Emiliana Cornelius

War

Lord Cornelius and Emiliana slowly walked hand in hand through the forest behind the castle, wide smiles on their pale faces. This part of the forest was the lord's best part and he spent most of his evenings walking through it and admiring its beauty. Little animals weren't afraid to leave their hideouts anytime he was around, some roamed freely close to him and he fed them on some occasions. The sound of a stream could be heard nearby, the soft sound of flowing water added to the calming effect the forest exhumed and its little aquatic life could clearly been seen due to the crystal clear water.

"It has been a long time coming" Lord Cornelius spoke as they walked. "You returning back home. It only lasted this long because of the war, you weren't safe here."

"Yes, father told me all about it." She replied as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I never felt at home completely at Port Orford. It was always as if there was something missing but i just didn't know what."

"That was perfectly normal. Your bond with here is quite strong, after all you were born right in that castle." He smiled as he gestured to where they had just come from.

"I saw the pictures." She spoke softly as her gaze fell to the ground. Lord Cornelius pulled her to a stop and turned her to face him and lifted her chin up.

"I deeply apologise for failing to protect your mother. It still hunts me to this day." The images of that day flashed through his mind.

Tears filled Emiliana's eyes as she starred at the haunted look on his face, it made her heart wrench in pain as she could feel the amount of guilt he held within him. She quickly blinked the tears away and took his face in her hands.

"It wasn't your fault grand papa. I'm sure you did your best to protect her."

He placed a hand on hers. "But my best wasn't enough."

"I'm alive aren't I?" She smiled at him.

"Because of her sacrifice."

"And you would have done the same." She stood her toes to give him a peck on the cheek and smiled widely at him.

"A thousand times over." He smiled back at her. He took her hands as they continued their walk through the forest.

"Grand papa?"

"Yes child."

"What about grand mama?" Her father had never spoken of his mother before which had made her very curious about her. As the words left her mouth, Lord Cornelius' face turned to one of pure anguish and rage before he masked it with a sad look.

"She died during the long wars. It was few years after Mia was born. She would have loved to see you." He smiled sadly at her.

"Me too."

He let out a deep breath before looking at her. "Enough about sad stories. How was life in Port Orford? Make a lot of friends?"

The thoughts of her friends immediately crossed her mind and she winced slightly. Nina was definitely going to kill her when she gets back. And she was sure Sasha would probably just make a video of the whole thing. She never remembered to leave them a message or give them a call, she was doomed.

"Life has been good so far, Port Orford became a home away from home. And i had father and Mia so i had so much love growing up." Her face lighted up as she remembered some of the fun times growing up.

"That's good to hear." Lord Cornelius never wanted that smile to leave her face.

"And i also made a number of friends, especially two very special girls. They are like sisters to me."