Rian listened intently to Zain's story.
"Then what happened to them?" Rian, who always maintained his composure even while participating in a frustrating meeting, unconsciously drifted off and asked. Evan, who noticed this, had a small smile on his lips.
Just as Zain was about to continue his story, the chime of the tall clock tower in the center of Aria Village rang out. The bell chimed twelve times, signaling exactly noon. The clock tower's bell only rang once at noon, reminding the working villagers to take a short break.
"Ah, I forgot to bring it here with me." Evan turned to Rian.
"Rian, please get the bouquet of flowers from the trunk of the car."
Rian blinked a few times.
"Okay." He got up from his seat, muttering softly—
"I still want to hear the rest." Then Rian walked toward the car parked far away.
...
"Grieving eyes..." Zidane muttered Charlotte's words.
At that moment, he recalled the first time he met Zain. Although Zidane couldn't remember everything, there was one thing he clearly remembered.
Just as Charlotte had said, he recalled that feeling. The feeling when he saw Zain, that he would be okay. At that moment, Zidane understood something.
That calm feeling came from seeing the sorrow in Zain's eyes. Zain grieving for him. It made him feel like he wasn't alone in facing that grief.
In fact, perhaps at that moment, Zain grieved more than he did, having lost his father right by his side. A grief deeper than anyone else's.
After a moment of silence, Charlotte continued.
"At that moment, a question crossed my mind. How could he still look exactly the same as he did six years ago?"
"Nothing has changed at all, as if he was from six years ago in front of me."
"And just like now. I've grown older. But Mr. Zain remains exactly the same as he was thirty-six years ago."
"Do you think that's what it means to be eternal?" Charlotte looked at Zidane.
Zidane could only listen to her silently. A thought crossed Zidane's mind.
"Immortal... Never aging, never getting sick, never having to worry about getting hurt or dying."
"But what about his heart? Is it as frozen as his age?"
"No... Someone without feelings would never have eyes like those."
"How much sorrow has he gone through?"
"Even now..."
"If he is truly immortal, is all of that a price he must pay?"
"Why did he have to go through such things?"
Zidane could only think to himself. Silence enveloped them both. Just as Zidane was about to speak, the chime of the clock tower bell rang out. Charlotte stood up and picked up her empty coffee cup.
"That's all from me. Even though I've known Mr. Zain for a long time, I don't really understand him."
"That's just my opinion. It's best if you ask Mr. Zain directly. I'm sure he'll answer."
Charlotte left, leaving Zidane still sitting there.
...
After Rian left, only Zain and Evan sat there.
"I think you once told me that you wouldn't die, so I'd never see you again." Zain started the conversation.
"Haha, really? I guess I'm getting forgetful now that I'm old." Evan chuckled.
"So you're leaving too." Zain spoke expressionlessly.
"Sorry, I guess I can't keep my word." There was a deep sadness in Evan's eyes.
"Ah, by the way, he's a good boy, right?" Evan referred to Rian.
"Yes, even though he's not your biological son, he has a personality similar to yours."
"How do you know he's not my biological son?" Evan was a little surprised.
"Given your past, when you only saw the good side of a person and found it hard to accept the other side, I didn't think you'd ever get married." Zain shook his head.
"Hahaha, is that so?" Evan laughed.
"Even though that kid tries to be assertive, I know he has a good heart." A gentle smile appeared on Evan's face.
"That was twenty years ago. He was only seven years old. For his age, he was quite short-tempered and very wary. But you know how I am, so he softened up to me."
"More like scared." Zain said.
Evan couldn't help but laugh.
"It was during a goblin attack. I found him lying helpless, his body covered in wounds. No one was there to help him."
"When I was about to help him, you know what he said, 'I don't need your help.' Even though it was clear he needed help."
"I immediately glared at him and said, 'Say that when you can stand on your own. If you want to die, go ahead, but unfortunately, I saw you. If you really want to die, do it after I help you, and then go far away and die'."
"His eyes immediately trembled with fear. And I carried him on my back."
"He's pretty amazing for not crying," Zain said.
"I thought so too." Evan chuckled.
"Honestly, at first, I didn't think about helping anyone. But it happened after I left because I was upset with you."
"Upset? Ah, when you suddenly started ranting so fast."
"Do you remember?"
"Who wouldn't remember when someone suddenly comes in and gets angry for no reason at someone who's been quiet. And then never shows up again."
"I'm really sorry about that."
"But Zain, when do you think this will all end?"
"I don't know, I don't know either."
Evan looked at Zain sadly.
"As time went by while I was taking care of Rian, I felt like he was a lot like me. He's a smart kid. Six years ago, I started making him my secretary. I'm sure he'll be able to do it."
"And I want him to get to know you."
"You saw him listening to your story. Even though it sounded like a made-up fairy tale, he was very interested. He dropped his mask of professionalism just to hear the rest."
"Yeah, just like you back then. Even though you sneered a lot that time, you still listened to in the end. He's still better."
"Hahaha. So, Zain, please guide him. Oh, no need to go that far. At least tell him something when he's alone." Evan looked at Zain.
"At least for the rest of the time, you should be the one to tell him something. After all, he thinks of you as a father." Zain smiled faintly at Evan with sad eyes.