A fiancé? Now it had finally sunk in.

“And when did I have a fiancé?” Francheska skeptically asked.

“Ten years ago.” Armira, confidently said with a smile.

“How could that be? Why I didn’t know?”

“That night, after the engagement visit, we were attacked and it was his father who helped us escaped. They were just implicated. It could have been a joyous day of celebration but turned into a tragedy instead. It’s been fortunate that you’re not with us that we are able to keep our lives, sis. We barely able to survive. And because of that, this has been kept a secret from you and everyone. Father has been guilty and searching all around for any news about them.”

Now this is a surpirsing news, and a depressing one at that! Francheska can’t believe that it wasn’t so simple.

“Since it was like this, I guess I might consider it if you could become the champion on Arcane and Martial Arts Tournament. I want someone who is strong enough to protect the kingdom, protecting the peoples’ interest and though I feel you’re quite capable, you’re not on that level. Haha!” Haughtily making her reply with a mix of loathing, the princess didn’t put Claud in her eyes.

As for Claud, he never paid it any attention and instead just stood there, composed. He’s waiting for dismissal and already wanted to make an exit but it will be too rude of him so he stayed and still endured.

Having a princess for a fiancé might be most people’s dream, but it’s not the case for Claud. More so, having a girl as stubborn as this one. Now, thinking of someone, his mind started to drift off back to those carefree and peaceful times in the village.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Three years ago…..

“Stella, quick or you’ll never catch up to me!” While running, Claud keeps on taunting a girl wearing a brown mini-skirt with black leggings and brown t-shirt.

“Hmmmp! You’re too fast, I can’t keep up. Can we rest for a while?” While pouting, this little girl displayed a pleading look with has suffered a bit of injustice.

Claud, with a look of tenderness can’t resist her cute deep-set of violet eyes which currently on the verge of tears coupled with pouting petite cherry lips, stopped running and went back to comfort her. Her long black hair was fluttering in autumn winds. Her delicate complexion was being illuminated by the setting sun, giving off a warm yet desolate feeling.

“Ok. But we need to hurry back home. Teacher is waiting for us.” He said.

“Yup, father might get angry if we’re not home for supper.” Stella, wiping her eyes, her cute little nose sniffed a little then happily smiled.

Maristella Lou Cernis, the daughter of the village chief of Belanore. She was Claud’s childhood best friend and his closest confidant. Since that incident seven years ago, her father, Reigh Solas Cernis took care of him, instructed him in the martial way and taught him a great deal in magic arts, making him one of his only two students. The other one is Stella. As for his background, no one knew until that day of parting came.

A week later…..

“Please… please, I only have her. Don’t take her away from me!” Amidst the commotion, Reigh’s pleading voice can be heard together with buzzing onlookers and harsh laughters of ridicule.

“The mistress wants to see her daughter, are you going to stand in the way old man?” One of the guards kicked him, making him tumble in the ground.

“It’s been years already. Why not stop being stubborn and go back so that you will be reunited as a family? Maybe you can become one of the family’s aides again. Haha!” Laughter echoed once more.

Helpless, Reigh cannot do anything and instead made a solemn promise.

“I’ll get you back, no matter what. If you ever see your mother, tell her how much I missed her and will always be loving her.” With tears streaking his wrinkled face, he looked at Stella with longing eyes, carving her daughter’s cute and delicate image.

“Papa! Papa! I don’t wanna to go! Papaaaaa!” Stella screamed these words on top of her voice, her pitiful face stained with tears. Her puffy cute eyes and little nose was a tinge of redness, wanted to break off from those sturdy hands, holding her captive.

He wasn’t that old. At the age of thirty-four, he might be considered too young to be a chief. But the years of longing turned him to what he looks right now.

When Claud was able to make his way out of the crowd, Stella was already inside the carriage. Sobbing, she cannot do anything but to let go for the meantime.

“Stella! Stella!” I am a boy. I should not cry! While running to catch up to the carriage, Claud was calling Stella, forcing back his tears. “Will see each other again, I promise!”

“I will wait for you! Peeking from the carriage’s window, Stella looked back at Claud, giving her best to smile. But it was, in the end, a smile full of melancholy which almost ripped his tiny, tender heart to pieces.

“I will find you! I’ll grow up quickly and come look for you!”

As if bidding farewell, the carriage gradually, started to speed off until he can’t keep up. Claud stopped running and while still panting, kept staring on the distance of the receding silhouette, with a flash of determination on his innocent, crystal-blue eyes.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Claud… Claud? Claud!” Armira, waving her hands to the dazing off Claud.

“What!?” Claud softly yet sternly replied after being shaken off from his dreams.

“You can go now. Be sure to look after my sister, okay?” Still grinning, Armira waved her hand and everything went white. When the brilliance faded, everyone’s in the middle same matrix at the bottom of the tower.

The princess already walked, followed by Miss Siri and then me. We passed through the corridors, making our way to our classroom.

Still walking, my mind started to drift off once again, back to that day. Oblivious, I accidentally bump into someone.

“Sorry, my bad. I wasn’t paying attention.” Claud hastily helped the girl pick up her books.

“No, it was me. I’m not supposed to run in this tiny corridor. Sorry.” This girl replied, while still paying attention to the other books scattered on the floor.

This voice… It sounds so familiar! Like lightning, it hit him. He slowly looked at the girl, who’s still busy with the other books. That gentle, sweet voice, like that of that one autumn day, a bit more mature but still, the same familiar voice. I will wait for you! That sad, melancholic smile that was deeply engrave in his heart. We’ll see each other again, I promise! That simple promise and those bitter-sweet memories came running back.