Tears of a Dove

XVIII: Calm

July 16, 1890

With the confirmed victory of the South Division, the entire country of Pentaus is almost at its peaceful state that it once was. Because of the calm and collected personality of General Raylan Patterson, instead of seizing all of the North Division's territory and calling it the South Division, he has disbanded the Divisions entirely. Tochinokori is back to its original state. Patterson has introduced two new countries to Pentaus: Neclwya, which has taken place of the North Division, and Stoaria in place of the South Division. The countries are being constructed to be the biggest countries in all of Pentaus. The Frozen South has also been claimed by Patterson and has been made peaceful.

It has been seven years since the death of Kazu and the end of the war. King Arwel Ghongzhou and Queen Miku Ghongzhou are now the supreme leaders of Tochinokori. They were married three days after their best friend Kobe left the country. Thankfully, they have forgotten absolutely nothing about him. Their one wish is for him to come back to Tochinokori and start again. However, Kobe's new life in Hiyake has been better than ever. He has met new people, purchased his own home, and has gotten to know almost everyone in his vicinity. The Sea of Voices isn't what everyone believed it to be. It is like any other body of water: a calm, peaceful, endless stretch of freedom. If Kobe were keeping count of how many times he has sailed the Sea since his arrival, it would be unexplainable by words, only able to be explained by pure emotion and thought. Ingrid's presence grows stronger and never forgotten with each evening he sets sail with the kind people of Hiyake.

Summer has been a great season for Arwel and Miku, now twenty-two years of age. Haven Valé was rebuilt to be six times its original size, with even more greenery than the eye could immediately recognize. It has also been expanded to the many ponds and rivers that were scattered around the country. The tragic downfall of the Haven opened up the chance for it to be something much greater and much more peaceful, and of course, Miku wouldn't give that up.

Arwel opened up the back door of Castle Valé and proceeded into the large Haven. "Miku? Are you around?"

Miku turned around and looked at Arwel as she was bathing in a pond. "I am."

Holding the amethyst gem that was tied around his neck, Arwel said "Ah. Didn't mean to interrupt."

"No matter," she said with a smile, as she twirled her finger in her hair, which has grown back to more than half its original length. She gestured for Arwel to join her in the water. "Come on."

Arwel shrugged slightly as he removed his clothing and stepped in the water, surprised at its comforting warm temperature. He leaned back to ease the tension in his body.

"You know," Miku began. "Sometimes I miss the old times."

"Hmm?" Arwel mumbled with his eyes closed.

"I think back to it every day. The day where we first laid eyes upon each other." Miku strode over in front of Arwel and placed her hands on his shoulders and began pressing lightly to ease more tension. "Whatever happened to the little girl who happened to be an innocent princess?"

Arwel chuckled. "She's right here in front of me."

Miku smiled and continued massaging Arwel. "It only just seems like it all happened yesterday. I remember it as clear as this water we're submerged in right now."

"Time flies, doesn't it?"

"You're right on that one. I would have never thought I would run away from my home and begin this life we're living right now. Isn't it nice?"

Arwel was drifting off as he responded with a tired voice. "Yeah."

Miku took her hands off of his shoulders and covered her hand as she tried not to laugh. She then placed her hand in the water and made a swift motion at Arwel, causing the water to hit his face.

He immediately woke up. "H--Hey!"

Miku was laughing uncontrollably as Arwel playfully jumped on her, splashing her several times with the pond water.

After some time, they were both laying back in the water, Miku resting her head on Arwel's shoulder.

"I thought of something," Miku said.

"What is it?" Arwel asked in response.

"If someone like me has a terrible past, does that make them a terrible person?"

"Of course it doesn't. Miku, you've made a difference in this country in the little time we were given. You have escaped your past reputation of hatred and worry and turned it into something beautiful, something... Something loveable. People love you. I love you. And from this moment until we die, it will not change. I promise you that."

"Good things don't last forever... It all fades quickly. That's what you told me before you were forced to leave the country some years ago."

"Think about it this way. At that time, it was hard to think about the positive outcomes of things. Our hope was destroyed and we were separated for a long time. But now... Now, we have everything we wanted as kids and more. We have a lot more than we wanted. Although what I said at that time proved true, think about it now. The good things we have right now will last forever, just as long as we hold on to it for as long as we want to have it."

Miku cried a tear but was not sad. "You know I was always impressed with your words. You never fail to impress me, love."

Arwel put his arm around Miku and held her tight, as the water became calmer and more relaxing.

"I love you, Miku Shirata Ghongzhou," Arwel said quietly.

"I love you too, Arwel. I love you too."