[The Next Day]
Once the meeting was over the previous day, and everyone was meant to go their separate ways to prepare for the arduous journey ahead, there was one more thing that had to happen.
It was an inevitable event that had much significance to the present.
A Grand Party!
Throwing aside the severity of the threat hanging upon them, the reality of the world's heroes returning after ten years was too large to ignore.
It called for a massive celebration.
The celebration was so grand that everyone from all the nations gathered in the site where the tragedy had occurred in the first place—Ainzlark Academy.
Just as with Neron's wedding, the party welcomed a crowd of people, and the liveliness peaked beyond the Eastern Kingdom's borders.
The guests poured in, and the hosts were also enjoying themselves on this joyous occasion.
Friends and allies were able to meet up and see each other after so long. Members of different families were able to greet one another in good faith.
All in all, it was a bastion of happiness and excitement.
While a few had the reasonable apprehension of fear, considering what happened during the last big party that was thrown, that didn't stop them from having as much fun as they could.
Perhaps it was due to my assuring words, or the absence of the malefactor that struck the last time. Or perhaps… they no longer had a care in the world.
After ten years of dread and a desperate attempt to bring back their loved ones, perhaps the people simply wanted to revel in their victories and forget everything else.
And so they did.
Even though I could recognize a lot of faces in the party, I was too occupied with my fair share of issues, namely my parents and grandfather.
No, more like my entire family—aunts, uncles, and cousins too.
They absorbed all of my attention, and the worst part was… I didn't even know who most of them were!
So many others wanted to talk to me, but as someone whose family had not seen in ten whole years, I was hoarded by them—my mother, especially.
The only exception to this was, of course, meeting the Helmsworth Household.
I had kept them waiting for ten years, so I had to pay my respects to the Duke and Duchess, Maria's parents.
In all honesty, they were the same as before—stoic and calm.
I had already gotten used to their demeanor, so I was not on edge when we spoke. We exchanged pleasantries, and they reminded me that they were still waiting.
"I will not disappoint," Was all I could say in response, and my genuine smile should have been enough to tell them of my sincerity.
The party was a bit overwhelming for me, and it forced me to forget about the multiple worries that swept through my mind—albeit temporarily.
Despite all the hustle and bustle, though, I couldn't help but consider how everyone else was faring.
I certainly hoped they were having fun too.
After all, this… all of this… wasn't going to last for much longer.
********
"Why did you do it?"
The party had reached its climax, but despite the loud noises of the crowd, and the dancing pervading the entire expanse that occupied the celebration, two people currently stood side by side in near silence.
The atmosphere was a mix of awkwardness and tension, and if the girl among the two hadn't spoken up, they might have remained quiet for the entire duration of their time together.
"Why did I do what?" The auburn-haired boy turned to the brunette, his eyes glowing with sincerity.
His name was Jerry Keller, and the girl beside him was Ciara. They had been childhood friends for as long as he could remember, but the tension currently enveloping them was not reminiscent of friendship at all.
It felt distant… almost as if they were strangers.
"Don't play dumb! Why did you recommend yourself for the mission?" Ciara's voice finally peaked as she returned Jerry's sincere gaze with a tearful glare.
"Ah… is that why you're upset with me?"
"I'm not upset, you idiot! I'm worried! What if you get hurt during this mission? What if something worse happens to you?" She responded back, leaving no time to breathe.
Jerry couldn't have known this, but Ciara remembered how her doppelganger had lost her Jerry. That heartbreaking experience was something she didn't ever want for herself.
Yet, here Jerry was… throwing himself into the biggest danger they had ever faced.
"W-what if… something irreversible happens to you? I don't know what I'll do if I lose you!" Ciara's voice trembled as she released raw emotions, staring deep into Jerry's eyes.
Her lips quivered, and tears oozed down her eyes, trailing down her cheeks. She probably couldn't word her thoughts well, but these questions said it all.
She simply didn't want to lose Jerry—not after losing him once before.
"What if you get hurt?" Jerry's sudden voice interrupted her myriad of worrying thoughts, causing Ciara's eyes to widen at the question.
"W-what are you…?!"
"What if something irreversible happens to you?" Jerry moved closer as he asked his second question.
The awkwardness slowly began to dissipate, leaving only tension amid the two.
"Just as you worry about me, I worry about you too…" His words trailed, but his honest gaze remained fixed on the trembling Ciara.
"I-I can take care of myself! I'm strong enough! But you… you're—!"
Before Ciara could conclude her statement, Jerry drew closer to her and pulled her into an embrace with him, his larger build swallowing her small physique whole.
"I know I'm weak. I know you're strong. But… that doesn't stop this burning sensation in my heart." His whispers felt like the soothing winds, blowing away dandelions in the warmth of spring.
"This yearning within me won't vanish. These echoes in my heart won't dissipate. What should I do, Ciara?"
Hearing her name play out of his lips, and feeling his tenderness was enough to shatter the rest of Ciara's defenses.
"I just want to protect you."
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[A/N]
A-ahem! It seems this ship is finally going somewhere.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
I know there isn't any proper action yet, but I genuinely am enjoying myself seeing these characters interact so well.
I don't know if I'm the only one feeling it…
