Bab 47: Secret Admirer ?
As Sid and Dominic conversed, a weary female voice reached them from behind. Both of them turned to see a young woman with a worried expression.
"Sid, are you okay?" Evangeline panted, catching her breath.
"Evangeline!" Dominic's eyes widened in surprise, and he unconsciously averted his gaze.
"Dominic, you're back!" Evangeline exclaimed, her weariness momentarily forgotten.
"Yeah, I just returned from the capital," Dominic replied, scratching his head, clearly feeling awkward.
"You two know each other?" Dominic asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, Sid is my..." Evangeline hesitated, blushing slightly.
"Your what?" Dominic inquired with a serious expression.
"My friend. He's my friend," She clarified by waving her two hands, diffusing the awkward tension between them.
Dominic eyed her suspiciously, not entirely convinced by her explanation. He had noticed the flush on her face moments earlier and couldn't help but think that there was more to their relationship than she was letting on.
However, he decided not to press the matter further. It was neither the time nor the place for such discussions.
"Are you unharmed, Sid?" her voice trembled with genuine concern as she shifted her focus to Sid. Her eyes scanned his face and body carefully, searching for any sign of injury. Her hands hovered over him, ready to provide aid if needed.
As Dominic observed the interaction between them, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He had harbored a secret crush on Evangeline for some time now but had never mustered the courage to act on his feelings. Seeing her so concerned for another man made him wonder if he had missed his chance.
Dominic tried to push these thoughts aside, reminding himself that the current situation required their full attention. Yet, he couldn't completely suppress the emotions bubbling beneath the surface.
"I'm fine. Sir Dominic came to my aid," Sid reassured her.
Evangeline breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that he was okay.
"Thank you, Dominic, for assisting us," she said, bowing her head in gratitude.
"It's alright. It's the least I could do," Dominic replied, a shy smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"I must apologize, by the way. I received the letter late, so I wasn't able to return immediately," Dominic explained, subtly alluding to the events that had befallen Evangeline and Eric.
"It's fine. Sid was there to help me, and your intervention on his behalf is akin to saving me as well," she responded, her voice filled with appreciation.
"I'm glad to hear that. But I can't believe that Emilia would do this. Eric's death must have impacted her greatly." Dominic shook his head in sighed. The disappointment was clear in his voice as if he had expected more from her.
"It's true; Emilia has become quite overbearing. I can't believe a Knight was dispatched for us," Evangeline lamented, her voice tinged with sadness. They had all been friends once - her, Dominic, Eric, and Emilia. Yet, as they grew into adulthood, everything changed. Eric became obsessed with her, and Emilia turned increasingly hostile. Dominic, however, had remained the same good person she knew.
"Let's get out of this place first," Dominic suggested.
Sid and Evangeline nodded in response.
The group made their way to an elegant carriage waiting on the road. It was a sleek black vehicle with a golden dragon insignia emblazoned on its side, indicating its connection to the prestigious Drasca family.
As they climbed into the carriage, the plush interior enveloped them in comfort. The fine upholstery and exquisite decorations were a testament to the wealth and power of the Drasca family. Sid couldn't help but marvel at the opulence, having never experienced such luxury before.
The carriage began to move, the gentle rocking motion soothing their nerves after the intense confrontation they had just experienced. As they traveled, Sid, Evangeline, and Dominic discussed the events that had transpired.
Sid expressed his gratitude once again to Dominic for intervening and saving him from the Rosegold Knights. Dominic, ever humble, downplayed his role and insisted that Sid's quick thinking and impressive skills had been crucial to his own survival.
Evangeline chimed in, sharing her concern about Emilia's hostility. She wondered aloud how their once harmonious friendship had fractured so severely.
Dominic sighed, acknowledging the sad reality of their situation. "People change," he admitted. "As we grow older and face new challenges, our perspectives and priorities shift. Unfortunately, not everyone's changes align with those of their friends."
Evangeline paused, the weight of Dominic's words evident as she took a moment to reflect.
Seeing her in deep thought made Dominic feel guilty so he decided to shift the conversation to a lighter topic, intrigued by Sid's background.
"So, Sid, tell us more about yourself. Your talent is incredibly impressive."
Sid hesitated for a moment before sharing his story. He spoke about his humble beginnings, his background as a blacksmith, and the training he had undergone to hone his skills.
Dominic listened with rapt attention, clearly fascinated by Sid's experiences.
"Wait, you're only fourteen years old?" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. "That's unbelievable! Your skills are on par with knights many years your senior. I've never encountered someone so young with such remarkable abilities."
Evangeline chimed in, beaming with pride. "I told you, Sid is extraordinary."
Dominic shook his head in amazement, clearly impressed. "Indeed, he is. But I'm curious, Sid. What are your aspirations for the future? With such talent, you could achieve great things."
Sid thought for a moment before responding. "I'm not entirely sure yet. For now, I just want to continue improving my skills and learning as much as I can. I know there's so much more to discover, and I want to be prepared for whatever challenges come my way."
"I always had faith in you, Sid," Evangeline said, her voice quivering with emotion as she spoke. The hint of admiration in her tone was visible, conveying the depth of her belief in him.
Sid smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, Evangeline."
Dominic on the other hand couldn't help but feel a pang of envy witnessing the bond between the two. But he quickly brushed the feeling aside and focused on the positive side of things.
"Well, Sid, you have a bright future ahead of you. And with friends like Evangeline by your side, there's no doubt that you'll accomplish great things."
As the conversation continued, the three of them found themselves growing closer, bonding over shared experiences and aspirations for the future. Little did they know that their paths were about to become even more intertwined in the future.
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