I Will Hold Your Hand Gently

Chapter 22: A Promise Made

Tanya and Hunter left town early to ensure they would reach the Dukedom of Sigma by noon. Tanya prepared a spacious carriage loaded with all her herbal products, ensuring everything was securely packed. She then assisted Hunter to settle comfortably in the back of the carriage before taking hold of the reins herself. Without any further ado, Tanya flicks the reins making the horse move to pull the carriage. 

When they reached the Dukedom, Tanya provided licenses and permits for selling her herbs, as well as identification documents for herself and Hunter, enabling them to enter the Dukedom. Hunter pondered briefly how Tanya had managed to obtain his identification on such short notice but decided to set that question aside for another time. Right now, his main focus is on finding his sister. They reached the town directly located below the Sigma Estate. 

The town was alive with noise and music, even though the sky hadn't been filled with stars yet. Hunter looks out from the back of the carriage, mesmerized by the scenery as he reminisces about his first visit to the MidSpring Flower Festival with his younger sister. Back then, they had very little, but after completing a significant job, they had enough money to travel to the festival and enjoy a hearty meal together.

"It's even more livelier than last year," Tanya smiles.

Children darted around in flower masks, while adults chatted animatedly as they cooked. Throughout town, locals were meticulously adorning the streets with vibrant floral decorations. Tanya arrived at her designated spot. She dismounts from her perch and pulls out the folded-up wheelchair from the back. She carefully unfolded the wheelchair and assisted Hunter into it with gentle care. As they worked together, Tanya gradually set up her booth, meticulously arranging her herbal products with Hunter's help. It wasn't long until night fell.

"Now that I think about it, how are you going to find your sister?" Tanya asked as she sold her herbal items, "Thank you, please come again."

"...The first time my sister and I came here, we were amazed by how lively and beautiful this place was," Hunter recalled with a wistful smile. "When I saw that radiant smile on her face, I made a promise to bring her back here every year. I'd take on risky jobs with hefty pay just to ensure we'd never miss this festival. But this time, I haven't returned home even though the MidSpring Flower Festival was around the corner..."

"So, if your sister were to find you, she'd come here," Tanya finished his sentence with understanding, "Because you made her a promise."

Hunter nodded in response before letting out a small laugh. "It's funny... I've never told anyone this before."

Tanya felt a rush of butterflies in her stomach when she saw his expression. Clearing her throat to divert her thoughts, she said, "Maybe it's because you're on a lot of painkillers."

"Perhaps..." Hunter touches the bandages wrapped around his body, "...How did you know these injuries were made by Espers?"

Tanya thanked another patron before answering Hunter, "Well... I guess you can call it experience."

"Experience? Like how you have some knowledge in mending small wounds and fevers?"

"In a way," Tanya thanked another customer for purchases.

Tany sat back in a chair as she gave Hunter a silly smile, "I was a doctor's apprentice before I became an herbalist. I saw firsthand the harm Espers can inflict on each other. I couldn't bear to witness it any longer, so I chose to leave but, I couldn't give up on healing people because I made a promise to my parents to continue to heal people. So, I decided to become an herbalist."

"You coward!"

A voice reverberated angrily inside Tanya's mind, causing her smile to fade into a troubled expression. She let out a soft sigh before speaking, "I'm terrified of blood, like a coward. That's why I was terrified when I found you lying covered in blood outside my house."