River City

{Kaj station, RIVER city}

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A man wearing a brown suit and hat holds a cigarette in his hand while leaning against the wall where he waits for someone and enjoys a cigarette, puts the cigarette in his mouth, then smokes it and releases the smoke into the air.

"The letter I received from Jerl said that his sister is coming to RIVER city. What does Jerl think of that rancid bastard?"

Nea who was trying to think of the purpose of her friend bringing her sister to RIVER.

"He only told me traits that weren't very clear even though I had never met her. That bastard just told me that his sister is different from other women with golden hair and light green eyeballs with pure white skin. How can I know the body of a 15-year-old girl, chihh",

He dropped the cigarette on the floor and put it out.

A few moments later there was an announcement that the train would stop at Kaj station. One by one the passengers began to get off, the man watched carefully as the passengers exited the train door until the last passenger. a girl with golden hair was seen getting off gracefully, his eyes fell on the golden-haired girl "she is very similar to what Jerl said".

Without thinking, Nea immediately rushed to where the girl was standing to approach her, she walked while noticing that the girl's eyeballs and hair were the same as what her friend had said. She also noticed that the girl's body looked like a 15-year-old. Nea who confidently approached her without thinking, she immediately stood right in front of the girl, making Carmila put on a surprised and confused expression.

"Excuse me, are you carmila Emerald"

The beautiful woman took off her hat with both hands looking at the man intently while opening a piece of paper containing the characteristics of the man who would pick her up at the station when she arrived in RIVER City. It was clear that the man was the same as what her brother had said in the letter, the girl smiled because she was happy to be able to meet her brother's friend in person without having to look around.

"I'm Carmila Emerald, I'm Jerl Emerald's sister. Are you Nea's brother's friend?"

"Ah, yes, I am Nea, Nea de Fletcher."

"Ah, nice to meet you."

Carmila's sweet smile made Nea think of the girl's reaction as if trusting someone she had just met with a gentle greeting. Although she was from the outskirts and was very remote, yet from her eyes it could be seen that she was very happy, her sweet smile indicating that she was indeed an innocent country girl. Seeing a girl who was busy tidying up her luggage and even seeing her expression that was always curious about anything that passed in front of her. Nea thought it was a natural thing because the girl lived in a remote village that was rarely visited by people and also there were no iron vehicles such as cars and access that she had never seen. Even when she saw a horse-drawn carriage like in a fairy tale

Her eyes fell on the girl's overly simple outfit. Nea wondered how Jerl could let her sister be so behind in the fashion trends among city girls. But it wasn't Jerl's fault either and it was only natural since they lived far from the city. Suddenly Nea remembered Jerl's words that even though her sister wore simple and outdated clothes it didn't matter because beauty was seen from the face not from the clothes. And it was true for Nea, the girl was very beautiful.

"Is this all you brought?"

Nea who saw that the girl only carried 2 bags and they were not too big for Nea's size.

"Yes, sis..."

Those few and simple items, could not be separated from the characteristic that she was a simple girl. Nea, who was kind enough to carry the girl's belongings, lifted the bag the girl was carrying.

Carmila, who saw her luggage being carried by Nea alone, was a little reluctant and tried to stop the man from carrying her luggage.

"Let me carry the luggage, sis.

"It's okay, you're already tired from the long journey, let me carry it. Come with me."

"Ah... well, thank you very much."

Jerl who started walking and followed by the girl behind him they walked towards their residence at the Lysander family residence. While passing through the bustling city streets, Carmila, who looked around the RIVER city which was much more advanced than her village, did not realize that the corners of the city had been passed by Carmila.

When entering a large gate behind the gate is a path with forests filled with beautiful birds. The sound of birds chirping was like music that sounded beautiful and light in the ears of anyone who listened to it, this beautiful forest atmosphere was very different from the city of RIVER. Nea who looked back saw the girl's eyes so amazed by the atmosphere of RIVER, the sound of rushing river water sounded in carmila's ears,

"Is that the sound of the river?" (silently)

The girl did not expect that behind the city of RIVER which was full of horse-drawn carriages and iron cars that polluted the air, there was a very beautiful scenery, cool air. a building that was so big was seen by Carmila's eyes building not far from the forest she was currently passing.

