A few moments later, more and more people started to enter the tavern. Ranging from sole individuals to groups of four people of all ages. After indulging ourselves in our food, I took a small break from eating any further and folded my arms over the table—speaking to her in a more hushed tone.

“Regarding the ships, by the way, I do wonder if those modified generators can be given away to Dark with just the inspection paper alone.”

“Zaccheus has strong connections with Terra Firma,” she said. “I am sure if he just shows them the paper, he’ll be easily green-lighted,” she then sank her cheek into her right palm once more in contemplation. “Though, I wonder if those gens are good enough to be taken by car.”

“It will most likely have to be transported with their ships due to their significance with mechanical vessels. If Dark fails to accomplish this, I don’t mind taking over the task as we return there. Though, if I didn’t have a choice but to take it by car, I would use my own. Wouldn’t want your car to break down in the middle of the road.”

“Hm,” she sounded. “And what would we do once that happens?”

“I would make sure we get back safe,” I smiled.

“Oh?” she raised her eyebrows. “That sounds very gentleman-like of you. I never knew you had this side, Emon!”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, lady.”

“Is that so?” she said jestingly. “After all these years, are you telling me you are still hiding things from me? Is that how it is?”

I couldn’t help but state the obvious. She was most likely already expecting my following response, but I decided to play along, anyway.

“Everyone has something to hide, Aurora… …I bet you have things you would rather not tell me about.”

Darnit, Emon. Now you’ve done it…

Why are you so reckless!?

“Well, I could genuinely tell you about anything you’d like. Ask me anything, and I’ll tell you truthfully.”

What?!

Did she just…

…Will she be okay with me asking… about her family problems?

…

…

…No.

I can’t do that.

At least not here. Not right now.

But, I need to ask something adequate!

Think, Emon, think!!!

“…Is that so? Do you promise you will be truthful?”

“Yes, I promise. But, actually…”

“…Only if I can ask you something, too.”

I know what to ask her.

It’s okay, I’ll just lie to her.

She won’t think I would ever lie to her, anyway…

“It would only be fair, right?” she continued after noticing my silence.

“Sure,” I responded firmly—readying myself for the question I was about to ask.

“…Are you doing well lately?”

She remained silent for a number of seconds, her head scantily lowered, as the sparkling lights in her light brown eyes vanished. I could only stare her down, hoping she would not mind this question.

I thought it would have been a simple yes or no for question her—even if it could potentially be linked to her family issues. I sat there, waiting for several more seconds until she finally spoke.

“…Damnit, Emon. Why does that have to be your question…”

I gulped, thinking I may have reached a little too deep in her heart. Everything depended on what she would tell me. It was clear that she was not doing okay. I could already tell ever since I first saw her today, in the Cellar. I began to reminisce the day I spoke with Wilfred at the Cellar, around two weeks ago…

***

[Two weeks ago: The Cyclone Cellar]

Aurora and I stood in front of a large ship within the large industrial hallway.. It had a large frame resembling an Eagle. With two gigantic wings folded just like an eagle before setting off into the sky.

She turned towards me, stretching her closed lips wide, her hands still folded behind her back like a curious child.

“Do you see those wings, Emon?”

“Yes, Aurora, I can see them.”

“Well…” she tilted her head. “besides looking absolutely mesmerizing, they comprise dozens of integrated modified vents, allowing the Ship to fly with great power. So much so that it is considered the fastest out of the seven.”

I rolled my eyes and took a deep sigh. “Fine, Aurora.”

“Ah…?”

“Notify the staff to bring it outside. I read in the paper that a testing of the resonance-based propulsion system was required for its responsiveness and efficiency, to ensure it meets the standards for high-speed aerial manoeuvres.”

“Yes!” Aurora exclaimed. “I will do so! Thank you, Emon!”

“No need to thank me, but you can also pilot the Ship if you want.” I smiled.

“Really?! What an amazing way to start the day, haha!”

She then rushed past me, as the iron gates opened once more. Aurora was startled upon seeing Wilfred, dressed in a long billowing white coat, standing right in front of her, his hands crossed behind his back. She let out a squeak, telling Wilfred he shook her. He could only laugh it off as Aurora handed over her prompt goodbyes once more, and Wilfred calmly stepped into the second half, slowly raising his head to meet the Ship’s structure.

“She appears a lot more joyous compared to a few weeks earlier,” he then shifted his gaze to the right, where I stood. “Don’t you think, Emon?”

“It may be because her daughter is working alongside her,” I responded, closing my eyes. “I’d imagine that being a lot more fun rather than missing them at home, or something.”

“Hm, I fail to think that way, Emon.”

“What do you mean?” I pondered, looking at him as he held his gaze back upwards.

“How do I properly explain… A very bittersweet ambience encircles her. As if she was given news of a tragic event but decides to bury it deep beneath her mask.”

“I doubt that is true,” I shrugged it off.

“Why?”

“I would be able to tell at first glance if there was something truly wrong with her. She is easy to read.”

Wilfred chuckled, holding his right palm against his forehead. “Emon, I am aware of your tremendous power and capabilities, but you are the last person I would consider beholding such emotional intelligence.”

