgive you.” she declared, though her enthusiasm was notably subdued.

William looked up with anticipation, ready to extend his gratitude.

“Then—” he began, but his words were swiftly curtailed by Ai's abrupt interjection.

“Not so fast! I want something in return!” she exclaimed, her tone slightly flustered.

William, having discerned Ai's penchant for playful teasing at this point, regained his composure and couldn't help but smile.

“I… sure. Whatever you want.”

“I want…” she whispered, clutching tightly the hem of her skirt, “to be a little selfish. Just this once. Please, let me.” Ai implored, her voice wavering slightly.

“I'm not entirely certain what you mean.” William admitted. “but I'll do my best to fulfill your wish.”

Without a moment's hesitation, Ai emerged from behind the hedge, launching herself into William's arms with a fervent embrace. She clung to him with a profound intensity, her face buried in his chest. The knight was taken aback, unsure of how to react. It was then that he noticed the trembling of her shoulders, and in that moment, everything became clear to him. He realized the tremendous courage it took for Ai to make this move.

As Ai began to withdraw, apprehension evident in her demeanor, William acted swiftly, enfolding her in his arms and drawing her closer. Her eyes widened in surprise as she felt the warmth and strength of his embrace.

“I know we shouldn’t,” Ai began, her voice tinged with longing, “but it’s been so long since we’ve even held hands... I was starting to wonder if you might have grown tired of me.” she confessed, her eyes reflecting a sense of solitude.

William's heart swelled with determination, and without hesitation, he expressed his true feelings.

“Never. I love you, Ai. I've loved you since the day we met.”

“It took you a while to confess, though. I'm so glad you did. We're living proof, you know? Proof that Elves and Humans can coexist in peace, even love each other.” Ai's eyes glistened with tears of joy as she reminisced.

Recently, their busy lives had left little time for them to nurture and savor their relationship. Additionally, their romance remained a well-guarded secret, known only to Rayna, who had deduced it on her own.

“Did you know our two-year anniversary is coming up soon?” William interjected suddenly. “I hope we can find the map by then. It would make for a wonderful gift.”

“It’s already been two years? Time sure does fly…” Ai remarked, gently pulling away from William.

Her heart was unexpectedly heavy with a sense of longing. However, William grasped her hands firmly and fixed his gaze upon her deep azure eyes.

“You’re right.” The knight acknowledged earnestly. “I'm determined to make things right, Ai. I apologize if you ever felt neglected because of me.”

“But that's not your fault at all! If anything, I should learn not to be so demanding all the time!” she replied, her voice filled with understanding and self-reflection.

Both of them felt a twinge of guilt, each believing they were somehow responsible for the distance that had crept into their relationship.

“From now on, I’ll shift my focus entirely onto you.” the knight declared with the utmost sincerity.

“Idiot.” she giggled, “You know you can’t do that. It’s sweet of you to say nonetheless.” she replied, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue.

William marveled at Ai's embarrassed expression. To him, she was the most enchanting woman he had ever encountered, especially when she displayed vulnerability.

“I love you.” unable to contain his feelings, he blurted out, his voice filled with genuine emotion.

William was utterly captivated by the woman before him, and rational thought momentarily eluded him.

“I love you too, more than words can express.” the girl replied, gently pressing her lips against his.

Their kiss, though brief, was passionate. A testament to their shared desire for more moments like these.

Later that day, within the walls of yet another hidden room, the resounding whoosh of a wooden blade cut through the air, filling the entire training hall with its commanding presence. Each calculated slash bore a distinct purpose, and even in the absence of an adversary, the sheer strength and potency behind each strike was palpable. Hiro watched in awe as Rayna's performance unfolded before him. Her movements were a harmonious blend of grace and ferocity, her legs and body executing precise maneuvers with swiftness and a subtle touch of elegance. It was akin to witnessing a mesmerizing dance. After a few additional strikes, she concluded her demonstration with a vertical and horizontal sweep of the blade. With a deep breath, she redirected her focus towards Hiro.

“It might’ve looked like I was showing off, but these are the techniques I employ in actual combat. Don’t worry if it looks complicated. We'll start with the basics and progress step by step to build your skills.”

“That… was AMAZING! I can’t wait to learn from you!”

Hiro's excitement bubbled over as he dashed towards Rayna. Her skill had left a profound impression on him, and he couldn't wait to start his training under her tutelage. Rayna acknowledged his compliment with a radiant smile.

Before diving into the training, Rayna felt the need to provide some context. She twirled the training weapon gracefully in her right hand as she paced back and forth across the floor.

“I’ve been thinking. Swordplay is important, but there are other skills I want to impart—skills that extend beyond wielding a sword. In my eyes, any ability that might potentially save your life holds great value. Don't you think?”

“Yeah. You’re right. Please, teach me everything you consider useful.”

