"...Here." Iva said as she handed a towel.
"O-oh...Thank you." Lucy whispered shyly as she accepted. The sun barely reached its zenith and yet the two were already tired. Despite the call for truce, Iva and Lucy reserved and silent nature made any small talk insufferably hard.
The two were used always being on the receiving end of a conversation. It never came up to their mind that one day they too have to start it on their own and lack of experience clearly showed as crystal as daylight.
The former who relied desperately on silence for protection and survival within the slumps, while the latter was robbed of her luster, making her little more than hollowed a husk. Yet the cravings for warmth and attachment proved far greater than their unwilling nature as they continue on, as abysmal as their skills may be.
"H-have you taken your lunch yet?" Lucy asked as Iva shook her head stiffly.
"...No... you?" Lucy feels conscious of her body as every little movement made glaringly painful when she forced out the next words.
"Then do... do you w-want to eat one with me?" Lucy would have danced in joy if only her voice had not failed her in the end.
"...Ok." Iva for her part was squirming in misery from within as she barely let out a whisper. Although relieved she had not been the one to offer the invitation, the squeak of a reply almost drowns her in shame as Lucy's eyes lit up for a moment.
"R-really? Oh, I mean, good... good."
"Yes..." The unbearable silence drowns the two once more as they silently begged for someone, anyone at all to break the strangling silence. Blessedly, someone did.
"Iva, Lucy! Lunch is here!" Sister Emma calls out as the two eagerly finish their task before taking lunch. It was a simple ham with barley bread and cheese and surprisingly a Lvrin milk, one Lucy certainly did not expect to see this lifetime.
"They're getting closer aren't they?" Emma mused to herself as she watched the pair shyly seated in between children and sisters alike. The two quickly settled down to vacant seats before chowing down.
"...Have you tried this before?" Iva said as she grabbed the cup closer, smelling for any hint of familiarity.
The yellow liquid stirred inside as Lucy nodded. "It's called Lvrin milk. We usually take them during lunch, but I haven't tasted one in a while. It has a sweet yet tangy flavor so it may not be for your taste." Lucy warned as Iva hesitated before drinking.
A look of surprise plastered on Iva's face before taking large gulps. "...Was it good?" Lucy asked as Iva nodded absentmindedly.
"Yes... it was good." Iva said as Lucy chuckled.
"If you had paired this with garlic bread it would have gone fantastically." Lucy claimed as Iva looked back with slight interest.
"...You do know a lot more about food do you?" Iva asked as Lucy nodded.
"It was one of the few things I would recall fondly. Makes me forget everything even if it was but a fleeting moment." Lucy whispered. Iva could see the older girl's shoulder slumping for a moment as her gaze grew distant. Iva could not help but feel sorry for her.
The weariness and trauma contained within made Iva reach out, slowly in hesitation for the young maiden when another child got to her mere moments away. "Swister Lwucy! Cwan I hwave ywor bwead pwease?" A child energetically shouts as he chews.
Lucy snapped out of her trance before replying. "Nyle it is not good manners to talk when your mouth is full. Finish yours first and if you are still hungry, then you can have mine dear." Lucy reprimanded as she wipes down the child's messy face.
"Ok!" The child beamed before eating with gusto once more.
"Oh, you just love spoiling them, don't you sister Lucy?" Lucy gave a small smile to sister Ivy before sighing.
"It is hard to say no, especially with that face." Lucy pointed to Nyle's glowing eyes as Ivy laughed.
"Are you sure you are not a mother from another time? I envy the man who would steal your heart." Lucy stiffens for a moment before shaking her head. It would have been a nice dream. Lucy thought before replying.
"You don't have to worry sister Ivy, I won't be leaving any time soon." Lucy replied.
"Don't be like that, sister Lucy! You're not a full fledge sister yet, you can still find someone and can marry! You still have a lifetime ahead of you, I'm sure there will be someone." Ivy insisted as Lucy sighed.
"Perhaps, but do you honestly believe I can capture a man with... this?" Lucy's throat tightened for a moment as she gestures to her scars. The hideous payment she had to forfeit for her freedom still clings bitterly from within. If only there was another way. Lucy slightly frowned when she noticed Ivy's face turned into a smirk.
