Ivy walked down the stairs heading into the dining room to find a letter on where Ryu always sat. The envelope had Manes High School logo and it was addressed to Ryu.
Jin stepped out of the kitchen with a bowl of porridge. “Morning…” He greeted as Ivy looked at him sceptically.
“Morning…” She said flatly as she waved the letter to him.
“He had an offer from them and since his performance with the national team had been tip top, so…” Jin explained as he put down the bowl.
“And Melody?” Ivy asked as Jin shrugged before heading back into the kitchen.
Ivy took the letter and went up to Ryu’s room. She knocked but there was no answer as she opened the door to find Ryu still asleep.
She pulled the curtains opened and peeled the blanket away from him.
Ryu groaned as he whined. “Ugh, let me sleep in! I’m skipping school today. I’m so tired from the match…” He pulled back the blanket to cover himself.
“Then maybe you should accept Manes High School’s offer and live at grandma house.” Ivy said solemnly as she sat by the edge of his bed waiting for his response.
Ryu was trying to register Ivy’s statement in his groggy mind when the word Manes’ High school’s offer hit him as he jolted awake in bed.
“What do you mean?” He blinked in a shock as Ivy passed him the letter.
“I think you should go but you should speak with Melody about it.” Ivy said as she messed up his hair while he peeled open the letter and read the acceptance offer.
He sighed at the irony of the offer. A part of him regretted confessing to Melody but he knew it was too late which made him frustrated to leave her alone in Landsfield. He was worried especially after her kidnapped incident.
He could not sleep in after that as he dragged himself up and headed to school instead. He had been zoning out the entire day thinking about ways to tell Melody that he nearly knocked into a light post when Jin pulled him away.
“Watch where you’re walking would you?!” Jin screamed at him as they walked down the hallway to the maingate.
“Oh, it’s you…” He said flatly.
“Didn’t you said skipping school today? Why are you here?” Jin nagged as Ryu sighed.
“Head home first. I need to speak with Melody…” Ryu said as they reached the maingate and he ran across the street to Melody’s school.
He strolled at the park they first met and sat by the bench waiting for her, knowing she would pass by soon. Melody was indeed pleasantly surprised and worried at the same time when she saw him by the bench as she ran over to him.
“What are you doing here? Thought you wanted to sleep in?” She questioned in a worrying tone but was smiling. Seeing her excited face made him hesitate more as he stood and held her hand.
“Let’s go on the long bus ride today.” He urged as Melody nodded. As they got on the bus and sat on the second last seat behind, Melody had already noticed his troubled look earlier that she hugged him. Only when they were alone in unknown places that they both would show affection.
“What happened? You seem troubled. Is it work?” She asked as he sighed and pushed her away before sitting straight up.
“I had an offer from Manes High School to transfer there soon.” Ryu said solemnly as he watched her face brightened up.
“That’s great! That way you don’t have to tiredly head back there and here and you can spend more time practising!” Melody cheered as Ryu stayed quiet waiting for her to realise his point but she did not.
“But I don’t want to leave you alone not especially after that incident and we just started dating… I just can’t bear to be apart from you…” He whined to her as she smiled and caressed his face.
“Who said I would be alone?” She questioned as he scooped her up to his arms. “You’re coming with me?!” He smiled with glee only for her to disappointingly shook her head. “You know I can’t. My parents can’t afford and I don’t want to leave them alone here mending to their business.” Melody said as Ryu nodded.
“But I can help to pay your school fees…” Before he could finish saying his intention, Melody kissed him.
“Thank you. I know you can but I don’t want to rely on you. I want to do something in return for you that would help you elevate yourself. Staying here I can still lead your fans and we would still see you on weekends. With you performing a lot better by moving there, would make my job easier.” She explained playfully in front of him.
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“Then what about weekdays?” He pouted as he leaned on her forehead. “You have gone accustomed to those video calls at work… We can also tutor each other on Wednesdays like usual except its virtually now…” Melody explained again as he chuckled at her smart self.
“Melody, Melody… What would I do without you?” He mumbled. “You will still shine bright like the stars.” She cheered as he kissed her.
“I will get Ivy to keep an eye on you more often… should we also go public on our relationship?” Ryu asked as she smiled. “No.” Her answer surprised him.
“Why?” He asked shockingly. “Cause…” She hesitated playfully. “Melody…” He called her in a threatening playful tone before tickling her. She giggled and ended up in his arms again.
“Alright, alright cause if you do that then you would impose more unknown jealousy among the fans and more harm would happen later. So, for now, let’s lay low and we can do this.” She said convincingly as Ryu was proud of himself for confessing that night.
“I love you.” He said as he kissed her forehead and held her tightly in his arms while enjoying the entire trip to her family’s restaurant, appreciating every moment left with her.
