The lingering twilight after the sun had dipped just below the horizon painted the sky different shades of pink and purple, the vast lake reflecting the sky beneath it in all its vast, ethereal glory. A forest stood just beyond the vastness of the lake that sprawled as far as the eye could see.
A cold breeze disturbed its calm surface.
The leaves of the willow tree rustled in a soothing symphony as the wind played with its branches.
Lying on the cold ground beneath him, Aster observed as the branches swayed gently above him, feeling a sense of tranquil peace in their embrace.
"Calming, no?"
A low voice that sounded like the rich, liquid cadence of a nightingale singing in the dark, reached his ears.
Glancing at Rose, Aster smiled. He could vaguely remember that she told him she wanted to discuss something with him, but even as the night had almost descended, she hadn't told him anything.
But he didn't mind.
It was nice having someone's company who didn't nag in his ears all the time, asking random questions, or just trying to keep a conversation going.
He nodded. "It sure is. Never really knew this place even existed before you brought me here."
Hearing his words, Rose tilted her head slightly as she looked at him with a hint of surprise, her chestnut hair flowing down to her side like liquid amber. "You didn't?"
Uncrossing his arms from behind his head, Aster sighed and sat up beside her instead. "Nope. It's my first time being here, actually. I hardly venture out, you know? Mostly staying at home, practicing knitting if I have time…"
Rose stared at him for a moment with her mismatched eyes in surprise.
Feeling her gaze directed at him, Aster coughed and awkwardly looked away, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed for sharing something personal. 'I mean, okay, maybe I am kind of a loner, but I don't like going out and interacting with random people. Why must she stare at me like I have refused a royal order?'
"You… knit?"
"Huh?" What? What was she… oh… OH!
Right, Aster had an interest in knitting, but he wasn't really that good with his work. And a guy being interested in something that only girls usually did… he didn't complain that she was surprised.
Looking back at her, he nodded shyly, feeling a bit hot for no reason. 'My clothes must be really warm…'
"Ah, yes. Well, my big sister is a herbalist and has earned quite the praise for her tailoring, you see. So, I kind of started knitting on a random day, and it was actually quite fun. So, here I am now."
Miss Rebecca was his big sister in name, they did not share the same blood. Aster was an orphan, and so was she. But that didn't mean Aster never had parental love. Miss Rebecca had always been there for him, cared for him more than even a parent might, for their children.
She earned for both of them by being both a herbalist and a tailor. That provided enough for them to live in a small, peaceful world of their own.
It might even seem like he had followed in her footsteps. Learning both about knitting and herbal medicines from her, and he was pretty enthusiastic about that, too.
As Rose listened to him, a small smile seemed to dance on her cherry like lips, as though she was amused. "That's… kind of adorable, actually. I never thought someone like you would be into knitting." She chuckled softly.
But Aster wasn't really enjoying the conversation. Her words had suddenly caused his heart to beat a bit faster. 'Did she… did she just…'
Did she just call him adorable?!
He wasn't adorable by any means?!
Suddenly, he was glad that the night was upon them as his face warmed… from whatever reason!
Clearing his throat, he shrugged nonchalantly, trying to appear composed, even when she had messed up with his emotions by a few words and a simple chuckle. "Well, now you know. And it's not that surprising, anyway. Anyone can knit. Different people have different tastes."
Oblivious to his messy state, Rose giggled and nodded in agreement. Then, her eyes glimmered. Reaching into the pocket of her dress, she pulled out a deep indigo handkerchief woven out of wool. "Did you knit this one, too, Aster?" She asked curiously.
He stared at the woolen handkerchief for just a moment longer than necessary, a subtle frown appearing on his face. Then, he looked up at her in confusion and shook his head. "No, my lady. Why would you even say that? How can I weave something for her grace, when this is my first time meeting you in person?"
Rose remained silent for a moment, her expression calm and thoughtful. A few seconds later, she replied:
"Yeah? But you were the one who gave it to me, though?"
Aster's frown deepened at her words. He had given a handkerchief… to the princess of Moriens Angelus? Since when? Why did he give it to her, if he actually ever did? What was the reason… or could it be that it was someone else, who looked exactly like Aster?
No, there wasn't any possibility for that. Because even if there were other blondes in the Academy, no one had his golden eyes.
Suddenly, he had a strange sense of déjà vu. Feeling a bit giddy, he shook his head silently. 'What… the hell was that?'
Why did he feel that way suddenly? What was even happening anymore?