"Oh? But I believe you already have, my dear innocent maiden." Ivy chuckled as Lucy blinked in confusion for a moment before realization struck her. Lucy could practically see her friend's smirk twisted into a triumphant grin as she blushes.
"I... I don't know whom you speak of..." Lucy whispered shyly.
"Oh? Playing coy now, aren't we? I was under the impression that a certain red hair merchant had caught your eye?" Lucy winces before quickly recovering.
"Sir Seth and I only talk purely professionally. Nothing more, nothing less." Lucy replied as Ivy replied as if the world was falling apart.
"Oh, how horrible! Sir Seth would be heartbroken if he could hear us now. After all, you were the one who gave him a kiss after all." It took all from Ivy from laughing hysterically at her friend's dumbfounded plight.
Despite the age gap between the two, Lucy acted as if they were the same age. A deeply disturbed and traumatized adult that is. Even with everyone's support, Ivy could still sense the silent war she was waging inside. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.
Ivy could still remember when she first arrived, staring distantly as if she was seeing what others could not. It is heartbreaking to see someone so young acting like an adult. Which is why it was so refreshing to see such an innocent and young reaction finally coming off from her.
Like a maiden caught red-handed with her hidden lover. "T-that was a misunderstanding! S-Seth had asked for an outrageous reward when I was being generous! I have simply exaggerated his request for my own musing! Nothing more I swear!" Lucy practically shouted as Ivy's grin turned maliciously evil.
"Oh my, you are already using first name bases now? I didn't know our Lucy could be so bold." Lucy felt her jaw fall as her ears redden like an apple.
"My oh my, that simply won't do. This is going too fast! I have to reprimand Seth before he steals you from us! I can't have our youngest member leave so soon." Ivy teased as Lucy avoided her sparkling gaze.
"Is this how mothers felt when their daughters finally leaves their care? Oh, if only I had known better, I wouldn't have given you away! Curse that red-headed scoundrel!" Lucy shut her jaws tight, swearing to keep silent until Ivy moved on, though it barely lasted a minute.
"You two seemed too noisy here, what's the occasion?" Lucy looked up to her horror as sister Rose had the same grin plastered all over her face. Lucy was no fool. She knew everyone would have heard everything from here all the way to the damnation cobalt peaks itself by Ivy's laughter alone! And yet Rose was acting as if she doesn't know a thing!
Lucy looked to others for support, but the sisters seemed content leaving her to her fate. Not even sister Emma was willing to aid her in her time of need. It was a setup, a double cross! And ever the playful pair, Ivy acted as if it was a secret, a secret that needed to be told.
"Hey hey get this! Sister Lucy here has a-"
"Sister Ivy please!" Lucy shrieked as Ivy and the rest of the sisters who were quietly listening in could no longer hold it in and laughed as if they had heard the greatest joke of the century.
The children looked up in confusion, understanding next to nothing as Iva who heard the entire thing could only chuckle at Lucy's own misfortune. "T-this isn't funny! S-stop it!" Lucy practically begged as tears threatened to spill out.
"Ahh, I'm sorry sister, but you are just begging for it!" Ivy slowly calms down as the white hair maiden wishes for a hole to crawl into. "B-but you see? There is someone who can and mostly likely already have fallen for you. You have nothing to fear. Besides, if someone dared to make you cry, we will be here with a house full of porcelain to throw at." Ivy said as Lucy meekly replied.
"But... but what if he is no better?" Lucy frighteningly whispered as she avoided their gaze. The scars that bastard left would never leave her. The pain, the shame, the embarrassment... it was too much. Lucy was prepared to die than to live through it all again.
Though an even darker shadow gnawed at her mind. "I'll give an arm and a leg if he isn't." Rose confidently replied though Lucy's gloom grew stronger.
"...What if I'm no better?" Lucy whispered meekly, but she was certain everyone in the room had heard her.
Everyone was looking at her, even the children looked up confuse. Or was it just her mind playing a cruel trick on her? Either way, she hoped it was the former rather than the latter. Even if it was selfish, her lonely heart ached to be desired by others.
