Book 19: Chapter 18
“Very pretty.”
Vera turned to see the youngster coming over. He acquired a set of clothes from the guards. He also washed his face and did his hair. He wore a presentable white shirt over his thin, yet firm, body. The button on his wrist glimmered. His visible bones on his hands were free of the mud that once covered them, revealing his white skin as well as his green veins. He had long slender fingers, but they weren’t the fingers of a musician. They were the hands of someone who wielded weapons. The youngster’s clear facial features stood out. With his determined gaze, everything came together to make him look as though he was a new man. His smooth and tidy short hair didn’t look cumbersome. His small brown vest perfectly sat around his waist. His long black pants made his legs appear long and slender which, when combined with his boots, made his appearance that of a suave young soldier.
Vera scanned him with a look of appreciation. As if she thought of something, she remarked, “Yes, very pretty.”
He looked down to the water and softly laughed: “I once lived out at sea. I got to see this sight every sunset. At the time, I felt I wouldn’t ever get to see this scene again as I wanted to leave my hometown, which was a small fishing village. I wanted to go to the city. I wanted to go out there and add some accomplishments to my name.”
“And then?”
Vera’s interest was surprisingly piqued. Perhaps it was because she shared his sentiments. Perhaps she was joyous to find somebody who shared her sentiments as this youngster. Vera and her sisters also wanted to see the outside world. The Imperial Palace was a grandeur place, and they were doted on, but it was far too small in comparison to the outside world. Vera knew she would return to the elven lands to succeed the throne later in life as her mother lacked the mana to qualify for the throne, while her father was the King of the North. As such, she was born with the mission of becoming a qualified Elven Queen. Vera didn’t hate or dispute it. She merely craved more opportunities to explore the outside world before it was time for her to succeed the throne. She wanted to see the ocean, the snowy mountains and the grassy plains.
“Afterwards, I found myself in the city. I found employment as a guard with my own skills. Work was tiring, but I was quite happy. I managed to save some money from work, and I even fantasised about marrying a girl from the city. Then, I’d continue living in the city as a resident.”
The youngster leaned onto the rail close to her. The golden sunlight coated his entire body. His fine golden hair emitted a naïve halo, emphasising his innocence, youth and kindness. The youngster looked at the water surface with a smile, scoffing at his former self.
“But then, I got into gambling and lost all of my money. In the end, I went as far as resorting to pilfering to pay back my debt only to end up stealing from the hotel Miss Vera was at. I stole from her, ah, sorry, I just remembered that you’re Vera, too…”