Tears of a Dove

VI: Departure

"You won't believe what just happened!" Arwel shouted as he ran inside his house happily.

Kobe looked at him with tired eyes. "What? We're trying to sleep."

"She asked me to marry her! I can't believe it! She asked me to marry her!"

Quickly opening his eyes, Kobe smiled and laughed, happy for his best friend. "That's absolutely amazing! I'm so proud of you two."

"Thanks. Oh, I didn't mean to wake you both."

"It's fine." Ingrid inaudibly murmured as she resumed her slumber.

Arwel smiled and sighed as he laid down in his bed. "Something just doesn't feel right."

"About Miku?" Kobe asked in confusion.

"No, it's something else."

"Like what?"

Arwel sat up and faced Kobe. "Remember the King's strange speech?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I feel as if something's troubling him. What if it's troubling Miku as well?"

Kobe was silent for a moment. "What's troubling you?"

"What do you mean-" Arwel immediately stopped talking. "Miku! She ran off in the Castle and didn't come back to say goodbye--I have to go to her!"

"What? Arwel, you need some sleep!" Kobe tried to stop him.

Arwel ran out the door and could be heard shouting in the distance. "No! Something's not right!"

Kobe sighed deeply. "There's something wrong with him."

"What happened?" Ingrid awoke, tired.

"Arwel ran off in worry. He'll be alright."

~~~~~~~~~~

"Miku!" Arwel shouted in the distance. "Miku, where are you?" He ran into Castle Valé, searching for his Princess. He ran to the back, searching Haven Valé. "Miku?"

"Arwel?" Miku could be heard quietly. She was laying in a bush before she stood up. "What's wrong?"

"I felt like you were at danger. Is everything okay? Are you hurt? Are you-"

"What is going on?" Kazu walked behind Arwel.

"U-uh..." Miku stuttered.

"So this is the street rat you're marrying?"

"Father! What makes you say that?"

"Ridiculous! You'd rather spend all your time with someone like this? I will not allow it!"

Miku was enraged. "You will allow it! Arwel has done everything for me! Besides, I did exactly what you asked! What more do you want of me? What more do you want?"

"You need somebody proper in your life. You are my daughter, you do what I say, damn it!"

"Your Highness, I only do what is best for her. Miku is a great person, and she deserves better than this!" Arwel said, calmly.

"You have no place here in Valé, orphan! This is your last warning!"

The harsh words that were forced upon Arwel were too much for him to handle; he could not hold back. "What is wrong with you?" He pointed at Miku. "You treat your daughter who is also the right hand of the country like rubbish! Then you come to attack me with your hateful words? I cannot believe this! For once, your daughter has found light, and I have sealed it. Why can't you just let light follow its path? Why can't you appreciate people for who they are? Miku has already had enough of this, and so have I! Now, let light travel without the presence of darkness!"

Kazu stood in silence, watching Arwel's red face and heavy breathing come to a neutral level. Miku stood behind Arwel, speechless. The three of them sat in silence for about thirty seconds.

"I want you out of Valé by sunset. That is final." Kazu demanded calmly and slowly walked away.

"No, wait!" Miku shouted and ran behind her father. "You can't do this! Please don't do this to him!" Kazu continued walking forward slowly without acknowledging his crying daughter. "Where will he go? He can't leave!" Miku continued to shout.

"He will be escorted to the South Division tonight. Make do with the time you have."

"N-No... You can't send him there! You can't!"

"He sure can." Kazu slightly grinned. "I'm in control now."

Arwel overheard what Kazu said, still standing where he was in Haven Valé. "What has he become?" he thought. "This is it for me..."

"Arwel! Arwel!" Miku shouted, running back to Arwel. She quickly embraced him tightly and buried her head in his chest, letting the tears flow. "I'm sorry, Arwel. I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't know that was going to happen, I... I..." She squinted her eyes, continuing to cry louder and harder.

A tear dropped from Arwel's face. He sat down on the grass with Miku and cradled her head with his hands. Holding her closer, another tear formed as he closed his eyes and rested his head against Miku's. "This isn't your fault," he said quietly.

"What will I do without you? We could have been everything. We could have started a new life, here in Valé. But..."

"Good things don't last forever... it all fades quickly."

Miku held Arwel's hand. "My biggest fear was losing you. You're my getaway. My Haven Valé. It's you, Arwel. You're my safe place. But now I'm in danger."

Arwel remained silent and laid down, holding Miku close to him. This was their final hours.

~~~~~~~~~~

The same day, at sunset

"Your chariot is here," Kazu said to Arwel. "Be gone now."

Arwel turned around to Miku, Kobe, and Ingrid. "I guess this is goodbye," he said.

The three of them were in tears. Kobe stepped over to Arwel for their last embrace. Letting go, the two of them slightly nodded at each other with teary eyes. Kobe helped Ingrid stand in front of Arwel, and she reached out for a hug. Arwel embraced her with friendly love, ignoring all things he didn't feel comfortable about with her. Lastly, Miku and Arwel made eye contact as they both embraced and began crying.

"I won't forget you," Miku whispered. "Let this not be our last time together. Let this be a formal farewell." She kissed Arwel as they held each other tighter before letting go. Arwel boarded his chariot as the three of them waved goodbye.

And Kazu stood triumphantly.

End of Part 1: Stars Are Just Opportunities