13 Feelings and Friendship

A minute after Vasillis left, the butler remained standing in place. He still did not leave and stared at the door where Vasillis disappeared to. His hand made its way to his lips and covered it as he stifled a laugh. He crossed his arms and embraced himself, trying to stop his body from trembling in amusement.

"Why did you betray her? Why them? Why does it have to be the man that ruined her life and the twin that caused that ruin!" He repeated his words using the same tone then laughed.

The one watching from the shadows, slowly came out and the butler stopped as he heard footsteps from behind him.

"Look at yourself, laughing like a madman."

The butler smiled, "My Lord, so you were listening all along."

"I bet you knew."

Bastien Cross chuckled, "Of course."

Bastien Cross looked at the door again and a smile spread across his face. "Did you hear him? He said I betrayed Lady Alexandria." The butler said as if the words of Lord Vasillis were a funny joke.

Lord Alexander crossed his arms and leaned on the wall, "Did you not?"

Bastien Cross turned around, "Of course not, My Lord. You, of all people, know well enough that I never did such a thing."

Alexander did not respond and just stared at him. The butler returned his stare, he looked at him directly in the eyes. Bastien Cross could still see Alexandria's eyes in him, twins indeed.

"To think that Lord Vasillis would go through so much effort in proving that the lady is alive..." The butler muttered.

He turned to his master, "Your friend is quite adorable, My Lord."

"I do not think he would call me his friend."

"I suppose so."

Bastien Cross smirked, 'He did not even get to ask me the real question he had for me.' he thought.

Vasillis came to see him for the reason of an old lady seeing him digging before Vasillis. Bastien Cross was certain that he was caught and was expecting him to ask about it when he saw Vasillis rushing to meet him.

'And all I got was an accusation of betraying his friend,' he thought and let out a chuckle. "Love does indeed make people stupid."

"Not for everyone."

Bastien Cross laughed, "As you say, My Lord."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Before the chaos,

"Lord Lloyd Vasillis has come to visit the lady."

Alexandria immediately stood up, "Lloyd?" she repeated.

The servant nodded, she bowed her head so the lady would not see the expression on her face, 'I already told you the name, why are you still asking. Ugh.' she thought and rolled her eyes.

She raised her head and was surprised to see the Head Butler staring at her. The way he looked at her was terrifying that she took a step back without even realizing it. "S-so that is it, Lady Alexandria. Lord Vasillis is waiting."

Alexandria nodded, she did not expect Lloyd Vasillis to come to the manor. It has been two years since they last met, because of the work he was doing.

The servant guided her the way while nervously walking, avoiding the eyes of the Head Butler. Rather than the lady, she was more scared of the butler, he had the power for her to easily lose her job.

She clicked her tongue but not loud for the butler to hear, 'If only Sir Cross was not close to the lady.' she thought.

Alexandria saw Vasillis by the large door in the front entrance of the manor, standing still while waiting.

He had grown taller, now he looks more like an adult than the last time she saw him. Back then, Lloyd looked no different from a puppy always wagging his tail, waiting for its owner to notice him.

Now he looked like a large dog who would hug his owner or get attention with his eyes.

Lloyd Vasillis caught Alexandria from the corner of his eye and he immediately lit up and turned to her with a smile.

"Alexandria!" he called out.

He was still the same, still a bright little boy, except that he was not 'little' anymore. "Lloyd," Alexandria uttered.

Lloyd approached her and gave her a tight hug. He caressed her hair, "I missed you so much, Alexandria." he whispered and stared at her.

The butler stared at him from afar with a smirk, "Is this really a gaze you would give to a friend?" he muttered but he was not close enough for them to hear the words he said.

"Why did you come here, Lloyd?" Alexandria asked.

It pains Lloyd Vasillis to see his friend with no reaction after years of being away from each other, but he was already used to her being cold. That is just the way she is.

"To see you, of course. Can I not do so?" he asked and giggled.

"You can. What about your work?"

"I took a break and decided to stay here for a while." Vasillis said while scratching the back of his head.

"I see. Stay in Capella?" Alexandria asked and started walking out of the building with Vasillis following beside her.

"Stay in this manor."

Alexandria looked at him and Vasillis could not tell if she was happy that he would stay in the same place with her or not. It is difficult to keep guessing what his friend was thinking of.

"I was planning to stay at our manor in Capella, but Alexander said I could just stay here." Vasillis said, "He said it would be great and besides, it would be nice to have your handsome friend with you, right?"

Alexandria stared at him and returned her gaze in front of her, "...I suppose." she responded.

Alexandria stopped and they both took a seat on the bench. She looked up to the sky and they sat in silence.

The sky was so blue, no sun made her squint and not even a dark cloud caught her sight. It was a perfect day, perfect weather.

But sometimes when a day seems so peaceful, it could be a sign that a red sky would soon come. Raining blood onto the kingdom, making the cloud turn dark, swallowing all the people in darkness.

She could imagine it well, too well that it was as if it was really going to happen. Like a glimpse of the future. But all the thoughts seemed to vanish when the lady she met near the tree came to her mind.

She wanted to meet her again, it was strange that her chest felt heavy as if longing for the woman to be near her again, to make her feel light.

Lighter than how the tree makes her feel.

"Is it possible to be closer to someone once they become a friend?" Alexandria asked.

Vasillis turned to her, he never would have expected that a time would come for her to ask about this kind of thing. "Well, becoming friends is one step to closeness." he responded.

"...I see." Alexandria responded.

Vasillis waited if she had more questions but he did not expect the next words she was going to say.

"What does it feel to fall in love?"