Memories and Shadows [Rune Factory 4]

Clorica

I didn't believe him at first. Not because I mistrusted him, but because I couldn't believe... couldn't believe that he loved me. Loved me for just me, not for what I represented. And I knew, too, that he loved others as well—his love for me may have been unique, but it was not exclusive.

What I hadn't fully realized until that moment was that I loved him.

**************

I knew I had some reason for being there, blinking sleepily at this angelic apparition as he stood before me, looking both amused and bewildered. But for the life of me, I couldn't remember what it was.

"Didn't... didn't you hear me?" he asked after a moment, looking puzzled.

"O-of course! I... umm...." I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and embarrassed by my own embarrassment, I knew they would be turning brighter and brighter pink with each passing second.

He laughed, then, a hearty laugh that was so contagious, I couldn't help but laugh, too—and somehow I knew he wasn't laughing at me, not really.

"I asked why you were sleeping there in that chair," he explained after we caught our breath.

"Oh! Oh, that's right. I was supposed to wake you up. But you were sleeping so soundly, and the sun was so nice and warm, and I... I thought I'd just sit down and give you an extra few minutes of sleep. And I guess I dozed off," I admitted, flushing once more. I hated that I fell asleep so easily and so often, though I have to admit that I love to sleep.

"I see," he chuckled, shaking his head as he smiled at me. "Well, imagine my surprise when I woke up to find a strange girl asleep in my room!"

"Oh, right! I'm so sorry! I'm Clorica, one of the junior butlers. Vishnal's the other. Volkanon is training us," I replied, unable to keep the pride from my voice. Volkanon was renown throughout the land for his impressive skills, and he rarely took on apprentices there in the castle of the Dragon God. I was lucky, and I knew it.

"Right! Well, then, Clorica, it's very nice to meet you, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better," he grinned, holding out a hand to me. I felt my cheeks grow hot for a third time at his words, even though I knew he couldn't possibly.... I mean, we'd only just met!

"M-me too! Oh, and Vishnal is waiting for you in the castle field. Go through the back door there—it goes right to the fields. I hope you have a really good day!" I called after him as he nodded acknowledgement of my instructions and headed out the door.

I knew I had work to do, and that if I stood there daydreaming of... of him any longer, I'd surely fall asleep. But oh, what dreams I could have, I thought to myself as my cheeks reddened for the fourth—but not the last—time that day.