Winter Dream (Las Cuatro Estaciones)

Chapter 13

It had been a long day, Chris was exhausted. All day long Vallora had assigned chores for him to do. Such as cleaning up the traces of blood on the training grounds, polishing the weapons in the armoury, tending to the wounded in the infirmary and picking healing herbs. These are all things that could be done by anyone but Christopher knew what Vallora was doing, she obviously didn't trust him and even more so around Lucy. All of this was to keep him away from Lucy.

Vallora had probably thought that by keeping him busy with all these chores, he wouldn't have time to see Lucy and they would drift apart in no time. But to her great dismay, Lucy had taken frequent breaks throughout the day to take the time to visit Chris. Sometimes even helping him with his chores. They were closer than ever before, having known that they've got mutual feelings for each other.

Despite the torture he was receiving, Christopher never felt happier. With all the people not believing in him, it was comforting to know that at least Lucy was on his side. And to him it was all he needed.

Reaching the boys living quarters, he sat on his bed and pulled out the drawer beside it, taking out a familiar necklace. It was something that he had brought with him; shaped in the form of a fiery sun, hanging from a golden chain was the crest of El Verano, the summer crest. He frowned at the necklace in his hand, it brought back bad memories from his past. The abuse he went through, the missions he was assigned to and knowing that Gallara was waiting for him back in El Verano. He threw the necklace back into the drawer and slammed it shut.

He rubbed his face with his hands, feeling frustrated. Someone cleared his throat from behind him, Chris turned in his direction. It was Reyanold, he was leaning up against the wall watching Chris with an intense gaze.

"Is that the Summer crest?" He finally spoke, Chris furrowed his eyebrows at him but nodded nonetheless.

Reyanold then walked over and sat on the bed in front of Chris, facing him. "How long are you going to keep up this act?"

"What are you talking about?" Chris spoke grudgingly.

Reyanold scowled at him, "You might have fooled Luciana but you can't fool me, you Christopher have and always will be a cold blooded killer."

Chris tightened his fists, "I'm not that guy anymore!"

Reyanold scoffed, "Can a smoker actually quit smoking? Can a drunk actually quit drinking? One day you're going to slip up and when that day comes, I'll be there to see it happen."

Reyanold then stood up and walk away, Chris' vein was popping out of his forehead. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He stormed out of the room pushing past people in his way.

****
Lucy rubbed her temples frustratingly, this had to be the hundredth time that she was hearing this.

"Lucy, you don't know how important it is for you to stay away from that Summer," Reyanold rant on.

Finally Lucy snapped, "Will you please just leave me alone?! This is my life! And that Summer has a name!"

Reyanold furrowed his eyebrows, "I'm just looking out for you Luciana. I don't want to see you getting hurt."

"I can take care of myself! And just because Christopher is a Summer, it doesn't mean that you or any other person could treat him like trash."

Reyanold let his gaze dropped to the floor, his jaw was clenched.

"Being a Summer doesn't mean anything, a Season is not to determine who we really are," Lucy spoke.

Reyanold met her gaze, his hazel eyes meeting her clear blue ones, "It does if it makes you a killer."

Lucy scowled at him, she was about to retort with a nasty remark when she was interrupted by someone clearing their throat from behind them. Lucy turned to the newcomer.b

"Luciana, we have confirmation that your parents are being held captive in Gallara's castle," Vallora spoke.

All the rage seem to melt away and Lucy was overcomed with worry, she was concern for her parent's safety.

"When are we going to rescue them?" Lucy questioned.

"I'm sorry to say but we can't," Vallora spoke regretfully,

"I'm sorry what?! I don't think I understand..."

Vallora sighed, "You have no idea how heavily guarded the castle is, let alone the way into La Primavera."

"But we have hundreds of men who are willing to fight, who are more than capable of fighting," Lucy pleaded.

"No, I will not lead my men into a death trap."

Lucy clenched her fists, "Then I'll go myself!"

"I'll come too!" Reyanold spoke up listening to their whole conversation

"No you won't, I don't need you!" Lucy spite at him.

"I wasn't asking for permission, I'm going whether you like it or not."

"You will do no such thing!" Vallora commanded glaring daggers at one of her most loyal companions.
"Do you know how many followers, how many soldiers Gallara has?! We are but a measly quarter to her entire army. And you Luciana are our only hope if we ever wanted to defeat her."

Lucy clenched her fists, "But these are my parents we're talking about I can't just leave them at the mercy of Gallara!"

"They are not your real parents!" Gallara said with finality.

"What do you mean they're not my real parents?"

Vallora sighed and motioned for Reyanold to leave the room, Reyanold nodded in understanding and walked out without a second thought closing the door behind him.

Vallora was about to seal the door when Lucy beat her to it forming a thick wall of ice over the door to prevent anyone entering or eavesdropping into their conversation.

Lucy then turned to look at Vallora and held her gaze, "Now tell me what you meant."