"That building, must belong to the noble Lysander" she muttered to herself.

While enjoying the journey, a simple building that looked like their destination was seen. The footsteps finally stopped right in front of the house's door. The girl saw Nea who was opening the door. Shortly after that the door finally opened, Nea slowly turned around and gave the key to Carmila.

"This is Jerl's place, keep the key well, there is an empty room that I have prepared for you so that you can rest".

"Thank you very much, I apologize if it was too much trouble for you."

Sincere gratitude was heard in Nea's ears.

"No problem, rest comfortably "

Carmila nodded her head and Nea smiled back. While helping the girl put her things into the house, after finishing helping her Nea walked out of the door of the house. before returning to work again she said to the girl

"Carmila, I live over there {she pointed to a house not far from the girl's house}.

"If you need anything, drop by and if you're bored, I happen to have a younger brother who is the same age as you. But he wasn't home this morning, maybe he'll be home later in the afternoon."

"Well sis thank you very much for your concern, I am very grateful that my brother Jerl has a friend like you."

Carmila's praise made Nea's cheeks blush slightly, Nea who tried to cover the redness on her cheeks and immediately wanted to distract the girl from seeing her face.

"I work as a gardener here."

She told the girl about her job in Lysander's neighborhood before she went back to work again.

"Then get some rest, I'm going back to work again."

In the afternoon, the sky began to release its orange color, nea who had arrived in front of the house was very tired. after work, he often pensive thinking about things that he should not think about, the thought was directed at the girl he picked up this morning as if to guess what happened why his friend was in a hurry to tell his sister to come when he was in the battlefield.

"Jerl her sister she has a beautiful face, but that beautiful face can be a disaster for her"

Then came the sound of footsteps and from inside the house emerged a boy with beautiful blonde hair.

"Sis, why don't you come inside?"

"Gosh... (Surprised) You always surprise me, I'll go inside the house in a moment. I want to enjoy this cool breeze."

"Oh then I'll go into the room first and brother don't forget to eat, I've cooked and put it on the table.

"Yes, thank you Nathan."

"Oh yeah sis, I'm going to a school event tomorrow for the volleyball group, probably in about 2 weeks."

"Oh, okay...."

Nathan is Nea de Fletcher's only brother. Nathan who really understands his brother every time Nea comes home from the park he always welcomes her. Nathan also often notices his brother's face which always looks relaxed but actually holds deep wounds and trauma. Nathan did not know what bad things happened to his brother so he decided to become a RIVER gardener at the Lysander noble family residence.

"Tomorrow is my day off, I will rest contentedly and as Nathan has also entered his room."

And so the day passed ....

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The second week carmila was in the city of RIVER, RIVER is the capital of the Valle empire she was in the city center with Nea, two days earlier Nea came to where carmila lived to tell her that he would take the girl to the city center, carmila who obeyed the man's words to come with him. Unwittingly they stopped at a large building after being examined by carmila it turned out that the building was a special school for Reins girls, carmila wondered what she was here for.

"Where are we, sis?"

Nea who heard the girl's words turned to her and saw a confused expression forming on her beautiful face.

"Ah... I forgot to tell you this. This... we are now in a school I'm going to enroll you in."

Nea softly explained her purpose for coming here. It was none other than to enroll the girl into a school of learning. Her action was a request from her best friend Jerl, the girl's older brother.

"It's Jerl carmila's wish, she's just afraid you'll be bored at home waiting for her return which we don't know when."

It was true that Carmila had been almost bored for the past two weeks while in RIVER, she had only traveled to see the forest and explore the river. Nea was actually a little worried about the girl's socialization in the middle of a big city and even places she had never explored. Her fear was that for women beauty is poison, the girl's beautiful face was so different from other women that even all the way to school all the men in RIVER were staring at her.

