In Search of Kasena (ONC 2024) | ✓

Interlude 4

Kardin tread the familiar path to his study. He hoped Kasena would be done by now; he was glad to have had some time to clear everything up with the bounty hunter, but there was still a far more important conversation to be had.

He took one deep breath before pushing the door open and meeting his sister's scornful gaze. "So? What did Father say?" he asked, cutting to the chase as he closed the door behind him.

"Nothing too useful," she said with a scoff and crossed her arms over her chest. "I briefly explained everything that happened, he said he was glad I returned and how he will do anything to make me stay, but I said no. I'm sure there is some catch with his offer." He still struggled to understand where such extreme distrust of their father came from, but that was far from the biggest issue here; she was fully entitled to her contempt.

"Seriously, you're too harsh on him," he only said.

"How do we know his illness wasn't just a fabricated ruse to make me feel bad and convince me to come back?"

"How can you even say something like that? He was really worried about you!" A little quieter, he added, "We both were."

His words earned him another scoff—clearly, Kasena's new favorite method of reacting to things. "Oh, so that's why you disrespected my wishes, even though I explicitly asked you not to look for me?"

"Do you even hear yourself? You just disappeared one day and asked us not to look for you. What were we supposed to do? You could've sent us a little note every now and then just to let us know you were still alright. We thought you were dead!" Kasena flinched at his words as his voice grew louder. "And I apologize that my search inconvenienced you and your grand plan, but I was not ready to lose the rest of my family in a little over a year because you suddenly decided to run away from home and not let us know if you were alive or not!"

A heavy silence settled in between them. Kasena stared at her own feet, her fists clenching tighter, just like the hand of guilt fastened its grip on Kardin's heart. "I'm sorry—"

"No, I'm sorry," he interrupted. "I shouldn't have yelled at you." Nor could he truly blame her for doing what she did—after all, she looked out for herself far better than he ever did.

"That's true, but you had a point. I was too scared to reach out because I thought you would somehow track me down and bring me back home." Her tone showed true remorse, but Kardin guessed there was something else besides that, something she was not willing to tell him just yet.

"Well, I can't say that didn't cross my mind at all," he admitted. "But I wouldn't do it if I knew you were safe and doing alright on your own. That's all that mattered to me." Hearing those words, she looked up at him wide-eyed. "And... I'm sorry for not being there for you. I didn't realize just how much you were struggling without Mother until it was too late. I should've been there for you—done anything more for you—but I didn't know how. I was too blinded by my own pain and work to give you the support that you needed. And I know that whatever I say now can't fix the damage that I've already done, but I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday."

The first signs of tears rimmed his sister's eyes. "Kardin..." She leapt into his embrace, burrowing her head into his shoulder.

It felt so good to hug his little sister again, just like they did when they were younger. As the years went by, it was so easy to overlook how much they drifted apart day after day. They stood like that in silence, his arms hugging her tighter and tighter in an attempt to make up for at least a tiny fraction of those years.

She slowly released him, and he followed suit. "What are your plans for the future?" he asked her.

"I want to keep traveling," she said, and he saw the hardened resolve and determination on her face. Even if he wanted to, he would not convince her to change her mind. "There's so much of the world to see. I want to travel outside of the kingdom, too."

"Not continuing your adventures with a certain bounty hunter?" he asked in a teasing tone, raising an eyebrow.

The fact that his sister looked genuinely confused made the conversation even more amusing. "No, why would I?"

"I can see you've taken a liking to him." And as far as he could tell, the feeling seemed to be mutual—although the person that Sarfort befriended was just a carefully crafted mirage.

"Well, he's probably the first real friend I made." She shrugged. "He's an honorable guy, even to his detriment sometimes. I can see why you decided to hire him."

"If you say so." There was no point in pursuing the topic any further. Even in the slim chance that there were some feelings involved, she probably wouldn't confide in him about it.

"Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. I heard it's official now," she said with a smile.

"Thank you." He returned the smile. "We should host the engagement party soon. I hope you'll stay here at least until then. I... I would love for you to be there."

Kasena nodded. "That can be arranged. I could probably stick around until then, and then leave again."

Kardin tried not to let his nerves get the best of him as he asked, "Will you be here for the wedding?"

"That depends," she said nonchalantly. "Am I invited?"

His offended gasp echoed through the room. "Kasena!"

She clearly found great joy in messing with him, his offended reaction sending her into a fit of laughter. "Relax, I'm just joking. Have you decided on a date yet?"

"Not yet." He shook his head. "We are thinking about next spring."

"That works." She thought it over for a moment. "I can stay in Nurea until the wedding, and then I'll leave the kingdom." The odd, unsettling weight nestled in his chest at another mention of her leaving—not just their home, but the whole kingdom.

"Speaking of... Can I tell Sybille about your powers? I know she'll have a lot of questions once she finds out you've returned, and it will be difficult to explain without mentioning them."

"Of course! She's practically a part of the family already."

Her words warmed Kardin's heart. For a long time, Sybille was worried that Kasena did not approve of her for some reason, and he harbored the same doubts, although he wasn't sure if his sister's reserved demeanor around his betrothed was a result of genuine dislike, or merely because she didn't like talking to strangers much. But hearing this made him believe the latter has always been the case.

He was nothing short of excited to hear the confirmation that his sister accepted the woman he loved, and his grin betrayed his true thoughts. "Thank you."

"Look at you, smiling like a fool the moment someone mentions her." Her teasing tone sent a rush of heat into his face, but her cheeky grin was quickly replaced with a genuine smile. "I'm just kidding. I'm glad you have someone who makes you happy."

"And you seem a lot happier too." He wasn't sure if happier was the best word to describe it, but there was undoubtedly something different about his sister. Perhaps relaxed was the better fit—everything about her demeanor and posture was more casual than ever before. She was equal parts the ever-polite young girl he used to know, and the carefree adventurer she used to pose as.

"I am," she confirmed. "This is probably the happiest I've ever been." Her beaming smile was enough of a confirmation for him.

"I'm really glad to hear that." He placed both of his hands on her—now more relaxed—shoulders until she looked up into his eyes. "If you ever get tired of wandering around the world, or you ever need money or get yourself in some trouble, just let me know, alright? I will do everything in my power to help you, and this will always be your home as long as I'm here. You're not alone."

Tears slowly welled in her eyes again as she nodded. "I know. Thank you." She hugged him again, and he chose to savor that hug for a little while.

He was so glad to have his sister back.