Nick had taken over full mode on Jason’s position from Jin on giving talks over the roadshow. He finally understood the reason Jason took the weekend part-time gigs on weekend. Jason must have had occasional stage fright since the talks were not very frequent. Instead of doing it weekly, Nick did a bi-weekly gig instead. The confidence he had built made him bravely attend his psychology sessions with Phyllis were scheduled during those Saturdays. He was even strong enough to attend the sessions alone with Phyllis.
Despite so, Ivy still decided to accompany him whenever she could and sat outside to wait for him as the golden floral paper wall made her recall her paracosm for a moment. As her mind drifted to Jason, she began to toy with her idea of joining forces on holding roadshows for Ophal’s business end in return for getting sponsorships and helping with the marketing end.
That way, Ophal’s side will indirectly be responsible for Rahi’s consulting side income as well. However, this would require a discussion with the management which meant it was her chance to meet Jeremy finally. She decided there and then that Monday would be the best time.
That night as Ivy held onto Nick’s hand, she began to question herself about her feelings for him. There was absolutely nothing she felt other than just friends.
Will I ever fall for you? Why do I not feel anything at all for you? She questioned as she stared at Nick who was peacefully asleep.
Is it really because of the guilt from the past? Is it really true with time passing, we will heal? By then would we really stand a chance? She questioned as she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The noisy bickers from Avinha were heard as she opened her eyes to see Avinha nagging in front of her. “Could you walk faster? We barely making much progress?” He nagged again.
“I’m tired. How far more?” Ivy whined as she held her head while Avinha scoffed. “Well, sorry I am not of the dragon clan back then so I couldn't fly. I was only human in that timeline and you were already a nymph.” He nagged again.
They reached an altar in front of them where the shimmering power in the prism was getting dimmer. They both watched the soldier Avinha absorb the nymph’s source of power as he declared his immortality mightily.
“So, that’s how you turned into an immortal? By stealing and killing… How absurd?” Ivy scoffed as Avinha wanted to defend himself but he caught a glimpse at the corner of the forest past the formation of the nymphs of a shimmering light.
“So much of a thank you for taking revenge for you of them killing you…” He mumbled as he approached the light while Ivy quickly caught up. When Avinha spotted it was a golden dragon, It was too late for them to head back. Right when she was about to pull him to run away, daggers flew their way jolting her awake.
She woke to heavy breathing as she hugged Daisy for a moment to calm herself noticing Nick had already left the room probably headed for breakfast downstairs. Ryu then skipped into her room with her mail as she pretended to close her eyes hoping it was Ray.
“Ivy! Wake up!” Ryu smacked her calf which was still under the blanket.
She groaned a little as Ryu pestered. “Duchess Ophal, it’s your turn to have a decree on hand. Please rise to read it now!”
Ivy was motionless for a moment as she pondered the meaning of Ryu’s funny commentary. Eventually, she realised it could be an important mail as she woke up and grabbed it from him.
“Thank you, Duke Ryu.” She giggled as Ryu sat next to her. “I am accepting Manes High School offer and Melody has agreed too. Having said so, I hope you could look out for her sometime on weekdays?” He said solemnly as Ivy nodded and messed up his hair.
“What is it?” She whispered to herself before opening the bright orange-red envelope.
“Come on, open quickly. Who sent you this?” Ryu helped to tear the envelope a little before Ivy took a pillow and threw it at him who was running out of the room.
“Help! The Duchess is angered!” Ryu was heard along the hallway to the first floor as sounds of chuckling were resounding from the hall while she eagerly opened the letter.
Daisy was sitting by her side in bed with her as she read the letter.
“Dear Ivy,
This is a letter I wish you would never read. If you do, perhaps life has taken a twist on our destiny.
It was destiny which brought me to meet you that night at the induction party. If only our destiny wasn’t this brief…
I wrote this letter knowing I would lose you someday… cause Nancy was persistent with me this time and I am really not sure how it would turn out.
Even then, I have decided to send this future mail to you to tell you, that I was the one who saved you from falling into that small pool under the aurora when you were young. I saw the picture from your father for the first time and found it familiar. When I saw the same picture in your house, I knew who you were.
I am sorry for misusing you. I want you to know that you’re always and forever, someone I want to protect no matter where I am.
I have left you the memories we had and I hope these will accompany you to be a stronger woman; someone whose potential I have always believed in. Always remember what I taught and all that I had done had always been for you.
Don’t disappoint me. Congratulations on graduating!
I will always love you;
Jason”
She saw the accompanied documents were the referrals and testimony he wrote for her future work. Her eyes blurred from trying to read them.
“If only life was fairer to you; instead of taking your life, I would rather you marry her…”
Ivy beamed with comfort and blissfulness as she buried her watery eyes into Daisy’s fur and muffled her tiny sobs. His letter came at the most comforting time ever that it made Ivy want to strive more for her family and the company which was all Jason’s gift left behind for her.