Chapter 9

Despite living the worst life for 8 years, we were still smiling as long as we're still together. We may have lost two of our dearest friends, but they will forever be in our hearts.

Whenever one of us is hurt, we care for each other. That's because we don't have anyone else, but us.

Right... they have always been there whenever I was at my worst. I don't need a father who doesn't care about his own daughter. I don't need a father who doesn't even remember his own daughter...

They were waving their hands at me, smiling cheerfully and fighting the black skies. My gaze was drawn to Kye, who was smiling. He rarely cracks a smile.

He seemed to notice it and murmured something, causing my tears to well up once more.

"Welcome home."

I hurried towards my friends, ignoring the heavy downpour, as my tears flowed once more. They ran towards me as well, and I instantly hugged Kye as the others hugged us back.

I sobbed as I wrapped my arms around Kye. I sobbed in harmony with the rain and thunder.

I could hear the girls' sobs between us, which made me smile a little. They will always be there for me...

I felt someone patted me and when I looked up, I found Kyehaem smiling at me with a reassuring grin.

He suddenly giggled, "Your crying face will forever be the worst crying face I'll never want to see again."

I slammed my head hard onto his chest.

"That's why you're suffering head injuries..."

"You'll get sick. Head inside and warm yourself." Duke Reed interrupted as we laughed in the middle of the rain, "Faster!"

Kyehaem held my hands as we entered the mansion, drenched wet from the rain.

"Gosh... It's already cold, what kind of an idiot are you letting yourself get rained on." Ravin stated as he handed out towels for us to dry ourselves.

"Told the maids to run warm water in their baths." Arch addressed to the maids present.

Arch was the Duke's right hand man; he also served as the butler in this house because he was in charge of the entire mansion.

"Us ladies will take a bath in Avi's room!" Mia said.

"As you wish," the maid said and left.

As soon as I felt cold, I put a towel around myself.

My... it really is cold here. In Avalon it's hot like summer, but here it's still cold even though it's summer. I suppose it's because Helwyn is in the north.

"Now go and take a bath before you all catch a cold. Avriella, get some rest and tomorrow, I'll call for a tutor soon."

"What? What tutor?" Ara asked me.

"A teacher."

"Why?"

"I promised the Duke that I would work for him, and that I needed knowledge to do so. If I don't know anything, I can't work for the Duke." Shivering in the cold, I explained.

Because it's moist, the towel isn't helping.

"Ohh! I want to learn with you, is that possible, Duke?" Ara asked blatantly.

"Without a doubt. You will all be tutored. I want you to learn, so get ready because I'll be calling for a tutor as soon as tomorrow. Alright? Now go take a warm bath because you're all shivering in the cold." Duke Reed shook his head as he looked at us, shivering.

"Thank you." I said,

Duke Reed looked at me and nodded before turning his back on us and leaving with Arch.

"Let us now take a bath... I'm shivering..." Ara remarked as she gripped my and Mia's arms.

We then went back to our rooms and took a warm bath.

It felt relaxing as we immersed our bodies in the warm water.

"So... how's your small trip?" Ara asked, making Mia's eyes enlarge.

"Ara!"

"What? I'm intrigued. I understand what occurred in Avalon was unfortunate, but if you still have anything inside you that is depressing, it's better to let it out. We've been together for half our lives, and we're very familiar with each other. So it would be better if you let it out."

"But..." Mia didn't finish her sentence and looked at me, "She's right..."

I smiled, a genuine one this time. I may have dealt with the worst case circumstance a child may face for eight years, but I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by people like them.

"Well, I found out my father had a new family.He was happy and smiling as he hugged his new little princess and a little boy. They were cute, though, and her wife is... stunning... just like my mo--"

I came to a halt halfway through when I realized something.

"Why'd you stop?" Mia asked, curiously.

I slapped myself hard, forcing Ara to grasp my hand to prevent me from doing it again.

Why the hell did I forget that?!

"What is it?! You're making us worried!" Ara exclaimed. We're practically shouting inside the bathroom.

"I forgot..." I whispered, tears streaming slowly in my face.

"Hey! I'm sorry. I'll never ask what happened with your father, okay? Forget it!" Ara said and shook me.

"I told you not to!" Mia exclaimed.

"You didn't!" Ara exclaimed back.

They were panicking.

"No.. that's not it..."

"Then what!" they yelled in my face.

"I forgot to visit my mother's grave..." I slowly submerged my body in the warm water until my head was totally submerged, but Ara quickly drew me back up.

I was so heart-broken by what I witnessed with my father that I completely forgot about my mother! Just how idiot of a child I am!

"What the hell?! Are you trying to kill yourself?!" Ara said as she shook my body.

I was just staring in front of me blankly...

"Mother... I'm sorry..." I whispered.

"Ha..." Ara sighed, "Let see... we'll just visit your mother's grave soon, how about that?"

I looked at her with my eyes wide open... "We?"

The both of them nodded.

"We want to meet your mother!" Mia exclaimed, smiling brightly as she faced me.

"Right!"

At that time, I don't know why, but I laughed.

"Have you gone crazy? Avi!" Ara shook my body again.

"No... It's just that I realized that we're in a bath, exclaiming while naked. HAHAHAHA"

Mia and Ara looked at each other and laughed along with me.

"HAHAHAHAHA"

Nope, I'm just purely happy.

I will always give my sincerest thanks to all of you...

Ara... Mia... Kye... Noah... Caz...

and of course our beloved guardians,

Pine and Belle...

Thank you so much...