Visiting my Dear Friend

Year 4023 Mist Kingdom -Cemetery-

Sometimes, Melina wasn't sure if she was good at love or relationships with other people.

With things regarded as supernatural, she was always the type to search for them but never find them. Or leave them after she found them. But with a world that has magic, things like ghosts seem superficial. Old western folktale spoke of flying creatures in the skies like ships - she's never seen such things though. If she sees something like that, she always dismisses it and let it go free. Or maybe she's like those crazy people who wish to use and exploit people.

It was an awkward journey after leaving the cafe; she's never cried that much or shown weakness to Arkwright before. Even though the two of them are good friends with each other, this is the first time she showed anybody other than Queen Lyn and Master. But strangely enough, Arkwright didn't see her.

"So, I know this is strange to ask. But have you seen Lan yet?"

Melina frowned. After having that talk about love in the cafe and then hearing Arkwright mention Lan. Connecting the dots is easy. Whenever she thought of that guy, such bitter memories appear in her head. But at the same time, she can't help but think that the two of them were similar to each other. Maybe that's why they clashed so many times.

Lan is like her; they both hide under a mask; they both pretend. They both act, their kindness, their cowardice, their fear, their sadness. Each action they take is cowardly because they are both hiding under a mask.

They both try to run away instead of fighting, instead of confronting the situation in front of them. People like them don't deserve to stand by the Queen's side; they don't deserve her kindness.

It's funny how even now she thinks the two of them are similar.

Four years have passed. In that passage of time, so much has changed with her let alone him.

Her thoughts broke off when Arkwright chuckled.

Melina mentally cursed herself for falling for his trap. He did it on purpose, and for the last few minutes, she only thought of Lan.

"Whatever your thinking, just stop."

"Now, now. I'm just curious. I know you two were never in a relationship. But didn't you at least part in good terms?

In good terms? Whenever she saw Lan, at least after she got to know him all she saw was the fakeness. But the pain too, whenever she saw him it reflected herself. The part of herself that she disliked.

Melina deeply sighed, "I just didn't think of him much during my time away from here," Melina didn't lie. She didn't think about Lan much during her time away from the Mist Kingdom. Sure a passing thought would occasionally cross her mind. But like she said, a passing thought. She didn't think much of him at all. Why would she? It's not like the two of them were close, "If you didn't mention him, I wouldn't think of him at all."

That's a lie.

She did briefly think about him a few times since she just got back. But that's something she will keep to herself.

Arkwright has always been prone to teasing her when it came to Lan; she doubts that much has changed.

"We're here."

Since Priscila is a member of the Bennet household. Her grave in a more 'elite' and well cared for area. But then again, considering how much had changed. It wouldn't surprise her if the other places were like this too. It felt strange coming here. This was the first time she came here.

She didn't even attend her friend's funeral or watched the procession of them carrying the coffin. Lina was there at the head alongside Priscila family members. There was a spot for her too. But Miley never attended.

How could she attend?

How could she show her face in front of all those people? She's not that shameless.

When she saw the words Priscilla Bennet on the grave, her heart clenched in pain. While she acknowledged it already, it still hurt.

Arkwright patted her shoulder as though to reassure her.

Melina muttered thanks and turned to the grave as she bent down.

"I'm finally here; I'm sorry it took so long.."

Though Melina considered the Mist Kingdom and those who belonged to Queen Lyn's circle as family, she never made any close ties with anybody else. The other knights and guards in the castle all saw her as Melina, the dangerous assassin, the beautiful blade. They only saw her for her strength and nothing else. If she wasn't strong, then she's sure that they would continue to discard her.

It was Priscilla who forced her to take action. Even though it involved harsh words at times and a fight. Priscilla showed her during her most depressing times that it was up to nobody else but herself to get herself back up together. To stand back on her own two feet, she has to be the one taking the first step. She has to use her strength to reach out and grab what's important to her.

Melina recalled the first time she had a breakdown in front of Priscilla. It was after Master told her the truth regarding his situation. The young fourteen-year-old her took it a lot harder than most people would. She remembers Priscilla comforting her; the girl sat beside her for so long. She didn't have to stay, but the girl did.

Priscilla said nothing in that time, but the girl's presence was comforting. Just the knowledge she was there, Melina was able to calm down quicker. Melina knew that there is a shoulder she can cry on if she couldn't cry alone.

Melina always compared Priscilla Bennet to the sun, like the sun the girl was always there. Her friend was naive, careless and clumsy. She didn't suit the title of a noble lady let alone somebody who would pick up a blade, and yet Priscilla came to her that day and asked her seriously, 'Please train her.' Normally Melina would refuse such an offer. But after she saw the fire and determined look behind the girl's gaze. Melina changed her mind.

It was a first for Melina, feeling so moved just listening to another person's words. Priscilla Bennet belonged to the prestigious Bennet household. While they fed her with a silver spoon in her mouth and received better military training. The girl hardly resembled an elite let alone a knight. Actually, when the girl first asked Melina to train her - at first Melina thought it was a joke.

The girl belonged to the prestigious Bennet household, a household that received high-class military training. Why does she have to ask her for training? But after she saw the fire in the girl's eyes, she changed her mind.

"You see, a lot has happened. In the last four years, since you departed from this world. I have many stories I want to share to you. But I want to be able to keep visiting you for a long time. So I'll make sure to break down my journey per visit," Melina trailed off, she can't make up for the time lost. But she can visit every day and bring her friend new tales. The things that Priscilla was meant to see when she was alive. Melina can give it to her, in the form of stories.