With a quick and unexpected motion, Rayna retrieved a small black ball from a nearby table and tossed it toward Hiro. To her surprise, he effortlessly caught it, demonstrating remarkable dexterity. She then picked up another item, all the while explaining Hiro's first assignment.

“What you're holding right now is a smoke bomb. It proves invaluable in a variety of situations. Some may view its use as cowardly, but in my experience, it's a weapon that can determine your fate.”

Hiro listened intently as Rayna approached him, her steps deliberate. She then revealed the second object she had retrieved moments earlier.

“A blindfold?”

A faint smile graced the girl's snow-like visage at the puzzled expression on Hiro's face. Gently, she placed the blindfold over his eyes and secured it snugly. Instantly, Hiro's vision was shrouded in darkness.

“We're going to begin by honing your senses.”

“Ah, so that’s what the blindfold is for.”

“Exactly. Smoke bombs obscure the vision of both your enemies and you. Before deploying one, it's essential to assess your surroundings thoroughly. This way, you can make a swift escape, leaving your adversaries disoriented.”

As she explained, Rayna took the smoke bomb from Hiro's grasp and stepped back, distancing herself from him. Hiro, now blindfolded and with outstretched hands, felt a sense of vulnerability as he tried to perceive his surroundings solely through his other senses.

“The use of smoke can also serve to catch your enemy off guard. Regardless of the situation, you must learn not to rely solely on your eyes. This skill is valuable in every imaginable scenario, even in the art of swordsmanship. That's precisely why we're starting here.”

“Alright, what's the first step?”

In response to Hiro's question, a loud thudding noise emanated from across the room, causing him to jump back, his movements somewhat clumsy.

“What was that?”

“I jumped up and down with full force. Recognizing sounds is of utmost importance. For our initial exercise, we'll play a little game.”

Being blindfolded, Hiro could only speculate about what Rayna was doing. Suddenly, a series of tapping sounds reverberated through the training hall. Then, another round of rapid tapping followed.

“Are you… tap dancing?” he inquired, his uncertainty evident. The Elven girl clapped her hands in approval.

“Now, your task is to locate me while blindfolded, guided solely by the sound of my tapping.”

“Sounds easy enough.” Hiro replied, displaying a measure of confidence.

However, Rayna's tongue clicked, hinting that there was more to this challenge than met the eye.

“I won't make it THAT easy. Across the room, I've scattered wind-up toys that will produce sounds similar to my tapping. Your mission is to distinguish between them and reach me. To add to the challenge, there's a time limit for this task. Thirty seconds should suffice.”

“Wait! Thirty seconds!? That's hardly any time!”

“In real combat, there's often even less time. I expect you to complete this task even faster. I'm winding up the toys now. You may begin in exactly one minute.”

Rayna moved stealthily across the room, silently preparing the challenge she had in store for Hiro. Her mastery of stealth allowed her to glide past the boy without him even registering her presence. In succession, the wind-up toys began tapping on the floor, creating a symphony of sounds that would test Hiro's ability to distinguish them.

During his allotted one-minute preparation time, Hiro formulated a strategy he believed would make the task more manageable. Since Rayna was responsible for winding up the toys, her tapping should be the last sound produced. Once he identified that distinct tapping, he could focus and concentrate to pinpoint her location. The countdown began, and with each passing moment, the tension in the room grew palpable. This exercise marked only the beginning of Hiro's journey—a journey aimed at becoming stronger, more mature, and more capable, all for the sake of his newfound friends and the mission that still eluded his full comprehension.

‘Three,’ he counted silently, taking a deep breath.

‘Two,’ even though it was a simple exercise, a single bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, a testament to his earnestness.

‘ONE! I know where to look!’ Hiro's face contorted into a confident smirk as he dashed toward the spot where he believed Rayna's tapping would lead him.

While extending both his hands, Hiro mentally counted down the remaining seconds of the thirty-second time limit. The tapping sound he focused on was drawing closer, but time was slipping away. With just 15 seconds left, he quickened his pace with newfound confidence. When the countdown reached 10 seconds, Hiro was certain that Rayna was only a few steps away, right in front of him. Without hesitation, driven by his desire to finish ahead of time, he leaped toward what he believed was his target, embracing it with confidence. With a body pressed against his, Hiro felt absolutely certain of his victory.

“See? I bet you’re at least a little surprised right now!”

“Y-Yeah, you could say that.”

However, upon hearing Rayna's voice, Hiro suddenly realized something of utmost importance. Her voice was emanating from a completely different location than he had anticipated.

“Rayna, you’re… not in front of me?” he asked, even as he heard the girl struggling to contain her laughter.

“You’re one clingy guy, huh?”

Hiro's worst suspicions were confirmed when an energetic male voice resounded from within the embrace. In a state of panic, Hiro stumbled away and immediately removed the blindfold. Standing before him was a knight, though not the one Hiro was already acquainted with. He wore an outfit reminiscent of William's, but his distinguishing features were his crimson eyes and hair.

