After lunch, Kalen decided he needed some time alone. He informed Robin quietly, then slipped out of the Main Hall and walked toward the gardens.
Outside the Grimswald building stretched a wide playground where students often played or practiced outdoor activities. Beyond it lay a sprawling park, dotted with benches for students and teachers to rest during their free hours. A large swimming pool shimmered at one end of the park, its clear surface catching the fading sunlight. The place was so vast that half the college could easily gather there at once without feeling crowded.
Kalen chose a secluded bench beneath the shade of a tall oak tree. There he sat, his thoughts drifting into memories of his mother. The laughter of students playing in the distance faded into nothing as he lost himself in silence, clinging to fragments of warmth she had left behind. Time slipped away unnoticed, and before he realized it, evening shadows had already begun to stretch across the park.
When he finally rose to return to the hall, a sound stopped him in his tracks—soft at first, then sharper. The sound of someone crying.
Kalen turned toward it, his gaze falling on a bench near the swimming pool. A small figure sat there, shoulders trembling violently, face buried in her lap. Her sobs echoed painfully in the quiet, her gasps of breath breaking into hiccuping sobs that tore through the still air.
He approached slowly, his heart tightening. The dress the girl wore caught his eye, and recognition struck him.That looks like… Eirene?
But it couldn't be. Eirene was always smiling, the kind of girl who brightened every corner she stepped into. Why would she be here—alone, broken, crying so loudly that even her muffled sobs carried through the park?
Kalen stopped a few steps away, uncertain, then called gently, his voice rough with disbelief.
"Eirene…? You're here?"
Kalen's voice broke through the sound of sobs.
Eirene lifted her face for the briefest moment. Her eyes, red and swollen, met his—and then, as if ashamed of being seen in such a state, she quickly buried her face back into her knees.
Kalen said nothing. He simply lowered himself onto the bench beside her, silent, patient, waiting for her storm of tears to ease.
After a while, Eirene's sobs softened into trembling breaths. She wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand and whispered, "Thank you… for sitting with me. I'm sorry, Kalen. I was just… feeling sad. I didn't want you to be disturbed by it."
"It's fine," Kalen said gently, tilting his head to study her. "But tell me… what upset you so badly that you had to cry here, all alone?"
"It's nothing." Eirene forced a smile without meeting his eyes. She stood abruptly, brushing her dress as if to shake off the heaviness. "Come on, let's go back to the hall. I'm starving."
Kalen remained seated, unmoved. "Eirene, please. Tell me why you're crying—or I'll tell your friends about this. And then, they'll laugh at you."
Her head snapped toward him, her eyes flashing with anger. "I know they'll laugh at me if they ever find out I was sitting here crying like a child! And now you too—go ahead, make fun of me! This is exactly why I never share anything with anyone!" Her voice cracked, and before she could stop herself, fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
Kalen's chest tightened at the sight. He rose quickly and wrapped his arms around her trembling shoulders.
"Don't cry, Eirene," he whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you, and I'm not making fun of you. I only said that because I wanted you to trust me enough to tell me the truth. I'm sorry… truly. If you don't want to share it with me, then I won't ask again."
Her sobs softened. She eased herself out of his embrace, searching his face as if weighing the sincerity of his words. Kalen only offered her a small, steady smile.
Then he reached out, gently tapping the top of her head. "You know, once my mother told me—when you share your happiness, it doubles. And when you share your pain, it lessens. Since that day, I've lived by her words. So, I promise you this—whenever I feel like you do now, I'll share it with you. Let's be friends."
Something in his tone broke through her walls. A smile tugged at her lips, faint but real, and she suddenly pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you, Kalen. This is the first time I've felt like someone was close enough… someone I could actually share my thoughts with."
Kalen's smile deepened. Relief warmed his chest. For the first time in a long while, he felt he had found a true friend.
"Now," he said softly, pulling back to meet her gaze, "can you tell me why you were crying just now?"
Eirene hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. At last, she whispered, "Aeron… I was thinking about my school expenses. As you already know, I don't have parents. And I can't keep depending on Professor Maeron forever. He's raised me since I was a child, but… it doesn't feel right to keep asking him for money again and again."
Kalen thought for a moment, then spoke firmly. "For now, you can still ask Professor Maeron. Or, if it makes things easier, you can take money from me. And in the meantime, we'll find a way for you to earn on your own—so you won't have to depend on anyone."
Eirene opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Kalen placed a finger gently on her lips.
"No arguments. Just do as I said. I promise—we'll find a solution together."
Eirene froze for a moment. Slowly, she nodded, her eyes glistening not with sorrow this time, but with something warmer.
For the first time that day, she felt lighter.
Kalen broke the silence with a playful grin."Come on, Eirene. Let's head back to the hall for dinner. Otherwise, if all the food's gone, we'll be starving all night."
His teasing tone finally drew a soft laugh from her, and together they walked toward the main building, the heaviness between them replaced by quiet smiles.
The Great Hall was alive with the familiar sounds of clinking cutlery, murmured conversations, and bursts of laughter echoing beneath the tall, candlelit ceiling. The scent of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and sweet pudding lingered warmly in the air, wrapping the room in comfort.
At the entrance, they parted ways, each heading toward their respective House tables. Kalen gave her a small wave before sliding into his seat.
Eirene glanced across the hall, her eyes instinctively searching for Lily—but the spot beside her was empty. Before she could ask, Tina leaned toward her, catching her questioning look.
"Lily already finished dinner," Tina explained kindly. "She asked me to tell you—Professor Maeron is looking for you. Once you're done here, you should go meet him."
Eirene nodded, her thoughts stirring at the message, even as the cheerful noise of the hall surrounded her.