Walking into the building Nea told carmila to wait for her. Carmila, who remembered what the servants at the mansion had said, was in favor of me entering the school grounds. That made the girl a little excited.

It wasn't long before she saw Nea coming back to her with a piece of paper, which was a data form for someone who was going to enter the school. Nea told Carmila to fill in what was asked on the paper and Carmila gently complied.

"Fill it in slowly, don't rush. You can write and read!?"

The girl nodded slowly as if she understood what Nea was saying. The paper was filled in one by one until it was finished. Their business had also been completed, and they decided to return to RIVER again.

The RIVER forest is a beautiful place like a paradise in the world. The tiring journey in the city is always relieved when entering the RIVER paradise. The sound of the footsteps of the girl and the man could be heard carried by the wind.

From a distance, a man was standing in front of Nea's house, a man wearing a white shirt accompanied by a tie and vest, black pants, as if waiting for someone to open the door of the house, also seen blond hair swaying in the wind.

As we approached him his brown pupils dilated as if seeing something he had never seen in his life that his facial expression was so surprised. The girl who was face to face with the man

"Sis! Who is he?!!!"

His finger pointed at Carmila, his voice so loud it startled her.

"You... You're... My brother's lover?!"

"What are you talking about Nathan listen to me first"

Nea tried to explain to her brother Nathan but couldn't, when she wanted to talk Nathan always cut her off.

"Sis are you out of your mind... Answer me honestly sis is she your lover?!!! Sis you are out of your mind you see this girl she is my age ah no way easier than me, you see her body is so small sis"

How surprised Nea and Carmila were when they heard Nathan's words thinking that they were lovers.

"Nathan, calm down! Why are you in such a hurry, you didn't even let us sit down first."

"Carmila, come and sit down first."

The girl just nodded her head, Nea who tried to explain while sitting but told her brother Nathan to calm down first.

"Nathan if you look at her face first you'll know who she is."

Nathan, who was watching Carmila's face, simultaneously tried to recognize who looked like his face, Carmila, who looked confused by what the boy in front of her was doing.

"Have you found the answer yet Nathan?"

"Not yet! I don't know!"

Nea tried to get Nathan to pay attention again before the answer came out of Nea's mouth, but Nathan didn't find the answer.

"Carmila, Carmila Emerald, do you know who uses the name Emerald in the RIVER residence? She is Jerl's sister. And she only arrived two weeks ago, the day after she arrived you went to your volleyball club event."

After hearing the explanation from his brother how surprised Nathan was, it was natural that Nathan could not really recognize that the girl was his sister Jerl his brother's best friend, in terms of their hair was different. It was like a lie that the girl had shiny golden hair while her brother had brown hair, but he tried to think clearly and greeted the girl extending his right hand to get acquainted.

"Nathan, Nathan de Fletcher is my name." The man smiled sweetly, his pupils dilating at the sight of the girl who was truly a natural beauty on his face.

Carmila who immediately shook the man's hand

"I'm Carmila, Carmila Emerald. Nice to meet you."

The girl smiled, her smile mesmerizing Nathan. After getting to know each other Carmila got up from her seat to look at the brother and sister who were blaming each other. And the girl prepared to say goodbye to go home.

"I'll be back home then, bye."

"Do you want me to take carmila?"

"Ah... no need sis, sis Nea get some rest, thanks for accompanying me earlier."

"Yes, Carmila, you're welcome."

"And bye Nathan" she smiled at the boy.

Nathan waved to the girl who was walking away from their house.

His wave was returned with a smile by the girl that covered this long day.

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Days passed, it had been almost 6 months that she was in RIVER city waiting for her brother's return, a stack of paper letters sent by her brother for her whose contents asked for news and all kinds of things that carmila did. The last letter she read indicated that her brother would be coming home soon and it was the most expected thing for the girl to meet her brother who had not seen her for almost 7 years.

During her time at RIVER, she enjoyed everything she did, from helping Nea tidy up the garden, going to school, and even sitting by the river filled with tulips while painting. Carmila started learning to paint when she became close friends with Nathan, Nathan was such a great painter that his paintings were often bought by nobles.

