The sound of fireworks on the second day of the announced festival has begun. Lying in bed, Elzen wakes up with difficulty, helped by the noise outside. What an incredible night! He had a plan, but he never imagined it would end this way. For a good part, he and Milla loved each other in a way he could only imagine in his wildest dreams. When he reached for her in bed with his arm, he realized she was gone. Perhaps she'd gone out to get something to eat, or just to get some fresh air, but no matter how long he waited, she never returned, and this saddened him.
He waited for another hour, and nothing happened. It was then that he finally decided to put on his clothes and return to the guard barracks. As he was finishing getting dressed, he noticed two envelopes on the nightstand next to the bed. The first had his name written in large letters. Curious, he opened the letter, anticipating that this might be the reason she wasn't in the room.
Hi, if you're reading this, it means our date ended the way I expected, at least I hope so. I know you're probably confused about why I'm not by your side. I'm sure our night was something neither of us will soon forget. I just want to say that you don't need to worry; my presence isn't tied to your performance. That's why I wrote this letter before our date to explain the reason for my absence and to say a few things I probably didn't get to say.
Our time together was short compared to many other couples, but I loved every moment. You were one of the few people who approached me without expecting anything in return. Your kind words, your apologies when you said something that upset me, and the simple fact that you stayed by my side without caring about my social status or knowing what I was capable of. All of this made me very happy. On the day we were supposed to seal our relationship, we were separated by an uncontrolled and perverse man.
With each passing day, despite all the mistreatment I suffered in that cell, the moments I spent by your side were the only thing that kept me alive. When I understood that what was inside me wasn't a second presence, but simply another version of myself, I realized I needed you to maintain my sanity and take revenge on those who had wronged me so much. My time with you, after I made peace with myself, was an excellent motivation for me to complete what I had planned.
I don't know if this is goodbye, I don't know how long it will take me to carry out my plans, but I want you to know that you are one of the most important people in my life, and I will always carry you in my heart. I won't ask you to wait for me, because I don't know the future or what might happen. I want you to understand that I'm doing this for myself, being selfish as I've never been, and I ask you to forgive me if this brings you sadness. I love you, I love you so much, Elzen. You will always be the first person I loved as an equal, the person I would always like to live alongside, but I can't do that now. It wouldn't be fair to those who suffered at the hands of the Felnatus family, to those who will still suffer, and to me.
So, for now, this is goodbye. I wish you the best, and if you find someone who can love you as I love you, may you be happy with that person. Thank you for being a part of my life. I love you.
I would like to ask one last favor: could you deliver the other envelope to Duke Boltu? I left letters for everyone important to me, but your letter and his are the most important. Thank you again.
With love, Milla Markrul.
With every word he read, his heart filled with sadness. His tears welled up at the end of the letter. He never knew everything she'd been through, but it was clear that the entire experience had changed her completely. Why had she decided to leave him after such a special day? It was then that he remembered the visit from Lady Amiliath and Lord Atillo. She couldn't possibly be thinking about doing something, could she?
He quickly put on his clothes, grabbed the letters, and tucked them safely into his pocket. He hurried out of the inn, looking up at the sky, realizing how late he'd woken up; it had already been a few hours since noon. He hurried to the mansion. At that very moment, Ghord arrived at his blacksmith's shop. There was no work for today, but he wanted to prepare for tomorrow. When he opened the door to his small office, he saw the letter Milla had left. He sat down in his chair and began to read it.
Hello Ghord, I hope you're well. I don't know when you'll read this letter, but I apologize for not being able to tell you what I wanted to tell you in person. I could never think of the right words and was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by trying, so I wrote this letter. I hope it's enough.
To begin, I want to say that meeting and living with you was a wonderful experience. I've never talked much about my past, but I can share a little now. You gave me a taste of what it's like to have a loving family, not only by giving me a place to live, but also for all the loving gestures during our short time together. Your encouraging words, the tender moments where you acted like a father, and the many laughs we shared. All of this was very important to me, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you've done.
I don't know if we'll see each other again. The path I've chosen to take to find peace within myself will not be a smooth one, and I don't want to involve you in it. You may hear things about me, things that won't be pleasant, but I don't want you to defend me. I don't want you to be recognized as people who lived with me. I know it may be difficult and it may hurt you, but it will be much worse if you are associated with my name, so this is almost goodbye.
Who knows, one day, if everything truly resolves itself, if all those who harmed me pay for their crimes. I will return and apologize for my absence. No matter how much time has passed since I left your company, know that I love you and hope you will forgive me.
