Linda’s can’t figure out what words she should pick. Her emotions are indescribable right now. She’s unable to comprehend how it is possible but seeing them in front right now, she only has to believe.

“I-I-I can’t believe you’re alive.”

Tears that were once held back began to trickled down. Reyna held her hands and clasped.

“Is it really you guys?”

Linda had asked more. It seems to be a dream for her to see them again.

“Yes, we are.” Reyna said.

“I thought, I thought…”

“We were killed? No.” Reyna let go of her hand before starting to explain. “When we fell on that cliff, someone saved us. Most of our childhood, we live in the wilderness. We build our house and live quietly for some time.”

“Who helped you? I have so many questions to ask.”

“Where to begin, huh? There’s a lot happen after we separated.” She was lost at words for moment. Reyna clicks her fingers. “Ah yes. As we fell on that cliff, a tribunal hunter helped us on getting away and live somewhere in the border and live for some years.”

Reyna said it without hesitation but every word became heavier for her. Is it jealousy? Perhaps, but Linda understood that it was not their fault that they’re fortunate that there’s someone who helped them.

“Yes.” Reyna said as if she’s reminiscing. “We live in that forest for 6 to 7 years.”

“What happened to the person who helped you?”

“He died.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s – It’s fine.”

“I hope I can meet him so that I can expressed my gratitude for helping you.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s in better place now.”

Reyna paused for a second before continuing, “So, after that, me and Yuzu travel out in the border and start our career as adventurers.”

“Really? That’s great.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“I take that you’re living comfortably now?”

Reyna and Yuzu exchanged glances. Linda became suspicious over their odd silence.

“Yeah, we kinda, but we’re still living back there.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Linda asked, surprise to her statement. “Why?”

“Because it holds sentimental value to us.”

“If that’s what it is, then okay.”

“What about you?” Reyna asked and observed her. “You look glamourous. Have you already married to someone?”

Linda chuckles. “No. I haven’t. I’m still too young for that.”

For a moment, Linda’s eyes caught something outside the shop. It’s Alastor and Caroline. For quite some time now she noticed that they’re closed, like friends. But come to think of it, there is no way Alastor would have known her long before they formally met because most of the time Alastor was in the glade and with his group.

Shaking her head, Linda gave a wry smile to Reyna.

Despite what she’d gone through Reyna doesn’t seem to be losing her edge and the shape of her body. She’s fit and appealing. The thoughts are same for Reyna to Linda.

“Enough about me.” Linda exclaimed and asked, “What about you? I doubt that you haven’t found the person whom you want to spend the rest of your life.”

Reyna offered a half smile. “I have.”

“Really?! Tell me about him.”

At this moment, Reyna caught a glimpse to her childhood bestfriend, the one who loves fairytales, who believes that prince charming exist to save her from wickedness.

“It’s not him.” Reyna declined her thoughts. “It’s a her.”

Linda’s brows furrowed in surprise.

“So, you um?”

“Bisexual, yes.”

Linda was silence for a moment. She did not expect to hear that from her.

“Are you disappointed?” Reyna asked.

“No, no.” Linda said quickly. She didn’t want to misinterpret her silence as she began explaining her thoughts. “I wasn’t expecting that, you know, since we were children, you always dream about a prince charming to come and save you.”

“Well, he did come but as an old man.”

They chuckled. Hearing that Yuzu interrupted with an annoyed expression.

“Hey, don’t use our old man as a joke. One of these days he’s going to visit you in your dreams and it ain’t going to be pretty.”

“Sorry if I offend you geez. If I remember it correctly it was old man Ace who’s the one pranking us.”

“But it is still inappropriate…”

“Fine, fine.”

After that, Reyna’s attention returns to her. Linda’s eyes were solemn and heavy as if she missed half of her life with her friends.

“I guess your path wasn’t that smooth, huh.”

“Yeah, well… yes. After we parted, I had to walk for two days before some travellers saved me and took me as one of their own.”

Linda looked down, trying to cover her face. Reyna peered quietly and understood her emotion very well. After confronting her emotions, Linda leans against the chair. Her former that is illustrious and the child that believes of fairytales was already dead. She had made peace to that after she joined the glade.

“I am so sorry to hear that. Maybe, if we should have come sooner, maybe…”

Linda interrupted her. “No, coming back would mean dangerous to you. And it’s all in the past now. It’s useless to talk about what ifs. Besides, after spending time with them I became an adventurer.”

Of course, it was a lie. Linda didn’t forget her position as a mercenary from the Glade. She has sworn that no matter who she’s speaking with, she will share that relates to them.

Reyna can see how Linda changes that much. The dreamy child Linda was far from this current version. It may seem that Linda’s the ideal girl that every wanted to be, confident, beautiful, courageous, but behind that, she’s damaged. Large cracks were hidden in her strong stature.

Reyna understood her very well. She hated to admit it, but there’s nothing she can do to repair that damage.

“How about Yuzu?” Linda altered her gaze at him. “You seem…”

Linda paused when she saw how skinny Yuzu is. Yuzu felt her gaze and quickly understand what she is thinking.

“Not healthy?” He asked.

“I was going to say skinny, but that would qualify.”

“Well, I’m not that really much of consumer. Reyna here, however…”

“Not a single word.”

Reyna said these words with a threatening voice.

“Fine, fine.” Yuzu surrendered.

Unlike Reyna, Yuzu was more of a timid person. He had that expressionless face that one might assume that he’s bored.