"Vaelith… Vaelith…"
Rosielle called softly, stepping closer and gently holding his hand.
"Is something wrong, Vaelith? Your face suddenly changed… Are you thinking about something? You can tell me, you know."
She always tried to help him, no matter what, but this time Vaelith quietly stood up, turning his back to her.
"From now on," his voice came low and distant, "leave the room."
Rosielle smiled faintly. It wasn't surprise it was the kind of small, knowing smile that said she had already expected this. Without another word, she turned and walked out.
Why… why does it always end up like this?
Why can't the one I wish to understand ever understand me back…?
She stood before the tall window, her reflection blending with the morning light. The world outside shimmered faintly quiet, distant.
Behind her, Rrisu appeared.
"So, that means he agreed?"
Rosielle smiled slightly. "I knew he would. Now go to the person I told you about."
With a faint laugh, Rrisu vanished like wind.
Meanwhile, Lyanna sat alone in her room, lost in thought. Her eyes slowly drifted to the painting Rosielle had drawn an ethereal landscape, glowing softly like a heaven shaped from dreams.
---
Far away, a massive, broad shouldered man stood surrounded by stone.
With a single strike of his hand, he shattered one boulder after another crushing them to dust.
Then, with controlled power, he melted the fragments down into liquid color, crafting strange pigments that shimmered faintly under the light.
His hair was silvery gray, thick and long, tied loosely behind him. His skin was faintly tanned, and his gaze cold and calm carried a quiet depth.
"Rosielle…"
He whispered her name under his breath.
"In the end… I'll still need you."
He lifted a large portrait of her, staring into the painted eyes gray meeting gray lost in some unspoken memory.
---
In another land where the earth was scorched red and no tree could grow
A woman sat surrounded by fire.
The flames licked around her like a crown, yet she read her book calmly, as if the fire itself was her companion.
Her face, though soft and almost childlike, carried a haunting beauty. Short crimson hair with bangs brushed her forehead, and her eyes glowing red-orange flickered like molten flame. Even her lips were tinted a deep scarlet, as if kissed by fire itself.
Her clothes were modern a fitted crimson coat decorated with tiny crystals, and sleek red pants that shimmered faintly like molten glass.
"You… You're…"
The girl paused, eyes widening in disbelief.
---
The night passed slowly for Lyanna. She barely slept at all.
By morning, after washing up, she walked downstairs only to freeze in place.
Someone was sitting on the sofa.
A tall man. Calm, striking his presence both graceful and commanding.
Light brown hair, kissed with a hint of reddish gold, fell slightly over his eyes. It glimmered like strands of fire under sunlight.
His emerald eyes, deep and alive, held a faint golden hue that gleamed when he turned his head.
His features sharp jawline, well defined nose, lips that curved only slightly were like a painting brought to life.
He looked almost like a prince.
Lyanna stared in disbelief, then muttered under her breath,
"Those green eyes… that color…"
And then it struck her.
She rushed forward, calling out, "Vaelith?"
Her voice echoed softly through the hall.
Rosielle entered soon after, a playful smile on her lips. She gently placed both hands on Lyanna's shoulders .
"What's wrong? Surprised, aren't you? He's handsome, isn't he? Don't go falling for him already."
Lyanna opened her mouth to protest, but Vaelith approached calmly and said,
"Wasting time here won't help. We should move now the next path awaits us."
Before Lyanna could reply, Rosielle cut in, smiling knowingly.
"You're really lucky, Lyanna. Where you're headed today… well, without me, you'd never even be able to reach it."
"Thank you, Miss Rosielle," Lyanna said,
glancing back and forth between them. "And… thank you too, Vaelith."
Vaelith met her eyes for a moment silent, unreadable.
Rosielle caught the shift in the air, chuckled softly, and said,
"Alright, enough talking. Let's go."
Rrisu appeared once again, giving a small, secret gesture only Rosielle could understand. Rosielle's lips curved into a soft, knowing smile.
She turned to Vaelith, took his hand gently, and said,
"Let's go then."
Vaelith said nothing, but took Lyanna's hand as well and together, the three of them rose with Rrisu.
The journey began.
Vaelith remained silent, his eyes distant. Lyanna, on the other hand, admired the passing scenery with bright fascination.
"Miss Rosielle," she asked,
"the person we're going to meet is their place this beautiful too?"
Rosielle gave her a mildly annoyed glance, as though expecting another question then laughed softly.
"No, Lyanna. My place is the most beautiful, filled with fragrance like roses. Of course, that's only natural , I'm Rosielle, after all."
Her tone softened, and her eyes darkened just slightly.
"But the one we're going to see now… is different. You might even find him frightening. But don't be afraid. he respect me , he won't harm you."
Lyanna tilted her head curiously. "Wait, the painting the one we saw was it drawn by that person?"
Rosielle paused, her voice quieter when she replied,
"Yes."
Lyanna smiled faintly. "Then, Miss Rosielle… I think that person really likes you. Because his"
Rosielle interrupted with a teasing grin, "Of course he do. Who wouldn't? I'm beautiful like a rose in full bloom."
Lyanna laughed a little, nodding in agreement. But when she turned her head, her gaze met Vaelith's.
He was already looking at her quietly, intently as though lost in thought.
The moment their eyes met, both of them looked away at once, slightly flustered.
A strange silence lingered between them , fragility , warm, and unspoken.
Rosielle noticed it, and smiled faintly.
"Lyanna," she said softly,
"Don't you wanna stay like us? You can have your own place too, peaceful and bright, , just like your dreams."
Lyanna looked down for a moment, then replied quietly,
"I'd rather live with the truth, even if it hurts… than live in a sweet lie."
"Lies may comfort you for a while, but they're still false. Truth might hurt but it's real, and that's what lets us heal."
Vaelith listened silently, his eyes never leaving her face.
---