On the one hand Nathan who was already on the doorstep of Carmila's house while tidying up his clothes and trying to knock on her door, the sound of knocking on the door was heard from inside by Carmila, Carmila already knew who would come to her place, yes... Nathan, they had promised to go to the city center.

Nathan saw a girl who opened the door for him she smiled slyly even the whole existence of the girl he knew every day what this girl did Nathan found out.

"Nathan can you wait a minute? I'll get ready."

Her beautiful face never makes one bored even when looking at it like a drug addiction, a face full of gentle hope even every movement of her body is so enchanting.

"Alright carmila"

Nathan knew this was going to be a problem for him and his feelings that had been growing since they first met how beautiful it was to see her smiling as if she had the world at her feet. But he had to keep his feelings to himself because he knew if he expressed them too soon it would ruin their friendship.

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As they walked along the path of the RIVER, it took a long time to get out of here. Carmila, who often smiled, made the journey so boring that Nathan thought that if he traveled around the world on foot, he would not feel tired if Carmila was next to him. Their journey had passed through the RIVER gate.

As they entered the city, they stopped at a painting and book store, a place that Nathan and Carmila often visited to buy painting tools when someone wanted to buy their paintings. They entered the shop, Nathan's eyes were always on the girl as he looked at the contents of the shop which they had visited many times but the girl's expression was always the same and it was very pleasant for Nathan to see her focused on one object.

"Carmila, I will buy you a book. Choose the book you want."

"No, Nathan! I'll buy it myself."

"I promised you. If my painting sells, it will be as a thank you for accompanying me to paint."

When Nathan spoke like that, Carmila complied. Nathan knew Carmila was a stubborn girl, but she was also gentle. She always smiled when she got a book or something she wanted, even her smile was much more beautiful than usual which Nathan could only see at times like this.

"Isn't this a very important moment, I would love to immortalize that smile in my painting" he muttered to himself, because Nathan didn't dare to openly state such a thing.

Carmila also often refused offers to be painted by Nathan, saying that her face was not beautiful enough for a painting.

Out there, spring had arrived and the tulips were growing beautifully, but the beauty of the tulips was inferior to the beauty of Carmila's face for Nathan.

It was a very busy street, people were watching the tulips grow. Nathan bought a bag of chocolate for Carmila, Nathan knew chocolate was Carmila's favorite food, how beautiful her face looked when she put the chocolate in her mouth. As Carmila chewed, Nathan just watched the movement of her lips, he was very happy.

"Nathan, would you like some chocolate?" Carmila called out as she offered the chocolate to Nathan.

As Nathan was about to take the chocolate with Carmila's pretty fingers, she stopped him.

"Your hands are dirty, Nathan! Let me feed you, open your mouth Nathan."

As the chocolate was about to enter Nathan's mouth, Carmila's finger touched Nathan's lips and his heart skipped a beat, his cheeks flushed and he looked away. He really hoped that his inner voice was not heard by the girl.

They walked for quite some distance, and finally they entered the path to the RIVER. As they entered the RIVER Carmila's eyes fell on the large white house, how majestic it looked from a distance. Carmila often went out and entered the house when the servants asked for a bunch of flowers.

On the other hand, Carmila often helped Nea in the garden when her schedule was free and the rest of the time she would study with Nathan. Although she was often forbidden by Nea to help her, the girl was quite strict with her wishes.

The long journey finally stopped in front of Carmila's house. Carmila took the key out of her pocket and opened the door. Nathan, who was always watching every move the girl made, how could Jerl, whose face was so cruel, have a sister who was like an angel.

"Nathan are you just going to stay there! Aren't you going home?"

"Ah... yes... gosh I've been daydreaming, I'm going home now."

"See you then, Carmila."

"Yes... I'll accompany you to paint tomorrow by the river."

The girl walked into her house and gave Nathan a smile, it made him feel even better and he thought it was the end of a wonderful day with Carmila.