~In Nerian Du Leroux's eyes~

It has been a year after that great war. I still can't believe that this would be the outcome. I feared the worst, and lost all faith in the end. One stood up and promised me that he will free us from this, and that he did, but now... Where is he? 

I want to thank him not just as a king, but as a friend. In all these past few months that had passed, i had not given up in search for him. I did not believe him fully when he told me his next deed.

He saved not only me, but every citizen of Vasantria. We did lose many wonderful people that only wanted to fight for their sovereignty. Alas they were given the short end of the stick, and ultimately lost their lives to a cruel cruel fate.

Part of me wants to believe that i had grown from that experience in my life, but the other half of me believes that i had gotten even weaker. What would he say at a time like this. Maybe something inspiring like 'believing in yourself is a first, believing in others is second. If you don't think you can do it then you won't be able to.' --or something like that... No it'd be something heroic and brave like 'I'll prove to you that you have a purpose not matter what.' --yeah. He might say something like that.

*sigh* now i'm mumbling to myself. Things have gotten rough. Right after the ceasefire agreement and the beginning of the reform. Things have been quite hectic. I am always needed to sign papers here and there, entertaining problems of the villagers. It's good to help and all, but i need rest.

And it has gotten even busier with the new merging of kingdoms. I have to sort things out along with the borders, village taxes and the management of the caravans crossing Frelasien. I feel very lucky that i had been given a lot more time to nurse Charlotte back to health. After that incident i was sure that i had lost her. I was crying my very soul out in grief.

It seemed that she was blessed somehow by a divine being. Not knowing how she lived from it i prayed to the gods instead. I still remember my reaction when she suddenly woke up. My mouth and eyes were wide open, and the first thing she asked was 'Were was Fafnir brother?' I couldn't answer. I didn't have a answer for her. Fafnir left believing that Charlotte had passed away, and that grief went along with him. He does not know that she is even alive.

Nerian paces back and forth while he contemplates his next plan of action. The reform is far from over, tensions of the neighboring kingdoms are growing stronger, and so much more. It all goes on and on a long list of things i need to do.

While the troubled king is trying to his best to rest and at least find solace in his thoughts. Ever since that tragic war, Countless things of question come to mind. "Ah! enough. I won't move forward if i worry too much. Have i changed for the worse then?"

*knock* *knock* "Are you alright in there my lord? Would you need any assistance?" A voice pierces through the door. I Assume that it's the female maid in charge of us.

"Uh-oh i-a no! Not to worry. I am quite alright." I spring up from my bed, and i approach the door to where the maid is with the intention of assuring her in personal. 

For some reason the maids are extra meticulous when it comes to taking care of their guests. They make sure that their guests are satisfied with their stay here, but it's different today. The younger maids in training seem to be following me everywhere i go. Odd...

~Flashback hours earlier~

The young prince had just finished attending to some paperwork. Tired and exhausted, he get's up to stretch and air himself out in the balcony next to the office he is staying in.

Suddenly, 7 maids burst inside the room. They carry fans, trays with snacks and a pot of coffee and cups. Some carry warm looking towels and other things that are unknown to me. 

One of the maids speak up. "Good evening my lord. We are here to serve you as part of out training and of our own volition."

Surprised, Nerian flinches back and is unable to respond for a few seconds, but ha manages something in the confusion. "What is all this about? Serving? your own volition?"

The maids do not answer, but instead they crowd Nerian and brings him towards his office chair. "Please sit down my lord, just relax and let us pamper you for tonight."

"What for? I can handle myself very well. All i need is some air outside, and what you said sounds very misleading." He tries to argue with the dominant maids, but alas all his effort becomes futile.

"No need to worry. We are professionals in training" The maids protest and force Nerian down to his seat. Some begin to massage his shoulders, and some begin fanning him with large leaves that look like a fan. A maid pours him a cup of coffee and she kneels beside him and hands the cup to him.

