25/05/1164

In front of a certain house at the corner of Village Cephir

William averted his eyes, unable to meet eyes with the boy in front of him.

Zack’s heart sank. His heart shouted in defiance, ‘Please, say that it’s all a lie. Say that what these people said is not true. Say that my parents are still alive and on a trip! PLEASE! Just say that… that… that it’s all a big lie, and that dream is not true! That these people are lying!’

Gazing at the boy’s trembling figure, William’s facade crumbled away as he softly muttered, “Do you really want to know about this? Even if it scars you for life? I originally thought to break the news to you when you were a bit older. Mature enough to take it in. You know, your mother, she wanted you to live a fulfilling life. A life where you would be happy. Even when knowing all this, do you want to—”

Before he could complete his words, the shaky voice of the boy in front of him snapped him out of it.

“Uncle. Please! Tell me! Tell me what h-happened. I… I need to know.”

Aria, who was watching silently at the side, felt something warm wrap around her legs. Lowering her head, she saw Amelia hugging her legs tightly, burying her face in her mother’s embrace, hiding so she wouldn’t have to see the scene playing out before her.

Lowering herself on her knee, she gently patted her daughter’s head; without taking her eyes away from the scene.

In front of her, William spoke to the boy in front of him, “Zack, just try to—”

“ENOUGH! Enough of all this and that! E-even if I say anything, you will do what you want! Right? Right?! So it’s all true, isn’t it? You had so many ways to tell me. So many chances. Yet, you lied to me. I believed in you. And you… you lied to me. And then you go ahead and say that you don’t want to hurt me. But you know, you already did.”

Did you know how scared I was when I woke up? I was relieved when I saw you back then. Almost blissful. I was glad to know that there was someone with me. That I was not alone. Although I was terrified at first, I trusted you. I wanted to question you about this many times. Your story of my parents going on a trip… that… that wasn’t convincing at all. I doubted it a lot. And then all that conflict. Yet, in the end, I trusted you.”

But, did you even consider my side? How I felt? What I would’ve wanted? YOU SAY ALL THIS STUFF ABOUT NOT WANTING TO HURT ME BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?! Did you even stop for a second and think about a situation like this? About what would’ve happened if I got to know of it from anyone else besides you? You didn't, right?”

Zack’s voice turned hoarse the more he spoke. His lone eye glistened. At the end, he gave a bitter smile as he continued.

“Thank you for all the consideration until now. But, I don’t want all this consideration… I… I just wanted to know the truth. What would’ve happened? At best, I would’ve cried for a few days. But now what?” Like fire without air to burn with, his voice dropped to low-sounding mutters before turning to silence.

The boy stood there in silence, looking at the man before him, whereas the man before him had his head lowered in shame, guilt of his actions eating at him from within.

Peeking at the scene, the girl in Aria’s arms shivered all over as she stared up at her mother.

“Mommy, w-will…” the girl hesitated. However, after a while, she decided to vent out her worries. “Will he be alright?”

“You mean Zack?” Aria asked to confirm.

Amelia nodded as she trembled all over. Her mother hugged her closer, trying to ease her beating heart.

Looking down at her daughter, Aria said, “Mommy is here and daddy is here as well. We… won’t let him get hurt. Don’t worry, he will be fine. We will take care of it.”

“I just don’t wanna lose anyone else… like… like we lost Uncle Ignis, and Uncle Zan, and Aunty—” Amelia tried to speak but broke down into sobs. From her side, she felt her brother snuggling closer, also searching for warmth.

Aria’s shoulders drooped as a helpless sigh escaped her mouth. With a smile, she said, “If you’re so worried, get stronger. Get strong enough to protect your family. Strong so no one can do anything to you. Strong like mommy and daddy are. The same way your brother is trying.”

While speaking, she hugged her son closer.

Amelia shook her head as she said, “Fighting is scary. I can’t do it. I’m… sorry.”

Looking at her complex emotions, Aria couldn’t help but wrack her brain to cheer her daughter up.

She sighed inwardly while thinking, ‘Today sure is a day full of lots of sighs. Kids sure mature fast. I just wish they will stay kids for just… a bit more.’

Lifting her daughter’s head up, she smiled as she said, “You know, you’re a kind girl, afraid of hurting anyone. It’s not a bad thing, it actually makes you look cuter than me.” To add to the effect, she gave her daughter a pout.

“Cuter than you, mommy?” the little girl asked, looking up at her mother, a part of her apprehension gone. “But mommy, you’re so beautiful. How can I match you?’

“Not just match me, but you’ll be even more beautiful when you grow up. After all, you are my daughter!” Aria said while ruffling Amelia’s head, giving the best smile she could.

“M-mom, he will be okay, right?” Samuel asked.

Aria patted his back with her other hand while giving a gentle smile. “We will make sure he is, no matter what it takes. Don’t worry about that.”

However, at that moment, sounds of clapping broke the atmosphere, causing both the kids to shiver inadvertently.

“Quite the family drama we have here. A great show indeed.”