𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

15. Arielle's portrait

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, illuminating Arielle’s room in a warm glow. Determined to make the most of her day, she awoke early, a rare sense of excitement propelling her out of bed. After hastily dressing in her usual attire, she made her way to the study hall, eager to attend her classes.

As she entered, a strange atmosphere greeted her. Madam Reeta, her ever-demanding instructor, was unusually lenient that day. It was almost as if she were treading carefully around Arielle, her usual strictness tempered by a newfound caution. Arielle couldn’t help but wonder if Aiore's earlier confrontation had anything to do with this change in demeanor. Who wouldn’t be afraid of that ice cube, after all?

With every lesson that passed, Arielle felt a mixture of relief and curiosity. It was a pleasant change, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Was it truly Aiore's influence, or was Reeta merely in a good mood? Either way, she was grateful for the respite, allowing her to focus on her studies without the constant pressure of Reeta's sharp tongue.

Later that evening, after classes had concluded, Arielle decided to take a stroll through the garden. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue across the landscape, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. As she wandered, she spotted Aldith seated on a bench, his attention fixed on a canvas in front of him. His brow was furrowed in concentration, brush in hand.

Surprised, Arielle approached him quietly. “Aldith! What are you doing here? I didn’t know you painted.”

He glanced up, a smile breaking through his initial concentration. “Oh, hey, Arielle! I usually paint here when I need to clear my mind. Sword practice isn't really my thing.”

Arielle raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. “Really? I always thought you were into sword fighting like Aiore.”

Aldith chuckled, shaking his head. “Nah, I prefer expressing myself on canvas. The sword is just… not my style.”

Intrigued, Arielle took a seat beside him, her gaze drifting to the painting. “It looks amazing! What are you trying to capture?”

“Just a scene from the garden,” Aldith replied, glancing back at his artwork. “Nature has a way of inspiring me.”

After a brief silence, Arielle hesitated, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Can I ask you something about Aiore?”

Aldith turned to her, his expression becoming serious. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“What’s he like? I mean, really?” Arielle asked, trying to gauge Aldith’s thoughts without seeming too intrusive.

He sighed, his gaze drifting away as if searching for the right words. “Aiore? He’s tough and quiet. Always has been. There were times when I tried to get close to him, especially when we were kids, but he always kept his distance. It’s like he builds walls around himself.”

Arielle frowned. “But why? Is he always going to be like that?”

“I don’t know,” Aldith replied with a shrug, though a hint of sadness crept into his voice. “He’s always been a mystery to me. I’ve tried to understand him, but he’s so guarded. It’s like he doesn’t want anyone to see what’s inside.”

Suddenly, a memory flickered in Aldith’s mind—an image of a young Aiore, kneeling beside him, carefully tending to his scraped knee after a particularly nasty fall. For a brief moment, the memory had seemed so real, filled with warmth and tenderness. But Aldith quickly brushed it aside, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Maybe it was just a dream,” he murmured, glancing back at Arielle. “Aiore has never been gentle with me. I guess it’s because I’m just a half brother.”

Arielle sensed the weight behind his words, the hidden pain masked by his lighthearted demeanor. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but she could only listen. Aldith continued, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it. “Don’t think too much about Aiore. He has his reasons for being the way he is. Just give him time, I guess...”

Arielle nodded, though a part of her felt unsettled. She couldn’t ignore the connection she felt with Aiore, the way he commanded her attention and stirred her emotions. “I will,” she said softly, “but I wish he’d open up, even just a little.”

Sensing the shift in the conversation, Aldith took her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Come on, let me show you something.” He led her toward a small wooden door nestled between two tall hedges, a hidden entry that Arielle had never noticed before.

“Where are we going?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“To my art gallery,” Aldith replied with a grin. “I want you to see my drawings.”

Arielle followed him through the door and into a quaint little room filled with light and vibrant colors. The walls were adorned with his paintings, each one telling a different story, capturing moments of beauty and emotion that made Arielle’s heart swell with admiration.

“Wow, Aldith! This is incredible!” she exclaimed, taking in the myriad of colors and scenes. “You’re really talented!”

“Thanks,” he said, a shy smile gracing his lips. “I just like to paint what I feel.”

Arielle moved closer to one particular painting, a landscape that seemed to come alive with movement. “This one is my favorite,” she said, pointing at the vibrant colors swirling together. “It feels so… alive.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Aldith said, stepping beside her. “I try to capture the beauty I see around me.”

As Aldith hung his new painting on a wall, he paused to glance at Arielle, who was admiring his other pieces. The light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on her face. Her laughter danced in the air, infectious and uplifting, making his heart flutter in a way he hadn't expected.

"Arielle," he called out, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "Would you let me draw you?"

She turned to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You want to draw me? Really?"

He nodded, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "Yes. I think it would be... nice to capture this moment."

Arielle hesitated for a moment but then nodded eagerly. "Okay! I'd love to!"

As she settled into a comfortable position, Aldith began to sketch, his brush moving swiftly across the paper. With each stroke, he focused on the gentle curves of her smile, the way her eyes lit up with joy. This was different from all the other times they had spent together; the air felt charged with an energy that made his heart race.

"Is it coming out okay?" Arielle asked, glancing over at him, her excitement palpable.

"Better than okay," he replied, trying to keep his tone light. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

Arielle blushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're just saying that because you're drawing me!"

Aldith chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, I mean it. You have this... light about you. It's inspiring."

As he continued to draw, he realized that this moment was pivotal. Each line he created was infused with the warmth he felt for her. He was falling in love with her-this beautiful, kind-hearted girl who seemed blissfully unaware of the effect she had on him.

Arielle laughed at something he had said, her joy a vivid splash of color in his otherwise muted world. But as he looked at her, lost in the magic of the moment, he understood that she was still focused on the future-her future with Aiore.

Aldith's heart sank slightly at the thought, but he couldn't help but cherish the image he was creating. Even if Arielle didn't know the truth of his feelings, he would capture her essence in this portrait, preserving the moment when he fell for her amidst laughter and light.

The two spent the next few hours in the gallery, discussing art and sharing stories, their laughter echoing off the walls. For Arielle, it was a welcome distraction from the heaviness that had settled in her heart. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the room, she felt a sense of peace envelop her.