Chapter 320: The Boy In Her Distant Memories
The outside was peaceful, and so did the inside of the cottage. But his heart pounded a little faster while waiting for her story. He willed himself not to shiver out of dread.
The clock continued ticking, signaling the continuous passage of time. The pair remained on the couch, showing no signs of going to bed despite being exhausted from their previous adventures.
"Eddy, I told you that I befriended him for a short time, right? Can you guess why?"
Lariette began the story by asking Ruediger. She kept her gaze on him, watching how his brows furrowed slightly under his messy crimson bangs.
Ruediger didn’t answer Lariette immediately. Curling her hair around his finger, he let her words, albeit simple, echo again in his mind. He pondered for a moment.
"I can only think of one reason."
Ruediger finally parted his lips, his voice low. Lariette thought she heard a faint hint of caution in his tone. Still, she stayed silent as he resumed, curious of his guess.
"Did he just move there? I mean... you lived there since the beginning and knew all the other children in the village. If he had just moved there, it made sense since you said you were friends with him for a short time."
Lariette softened her smile. Nodding once, she said, "You’re right. I think I was five or six, maybe six when he and his parents moved to Amberwood. We rarely got new residents."
Ruediger simply hummed, signaling that he wouldn’t interrupt her until she was done talking. Lariette chuckled, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Lifting one hand, she gently patted his face.
"So, as I’ve said before, I do not remember the details. They’re quite vague. Oh, he’s a few years older than me. Our friendship was quite... unique, I think."