Nerian is unable to resist anymore. Everything feels comfortable. A soft breeze, a shoulder massage and a warm cup of coffee. He resigns himself to the fate, but instead of feeling rested, the maids begin to come closer to him until they are inside his personal space.

"Uh... Isn't this too close?"

"But we can't serve you while we are far way can't we~" The other maids agree in harmony and continue their service. 

One of them starts tracing Nerian's lower lip with her fingers. "Is there something on my face?"

"Nothing, but your soft lips my lord~" 

"Uhm i need to--uh attend to some matters. Please excuse me!" Nerian runs out of the room as he feels uncomfortable to the aggressive advance of the maids. He's not used to this type of treatment so he is unable to figure out what's really wrong.

They don't follow him to his relief, and he storms his private room. The head maid is quite surprised to see the him running as if his life depended on it,, but Nerian asks politely "Please don't let anyone disturb me. I'd like to get some rest. For some reason, your maids in training are too professional for my own good."

He explains further, and without listening to anymore, the head maid assures Nerian and sends him off to his room for his well deserved rest. 

The door is shut and the everything quiets down.

The Head maid mumbles to herself. "Well who wouldn't want the chance to get their hands on someone as handsome and kind like him. *sigh* girls these days can't control themselves. It brings shame upon our name."

~Back to the present~

*sigh* "I just need to rest. Although i still worry about Charlotte's state. I feel terrible that i forced her into marriage with prince Gram knowing full well that she has eyes for Fafnir. Well she likes him, but i don't think she has noticed herself i assume. 

"What a terrible time for romance. Everything seems fine on the outside, but inside, your heart must be in tatters. I wonder what you're up yo Fafnir. I don't think you're the kind to just leave like that." I think about all of it, but i close my eyes and sleep.

-Morning comes-

The birds chirp, the sun trying to pierce through my eyelids from an open window i assume. Is it morning already? I still feel tired. 

*knock* *knock* "Lord Nerian, are you awake? Lord Arcadia wishes to know if you would want to join him and his family for brunch."

I hear the voice of a lady that has her years behind her. It must be the head maid. I get up and rub my eyes. I noticed that i hadn't changed when i fell asleep. This is unlike me after all. I might be changing drastically without my knowledge. 

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Thank you! Please tell Lord Arcadia that i will be attending just as soon as i fetch my sister." 

I hear her footsteps walk away. Everything is silent once again, and now i only have the curious birds turning their heads at me as they peer through the open window. I look at one of them i i found myself oddly smiling. It feels rather peaceful. For a brief moment i have been given reprieve. "Thank you little sparrows." and they fly away in that instance.

I stand to change my clothing. I need to refresh myself. My conduct is unbecoming at this point. I wash my face and tidy my appearance. "I am all set!"

With that, i go my own way to wake her up. I do hope that she has not overslept. Ever since her fatal injury, she has taken more time in bed rather than being upright. Is she getting weaker, or is she still recovering? My palms are beginning to sweat. I am always concerned about her. She is my sister after all. 

I have arrived on her front door. The surroundings are silent, and somewhat dark. I knock on her door once... No answer. I knock thrice... Still no answer. I turn the knob slowly, and it is open. i peer slightly into the small doorway that i have opened up to see what Charlotte is up to.

The light enters her room as well. I can see a small winged animal by the side of her bed as she reads a book while sitting up. 

I open the door even more and knock on it to catch her attention. "Good morning Charlotte."

She looks surprised as i enter. Charlotte lowers the book that she has been reading and faces me. "Good morning brother. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to ask if you wanted to join me and the Arcadia family for the midday meal. Did i disturb your reading?"

She looks down on the open book. "Oh this? Not at all. A maid recommended it to me, and i found myself unable to stop reading."

"What is it about if you don't mind me asking." 

