Chapter 36

36 Henry’s Confession (Part 1)

It is a very relaxing Saturday morning for Anne; she is inside the main library, using the Wismushroom with David on her side. Darla is nowhere to be seen, she instead goes to have physical training with other Huntsman candidates. While Anne still focusing on reading the theory of medical knowledge, David’s glared at her and closed the half-read book on his table.

“Seriously, Anne, it’s Saturday morning, and you were here instead of having fun outside? Gosh, you’re such a bookworm.”

Smiling at her friend’s remark, Anne turn at him and whispered to David, “Why are you even here then? If you’re going to be such a miserable company.”

David hiss at Anne while he pointed at Anne’s bandaged left hand. “Because of that, my dear friend.”

She instantly rubbed the left hand with a bitter smile on her face. “I’m fine, it’s just a minor burn.”

“Small burned my *ss! It was definitely intentional. I mean, who in the right mind brought a piping hot buttered moomilk with no protection?!” Said David with a scoff.

The only response that Anne could give to David was a pat on his shoulder, just to calm his nerves down. It happened two days ago, when the three of them were in the middle of enjoying their after-dinner snacks in the lounge room, Darla and David were talking about their childhood story. They have so much fun, laughing and teasing each other until one noble pours a hot buttered moomilk into Anne’s left hand on the sofa’s armrest.

Screaming in pain, Anne goes directly to the faucet and lets the burned hand settle on the clean and cold water. She will never forget the face of the nobles around the room. Some of them were just standing, while the others whispered and snickered at her. Darla then helped her to go back to her room, while David informed the matron, although there was nothing they could have done.

The accusation will be forgotten. He said that it was an accident and of course, all the nobles that were present will take his side. She soldiers on and pretends it wasn’t a big deal. It was a big deal, the buttered moomilk was piping hot, and the noble pour it as soon as he took it from the kettle in the lounge-room. Good thing Anne has the remedies. Dried Aloeroot mixed with dried Calugold was the best healing remedy for burnt. She mixes the two and, by using the crystal water as the agent; she avoided a major scar on her left hand. Although the left hand will hurt like crazy for a week.

.....

Anne couldn’t even use her left hand temporarily, a small price to pay, said Anne on her mind. David still ranting about the accident, Anne was trying to calm him when a hand tapped on her shoulder. She turned around to see Henry.

“Hey, fancy seeing you here on Saturday.” Henry greeted her with a bright smile on his face.

“Henry? what are you doing here?” Asked Anne to Henry.

“Even a knight captain needs to learn something new, right? Besides, I really want to try this fresh sensation in the capital.”

David, looking at their interaction and decided that it was his time to go away.

“Wait, where are you going?” Anne asked him with confusion on her face.

“I have... Uhm... Darla! Darla needs me to handle some... Okay, gotta go, bye.”

He was gone before Anne could even say anything. Henry, on the other hand, wanted to shake David’s hand for his cooperation. He was planning the asked her to go away from the dorm. He saw David and recognized him as one of Anne’s friends. Thanks to David, Henry knows she was planning to study in the Wismushroom.

Now, there he was, staring at the girl with purple hair, although the bandaged left hand surprised him.

“What happened to your hand?” Henry tried to ask her without giving her any pressure to answer.

Anne, feel a bit overwhelmed by Henry’s sudden curiosity, “Oh, this... some accident happened, yesterday, it will be fine.” She said to him, trying for a simple answer, rather than a long and exhausting explanation.

Henry was looking at her, the curiosity now changed into a concern. “I see... I mean, it doesn’t hurt, right? Well, no! I know it must be hurt, but...”

“Yes, Henry, I get your point, relax, it still hurt a little, but it was a more annoying thing because of the bandaged that makes my left hand unusable right now.”

“Really?”

Smiling at Henry, Anne nodded her head and said, “Yes, I was not lying, okay?” She looked around and even though the room was almost deserted, there were several nobles around. Anne feels uncomfortable being seen with Henry inside the room. “All this talk, kind of making me hungry. Do you want to go to eat something?” She asked him to go outside, feels better for her to have a conversation without the prying eyes of the nobles around.

“Yes, of course, I kind of wanted to ask you, anyway.”

Henry took her bag and helped her stand up from the chair, even though her left hand wasn’t her dominant hand, Anne appreciated his kind gesture. They took a step outside the main library. People were walking around casually, it is Saturday, a rest day for most civil servants.

“So, where do you want to go?” Anne looked around Q street, she didn’t know any good restaurants in the area.

“Actually, I already have a reservation in the restaurant, is that alright with you?”

“Of course, as long as it is not a fancy one, I’m not a fan.”

Henry extended his arm for her to hold onto, while he was muttering, “Right, After Vale’s mistake, not again.”

Pretending not to hear Henry’s mutters, Anne hold her laughter. They arrived at the small park near the main library. She looks around, wondering where’s the restaurant that Henry was mentioned.

“Henry, where’s the restaurant?”

Henry, in a theatrical act, extended his arms and said, “Well, my lady, this is the restaurant.”

“What? we are going to eat in the park?” Anne just couldn’t believe him, while Henry already pulls her to walk into one of the deeper sides of the park, she tried to protest to him, “Henry, is it okay for us to eat lunch, here?”

As soon as she finished her sentences, Anne saw a beautiful pond with family and couples around it, having a picnic in the grass and under the trees.

“The park has a picnic area. I thought you had never gone here, because of your tendency to read and study, or wandering in the B street.” Said Henry to her.

She was amazed. The place is beautiful, with a group of swan swimming around, a beautiful small bridge, and colorful trees around it. Henry already reserved a place, which raised Anne’s eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, no nobles privileged here. Everyone could reserve a place here.”

“Good to know then,” Chuckles Anne, she sat on the picnic mat, while Henry opens the picnic basket. “Oh wow, you’ve come prepared.” Anne looks into the array of foods with excitement, she is hungry after all.

“Yes, I do. Thank goodness you accepted my invitation. I mean, I brought so much food.”

“Yes, thank goodness, and you have brought so many foods.”

Henry indeed brought so much food, it is enough for three people. They eat the food with the views of the pond in front of them, while they feel refreshed, sitting under a tree. When they ate the dessert, Anne let out a sigh and looks into Henry’s eyes.

“Alright, now I’m full. You need to tell me, why are you here, Henry?”

Instead surprised by Anne’s sudden question, Henry begin to laugh and stared at the blue sky, he then said, “You got me.”