"Lucy..." The maiden flinched as a hand gently but firmly grasped her shoulder. "You deserved to be happy just as much as we do. It will be fine. If it does not turn out as we hoped, we will be here for you." Rose spoke warmly as the sisters nodded back in response.
Do I? Lucy thought quietly as the scent of iron and flame invaded her mind. After all I've done? Can I really have that? The bodies she had failed to protect, the people who died in her arms... it never left her. Weakened as it was, the nightmare had never left her.
It was there. Gnawing and clawing at the door for the chance to resurface, to claim her. No matter how much she craved to let it all be a bad dream, it was still there. Not even the grace of her power could save her from it. The darkness was there.
"...Really?" Lucy asked weakly as she clung desperately to the ember of hope. No matter how frail or dim it was, a spark of light was infinitely better than the eternal night. And so, Lucy clung desperately as if it was her last straw of joy in life.
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"Of course, Lucy, of course." Rose smiled.
An eerie but welcome silence washed over the room when a loud knock suddenly rang out. "Hello! It's your daily candy man! May I come in?" A voice soon followed after as everyone turned back to look at her with a smirk. Lucy immediately flushed back to bright red as the children clamored to open the door.
"It's sir Seth!"
"He brought us candy again! Quick open the door!"
The children shouted ecstatically as Lucy felt her heart drop deeper and deeper by the second. "W-wait children! You haven't finished your meals yet!" Lucy shouted after the clamoring little ones as the children looked back in confusion.
"But we did sister Lucy! Look!" The children pointed at the empty clean plates. Lucy blinked for several moments before bolting upright.
I need to leave. Lucy thought quickly before she was stopped. Lucy looked back to her horror as Ivy and Rose was holding her down. "What are you doing??" Lucy hissed as Rose shook her head mischievously.
"You haven't finished your meals yet sister Lucy." Ivy smirked as Lucy struggled to break free.
"I-I'm full! I need to go back to work before-"
"Oh that won't do sister Lucy! You would set a bad example for the children! You must finish your meal like everyone does, you have to!" Rose replied as Lucy was left stunned.
"What are you even afraid of anyways? It's not like you two have something in between right?... or do you?" Ivy gasped dramatically as Lucy shook her head violently.
"No no no this is a misunderstanding! I-"
"That's unfortunate, he's already here." Iva replied as Lucy froze.
Lucy turned; face masked in horror at Iva's betrayal as the little girl pranced away as if nothing in the world was wrong. Nothing in the world was wrong saved for a certain maiden whose crumbling from within in panic, fear, annoyance, and... excitement?
"Ah, I see! It's just a misunderstanding then! Oh well, now that is out of the way, I think it is due time we greet our benefactor." Rose chuckled as the poor maiden could only shriek in terror as the footsteps closed in.
"A-ah wait! I'm not-"
"Hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful day as well!" Lucy froze as she meekly looked down at her plate, refusing to look up.
"Hmm? Is everything all right?" Seth asked inside the somewhat quiet room as he walked towards Lucy.
"Ah, what a wonderful timing you have, sir Seth! You see, we are just about to continue our chores, but dear Lucy here is struggling to finish her meal. You wouldn't mind staying here to keep her company would you?" Emma slyly asked as they hastily made their retreat.
"W-wait! It's not-"
"I-is that so? Well, I don't see why not?" It was barely noticeable, yet two had seen through it. Seth seemed to gather his breath first before continuing. "Those little gremlins had run me dry again. I swear those brats only wanted me for the sweets." Seth chuckled as Lucy felt her throat dry. The vibration of her beating heart grows restless as Seth continues to talk.
It was getting louder and louder by the second that Lucy feared her heart could be heard from a mile away. Thankfully, her old instinct kicked in. Calm down, soldier. Focus. There is no need to panic. The enemy won't- "Hmm? What's wrong?" Seth asked as the measly barriers she manages to build came crumbling down.
"You've been staring at the plate for ages now. I fear it might actually break." Seth laughed softly as Lucy went rigid once more. His voice brought so much comfort, excitement, and joy that she had long since sacrificed on the altar of survival.
