36th Dawn - Beret

That night after our fun escapade in the shopping district, I decided to make Lewis a beret with a white top piece and a blue side piece.

The exhilaration I felt from finding a new source of income and gaining an offer of apprenticeship has kept me awake for the rest of the evening and helped me finish the hat immediately. The fabric isn't of the best class, so I just make up for it through the threadwork. A sewing machine could've made the process quicker, but I don't really mind crocheting it myself. Hand-knitted ones are better reflections of one's efforts, after all.

I decided on this because Lewis is an artist and beret is one of the long-standing stereotypes amongst people of this field. That's what I think, at least.

On the next day, Lewis and I are meeting up to have him teach me everything I need to know about the kind of apprenticeship that Baron Pierre is willing to give me. I learned on our way back yesterday that it has something to do with designing, but it still depends on the result of the upcoming trial test. As long as the Baron doesn't make me stitch another complex embroidery, I think I'll manage.

We're seeing each other at the monument again. As soon as I arrive there, however, I'm surprised to find Julius instead of Lewis.

"Lady Lillian!" he called before pacing towards me.

"Good day, Sir Julius," I greeted despite my confusion.

"So, this is where you and Lewis spend time. I'm glad I had it right."

"Huh?"

Julius invites me to sit on a nearby bench after that. It seems like him being here is no coincidence. He also appears like he wants to tell me something. But then, before he gets the chance to, he suddenly notices the beret I'm holding.

"What is that, Lady Lillian?" Julius inquired, which only made me tilt my head at him.

"A beret. Haven't you seen one before? It's quite popular."

"Popular? It's my first time seeing it, though."

At that, I almost facepalm in surprise and disbelief. I screwed up my memories again. It's also probable that Julius simply hasn't really seen a beret before, though.

"A-Anyway, why are you here?" I asked to change subjects.

For some reason, his eyes narrow a little while his figure slumps, an air of melancholy suddenly surrounding him. I only blink at this in puzzlement. He then proceeds to ask me some questions about Lewis. I'm a bit taken aback at first, but I just take that as his way of showing care for his friend and answer truthfully. Seeing him checking his friend's well-being, I'm convinced that the two are really close despite how often they banter when they're together.

"So he teaches you how to improve your drawing while you model for him?" Julius asked to which I happily nodded.

"He's my very first instructor!"

At this, his eyes widened in surprise for a second before eventually softening. I then tell him about how Lewis helped me find an apprenticeship and that we're supposed to meet today to discuss about it. Our conversation lasts for quite some time until he finally has to leave.

"Lady Lillian, thank you for dealing with that fellow. Believe it or not, he's very hard to please. He's just so obsessed about drawing that I worry for his future," Julius muttered in dismay, much to my bafflement.

"What do you mean? Isn't he a peddler and artist already?"

He slightly jolts at this in surprise, looking as if he just slipped his tongue. I furrow my eyebrows together in bewilderment while he only flails his hands aimlessly. I then squint my eyes at him in suspicion, wondering what got him fidgeting all of the sudden.

"Yes, he is! But, I worry if he's able to earn enough money if he's so focused on that hobby."

I find myself agreeing with him somehow. It's also probably true that Lewis is difficult to please since he did tell me how he used to travel around just to find a subject to draw.

"Anyways, I have to get going. I'll see you around, Lady Lillian," Julius blurted out before standing from the bench.

"Sir Julius, you don't need to address me like that, you know. I'm not a noble. Just call me Lily," I replied and beamed at him to which he returned with a smile.

"Then... You can just call me Julius, Lily."

"Alright!"

With that, Julius swerves around to leave. I wave goodbye and bid him farewell, but then, not even a minute later, he abruptly stops on his tracks. I only watch him in confusion as he turns around again and faces me. He appears to be contemplating to say something.

"Lily, I think you should know about this, after all."

My eyes widened at this in flummox. Still some meters away, Julius suddenly starts talking with me again. His expression is that of concern and hesitation, which makes me more confused. For some reason, I sense a bad feeling as we continue exchanging looks.

"Lewis is leaving tomorrow. He isn't coming back."

Then, I freeze on the spot.

It takes a while for his words to completely sink in. Speechless and unmoving, I wasn't able to question him further since he instantly sauntered away the moment he dropped the news. By then, my mind is all muddled as I mull over the sudden revelation.

Lewis never said anything about it.

He also didn't act like he's going to leave soon.

It can be that what Julius said isn't true, but then, he has no reason to lie. He was a bit strange when we started talking as well so he was probably weighing the options at that time. He also mentioned that I should know about it after all, which means that he wasn't planning to tell me anything at first.

"Lewis is going far away... and might not return...?"

Bewildered, all I can do at the moment is drift away in quietude.