The Abandoned Princess: Promises Arc

Chapter 14

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕱𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

Within a week, a great deal transpired. I had hoped to be able to work my way out of my plans in peace and quiet, but I never imagined that Henry would return to our home in the first week.

My favorite parts of our time together have been our trips to the market, where we were able to purchase a beautiful pair of jewels from a generous old lady, and my introduction to Claudius, the little child we rescued from an irate nobleman.

I never would have guessed that I would end up saving Claudius that fateful night, but I have been able to relish every moment I've spent with them ever since. My ideas are still in the works, but I always anticipated that they would evolve as time went on.

When I told Henry Claudius's name, that was the first time Henry met him. He was more of a quiet, cheerful person who never gets angry, which goes against the impression I have of him from my memories.

In the little time we've spent getting to know each other, Henry and him have formed an immediate friendship, and that's what I've noticed about him.

Just one thing: whenever Claudius and Henry got into a disagreement, Henry would be the one to start it. I would then be the one to console Claudius whenever Henry caused him to weep. In subsequent arguments, Henry would use such a statement before abruptly leaving us.

The friendship has been a wonderful cycle. We get into our fair share of fights, but I suppose Claudius could be considered an observer, as he was usually in the corner while Henry and I fought.

As he watched Henry say something to me, I would do the same, and he would eat his special tart cake with delight while making flower crowns.

Every day brought me closer to reality, which in turn allowed me to imagine a world with more positive and expansive perspectives.

This profound joy would never have occurred to me if I hadn't crossed paths with Henry that fateful night. If that were to happen, I would never have met Claudius that night, and I would remain trapped in the past, following after nothing more than the darkness that would eventually consume me.

I knew I would never again have to worry about being lonely because of the two of them.

"...that's why a young lady like you should learn embroidery rather than a sword, goodness," I sighed after a few blinks of the eye.

"But I made a promise to you that day, right?" Since Caliere wasn't out to welcome us that time, I had no doubt that he never laid eyes on him.

He may have been busier studying embroidery with his mother than I had imagined.

"A promise? It could always break, though, wouldn't it?" In a casual tone, he spoke as if he were making fun of the words I'd stopped trying to say. After a moment of staring out into space, he finally glanced over to meet my gaze after crossing his arms and staring elsewhere.

Even with my hazy eyesight, I can still make out the expression on his face as his eyes expanded and the folded arms that had been held aloft relaxed.

"Henry, you idiot!" My last words were, "Goodbye, Henry." And with that, I was gone.

I refrained from looking back because doing so would just bring remorse to my remarks.

I never expected to hear those words from Henry, but Verfeil had told me in the past that promises were supposed to be broken. Not when every time he does it, he just serves to spark hopes before putting them out.