Embers of Sun and Flame: Before We Have It (Fuegoleon x OC)

Chapter 15 A mirror

Sunlight. That soft, warm, cascading light that felt almost blessed after the season that could be called as the spring of Clover. Or, rather it was Cloverian spring, despite feeling cold to Solara. But now, she was home. The other home. The home she had had for a longer time. The home where she, both, did and didn't want to be in.

She stood before the gate, her back turned to it as it closed behind her, and just looked at her home. There was a scent of grass in the air, since the nature was ready to bloom in a week or two. It was the scent of growth, of rebirth, of life.

And yet she couldn't help but gaze down, thinking about it.

I do... want to be here, but I long to be back in Clover, she turned her head to catch a glimpse of the stone arc from the corner of her eye. If I had to choose... where we'd live, I suppose-, I suppose I'd want to live here. But it doesn't work for him. And his... yeah... His position requires him to stay. Being a representative... an ambassador, allows me to move. Even if I was supposed to stay here and grow to take after mother, to sit by the Queen's side and help grow this Queendom. I was supposed to... just see the world outside of our borders, to wonder and travel, get some perspective. And here I am, moving. Trying to move.

She found irritation, which tried to rise to the surface. Why does he get to stay, and not give up anything? She scoffed to herself, knowing that she had agreed to this. Though I know why. No matter which one of us moved, the other would be giving up the same position. Similar position. Thea has a ... Council. Loosing one member has less of an impact than losing a member of the royal family. And he... he has a set position, as I was still growing to take on a position. I can't blame him for having had to take on the position. My parents are still able and can maintain their position, meanwhile he doesn't have that luxury. Thea has more time to adjust. And this arrangement should... be more fruitful for both. Because this way there'll be... a better possibility to move back and forth. I doubt that Clover would be so openminded if Fue wasn't in the position that he is in. Or maybe Julius would be. Quite possibly would be.

She sighed, going through it all in her head, but still feeling a tickle of envy, of having to move away. Even if the plan was still to have a footing in both countries. Still... she wanted to be the one to stay, even if it wasn't as sensible as Fue staying.

An echo of mana.

Solara smiled and turned to look. "[Do I need an escort nowadays?]" She smirked, at which Celer rolled their eyes.

Their white hair was untied, which made Lara guess that it must've been their day off.

"[Or did the Queen order you to come for my head?]" A joke, the origin of which she wasn't sure of, but it bore a bitter taste nonetheless.

They rolled their eyes again before shaking their head as they made their way closer to her.

She chuckled, shaking her head as well, and turned to Ler with a grin that settled into a faint smile while taking steps to close in her half of the distance. "[How are things here?]"

They placed their hand in front of them, palm facing down, and made a swaying motion, alternating between their thumb and little finger being higher than the other.

"[The war or something else?]"

A single tap to their nose.

"[Well... suppose it's good. At least there's nothing new.]"

They nodded, finally closing the distance, and offered their hand, which she took. Their palms were aligned on top of each other, facing one and another.

There was a series of taps to Lara's palm that made he frown with an expression that was laced with sorrow.

"[I know, I know... and he... has a reason for voting against I-]"