"Forgive me, my lady. But I don't really remember ever doing such a thing. Maybe you're mistaking me for someone else?"
Rose opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it again, her long, slender fingers curling around the handkerchief like it was something precious.
Eventually, she offered him a gentle smile and shook her head. "No, Aster. Why would I mistake you for someone else. No, it was you who gave it to me, at the start of this year, in the Academy park. I remember everything vividly. It's not exactly our first meeting, either."
"I…" Aster wanted to say something, but strangely enough, his thoughts seemed to have disappeared completely for a moment. All he could see and think of was how she was sitting by his side, having that strangely warm, yet wistful look on her face.
His heart ached in a way it never did before…
'Have I developed dementia? Why… don't I remember anything?'
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment. That look in her mismatched eyes, that smile, that tone… it was apparent that his words had somehow hurt her, but she didn't make it obvious.
Ah, what was with him. Why did he always end up hurting those he cared about…
'I… care about her? What the hell am I thinking?!'
He was furious at himself for no real reason, a quiet resentment that he harboured for himself.
Slowly, he opened his eyes again and hesitated for a moment before looking at her again. This time, as he spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically soft, as though to not hurt her further, and chose his words carefully: "I… still don't remember anything, your highness. It never really happened to me before but… I can't recall when I gave you that handkerchief."
Listening to him quietly, Rose chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's alright. I don't really mind if you don't recall that time. It happens sometimes…"
Letting out a sigh, she slowly extended her hand in which she held the handkerchief towards Aster, and added gently: "I just wanted to return you your handkerchief, that was all. Nothing that I wanted to discuss."
Aster's mind was clear, but his heart wasn't. He felt as though his treacherous heart was being weighed down by an invisible weight.
Staring at the deep indigo handkerchief with a complicated expression, he hesitated for a moment. Should he accept it? What would it mean, for him to accept the handkerchief from lady Rose? Did it really belong to him?
His mind raced. Ignoring everything, he slowly extended his own hand and accepted the handkerchief.
He just… didn't want to hurt her feelings any further. And he knew that he wouldn't be able to forget the way she looked a few moments earlier. And Princess Rose looked genuinely happy at his acceptance.
He looked down at the piece of woolen cloth in his hand. Did he really own it? Had he once given it to lady Rose, unbeknownst to him? It felt soft to the touch, still holding Princess Rose's warmth in it… like a mystery he didn't want to unravel, but held dear to him, for some reason…
Aster shook his head, throwing unnecessary thoughts out of his head. 'Strange…'
The small piece of cloth was insignificant in his hand, but he felt as though he had received a forgotten piece of himself that he didn't know was there. It was a bizarre feeling, but it wasn't unwelcomed.
As a deep sense of longing rose from the depths of his heart, Aster suppressed it by remembering where he was, in whose presence he was.
Holding the simple piece of woolen cloth securely in his hand, that Aster had apparently knitted, he sighed, and looked up at Princess Rose again.
This time, she wasn't looking at him, instead gazing up at the vast expanse of the dark sky, leaning back on her hands. The Sun had disappeared over the horizon long ago, instead replaced by a silver disk that hung high above them.
The calm surface of the lake seemed to reflect the moonlight of the crescent moon, and the endless dots that shimmered around it.
The moon looked… lonely, even in the company of infinite stars accompanying it. It felt as though the moon didn't belong there, surrounded by people who were all strangers.
Aster smiled quietly to himself. 'How ironic.'
Wasn't he the same? Wasn't that how he always felt, too? Ah, but there was a strange comfort in being alone. An alien comfort when no one knew who he was, what he liked, what he usually did, where he was, what he was doing, how he was doing…
It was just him and his thoughts. The world seemed to blur sometimes, but never fade away completely. The world was sometimes loud, and sometimes quiet. But never quiet enough.
But right at this moment, he didn't feel as though there was any world that existed beyond this lake in front of him, the willow tree above him, the quiet presence of Rose beside him… it was a small and fragile bubble around them, a quiet sanctuary.
His.
Theirs…
He didn't speak for a while. He could see the vague figure of Amor standing a little bit far away from them from his peripheral vision, standing like a protective spirit guarding their sanctuary.
There were so many things unsaid, but he didn't say them—not wanting to ruin the moment.
So much had happened today, but he wasn't complaining right now. He was bruised and aching at places, but that was alright.
The pain would go away, the bruises would heal. But once this moment shattered, he wouldn't get it back. So he wanted to live it. He wanted to cherish it.
