…
One, two… no, ten more years passed by.
Elizabeth Berry missed her dear son very much, however, because Samson had been held captive inside the Leoniva Palace, the rebels and the bandits became extra careful with their actions. Maro explained how dreadful the situation was, and so, she was not able to write to Ezekiel anymore.
While Ely plucked the matured grapes in her vineyard, she let out a sigh. It's been ten years, and even though their wine business prospered, she could not feel purely happy at all. Ely felt like there was something missing in her life because her family was not complete.
A sudden embrace from behind almost made Ely drop her basket.
"Mother!" Ely's eighteen-year-old daughter, Marvella, called in high spirits. "Why are you sad?"
"Ah… I was just-"
"Are you thinking about older brother again?" she pouted, then joked, "He's really your favorite, isn't he?!"