Piece 19 (part 1)

From early noon until the afternoon, we just spent most of the time inside the castle.

Mostly because the rest of the tour can be done indoors. But, it's also because it's pouring heavily outside.

The summer heat can be deadly, but it can also be susceptible to sudden heavy rains which can last for hours with no end. It's raining so badly that there's even drips within the castle that we had to watch out for.

"Sorry for the castle's poor condition! It is a historic place, after all. We tried to preserve it as it is!" The knight captain tried explaining as everyone did their best to avoid the incoming water drops from the ceilings at the grand hall, but we all know that it's just probably very expensive to try and patch these holes.

The rest of the tour was more or less a history lesson. There was a theater play done by the knights to depict how the great general once defeated an army of five thousand with just two hundred men in the castle, and it was certainly a heroic story filled with heroic moments. The children love it, so it makes sense as to why they made this the longest segment of the entire tour.

"That general is really something. He's taking risks for the sake of his soldiers… I can never do something like that."

Even Roy, who is technically two years older than me, still looked so amazed by the story telling. Then again, I can't blame him, because I'm also a terrific fan of my mom and dad's story.

"Who do you think has the better sacrifice? General Julius or the emperor and empress of Veldonia?" I asked Roy because he seemed so into General Julius's story, and he turned quite confused.

"Uhm… I guess the emperor and empress? But those can't be compared, really. On one side, the general is fighting in a war, while the emperor and empress are trying to stop an invasion from a literal god. It's just not the same."

That is true, it really can't be compared.

By the time the play ended, the clock already showed four in the afternoon. We've spent so much time in the castle that it's about time for us to leave soon. But since it was raining quite badly, it's going to be a hassle trying to go back to the carriages.

"It's certainly been a fun tour. I was half expecting it to be like a knight's harsh training more than this." I jokingly said while waiting for our turn to get into the carriages, and it sure is taking a while.

Because it's raining, the knights had to put in extra effort to get us into the carriage safely. They do have umbrellas, but not enough to bring all of the students at once.

Seeing that it's about time for us to leave, Roy turned to me with a really weird look. I noticed him glaring at me blankly, and I turned confused.

"What is it? You've been acting weirdly today."

"It's just… Do you mind if we head to a more empty place?" Roy then asked out of nowhere while looking for an empty place to go to, and I opened my eyes widely.

Is this… is this really it?

Am I going to finally experience it? For the first time in my life? Something that my mom and dad have had for a very long time.

Am I finally going to have romance in my life???

"Come with me." Roy then quickly grabbed my hand, and I simply allowed him to pull me. His hand was indeed large, and I felt his rough pull to be somewhat pleasing.

Just… how long have I been feeling like this?

As he pulled me, I noticed that a few eyes seemed to be watching us. I was half worried that people might notice me, but there's no reason for them to be worried since we're still in the castle. Roy wondered for a bit where we should go, and we spotted a small set of stairs that wasn't too far away from the grand hall.

He decided to bring me up the stairs, and we climbed up until we reached somewhere quite high. Either this is the fourth or fifth floor, I'm not entirely sure, but it sure is empty.

"Milly.…" After arriving at the very top floor, Roy let go of the hand that is holding me. He stepped away to catch a breath since climbing the stairs in such a hurry was quite the exercise, and he turned to me with a very different expression.

He looked so sad… 

"Why are we here, Roy?" I asked a little confused despite already knowing the answer, and Roy only closed his eyes before firming his decision. After a while, he finally opened his mouth.

"When I first met you… I've always known that you were always an amazing person.

You stood out so much despite being a silent girl in the classroom. The aura that surrounds you tells me that you're the most special person that existed in the classroom. It's almost as if you're the hidden gem that has long since existed and has yet to be found."

Roy said to me with such a different gaze than usual, and I'm only keeping silent at everything. I was a little bit surprised hearing his charming words, but I was more shocked at everything else.

"Roy…"

"I knew! I've long known that you are special! But, I just couldn't do it.

I couldn't… find myself to push you away when I was in trouble. You ended up getting hurt because of me, and I couldn't forgive myself for it. I've been longing for a way to try and return that favor to you, but all I've done so far has been failure. I don't deserve you, Milly."

Roy's words felt more like self harm instead of a confession, and he looked so widely hurt by it. I can see that this is indeed something that he has been having a lot of problems with, and I'm not sure if it's something that I personally can help with.

It's his mentality problem. If I helped him, then that just means he has truly failed to support himself, so I shouldn't do that. Instead, what I can do is keep encouraging him.

"Then, that's fine. It's not like I can forgive myself for my failures, either. It's fine to despise yourself for the things you couldn't do, so naturally, you just have to keep embracing those failures and learn from it. 

Roy, it's fine to keep relying on me." 

I said to him as softly as possible to try and change his mind, and Roy chuckled loudly. He looked away because he couldn't bear to see me, and I'm a little disappointed that he's still so firm with his thoughts.

"You're right. I have to embrace my failures. That is why I'm not going to ask you for help anymore, because I will be the one who's going to be by your side when you need me." He suddenly turned to me so quickly, and I realized I've been caught up in his play.

What a… fine turn of events you planned.

"Milly." Roy asked with such a firm tone, and I almost skipped a beat hearing him say my name.

"Yes, Roy…?"

My question was meant for him to continue. It was meant so he'd finish what he was supposed to say.

However, the words I'm expecting never came. Instead, Roy's smile turned into a rather disappointed face.

"I'm sorry."

What?

Why did he…?

For a while, there was only silence. Roy did not continue with his words, and instead he just stared at me with a very sorrowful expression. I began to process what is currently happening, because he isn't doing anything.

Not long after, my senses picked up something that I seem to have missed. Because I was so focused on Roy, I wasn't expecting other people to come into the floor as well.

I turned my gaze towards the entrance to the room, and the staircase that leads to this floor is only behind that door. I sensed that quite a lot of people are currently heading up the stairs, and I was guessing that these people were looking for us.

But, would that many people be sent just to look for two measly students?