“And what makes you think that?” I asked, my eyebrows slightly frowning.

“You are practically invisible outside the work floor. Never have I ever heard tales of you enjoying some free time with friends, let alone Aurora, who is undoubtedly very fond of you.”

“…That is none of your business, Wilfred.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“I am aware,” he began, turning towards me as he spread his arms wide. “Just telling you the truth. You know Aurora better than anyone else within the Cellar, let alone anywhere else. Hell, even the mighty Urdall has lesser knowledge of her than you do.”

“That is a stretch…”

“But am I wrong?” he tilted his head to the right. “Whenever I see Aurora at work, she is almost always walking by your side. If there truly is anything wrong, I would expect you to perhaps ask her how she is feeling first, rather than a boring ‘How are you doing today?’. That never works.”

“…It may just be the festival or something…”

“Oho?” he cackled. “Look who’s getting flustered! The Great Emon of Luria! Grand Summoner of the Arcane Temple! This is a first for many to see!”

“Wilfred, get out.”

“Hahaha! But of course, Sir! You have a splendid time riding this Ship.”

His laughs gradually faded away as he stepped past the iron gates. Happily strolling towards the other side. I took a deep sigh, muttering to myself just how annoying Wilfred could be at times. However, after several moments, I silently lowered my head in contemplation, my eyes aimlessly staring at the ground.

***

After twenty or so minutes, both Aurora and I found ourselves standing on top of the Cyclone Cellar. The fresh breeze of the outside air filled our bodies with refreshments. The sheer view of both the sea and the city of Ventoria was simply impeccable. It was nearing the afternoon, and the sun was shining just right above the land. Our attires and hairs fluttered as a wind breeze flowed through our figures. The Eagle stood right in front of us, its gigantic wings spread apart.

“Look at this beauty!” Aurora began, readjusting the strands of hair that fell over her face as she glanced at the towering structure. "Really puts into perspective how much time and consideration people have spent in creating these ships!" Aurora exclaimed.”

I chuckled with my mouth closed, and looked at her. “Are you ready to ride the Ship?”

“Yes! We’ll just be spinning a few rounds encircling the city, right?”

“Indeed. I think the civilians will have a great time seeing one of the seven Airships soaring through the skies above them.”

“I know, right?” she smiled. “It’s like saying: ‘See this? Well, you’re going to get a lot more of it soon!’”

I chuckled once more. “This could be a great way to excite the people even more.”

“Today is Thursday, so the cities must already be bustling in the early afternoons. Let’s give them a little show, shall we?” she winked playfully. I opened the door leading inside and pulled out the staircase before gesturing for Aurora to enter first.

“After you, madam.”

She led the way inside, and the ship’s interior materialized before our eyes. It had a small interior, but its front windows were noticeably large. None of the light bulbs were lit up since it was already illuminated by the outside ambience. The final scent of the surrounding sea brushed against my face as I closed the door. Aurora then took her seat on the pilot’s chair, and I took mine right next to her. We smiled at each other before we wrapped ourselves in the seat belts. She then held her hands firmly around the control stick, turned the ship on, and began to fly off the Cyclone Cellar, our bodies recoiling in the pressure.

We coursed above the sea and took a few spins before flying towards the beautiful city, which was now almost entirely laid clear before our eyes. Both the people and the infrastructures made it seem as if we were playing a board game that was made of miniature buildings and small marionettes serving as inhabitants. However, one of Ventoria’s trademark aspects, a gigantic, one hundred meter grey-coloured statue remained easily noticeable. It depicted Urdall, draped in an all-encompassing hood that obscured His face, His right hand raised in the air as if blessing the entire city.

That was the heart of Ventoria. The moment we flew past it, we could already feel the thousands of fingers pointing towards us from below. Children, adults, and even elders all smiled joyfully upon seeing the ship passing their eyes with great speed that also emitted loud engine noises that washed a sense of fervour and energy over the hearts of the young. I squinted my eyes as I looked at the earth, and could vaguely see swarms of silhouettes running after our trails, with some passing by narrow neighbourhoods, some freely running through large open spaces, and some even sticking their heads out from their building windows. Schools, houses, and offices were all immediately notified of our presence, which was welcomed with a warm embrace.

Looking back at Aurora, I could see the sheer excitement in her eyes. Happiness illuminated her pupils, while her genuine smile accentuated her beauty. She was visibly having the time of her life, which pessimistically made me remember Wilfred’s words even though I had been contaminated by her infectious enthusiasm.

Was he… right?

***

[Present time: The Pearl]

…I was not the only one who noticed her melancholic aura.

It didn’t make any sense. I mean, it would only be fair for someone to have their sadness be noticed by more people, no? Would that not be a lot more valuable than having just one person notice it? The mask she held over her face was not enough to obscure her true countenance. It is selfish because I am greedy enough to want to know more about her, whilst preventing her from knowing anything about myself…

“I’m not really doing okay, no,” she sighed. “Especially between Helvega and I. Things have deteriorated once more after I thought it was starting to get better...”

