Chapter 100: Chapter 48. Farewell
Elsa's sudden declaration of love came as a complete surprise to me. Even though we had been dating for some time, and it should have been a given. But I was still very embarrassed.
No one had ever said they loved me before. And to hear those words for the first time was very exciting. My soul literally flew into the sky.
Of course, I reciprocated, because I realized that since the beginning of our relationship, I had begun to feel special feelings for Elsa, too. And I wanted it to be once and for all.
Somewhere in the depths of my heart I hoped that our story would be like a fairy tale. Having finally met my «princess,» I wanted to stay with her for the rest of my life.
And after mutual confessions to each other, I expected the evening to continue. Something like a romantic candlelight dinner or something more. But it never happened.
As soon as I told Elsa that I loved her too, the expression on the girl's face suddenly changed. It was as if she was crouching in pain that came out of nowhere.
Elsa dropped to her knees and clutched at her chest as if she had just been stabbed with a sword. A trickle of blackened blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
I was frightened, and immediately rushed to her.
— Elsa, what's the matter with you…?!
The girl didn't answer for a while, trying to get through the pain and get out of here. I wanted to help her up, but Elsa refused my help.
— Wait here! I will call Elder Ileas! — I screamed.
— Don't… don't…
— What?» she said in a daze, «You can barely stand on your feet. I need to get out of here right now.»
— I'm all right,» she said hoarsely.
— But…» she paused. — she stammered, «But…
— Just go back alone. I'll be right back.
Throwing these words, Elsa gathered the last remnants of her strength to get out of here immediately. I didn't even have time to stop her. A great fear settled in my soul, that being in such a painful state, she had gone alone. Anything could have happened to her!
I was terribly worried, but when I tried to find her in the woods, nothing happened. It was as if she had vanished into thin air in the blink of an eye.
In the end, I decided to obey her plea and go back to the cabin myself. But even after that, I couldn't just go to sleep like nothing had happened.
I sat down on the doorstep of the cabin and waited until Elsa came.
Maxie tried in vain to talk me out of the cold and into the house, but I wouldn't listen. The elder didn't say anything, but I could tell by his look that he understood.
I persisted until the middle of the night, while Maxie finally gave up and went to bed herself. But I tried with all my might to keep my eyes open, even though I was very tired.
I had to wait for Elsa to find out what had happened.
And in the morning, when it was dawn outside, the girl finally appeared.
She seemed very pale, and even a little limp. But she froze sharply at the sight of me, surprised that she was sitting on the porch at such an early hour.
— What are you doing here…?
I looked up and couldn't help but be excited.
— Elsa!
I rushed over and hugged her tightly. There was a lump of relief in my soul, because nothing had happened to the girl after all.
— Have you… Have you been waiting for me here all this time? — She asked him again.
— Of course I have! — You went without saying anything to me. What was I supposed to think?
Elsa nodded.
— I'm sorry…
— It's okay,» I shook my head, «I just want to know what happened.»
Elsa looked away, and I knew right away that she was acting weird. But why all of a sudden? Wasn't it just recently that everything was fine?
— Did something happen? — I cautiously asked, when she was silent for a long time, — Why did you suddenly feel bad?
— Nothing serious,» she answered evasively, «It's just… I've had poor health since childhood. And so many things have happened lately that have overstressed me. But I'm all right now.»
Elsa said it quite openly, and there was no doubt about it. And why would she lie about it?
— Really? — I decided to be sure anyway, — Are you sure you're feeling okay?
— Yes.
Elsa nodded, and I finally calmed down. I was going to take her by the hand to take her inside.
— Let's go quickly. You must be very tired.
But suddenly, the girl didn't budge when I tried to do so. I turned around in surprise.
— Elsa, why aren't you coming?
This time, she looked at me very seriously. I was even a little worried, because Elsa had never looked so tense before.
— I… I need to tell you something.
— What?
Elsa took a deep breath.
— Right now, I'm going to have to leave.
Hearing this sudden announcement, I was in real shock.
— What? Where?
— It's… My personal business. I can't tell you yet.
I hesitated. After a while, I decided that I would follow her wherever she went. It was like I was losing my sanity, and I forgot about Maxie and Razor and all the others who couldn't have made this decision lightly.
— Then take me with you! I'm ready to go!
Elsa was quiet.
— No,» she shook her head negatively, «I have to go alone.»
— But…! — I was angry and resentful all at the same time.
She didn't let me finish my objection, but she gently put her arm around my shoulders, and we stared at each other.
— Everything will be all right,» she tried to reassure me, «I'll take care of my business, and I'll be back soon.»
— Soon? How soon? — I interrogated.
— As soon as I can…
Rachel had to lie about it, because telling the truth in this situation was proving too difficult. She looked at the girl's neck, where the second petal had blossomed, and sighed deeply. Even a little hope was better than empty disappointment.
That was what she had thought when she had promised Leriana that they would surely meet again.
The Archduke's daughter clung tightly to her and would not let go.
— Promise me! — She almost cried, «Promise me that you will come back to me.»
For Leriana it was the first real relationship, and she couldn't believe that they would be separated for some unknown length of time. After all, they hadn't had much time to spend together…!
It was too painful, especially considering that the girl had already grown attached to Elsa. Their warm relationship, built in such a short time, evoked a special place in Leriana's heart. It was as if this whole period was one continuous wonderful dream.
Leriana didn't want it to be, but apparently Elsa's unfinished business was really worth it.
— I'll wait as long as it takes. And if I don't… I'll come looking for you myself!
Rachel smiled faintly, kissing the top of her head.
— All right… It's a deal.
She wasn't afraid to leave Lerian alone, because she knew there were people who would surely look out for her. It was much more the lie that pressed on her conscience. But in this moment, Rachel found no strength to do otherwise.
They stood embraced for a few minutes, after which Elsa finally pulled away and headed away. Leriana stared after her for a long moment, trying to remember the outline of her silhouette.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I tried hard to hold them back.
I did not know then that it was the last time we would see each other. After a year, or even two years, Elsa still hadn't shown up.