Chapter 11 - Blue Farewell

Chapter 11 – Blue Farewell

It was a dreamy voice.

“Forever, I want to be with you.”

Ronée thought it might be a dream. It was such a nice and calm night if it weren’t for the knights downstairs who were obnoxiously loud with their intentions to kill her.

Ronée opened her mouth. “…But.”

”How could she send someone like that to a sacred place!”

“I want you to call the heresy interrogator of the temple right away!”

From outside, Nabel heard voices that talked about how to punish Ronée. Ronée fell silent. The Count seemed to be in motion. He planned to send Ronée to the temple, and thought he would sell it to the merchant family afterwards.

The merchants were worshippers of money rather than the gods in the distance, so they were well suitable to the Count’s wicked schemes.

“…But, you and I, no.” Ronée spoke firmly, swallowing the bitterness that crept in her heart. She didn’t even know her hand was touching Nabel’s. “My father will somehow try to sell me to a better place, so I will object to it.”

There was no way to protect Nabel if he came across so many knights. Ronée closed her eyes. She suppressed her desire as she always did, but Nabel heard it.

“I like you too.”

If she was sold somewhere as the Count’s intentions were, they might meet again. But if the temple would decide that she is indeed a heresy, she would be burned. Then, it was goodbye.

Nabel slowly closed his eyes. Above his shoulder, a fox jumped up, as if comforting him. He looked at the fluttering tail and returned the fox to Ronée, who snuggled comfortably in her arms.

“Grace will surely pay back.”

“I will not forget your kindness.”

The fox bounced in Ronée’s arms. Nabel did not dare reach out to Ronée. It wasn’t a rejection, but it wasn’t the best time. Instead, he stroked the fox. “This fox will only follow its sister. Sometimes it will disappear, but then…”

Nabel reached out and touched Ronée’s shadow. Then, the fox purred as if Nabel was stroking his body and soon emerged from the shadow. Ronée’s eyes opened wide.

“Stroke the shadows, and it will come out.”

“How…” Does he know so well? She wanted to ask that. Ronée was wondering where he came from. Surely, he was not a slave.

“I could see very occasionally, where I was.” Nabel bowed briefly. “It’s from a family that follows only the owner, supports only the owner, and will risk its life. It will never leave its sister, Ronée.”

Ronée’s eyes quivered at Nabel’s words. She knew that the moment she wanted to avoid was coming.

“Ronée…” Humiliation was evident in his voice. Ronée knew that Nabel would change someday, but she still hoped. He had grown older than when he first came

“Don’t forget me.” Nabel whispered. He was determined to save Ronée from this place.

The scars left by the chains were gradually fading on Nabel’s wrists. Now, only faint traces of his imprisonment remained. But for him, it didn’t matter if there were rough marks there again, because he had fixed his soul on his goal.

“…Are you leaving?” Ronée’s voice was weak. Even though she knew he would go someday, Ronée wanted to hold him.

“I don’t want to be alone again.”

Once again, she suppressed her desires, not realizing that her thoughts were flowing through Nabel.

“Ronée, wait.” Nabel held her hand tight. He whispered strongly, “Certainly, I’ll be back.”

“…Nabel.” Ronée muttered his name briefly, bowing her head. “…I’ll name the fox, Bell.”

“After your name.” She meant she would not forget about him and the months that were most special in her life.

“Thank you.” Nabel caressed her hair, which was slightly unkempt and looked like dried rose petals. Her rosy hair stayed on his fingertips for a while. “I will come back, for sure.”

Where would Nabel go? Ronée thought curiously, but didn’t ask. She didn’t know where to go, but as soon as the answer came from the temple, she knew she would be erased from the world. Then, they won’t be able to meet again.

She closed her eyes, but opened them at the soft touch on her forehead. It wasn’t on her lips because she didn’t allow it. Nabel had placed a kiss on Ronée’s forehead.

As he bid his farewell, he left, the picture of Ronée still captivated in his mind.

He should rather leave. Ronée thought as she looked at his back. She closed her eyes. This was not a happy place, and hence, the treasured moments in her life were over.