Chapter 295 Between Choice and Silence — First Date
Enclosed Garden of Caereth
Three days after the Anathema ended.
The skies of Elysvarre were clear, creating an atmosphere filled with hope. For the first time in weeks, there was neither the fog of will nor glyphs lingering in the air, allowing for clarity and renewal. Birds returned to sing in the royal garden, their cheerful melodies echoing the happiness that filled the space. Amidst the glistening foliage, a ray of sunshine touched Fitran's face, bringing a warmth he had long yearned for, akin to a comforting embrace from the Past. As he caressed the soft leaves, a new hope blossomed in his mind—hope for freedom from the burdens that had long bound him.
Fitran stood outside the gates of the enclosed garden of Caereth. He wore a long dark blue cloak, devoid of military insignia or magic, which served as a clear symbol of his desire to shed the identity that weighed him down. Clad only in the simple attire of an everyday man, he emphasized his humility and his rejection of the trappings of his past. Yet, beneath this unassuming appearance, there burned a fire of hope—a longing to prove that love and happiness were more important than all the titles and responsibilities he had ever borne—a quest to discover his true identity in a world that often imposed roles upon him.
This morning, he was neither The Inheritor, nor Lord Fitran, and not even the bearer of will.
He was just a man responding to the invitation of the woman he had chosen. Waves of nostalgia washed over him as he envisioned Sheena's face, her warm smile, and the calming gaze of her eyes. Fitran's heart raced, recalling moments when everything seemed possible.
The garden gate creaked open.
Sheena appeared behind it. Her golden hair flowed freely in the breeze. The simple white dress with a purple ribbon fluttered gently. There was no crown. No symbols of will. As if she were a creature from his dreams, woven from morning sunlight.
"Sorry for the wait," she whispered, her voice akin to the gentle flow of a river.
Fitran shook his head. "I waited because I wanted to. Not because I had to."
Sheena smiled. Not a political smile. Not a puppet smile. A human smile. In her smile, there was warmth that erased all sadness, inviting an intimacy that came silently.