"It's about a hero that puts everyone before him. When everyone abandoned him, he felt sad, but happy that there were people there. Even though they left him, he knew that they were there. When they needed help because they suffered the same fate of loneliness, he was there for them."

"It feels like a sad story. Have you finished it yet?"

"No, not yet" replied Charlotte. "That is the reason as to why i am so intrigued by this book, but i would very much like to join you for a meal. I feel quite hungry."

She puts the book down beside her bed and she slowly walks towards me. You could see it just by looking at her. She still feels pain. I know it's not that easy to recover from that kind of injury, but still i can't help feeling guilty about it. If only i had saved her in the past...

"Brother? Are you alright? You seem to be lost in your own thoughts. Shall we go to the gardens? I assume that they have gathered there. Come!"

She has a gentle smile on her face that made me even more pained by my past decisions. How can you smile like that Charlotte? Won't you tell me what you are feeling instead? She goes ahead towards the gardens, but i stop. I am curious as to what the title of the book is. 

I approach the side of the bed containing the said book and read the cover. 'A squire's parable: Of where the heart of flames burn strong.' "How odd and long for a title." 

I open the book to the first pages and see a poem inscribed. I assume to draw the reader in. It goes as so:

When the light disappears, you are left trying to search for it.

Desperate and lost, you stumble and fall. Tears are shed and hearts are broken.

Will that light ever come back, or am i destined to be alone in the dark for eternity.

Know that if your the source of your happiness is the light, and it disappears-

Never lose hope that it may return someday. You will find others in your journey that are lost.

Guide them, for all you know you might be able to light the fire in their hearts. 

And that will aid them in searching for their own light. Forever and ever...

Become a beacon of hope, and Guide each other in the search. 

Toyed by fate and made fun of by destiny, you become your own light.

Alone, but shining bright in the darkness nonetheless. 

Draw your strength from those around you, and your light will shine brighter.

In time it will illuminate the darkest of hearts. There, you might find what you have lost.

~The Squire of tragedy 

I close the book and put it down exactly on the same spot as where i had picked it up. It all became clear to me at that moment. She has realized her feelings. Fafnir had told me of his past, his stories and adventures... It feels similar to this excerpt.

He became alone a lot of times. He lost those who possessed the light he was following. He always asks himself if he could've changed anything if he was stronger. His journeys brought him to many people who had their lives changed for the better--Including us...

But will Fafnir ever find someone else who possesses the light he so desperately needs, or will someone be able to change him into the light, a light where people follow him instead of him following someone else.

It might just be me, but why does it seem so similar to his story? I found myself curious to what the contents of the book may contain. "Maybe i'll ask Charlotte if i can borrow this after she has finished it."

I look outside the window and suddenly i remembered my prior commitment. I run as fast as i can towards the gardens to where i assume Charlotte went. 

I hope i don't get reprimanded by Lord Arcadia.

I pass by the maids and other people coming and going down the hall. the sun shines brighter than before. It livens up the city and the people living in it.

Nerian makes it to the location. Confused and curious as to why, Lazarus dared not ask anymore as it might seem to be a troublesome idea for Nerian to do.

"well. Let us have our meals then shall we." The du Leroux, Arcadia and the Kal-Ardonia family resign themselves to a very pleasant and refreshing get together.

~Meanwhile~

Upon the snow is a trail of footsteps. A strong blizzard runs rampant across the barren lands of the north. A lone shadow trudges upon in wearing a thick cloak, his face is covered. The unbearable harshness of the climate is something that no man can easily handle, yet this soul braves nature and moves forward without fail. Emitting an undying desire for something in his heart.

He comes to a stop. The mysterious person may have arrived in his location. A giant tomb made solely by stone carved from a cave. The outside is protected by a large gate 10 times larger than him. Beside it are statues of a man unrecognized by him, but is known to only few. The gate seems impregnable, yet he stares at it intently.

Raising his head slightly he mutters under his breath despite the cold chilling air enveloping him. "Nothing will stand in my way."