Light from the Shadow

Chapter 25

Three months had passed since Ayna and the others were back to Remblan. During the day, the royal had mostly spent her time alone reading, locking herself in the room. At night, she would sometimes be seen wandering around the Grand Library.

"She definitely misses him." Maria said, watching her twin preparing tea for the princess.

"Who?" Aria asked without thinking. She carefully placed the tea pot beside the confectionery tower on the tray.

"Mr. Rishi of course! Who else?" Maria sighed. "I miss him too..."

"I heard Her Highness has stopped going for her magi training as well... I saw Lord Jyaga arguing with her about that the other day. Those two, they never change." Aria laughed.

"Did His Majesty say anything? After all, if she continues to..."

Aria shook her head. "It looks like His Majesty is preoccupied with something else now..."

The door opened and two other maids came into the kitchen, looking excited. They saw the twins sitting by the table and ran to them.

"Did you hear the news??" One of the maids asked.

Both Aria and Maria tilted their heads to the side, confused.

"It seems that a war may break out in the east! You guys went there the other day right??? Is it true???" The other maid asked with twinkling eyes.

"War...?" The twins looked at each other and turned back to their colleagues. "WHAT????"

"A war?" Ayna repeated.

Aria and Maria nodded their head vigorously. The three of them were in Ayna's room, having tea together. Maria took her tenth cookie and threw it into her mouth. "Did you hear anything from Prince Kuan? He writes to you quite often, doesn't he?"

Ayna recalled her last contact with Kuan. It was more than 3 weeks ago, maybe more. After her return to Remblan, they continued to talk over letters that would come once or twice every week.

"I haven't received letters from him lately. I wonder if it has anything to do with it. He is in the military after all." Ayna explained.

"What about Mr. Rishi? Any news from him? Is he still in Solbaru?" Maria asked again.

Ayna froze upon hearing the name. Aria elbowed her sister.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Mr. Rishi is a smart man. He will be alright. It's not like he is involved in the war or anything." Aria tried to ease the atmosphere.

"I haven't heard anything from him. Well, it's not like... we are close or anything." Ayna forced a smile but her face was clearly hurt. She drank her tea hurriedly but the tea was so hot she unconsciously dropped the cup onto the floor. It broke to pieces.

"Ouchhh!" Ayna cried. The hot tea spilled over her dress.

"Your Highness!" "Princess! Are you okay??!" The twins quickly went around the table to her.

Suddenly, they heard someone knocked at the door. It was one of the maids.

"There is a letter for Her Highness."

"Letter?" Maria asked.

The maid on the door nodded and showed her the letter. "A messenger from Solbaru came to deliver this just now."

***

Qwentine was holding a letter in his hand. The paper was wrinkled. It looked like it had been reread far too many times. It was from Rishi, his only son. Although they were not blood-related, he always regarded him as his son. The letter had been delivered by Jyaga to him – said to have been sent along with his resignation letter to the king. Qwentine knew that this day would come someday. He already knew it when he decided to bring home the dying boy that day. He knew that and still took him in. He had been feeling worried since Rishi decided to join the princess' travel to Solbaru.

The father figure sat down in the kitchen alone. The house felt empty since Rishi left. He recalled the day when he first found him. His little body full of wounds – thin to the bones and his soulless eyes. He recognized the little boy immediately from his, although dimmed, golden eyes. Qwentine tended his wellbeing until he could move and do things on his own. He still remembered how the boy cried for the first time when he cooked him meat. It must have been hard for him to bear this alone all this time, he had thought. That night, Qwentine cried with him to sleep.

Soon after that, the royal academic felt the guest in his house needed a name. He knew his name of course, but thought it was unwise to use it as it might make him remember the past. And so, he continued to pretend that he did not know who he was. He later named him Rishi. A name he thought suited the boy perfectly based on some ancient writings he read in the library ages ago. The boy seemed happy with his new name. To make things easier, Qwentine registered Rishi as his son although he had never married himself. Years passed and the two got closer to each other but Qwentine had never asked about his past as Rishi did not seem like he wanted to talk about it. He knew this and let him be.

The night was silent. Qwentine had heard that a civil war may break out in Solbaru Empire. Did it have anything to do with his son? He was worried. He unfolded the letter, for the third time that night. It was a short letter.

Dad, I won't be returning to Remblan with the princess. Things came up and I need to stay in Solbaru for a little longer, don't know for how long. Although you've never asked anything, I know you are aware of who I really am. You are a celebrated academic, after all! I'm sorry for never telling you the truth myself.

I don't know when I can write to you again so I will tell you now. Thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me. You probably never know how much you meant to me. You are the best father and I will cherish all the memories we've had together. I will never forget you.

You will always be my father.

Your son, Rishi.

Tears dropped to the already crumpled letter. Qwentine's eyes were wet. It was just a letter. It was not like they would not meet again. That was how he kept telling himself but his tears would not stop. Why did it feel like a farewell letter? Why did he feel like he would not see his son again?

He continued reading. There was something that looked like an additional note below. It ran like this.

Lord Jyaga will make sure someone delivers meat to our house twice a week. Be sure to eat and sleep well. Lastly, please take care of the princess for me.

Qwentine wiped his tears and laughed. And finally, he smiled at the now wet letter.

"Thank you, son."