She never thought she can have it back... until now. "Is there something wrong? Are you feeling sick?" Seth asked, a hint of concern was in his voice as he touched her forehead. That finally broke her daze.
"I-I'm fine! J-just..." Her words fall flat when saw his mask finally begins to crumble. Even he could not keep up the facade.
"I-I see..." There was nothing more to be said as Seth finally became exceedingly aware of her distress. Retreating quickly, Seth pulled back his touch as he awkwardly grew conscious of his body language.
It usually comes off naturally, now... now he could barely straighten his back. Seth became hyper-sensitive to his body and how it acted. It did not help that the power within him kept enhancing his sense further and further its normal capacity.
Now he was painfully aware of even his fingers displacement. Not to mention his smell. Though he was certain he was clean, he wasn't sure if it was pleasant by her standards, especially Lucy's standards. A gnawing itch to check himself constantly buzzed inside his head.
Did I even comb it right? Panic slowly seeped in when Lucy finally answered.
"H-how are you gobs?" Seth blinked, his mind pauses, trying to process its meaning. Ah… why am I even nervous? Seth thought before laughing loudly to the world. The panic and the distress were blown away as if it was a bad dream.
Lucy could not help but smile as well as she finally mustered the courage to look up. And what a sight to behold it was. There, sitting before her, was a young man garbed in simple clothes that one could mistake him for a peasant rather than a wealthy merchant.
Hair as red as the setting sun and eyes as green as the hills, Lucy was taken aback by the sight. She never truly appreciated it then, but after all they had spent together, only now did she realize the small details. The crease in his shirt, the thickness of his brow, the smooth round shape of his face, every little thing seemed so significant now... especially the red ears.
Though he had the façade of a merchant, Seth could not completely hide his subconscious movement, no matter how hard he may try. And he was trying hard. Any lesser men would have cower in disgust at the sight before them or fall mad in love by the shine within.
Even with the laughter blowing most of the tension away, he could not meet her gaze as he once did when they first met. She was beautiful, yes. Pretty? Certainly. But with the blood of merchants surging through his veins, he would not falter for even a moment before this... this... Kalva be damn... she's beautiful. Seth's heart sings as he finally responds.
"I have never taken you for a shy person, dear Lucy. Ah, but it is good to know you still have that humor, awful as it is." Lucy chuckled as she subconsciously picked up her spoon and began eating again.
"My humor is not awful, though it certainly can be crude at times." Lucy admitted, before taking a bite. Seth smirked as he raised his left hand.
"I give up. I fear I will never be able to escape its shadow." Seth said as Lucy smirked back.
"Finally, you understood your position gobs." Lucy giggled as Seth shook his head.
"Ah, but that doesn't mean I would stop! I will find another name, one that is far better than that accursed nickname." Seth mocked disdain only made Lucy laugh that she almost choked on her food.
"Careful princess, you might die from my wits." Seth grinned as Lucy scoffed.
"You truly are overvaluing yourself gobs. As if I would." Lucy grinned back when she noticed Seth was hiding his right hand. "What are you hiding there?" Lucy mused when Seth flinched.
It caught the veteran by surprise by the sudden shift of the tone from the merchant. Seth seemed to avoid her eyes, forcing her curiosity to grow. "I... umm... oh well, there is no use in hiding it." Lucy raised a brow before falling back in shock as Seth revealed his hand.
It was a small, hastily made bouquet of blue flowers. Though Lucy did not know its kind, it hardly matters for the present at hand. "I... well, I thought you might like it. Reminds me of your eyes..." Seth mumbled weakly as his ears grew red once more.
Still avoiding her gaze, Lucy was silently grateful at the absence of his gaze, as she could only stare back, utterly dumbfounded. Lucy had to blink several times, convincing herself she was dreaming, only for the flower and Seth to remain. Then it began. The heat rushed into her face as her jaw dropped slightly.
Her heart ached and roared like a great beast as her breath sharpened and deepened. "I... this is..." Lucy meekly whispered as Seth rigidly nodded back as he handed her the flowers. "This is... beautiful." Lucy smiled as the gesture finally made it through her mind. Flowers just for her.
