Adumbration

Julien nodded without hesitation. "I am just like a frog in the well believing that not everything is as it seems." His body trembling with excitement his pupil dilate, world vision broadens — he feels like he is a soaring eagle flying in the sky.

"The world I am living in is just a speck of dust compared to the world outside and this is just a fraction of knowledge!"

"Emperor, thank you for your help. I can't say anything. I am truly lost in words."

The Emperor nodded and felt happy with the result. He expects that the reaction of his "reincarnation" will be the same as the third and second ones which are overwhelmed.

He thought to himself, I guess meeting that guy helps him to cope with the situation easily.

He then said to Julien, "I need to go now, the energy I used for this memory is more than what the plan is. I am just an incantation so I am limited to what I am programmed to. Farewell and remember, do not be hasty and always think three steps ahead."

The Emperor's last words echoed in his mind and he began to come back to his senses.

His eyes began to wide open as he remembered what transpired before his memory unlocked. His lips are now touching Niana's and his hand is now grabbing her behind!

All of this happened in a flash but Julien felt that he was transferred to another dimension and stayed there for months!

Julien begins to realize how awkward the situation is and Niana's eyes are also wide open. Her cheeks are blushing red and her heart is pounding crazy!

She didn't expect this and she felt embarrassed! The kiss lasted for 3 seconds before they parted!

"S-Sorry! I-I was worried that you would hit yourself on the ground! I DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING!"

Julien began to stammer and panic. He waves his hands explaining his intentions.

Niana who is still on the sofa touching her lips looking down at the floor and looking like a red tomato is silent for a while and says...

"I-Its fine and thank you for catching me! "

....

Somewhere in an unknown world, there is a large, beautiful island. It is surrounded by mesmerizing beaches and a deep azure sea.

In the center of that island, there is a big silver castle and there is a purple barrier covering it. The animals on this island seem not to know the existence of this castle as the animals there are playing without regard.

Inside the castle, there is a huge, golden throne, and sitting on it is a very beautiful woman. Her purple hair is draped on her shoulders and her eyes are closed, her face is sitting on her right hand. She seems to be in deep thought.

After a while, her eyes began to slowly open as if the morning began to shine, and then she said in a low tone voice, "Thanks to the heavens for protecting you. We will meet again and this time I will never let you go."

.....

After eating the food they ordered, Julien began to prepare to go home. Nothing intense happened for the last 2 hours as they just talked about random things.

Julien's original plan is to tell his feelings to Niana. But with all those awkward situations he thought that it may look like he is taking advantage of the situation. "I should probably keep this for a while." Haste makes waste indeed.

Niana is looking at Julien while the guy is preparing to leave. She called him.

"Julien..."

"Y-Yes? "

"Maybe you thought of this but I want to say that we were friends for a while now and a close one, in some sense. You should feel now that I am interested in you." Niana said and then she paused for a while.

She then began to continue, "I understand that your priorities and being in a relationship is not part of it. I just want to say that I like you very much and I am willing to wait until you open your heart."

Julien who was listening felt like he was being dipped in ice-cold water. Mixed emotion of happiness, regret, and pain is what he feels right now.

He decided that he will join Vel'Krim and Sil and by joining them he will be leaving everything; including Niana.

Niana, who is still blushing, thought, Admitting my feelings to him now is the best option, this opportunity rarely comes by and we don't meet outside the office often.

Julien began to take courage, he firm his stance, straightened his back and said: "I like you Niana and my feeling for you is real."

He continues "I might be quite stern with that aspect but I have thought for a while to express my feelings for you before it's too late."

Julien puts down his bag and walks towards Niana who is sitting straight on her sofa.

Julien sits beside her and takes her hand.

This moment lasts for a minute and Niana is just looking down on her knees blushing.

Julien then began to talk and said, "I will be leaving this country for a while. I know this is sudden and soon questions will be popping out but trust me, this is something I don't have any control over at the moment but I will be back and take you with me,"

"Words cannot explain how I am happy right now and it feels like a new chapter of my life began to move." Julien hugged Niana and kissed her.