Her Grief and Sorrow

I really want to hear the story. The tale of the Princess of the Kingdom of Scathlan, who led the vanguard of the royal army against the Demon Race. A princess who lived her life as a general of war.

A royal princess who would normally live within the protection of palace walls, surrounded by beautiful trinkets and adorned with exquisite and luxurious jewelry. Sheltered and at peace, destined to become an empress or perhaps a queen, waiting for a prince to come and fulfill her dreams.

But... not the same for Aella-san's friend, Princess Estella Lightheart.

She chose to live her life as a general of war. She raised her sword to protect her people... and of course, her kingdom. A princess who led her troops on the front lines. Instead of living behind walls adorned with beautiful and luxurious ornaments, she chose to wield her sword. How graceful... how magnificent.

And she had the same name as my mother... 'Estella.'

But in the end, it's all just my fantasy. Or perhaps it's more accurate to call it my imagination. That's why I want to make sure. What kind of life did Princess Estella Lightheart, Aella-san's friend, lead?

I gazed into Aella-san's eyes, filled with hope. Hope that I could hear a story grand, elegant, and heroic—one that might paint a picture of the life of Aella-san's friend.

I opened my mouth and spoke to Aella-san, who was currently busy patting my stomach. She really treated me like a child... ugh!

"Aella-san..."

She turned her face toward me and said,

"Yes, Elena! What is it?"

"Could you... umm... tell me about your friend? I mean, the one who has the same name as my mother."

Aella-san smiled gently at my words.

"Ah... could it be that you're curious about how amazing my friend Estella is? But... Ne... Elena... listen to me carefully..."

In the middle of her words, Aella-san suddenly tapped my nose gently with her index finger. She did so with a teasing smile on her face.

"If I tell you her story... you might just fall in love with her! Don't ask me to take responsibility, okay?"

"Th-there's no way! There's no way I'd fall in love just from hearing someone's adventures! Isn't Estella a woman's name? And besides..."

I continued, lowering my head. For I felt that my next words might sadden Aella-san.

"Isn't the Kingdom of Scathlan already destroyed? And perhaps... your friend has already..."

The smile on Aella-san's face began to fade. She lowered her gaze slightly, staring blankly at the floor beneath her feet. For a moment, the sound of Aella-san's laughter disappeared.

"Huuh..."

Not long after, she took a deep breath and lifted her face again. She looked at me and said,

"Yes, Elena, as you said. Perhaps my friend has gone far away. Far... to a place I cannot reach. At least, for now."

A face filled with grief and longing was clearly etched on Aella-san's visage.

"Ne... Elena... have you ever felt the same as I do? About your mother. That feeling of being overwhelmed with deep regret. The kind of feeling that makes you wish time could turn back. To go back to when their beautiful smiles shone brightly on their faces. On the face of my friend... and the face of your mother..."

It was such a heartbreaking question for me. 'Yes... of course!' I wanted to answer like that, for I, too, sometimes felt what Aella-san was feeling. But such words wouldn't suit this situation. A time when Aella-san looked so deeply sorrowful.

What should I say to her? What kind of words could ease her longing and the sadness that was so vividly written on her beautiful face?

I paused for quite some time before finally responding to her question.

"Aella-san, to be honest, I often feel the same as you. The desire to return to the times when I was with my mother. When I ran, laughed, danced, and sang with her. When I helped her prepare our meals, and then cooked together. When she chased after me... for sneaking the dessert meant for dinner. But Aella-san..."

I looked into Aella-san's eyes, offering her my softest smile. Hoping it might, in some way, ease the unease in her heart. Then I continued,

"The High Priest of the Temple of the Sun, Father Dante, always said to me...

'The death of a loved one is an incredibly painful thing. Yes... it's only natural to feel that way. But we should not mourn it with too much sorrow or pain. For such actions would only bring sadness and suffering to those who've left us. They have their own place now... and we have our lives to live here. So, Elena, do not let yourself be swallowed by grief. For it would cause Estella, who left you, to suffer and drown in sadness. Smile brightly under the sunlight at dawn. For you... and for your mother, Estella.'

...those were the words Father Dante often said whenever I began to sink into despair. After saying them, Father Dante would always embrace me gently. To soothe my crying and... my loneliness. So, Aella-san... could you move closer to me for a moment?"

Aella-san leaned her body slightly toward me.

"What's wrong? Why would you suddenly ask me this, Elena? Is there some part of you that still aches? I'll heal it with my magic and—"

I cut her off with a request, or perhaps it sounded more like a command. I spoke to her softly,

"Aella-san, please come closer to me... yes... that's it... even closer... gotcha!"

I pulled Aella-san into a hug. I could feel the softness of her skin and the scent of her body.

"Elena, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to chase away... umm... the loneliness... and the sadness in your heart."

"Elena... aren't I a bit too old to be treated this way?"

"There's no such thing as being too old to seek affection and tenderness... that's what my mother always said when comforting her friends... so... shh shh shh..."

I gently patted and stroked her back, the way my mother used to calm my tears in the past.

"Elena... you..."

Aella-san seemed about to say something, but decided against it. She fell silent, letting me embrace her. And... slowly, her arms began to wrap around me. Tighter and tighter.

Before long, I could hear the sound of her soft sobs near my ear. Aella-san's tears were now wetting my hair.

"Forgive me, Estella... forgive me... please... forgive me..."

Her fragile voice, filled with regret and guilt, trembled through her crying. Aella-san hugged me more tightly. Her body was shaking... with sadness... and grief.

In this room, and within my arms, Aella-san was drowning in her tears and longing.

In her grief and sorrow...

†*************************†

"Hello readers…

This time, it's my turn to greet you personally.

As the author, I must apologize for the change in theme and title of this chapter. Initially, it was announced to be titled "Estella Lightheart, The Saint of Light Sword", but it has now changed to "Her Grief and Sorrow".

The reason is simple: as I wrote from Elena's perspective, I suddenly felt Aella's emotions overflowing deeply into me. The result? Well, this chapter turned into a story about Aella's grief and sorrow.

To be honest, I shed a few tears while writing this chapter. I hope readers can feel the same emotion.

I dedicate this chapter specifically to those who have lost loved ones, who are still struggling with pain and sorrow. I wish for your smiles to return just like before. And, I hope you have someone who will warmly embrace you to ease the grief in your heart.

If anyone asks why Aella was so moved by the actions of a teenager, the answer is simple: the way Elena hugged and gently patted Aella's back was exactly the same as how Estella comforted Aella in the past.

So…

Yes, that's right! Elena is the daughter of Aella's beloved friend, Estella Lightheart.

Oops…

That's all for now; otherwise, I might give away too many spoilers. By the way, this is the longest afterword I've ever written. And I'd like to thank all the readers who have faithfully followed my story.

See you in the next episode, which will return with the title "Estella, The Saint of Light Sword." "

Matakatra

(Author)