“Is it linked with her spending more time with Miriam than with you?” I asked calmly, trying my hardest to appear empathetic. “As in, that being the reason why things aren’t looking good?”

“More like the outcome, you could say,” she responded. “It has been like this for the past few months, but it is not extremely bad. We can still talk and reach out to each other when we need to…”

She did tell me Helvega was quite… invested in learning more about her father…

Perhaps that may be why. That feeling of disconnection between her and Aurora.

It does make sense for a child to feel a little solemn if their own parent never tells them about their family history, even though they, as their child, have every right to learn about it.

They are curious beings, and it can always potentially spread further to the point of them not feeling as if their own parent cares enough for them. So they seek something that will fill that void…

…In Helvega’s case, it is Miriam who manages to fill it. And the one who is forced to pay the price, is Aurora.

But then,

Just how significant must her past be for her to obscure it from her own daughter to this degree?

I looked at her with compassionate eyes.

“Give it some time, Aurora. Perhaps it may be because she is reaching that age for all we know. I sure know how much of a slouch I was during my teenage years.”

Right after sounding these words, realization struck me.

This was as much as I could tell her. I was hoping she would see this as another way of telling her to just finally disclose the matters with her daughter, but there was one thing that I only now realized.

All she told me about her past was that she came from very humble beginnings.

For someone to have such a seemingly straightforward past, it would not seem reasonable to be too persistent in withdrawing her story from her own daughter…

Once more, I was nowhere worthy enough to learn about her past whilst burying my own. Yet I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. As a result, I began speaking metaphorically. Like just a moment ago, I did not tell her about how loving my parents were but gave the impression that they were, given her knowledge about my affluent upbringing. It actually seemed to have worked.

“Oh, yeah?” she began. “Did you have a good relationship with your parents?”

Score!

Good job, Aurora!

I responded to her, regaining my composure.

“I did. They cared for me as much as they could. I am only thankful that they both have seen the success I achieved before they passed. The reason why I am standing in this position today is mostly due to their influence.”

“That… must be really nice...”

Damnit!

She really won’t budge, will she?

Fine. I won’t persuade her anymore.

At least for now.

“Hey, that only makes it even more fascinating, don’t you think so?”

“What do you mean?” she pondered.

“Our backgrounds are polar opposites. I was born into an affluent family, while you climbed out the gutter, with all the odds put against you. I still wonder why you hadn’t decided to write a book about your life’s journey. We both know how large the presence of the impoverished is within Ventoria; the chances of your influence spreading even wider than now is quite large.”

“I do not seek fame, Emon,” she closed her eyes. “But… I have most definitely spent countless nights pondering on how far I have come ever since I decided to do something with my life…”

“And look at you now,” I said joyfully, taking another sip from my coffee. “You have become the main overseer of Luria. There are surely other people who aren’t able to sleep at night because of how filled their minds are with aspirations. See it as how I want to spread my knowledge to my students. Not telling you to become a teacher, but it will give you a great after-feeling knowing you have inspired other people to become better versions of themselves.”

“That… does not sound too bad, actually,” she responded solemnly.

“The world definitely needs more people like you, Aurora. I know about the hardships you faced throughout the years. Not only your struggles but also the dynamics you had with your former husband, as well as your daughter. There are people who simply need a firm push to make the gears run once more.”

Once again, I did not know much about her past. I took advantage of the change in the mood, and decided to speak to her as if I already knew about her past so that she could potentially feel encouraged.

“You flatter me so, Emon,” she laughed, afterwards taking a deep sigh as she brushed her tresses away from her face. Clutching her glass with both hands. “But, I don’t think I am ready yet. I still haven’t broken out of my mental cage. It would be like a ship sailing without a compass, aimlessly navigating through the seas.”

“That is why I said to give it some time,” I responded. “I will be here for you at all times.”

“Is that so?” her eyes slowly began to illuminate once more.

“Of course. Do you really think I’d lie to you, Aurora?”

“I don’t think you would, but, just like you said earlier, there is much I don’t know about you yet. So…”

She then raised her head to meet my eyes, her beautiful face accentuated by her closed smile, as she was gently bathed under the sun ray.

“…I would like to spend more time with you, outside the work floor.”

I was slightly taken aback by the moment before answering.

“…Of course. I don’t mind.”

“Anyway,” she clapped. “My turn. I will be asking the same question; are you feeling well? Both mentally and physically?”

“Mhm,” I nodded. “I am doing all fine.”

“Are you sure?” she slightly squinted her eyes. “I am sensing a little reluctance from you.”

“No, I really am fine,” I fake smiled. “Well, besides living a rather mundane life outside the work floor, I am good. No worries.”

She then chuckled alongside me. “Well, we will bring a change to that soon, right?”

“Right.”

She then reached out her hands once more and softly landed her right palm on my hand.

“Can you promise me you’re feeling well?”

“…I promise.”

“Very well,” she said, relieving her hand from mine. “We can make our plans after the work day. What if we hang out at your place sometime?”

“That is fine,” I responded, checking my watch. “Are you ready to head off?”

“Sure thing, let us go.”