There are two letters I wrote to Mrs. Alliah and little Aimel; they are hidden under my pillow. I thank you again for being a part of my life, and perhaps one day we will see each other again.
With love, from someone who considers herself grateful to have had a father like you.
Milla Markhul.
"Oh, my dear. If I'd known you were planning to leave us so soon, I should have spent more time with you." He smiles sadly. "I hope you're safe wherever you go. If the gods still care about us, I hope they protect you."
The door to Duke Boltu's office bursts open. Elzen enters, panting, sweat dripping down his face. He would hardly act like this, which makes Boltu jump to attention.
"What's wrong, Elzen? Why the rush?" the duke asks with a look of concern.
"I beg your pardon, Duke Boltu. However, I have something in my hands that you urgently need to see." He takes out the envelope with Boltu's name written on it and hands it over.
"Usually when something urgent happens, I receive a magical message, rarely a letter." He opens the letter carefully and begins to read.
I've thought many times about how to begin this letter. There are so many things to say that I'd rather say in person. Unfortunately, life never goes the way we want or plan, does it? So, let me start in a simple way, which I'm sure you'll appreciate.
Hello, Commander Boltu. By the way, sorry, Duke Boltu.
It's been so long since we've spoken, but I remember all the times I had the pleasure of having you by my side. Initially, it wasn't like that; I always saw you as an intimidating person. Your loud, strong voice, your tall stature, and your physique always in perfect shape, an ideal knight. As I got to know you, I realized that your image, which struck terror into those who saw you from a distance, was just a mistake. Your voice, when you weren't shouting commands to the knights in training, was always soft and friendly.
When I was assigned to clean the knights' barracks, I initially disliked all the attention I received. After all, I was the only maid in the mansion who had been "punished" to serve the knights. However, to my surprise, everyone was very kind to me. Perhaps it was because I treated my work with great care. I didn't leave a single weapon unpolished or unmaintained, torn garments were quickly repaired, I replaced the training dummies when one broke, and I even took care of serving refreshments on the hottest days. Regardless, I enjoyed working there. I met many people, and you were one of the most important.
For the first time in my life, I felt what a fatherly love would be like. When I made mistakes, you didn't yell, much less punish me severely. You guided me and helped me become better and better. On the few times the knights had days off, you invited me to join the small get-togethers or the games you created for fun.
I remember the day I had my first relapse, one of the many times I nearly died at the hands of that madman. I saw your face filled with guilt and fear, but none of it was your fault, even though I took all my frustration out on you. I had given up on life that day; I didn't want to suffer like I was. It was then that you invited me to become a squire in your regiment. I was overjoyed. Of course, I didn't want to show it right away. I was still hurt by everything that was happening, but you kept insisting, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I saw the world outside the mansion walls, saw many places, met many different people, fought bandits, and met someone with whom I shared my first kiss. It was thanks to you that I achieved all of this, and even though life brought tragedy my way, I managed to overcome it. I needed to distance myself from the image of who I was, so I could continue with what I had decided for my life. Revenge, I will make those who wronged me pay for their deeds. Luccio was the first; Woltur received judgment soon after, which saddened me, but now my path is one step closer to completion.
I apologize for this extensive letter, but as I said, there was so much to say that I tried to be as brief as possible. Thank you very much, Duke Boltu. You gave me a life I never imagined I would have, and I want to apologize for what I'm about to do, as I may cause you trouble. I want you to know that I won't be sad if you come to persecute me for my actions, if you no longer trust or like me. This is a farewell letter. Perhaps we will meet again, but for now, this is goodbye.
From a young maid who had nothing but the name given to her by a father who didn't love her. I chose my new name, and part of it was with you in mind. I love you, my adoptive father.
With much love, Milla Markrul.
"Manila..." He closes his eyes and, with his clenched fist, brings the letter close to his chest.
"How did you get this letter?" A tear runs down his face as he stares at Elzen, who explains what happened in the last few days. How he found Milla, what she told him about the events after she escaped from the cell where she was being held, and more about what happened to the two personalities that lived within her. When he finished, Boltu sat in his office chair.
"So she was living here..." Before he could process everything he read and heard, a red bird of light flew through the office door and touched his head, leaving a message.
"Duke Boltu, a patrol spotted a flare being fired toward the border with Felnatus territory. It was a distress signal." The voice fell silent in his head.
"That was the problem she apologized for."