Chapter 64 - The Journey II: Peace Won't Last

"Here, wear my coat," Said Elliot, removing his coat, giving it to Emelia. She looked at the coat and didn't take it because she felt warm enough, "Just take it." He dropped his coat on her head.

"I don't need it," Answered Emelia as she lifts her hand to give his coat back. She didn't need his coat because she was wearing Argus'. Elliot furrowed his brow, disliking the fact his coat was not being worn, but he didn't force it and took his coat back. He joined Emelia, sitting on the hard, cold ground as they watch the fire dancing.​​

"We should've left earlier," Argued Emelia, who tucked her knees closer to her. The initial plan was to leave before the sun rose, but because Elliot wanted to deal with Lady Malith, they left later on.

"I can't leave the palace while a person is leeching our money," Answered Elliot, leaning his back on a tree, "Not only that, the earlier we kick her out, the better things will be in the palace." If he knew that, why didn't he do it earlier? Emelia asked herself but didn't ask him to realize he didn't have proof to do so.

The silence of the night fell between them as they continue to watch the fire. It would take them at least a week to reach the borders and a few more days to reach the tower.

"That reminds me. Why do you look scared whenever we mention the tower?" Asked Elliot as he looks at her with the corner of his eyes. Emelia didn't give him an answer; instead said, "It's something you don't need to know."

"I see," Elliot mutters, placing his arms behind his head. He thought they grew closer. It's clear that there's a visible line between them, "Aren't you going to sleep?" Asked Elliot, closing his eyes.

"I don't feel like it," Answered Emelia, looking up the skies, watching the stars as they shined luminously. Just like she thought, the stars in at the palace can't beat the stars in the woods. Even if the stars are the same where she goes. The darkness of the woods made the stars shine even brighter.

"If you start to feel tired, go to sleep," Yawned Elliot as he covers his face with a hat, "Don't force yourself to stay awake." His words were gentle, making Emelia smile a bit.

"I'm not," She answered. When Elliot treats her with kindness, Emelia feels weird about it. Usually, he would push her to say or do it. But recently, Emelia felt his kindness towards her. It's nice but at the same time weird for her.

The night continues to pass as the wood crackles, burning into the flame. Emelia was still awake, but her eyes started to feel heavy. What brings us tomorrow? No one knows that is why we are scared, wishing the never-ending peace not to end.

"Only if time could be stopped," Emelia muttered to herself, rubbing her hands together as she felt the temperature dropping. She removes Elliot's coat and places it on him since he wasn't wearing any to keep himself warm.

Emelia closes her eyes, falling into the darkness not until she heard the bushes behind her rustle. She opens her eyes, and by the corner of her eyes, she takes a peek to see a silhouette of a person. But she found it strange as the silhouette looked like a small child's.

It bothered her, thinking they were bandits, but then they would be annihilated by Argus and Alan, who are not far from them. Emelia quietly stood up and made her way to the silhouette. To her surprise, she sees Tanya, drawings of a family.

"What nice portrait," Spoke Emelia, who startled Tanya, who dropped her drawing book. Instincts told Tanya to pull her knife out, and she did, pointing it towards Emelia, who didn't look surprised and looked at the knife.

When Tanya saw it was just Emelia, she immediately retrieved her knife back and bowed, apologizing for her rudeness. Emelia kneeled onto the ground and patted her head, "I should be the one apologizing," Said Emelia, taking another peek at Tanya's drawing, "Is that your family?"

Tanya looks at the portrait, nods her head while smiling. She got her drawing pad, proudly showing the portrait she drew to Emelia. Tanya wrote on her drawing pad, "My family. What about yours, Princess?"

Emelia couldn't help but laugh at Tanya's writing. Her writing was scribbled but still understandable for a person to read, "I don't have a family," Said Emelia while Tanya lowered her head, frowning as she didn't mean to touch a sensitive matter.

"I do have a family, but the only one who I considered to be family is my mother. But she is no longer here," Emelia continues to smile, assuring Tanya that she was fine.

Tanya wrote, "It's alright. I'm here," She huffed her chest, after which made Emelia laugh once more. Emelia sat on the ground to only notice a glistening light in front of her. The moon shining down at the lake made it look like an unforgettable sight. Their surroundings were quiet, still, and peaceful.

Only if this wouldn't end.