Beyond the Lamppost

XIV. Almost

Chapter Fourteen:

X

Almost

We silently ate dinner. I thank Madam Norie for the bountiful dinner before I went upstairs. I turned the lights off before parting the curtains and watched the quiet neighborhood and their lights, one by one, being put out.

I always do this every night now. Watching them making the whole place swimming in darkness. I looked up and smile.

This is wonderful, as it always is.

The night sky is full of stars. A moonless night. I still find it strange to stare at two moons but it is somewhat beautiful. I heard the door opened but I didn't turn. Albrecht.

I don't know how it began but I know it needs to stop. We'll part ways sooner or later, these won't matter at all.

I felt his presence beside me and I know he was watching the night sky too.

"This might be the last time we'll watch the stars from where we are right now, together. Soon, we'll watch it in different places, apart." He sighs and I know what he is talking about. We will leave here tomorrow evening and head to the opposite part of the island. On the day after that, we will head to Waplis and hope that everything will fall into its place.

"Do I need to learn some defenses?"

"For now, just stick with me. But if ever I won't be around, you can use this." He gave me something. With the darkness of the room, I can't clearly tell what it is. It is hard, cold and I felt some carvings on it. He walked away and the lights turned on. I looked down at the thing in my hand and stay there rooted on my feet. In shock and fear.

"It's beautiful, but I can't use this." It is a dagger knife with its hilt etched with intricate design as well as its holder.

"I know you don't want to use it but in case you'll be in a dangerous situation and I'm not with you, you have to defend yourself." I looked up to him pleading eyes.

"Can you stay with me then? Always?" His mouth hangs upon. I looked down embarrassed with my bold remarks. I feel my cheeks burning again and afterward a cold thing covered it. His cold hands.

"I'll try." I heard the sincerity in his voice and that is more than enough for me.

The next morning, I woke up disoriented. Loud cheering was overheard from outside and I ran towards the window and pulled the curtains open. The wide park ahead is decorated with festive colored flowers. Many people were busily walking the paved roads and children playing in the sidewalks.

I heard a grunt and hurriedly closed the window before facing him. Oops.

I saw Albrecht sat up, scratching his eyes while yawning.

"I'm sorry." I sheepishly smiled and ran towards the door. But before I can escape, he pulled my hand making me fall towards him in his lap. With our shock faces inches apart, I left my blood slowly rising to my cheeks where I felt it burned.

He stood up and I rolled farther from him.

"Sorry, I just want to say that you need to change first before leaving this room. I'll go ahead." He said at a fast speed and I just found myself staring at the closed door. I blinked a few times before his words sink in.

I'm wearing a thin nightdress, I called it. God! That's embarrassing!

I went down dress in their usual clothing but this time, it has a simple design and not the plain ones. The strings are in the chest area and I tightly secured it. The dress is nice but it has a low V-neck cut and I felt somewhat exposed in the chest area. I put on my cloak and covered the exposed skin.