Tears welled in Lucy’s eyes just as Seth finally mustered the courage to look up. "A-are you all right?" Seth asked. Lucy nodded weakly.
"I... I never received flowers before. Y-you were the first." Lucy whispered as she pulled the flowers closer to her grasp. Such a small, fragile thing he had gifted her with little to no use, yet Lucy clung dearly to it as if they were diamonds that even the empress would grow jealous of. She looked back at Seth. The young man was torn between comforting her or blushing back in kind.
Did he always look so silly? Lucy thought to herself as her lips slowly stretched across her face. Closing her eyes as tears finally escaped, she smiled warmly before whispering gently. "Thank you." Seth caught his breath just in time.
The radiant white smile had triumphed over her scars. Terrible they may be, it paled in comparison to the joy and warmth of that... that smile. Seth could not help but smile back warmly before the two managed to garner their senses and looked away, embarrassed.
"B-but... I have no gift to give..." Lucy whispered sadly as Seth shook his head.
"There is no need for that dear Lucy. I simply wanted to give you that, I did not expect anything in return." It was a lie, of course, but a necessary one.
"That won't do, I have to share something, anything!" But Lucy remained insistent. You tempting little devil.
Seth could only sigh in amusement as he replied. "I said there is no need." But there was. "I simply wanted to give a gift." Another lie. "There is nothing I seek from you, dear Lucy." But there is. "I just-"
"My." Lucy suddenly cut off.
"P-pardon?" Seth asked as he looked back.
"...I-If y-you want... y-you c-can put 'my' after t-the dear..." Seth froze as the world seemingly stopped for a moment. Even with all the wisdom he could gather in his travel, nothing came close to prepare him for it.
N-no way... did I hear it correctly?? Did she just- no! Calm down Seth! Let's not be hasty here. Take it calmly before you open that damn mouth of yours... but what if it is? No! The last thing we want to do is to assume wrongly! Think of the consequences if they are not! We have to... have to... to... The two gazes locked like magnets as it caught Seth's breath.
Now or never. Seth looked back silently, as if asking for permission. He could see the fool's reflection, himself, within those eyes, yet he hoped. Seth dared hope he could cross that wall, even if he was but a merchant. He heard fairy tales of course. Of knights or merchants marrying a princess, but none so vivid as to now.
For an eternity, Seth waited for her response. It physically pained him to wait as he held his breath, daring and praying to be right. Lucy stared back for eons before nodding back weakly. The moment he saw that gesture, Seth would have shouted out to the world in joy were if not for his dignity barely restraining his foolish yet understandable joy.
"A-ah, t-then it settled then... I-I'll take this a-as my gift, m-my... my dear Lucy." Seth never knew love could taste so sweet. If he had known then, he would have sought it out much earlier. But perhaps it was a good thing he waited. Waited for this moment... for this fair lady- no... his fair lady.
Lucy smiled as she meekly responded. "Y-yes m-my... my dear gobs." Seth blinked before laughing out loud once again. Both in incredulity at his nickname and in pure joy and bliss for the gift Lucy had given him.
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"So nice to be young." Emma whispered.
"I'm happy for her." Rose replied as the sisters nodded back.
"I know they had to grow, but this is too fast! I won't give Lucy so easily... and I just got the thing." Ivy said as the sisters giggled back in joy.
"Please don't bully him too much, sister Ivy. You wouldn't want him to hold hostage those sweets, wouldn't you? He could turn the children to his favor with a wave of a hand." Rose replied.
"That's cheating! I know there was something wrong with that man! I just know it!" Rose could not help but roll her eyes as the others laughed back.
"Well, as much as I wanted to stay and watch our little maiden, I have breads to deliver." Emma said as the sisters nodded.
"Look after her won't you?" Emma asked as the sisters nodded back in joy and acknowledgment.
"Careful out there, the winds are getting colder. I would wager snow would fall this week." Rose said, as Emma nodded back.
"I will. Don't worry, it's not as if I will be gone for an entire week." Emma replied before hiking her way back to the abandoned house, unaware of the figures within the shadows that followed.