The Red

Chapter-28

Stella's P.o.v.

A year and more later...

As the time grew old, I started to gain purpose for my life. Every other day, I learned something new. Every morning I woke up with an anticipation.

Captain Lucas was a very knowledgeable person. He taught me things of war, politics, human body and many more. I knew I could learn more from him.

He taught me to love everything I did. Either it was to eat wild berries out of hunger or to play with children while keeping eye on them, he always said, "Don't think you are doing it because you have to do it. Don't think at all. Just go with the flow. Enjoy what you are doing, and you will learn the meaning of pleasure one day."

In spite his young age, he was very mature. Did I tell you, he could preach you the whole day? Not surprising, since he loved to talk for hours. He would talk about the things he learned through his journeys and trainings.

Even though we had a misunderstanding when we first met, we got along well. I respected him as my mentor and he guided me as his trainee. Things would go smooth unless we talked about prince Erwin. He respected Erwin and he would talk about him a lot. I always had difficulty to respond and situation would always turn awkward.

I had tons of memories of Erwin. Those memories were the lanes to carry on my life. Yet, I had started to forget how he looked like. It had just been a year or more.

"I am such a fool. Who forgets the face of man she loves?" I would often say it to myself.

Later that month when Erwin left the south castle, I received a letter from him. It had the royal seal of his name. I was eager to know what he wrote to me. I really wanted to know. But I was scared. My heart sank in fear, thinking the letter may contain his apologize. I was unable to open it. I wasn't brave enough to read the words "I am sorry."

The same day I folded the letter and placed it in that golden scripted book.

Around the castle garden...

"Paw."

I put forth my hand to that giant mirage beast.

Strangely, it would only appear when I was alone. It made me feel as if I was imagining its presence. But once I touch its white furs, I would tell myself, "This is too real to be an illusion."

I gave a little squeeze to its paw and put it back to the ground. I could see my reflection in its black big eyes. They were the most innocent eyes I had ever witnessed. Trying not to get mesmerized in it, I just cuddled in its warm fur and decided to take a quick nap.

Captain Lucas had left for the royal castle with some soldiers and royal physicians. The king's health was worsening, and all the royal physicians were to present themselves in the royal castle. It had almost been a month.

I had to train with other soldiers. Hence, my practice would be over with in the half day. Some time I would train by myself and sometime, I would take a rest.

Trainings were horrible. Captain Lucas never went easy on me. He wanted me to rise above all the soldiers and be their guidance. It sounded absurd to me. I never argue with him though. However, there were several occasions when I did hate those trainings. Captain Lucas put a lot of effort to improve my skills, but I didn't know why I had to work harder than others.

Once I asked him, "Why am I the only one to train harder?"

"Why? You don't like it?" He responded arrogantly. The next day, I had a duel with the strongest soldier of all. Of course, I lost miserably. Captain Lucas did nothing but clapped at my lousiness.