'How selfish…' Was it though? For wanting such a small thing, just a quiet moment like this with someone whose presence was enough to comfort him?
Maybe. 'I'll be selfish for once then.'
Gripping the handkerchief given to him by Rose, he sighed quietly. That handkerchief… was precious to him now, too. 'I won't lose it.'
He glanced at Rose from the corner of his eye. The moonlight glinted in her mismatched eyes. The gentle breeze played with her long chestnut hair. The wind was cold, but it seemed jubilant to be in contact with her. The grass itself seemed more green and lively where she sat. That mole right beside her eye… he could see it clearly now.
And oh, it did things to his heart.
For a moment, Aster was mesmerized by the arresting sight. She was…
'Breathtaking.'
He held his breath for a moment, then reluctantly looked away from her, and let out a quiet breath.
Suddenly, he envied the fortunate guy who would one day hold her hand and marry her…
He grimaced and shook his head at the thought. 'Whatever. I'm just a commoner, while she's the princess of one of the most powerful continents. Don't even entertain the idea, you loaf!'
At that moment, he felt something against his face. Turning his head slowly, he saw Rose… poking his cheek. "You okay? You were mumbling something while grimacing like you saw a nightmare…"
Aster froze in stunned bewilderment. He just stared at her for a moment. Did she… really do that? That can't be true, maybe he had fallen asleep during the conversation and was dreaming…
No, that wasn't true. He felt her finger against his cheek, warm and firm, still hovering mere inches away from his face.
He blinked, then looked away and coughed: "Of course, your highness. What would happen to me? I am as good as I have ever been…"
Rose remained silent for a moment, as though contemplating something, and then withdrew her hand back. Then, she shook her head in amusement and replied: "Well, whatever you say, sir Aster. Anyways, now that I've returned you your handkerchief, which you apparently don't remember giving to a lady, I should go back to the palace now. It's gotten pretty late already, as you can see."
He stared as she slowly got up with quiet grace, smoothened her dress with gentle fingers, and then held out her hand towards him.
He swallowed softly and hesitated for a moment. He could get up by himself pretty easily, it wasn't much of a daunting task but…
He reached out and placed his hand in hers, the one that he didn't hold the handkerchief in.
As Rose's long and warm fingers wrapped around his hand, and pulled him up, he suddenly felt a bit shy.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go! He wasn't a damsel in distress or anything! Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around?!
Well, okay, maybe he was getting beat up earlier by a bunch of pompous and haughty nobles, and Rose came and saved his ass like some knight in shining armour, though she didn't wear one…
But it still wasn't the same!
Looking at her face up close, he felt a bit hot. Definitely his clothes again.
Now that he looked at it, she was a bit taller than him, even if it was just by a few inches. 'I am still growing. I will be taller than her one day, right?'
Rose looked a bit smug for someone usually so composed, elegant, and graceful. Like she had won some kind of fight…
Giving his hand a light squeeze, which sent a shiver running down his spine, she let go of his hand and chuckled unapologetically. "Well, try to remember if you can, I'll be going then."
Then, she turned around to leave. Knight Amor was already moving, as vigilant as ever. But then, just as Aster was about to say goodbye, she turned to look him over her shoulder, hands folded neatly at her back, and said, sounding grateful: "Oh, my father was holding a ball at the palace. But now I will have a good excuse why I couldn't attend it. I am not really fond of being with that many people, you know?"
As a melodious chuckle escaped her lips, she shook her head and added lightly: "Well, see you again, Aster. Take care of yourself."
"Qué idiota tan adorable."
Was it him or did she whisper something to herself? Either way, the language she used seemed foreign, one from the south that he didn't know
'Huh?'
Without giving Aster a chance to say anything, she turned around and walked towards her knight, humming to herself as she did so.
Aster stared at the two graceful figures until he couldn't see them anymore.
For a moment, he just stood there, processing everything that had happened.
Then, a quiet sigh escaped his lips. Looking up at the distant moon, he smiled to himself. "She's a damn loaf. Using me to find an excuse to miss the ball… And does she really know another language? Wouldn't be surprising…"
He shook his head and looked down at the handkerchief she gave him. Putting it in the pocket of his coat carefully, he turned around to leave, too.
"Ah, I'll have to explain to Miss Rebecca why I got back home late. And maybe ask for some herbs to heal these bruises."
As he walked down the winding path, he faintly touched one of them on his face and grimaced immediately. "Ah crap! It didn't hurt when she poked my face though? I wonder why…"