“Hiro, this is Felix.” she introduced the knight somewhat dismissively.

“Felix? You’re…”

The Knight struck a proud pose, dramatically flinging his cape for added effect in his introduction.

“Indeed! You are correct! I am the illustrious Felix, the valiant protector of justice, and…!”

Before he could continue, his grandiose introduction was abruptly interrupted by Rayna's hand smacking the back of his head.

“Could you stop acting like an idiot and introduce yourself properly? And where were you yesterday? We had a meeting!”

“Oh, here and there, attending to this and that. I’m a busy man, you know?”

“No, you’re just lazy and annoying.”

Uninterested in prolonging the conversation, Rayna urged Hiro to complete the introductions and return to training. The boy, equally eager to get back to the task at hand, readily agreed.

“I’m Hiro. It’s nice to meet you.”

With an outstretched hand towards the crimson-haired Knight, Hiro aimed to keep his introduction brief yet polite. Felix beamed at the boy and shook his hand enthusiastically.

“Likewise! It seems like we'll be working together going forward, so give it your best!”

“S-Sure. I’ll try.”

With a hearty chuckle, Felix wrapped his arm around Hiro's shoulder to commemorate their newly forged friendship. He then took a quick glance at the Elven girl standing behind them to ensure she wasn't paying attention before lowering his voice to a whisper.

“By the way, don't let Rayna boss you around too much, you know what I mean? If anything, try to assert yourself. She can be quite sneaky, and…”

Unfortunately for Felix, his words earned him yet another smack on the head. He staggered away, clutching the back of his head in discomfort. Meanwhile, Rayna stood beside Hiro, her face reflecting annoyance and fatigue.

“The nerve of you! I was just teaching Hiro to rely on his other senses, and you thought I wouldn't hear you talking nonsense behind my back!?”

“S-See? I’d be careful if I were you, Hiro.”

Hiro found himself in an awkward predicament, unsure of how to react. Having learned from his earlier confrontation with William, he decided not to engage in unnecessary disputes. Rayna gestured for Felix to leave and proceeded to pull Hiro along by the collar.

“Come on. We don't have time. Let's get back to the exercise.”

“W-Woah! I'm coming, I'm coming!” he staggered and waved at the knight, “That Felix guy really does seem like quite the free spirit.”

“An annoying one at that. Though…” she fell silent for a moment, a sigh escaping her lips, “I guess he’s useful sometimes.”

Rayna's demeanor appeared to have shifted. Earlier, she seemed irritated, but now that Felix was out of sight, her reaction and attitude had changed significantly. She appeared both embarrassed and somewhat bitter. Nonetheless, Hiro had no time to contemplate the meaning behind her behavior as the training session resumed promptly.

It took Hiro at least six attempts before he began to discern the subtle differences in the sounds around him. Nonetheless, his efforts didn't yield much success, as he failed to locate Rayna each time. Frustration and discouragement gnawed at him, prompting him to remove his blindfold and sigh in defeat.

“Don’t worry!” she exclaimed cheerfully, giving Hiro a playful punch on the shoulder, “You're making great progress! In fact, you're doing better than William and Felix did when they first tried!”

“Wait, you taught them too? Weren't they trained long before you and Ai joined?”

“They indulged me once, but they're too proud to take my lessons seriously.”

“I expected that from William. So, Felix is similar to him in that regard, huh?”

The question seemed to have an unusual effect on Rayna. There was a momentary pause before she spoke again.

“Actually... not really. I did teach Felix a bit more, but it was a long time ago. I don't want to talk about it.”

Hiro noticed the significant shift in Rayna's behavior when the topic of the crimson-haired Knight was brought up. Her smile disappeared once again, and something seemed amiss in her eyes. Hiro realized it was likely a matter best left untouched.

Seeing Rayna like this, Hiro felt a pang of guilt, and he wanted to cheer her up. Limited by his current abilities, he had only one idea.

“Anyway, I'm not giving up halfway! Today's training was great, and I hope I can be more useful soon.”

It was another promise, similar to the one he had made during the meeting with the group the day before, but this time it was directed exclusively at Rayna, who had been pouting.

Rayna was taken aback by Hiro's fervent declaration and gratitude. After a moment of surprise, she chuckled and smiled brightly at him.

“Thank you. I'm glad I could assist you today, and I hope I’ll continue to meet your expectations next time.”

“I'm sure you will! Is there something else I can work on when you're busy?”

“Of course. Focus on building up your strength and stamina, but don't overdo it. I have to get back to my duties now. I'll be serving dinner and supper like I did with breakfast earlier, so I'll see you then!”

Rayna bid farewell and waved at Hiro before departing. Once she was gone, Hiro let out a sigh of relief. He was pleased that he had managed to somewhat mend the situation with his ‘teacher’.

I need to be more mindful of other people's feelings and their pasts. There's still so much I don't know,' he reflected inwardly.