Premonition in tears (WIP)
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Dear our precious little lady,
How long has it been again?
10? No. 20 years and over at best.
Time has taken a toll on us since we last saw your face.
Us escort knights have become commander and aids, protecting your family with absolute loyalty. The servants followed your words as we remained within the manor, guiding your brothers and sisters, raising them to be the person you said they would be.
Your father still missed you dearly, you know.
He still kept every little memetos and gift you gave him, even the clumsy brooch we crafted together in the garden on his birthday when you were three. Framed and preserved with the highest grade of magic known to man.
What would you think if you saw the world and your precious family now if you were here?
Would you jump in happiness into our arms or wept in tears as you whispered in our ear in the past?
Once we were your devout knights and servants, now we could no longer remain by your side.
That year if we could have said something... anything to console your aching heart, would you still choose to make that decision and leave your golden palace to a plane where none but the heaven could reach you?
Everyone was so busy, they and even us couldn't spare much time by your side. We couldn't afford such luxuries.
We do it all to keep this land we cherish safe, to keep those around us at peace, and to keep you safe.
Yet that might too be our greatest regret.
When you were still here, this place was almost deserted. Master and his family members throw themself into work, doing everything they can to manage the domain that has fallen in disarray and help the kingdom in its time of need.
Though you were safe within the castle wall with all the luxuries one could ever dream of was nothing but an empty house with no one but yourself.
We forgot that you were still a child, we forgot that you are also human.
The grandeur named 'Laurel' disillusioned us with a false sense of security and blinded trust.
It held so much glory and power to its name that we didn't figure out until too late that you have been suffering silently on your own, tortured by the emptiness in your life.
Is that why you buried yourself in papers and books?
Is that why you lashed out at your mother and her family that day for forgetting about you that day?
Is that why you cried as we finally held you in our arms?
...
Asking these questions seems almost pointless lately.
We could still remember your smile as you ran toward us with one of your new antics.
Your smile shines like the morning sun, its radiance contagious as we find ourselves laughing along, following every whim to keep that expression on your face.
Your family was the same way, spoiling you with everything in the world even if they couldn't show up to stand in front of you and cradle you in their arm.
Yet the tears you wept that you hid away until everything exploded and crashed prove how incompetent we were as people who swore to stay by your side.
Sometimes we wonder if you ever resent us for leaving you alone to chase our shadow.
You never show it. Not even a sliver of hatred or anger, just... sadness and emptiness.
The guilt and regret we all felt that day as heaven took you away from our arms was unbearable.
In a way, we remain here in this place in honor of you. The future heirs of the Laurel family have grown into the most wonderful human being.
The manor has become livelier than ever, all of them dedicated their clause to you serving the family with nothing shorter than absolute loyalty.
You gave us so little, yet from it we have grown so much.
You hid everything from us even in your most vulnerable moments.
To protect your elder siblings, you hid away your power and capabilities.
To protect your younger siblings, you distance yourself from your duties.
To keep us from the heartache, you feign ignorance of your feelings and desires.
Leaving footnotes behind for them, for us to find out the truth themself after you were gone.
When that damned gate opens, we came to understand something.
You have already predicted your fall that day.
Your calm gaze, unwavering stance, and the power you show as you take down monsters left and right all on your own while we could gawk in disbelief as our fists pounded against that invisible barrier.
The sight of your back as your form faded into oblivion is something we could never forget.
After you were gone, we gathered your things under his lordship's command. He told us to preserve it the way it is and keep it clean. Every year he would put a gift box in the room on your birthday and bring in new trinkets he found in his travel to put in your room.
He took it the hardest, right after the second madam.
We found our eyes a bit damp when we found ourselves in front of your door every once in a while.
Your father couldn't fully steady himself even years after your departure but he has become a better father to your siblings.
The things you left behind, we promptly keep our mouths shut. Puzzles and treasure hunts to lead each family member to a gift you left them.
Over the years, some of them have found it, even us. A wild goose chase happens with every letter you left behind slowly appearing, each stating accurately who the receiver of the letter is even when you did not know of them, much less meet them.
That part remains a mystery to this day.
You become an enigma to them yet they find themself flipping through every page of the notes you left them while they cradle the gift you left with a smile.
No one showed the other the notes you left, keeping it next to their heart while marching forth without fear.
Of course, the first letter that was found was undoubtedly from you to your father.
Your grandparents, parents, siblings,... they eventually found their letters as well.
It has become somewhat of a tradition for the family to go around the manor and palace and help the receiver to find their gifts. Some kept their gift hidden while some brandished them with pride.
They all cherish them like their life. None of them could forget you even when they have never met you.
We who have been by your side the longest, are still holding on to your notes that you left behind for your family, waiting for 'the right time' as you said to give it to them.
The words you whispered into our ears that night, the ones you urge us to note down to 'save for the future'. We thought it was just your vivid imagination but things started to fall into place one by one after you were gone.
It was both ominous and foreboding while at the same time bringing so much warmth and silent companionship.
The family bonded closer than ever.
Yet we can't help but wonder...
In the present time that you foresaw,
Did you ever have a place in it?
We missed you so much...
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The page at the bottom was smudged with tears, making the ink spread and blur together, making it unreadable. On the other side of the page sighed 4 names.
The peerless leader of the Laurel official knight order- Absalom.
Alaric Griffin
The conquest lioness and vice leader of Absalom.
Leonis Bellatrix
The master strategist of Absalom.
Eldridge Abelard
The unshakable iron fortress.
Alexander Thyra
Their name is signed neatly with a wax stamp below them.
The letter was placed in the ladies' room with a new vase of flowers, welcoming a new morning as the light hit the petals lightly.
A figure stood in the room, unsealing the letter as they read it in silence.
They let out a chuckle as they closed the envelope once again. Their fingers trace the broken seal on the outside, mending it back to its original state leaving no trace behind.
They stretch as they stand up from the perfectly made bed and they breathe a sign of relief.
" I miss you too everyone," she said, her voice barely more than a shaky breath as she turned away from the flower on the bedside table. Her mouth couldn't help but hold a smile.
As the sound of footsteps outside the room grew louder and more frequent, she willed herself up and walked toward the balcony door without a sound. The morning sun-brushed against her skin as her form merged into the sunlight.
" May you forever be happy" her voice faded as the room fell in silence once more.