Reminiscent

"Brother, why do you look so bothered? I thought Nadia is well and awake now?"

Yulia's inquiring voice snapped Leon back to the moment. His distant eyes looked at the two faces that he grew up with. They also gathered like this when they were younger. Sit around the table, talk for hours, and enjoy each other's company.

But even though this moment is like always, there is a vast difference now. They are not the same young people bursting with youth. They are older, more mature, and all shoulder responsibilities for the empire they lived and loved.

It's the same moment. But also not. Something is missing, or someone. And they all knew who they was. Were.

The queen, Regina, is not here. And his wife, Helen, is no longer here.

Though Leon had already accepted the reality of Helen's death, there are times he would catch himself being affected by it. Why can't he? She left too early and unexpectedly. He has the right to long for her.