Chapter 3; The Promises

The following day, Victoria did her usual morning routine. She rode her pony , practiced her violin and combat lesson.

Now that she is done with all these things, she can finally go and play with her new friend, she looked up in the sky and saw the sun was a little high in the sky, she decided to play a little bit longer since she would have to meet him when the sun is in the middle of the sky.

She started to play in her mother's garden then received some good hearing from her. After that, the always smiling and cheerful child run to the primroses to meet her friend.

Nicholas on the other hand was patiently waiting for his friend at their favorite place. He would turn his head any time he heard any noise, for the fourth time he finally saw her and his heart started to beat quickly by her sight. Even when she is far, her radiant smile was enough to light up his day.

Victoria, this little girl really can make my day. I don't know why, but..... she makes my heart beat really fast anytime she laughs, smiles and giggles. It just makes me wanna make her even more happy.

I don't know but is this warm feeling what mother and father call love?

"Hey Nick!" She came and gave him a bear hug.

"Hey!" He patted her head .

"Come let's go and play." She pulled his hand and went to into the woods were they would find a stream and a willow tree close to it.

When Nicholas got home after his play, his father was already there. The sight of his father made him tense up.

"F-father." His voice shook.

"So this is what you are doing when I give you a free time." He looked at his son quite disappointed.

Nicholas didn't dare look at his father knowing he has disappointed him.

"I'm sorry father." He apologized

His father sighed, he crouched down to his level and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Nicholas, you know the state that you are in, you can't go around just like that in broad daylight to make friends. You may not know but that person may bring harm to you." He spoke sincerely to him.

"But father, she won't-"

"She??" He looked confused then his mouth made the O form.

"So the person you go and meet is a girl?"

" Yes father she is harmless." He continued to defend her. "She is just five years and-"

"I see.." His father rubbed his chin like he is thinking of something then looked at his son.

"You are in love with her." He brought his face closer to him and smirked at his son.

Suddenly his face become red.

"No father t-t-that is n-n-not what you think we we are just friends that's all." His eyes started to dot everywhere. His father knew that he was lying but his son's reaction was too cute making him want to tease him even more.

" Oh really, you are just friends." He continued to tease him.

" Y-y-yes father, s-she is just a-a friend." Nicolas face went really red.

" Yeah she is," He stood up then folded his hands on his broad muscular chest. " Then she becomes your crush from that, she becomes your lover, then it moves to you courting her and if you are lucky you marry her."

" Father please don't forget you are talking to your seven year old son. " He cried invisible tears.

His father laughed really, he looked at his son riped tomato face and laughed again.

His laughter made Nicolas feel embarrassed that he wished the earth would open and swallow him.

"Anyway," he wiped a tear and looked at his son seriously."Whether you are or not in the end she is still someone special to you, and you wouldn't want harm to go her way."

Nicholas lowered his head with a sad expression.

"Yes father."

"Then you already know what to do."

The next day Nicholas was waiting for Victoria us usual at their favorite place with a gloomy expression.

"Nick!!!" Her Voice traveled through the woods before it reached him.

"Victoria." He responded smiling to her whiles deep down his heart was killing him.

"Well let's go and play." She offered.

Nick just nodded and followed her.

Hours passed by and they were now lying on their backs watching the cloud.

"That looks like a tortoise." he pointed at a cloud.

"And that looks like a jellyfish, look at the wiggly legs." she started to laugh.

Nicholas looked at her and smiled at the sight.

"You know what, Nick." She looked at him.

He shook his head.

"I think we are going to be the best of friends. You will be my best friend, right? And we be with each other forever."

They both sat up and looked at each other.

"Of course." He said with a smile.

"You promise,." She brought out her pinky and showed it to him.

Nicholas looked at her pinky and then her face. Her cheerful face made his heart hurt even more.

'How can I promise you when I will soon leave you..... ' He looked away and at the grass, he became silent for sometime.

He looked back at her with confident smile. 'no I won't, I will never leave you.' He brought out his own and attached it to hers locking their fingers together. 'I promise you Victoria, I will never leave you, when I grow up and become stronger I will definitely be there for you, NO MATTER WHAT.'