It had been three days since Papa offered the deal to Augustus so today we will go back there and know what he had decided on. But, as I looked at Papa right now, he was so sure that Augustus would agree to his proposal.
On our way out of the palace, I looked around to see if Brother Ethan or Brother Kye was around, or perhaps His Majesty or Her Majesty but I saw nothing. Every time they knew we were going somewhere, they would meet us at the entrance and would insist on going with us.
"Atlas, Brielle!" called Sir Helden."Are you off to the Alyvia Palace?"
"Yes. We're about to go," replied Papa.
Alyvia Palace. So that's the name of the palace of Augustus.
"I happened to see Brielle looking around. It seems you're searching for them," observed Sir Helden."They were just gone for a walk so they couldn't see you off."
A walk? Oh, it must be a request by Oriana. So that's how things work right now huh? They already accepted her as a family. Well, as long as they're happy, I'm also happy.
"We're going now, Sir Helden. Augustus is waiting for us," I said.
"Augustus? Oh, you mean the fifth pr—," Sir Helden mentioned.
I didn't hear the last word that Sir Helden said because Papa suddenly carried me in his arms and walked past him. I supposed it was not that important. I just waved my hand to Sir Helden as we walked away.
***
Alyvia Palace
Craw, Craw, Craw.
The state of the palace was still the same and there were crows at the entrance gate.
As we went inside, I saw Augustus tending a white horse. The horse was so beautiful as it was touched by the sunlight.
It was not too long until Augustus felt our presence.
"Who are you?!" Augustus exclaimed.
Did he not recognize us?
"We're here as we promised last time to know your decision. So what is it?" asked Papa.
"...If I accept your proposal...could I get the money right now?" Augustus inquired.
"Yeah, we have the money as promised," Papa answered.
"Then, I'll accept your proposal," Augustus agreed."Where is the money?"
"Do you need the money to heal your horse?" I asked. Seeing the injured horse, it seemed that he wanted the money for the healing potion. I was right. Last time, I had a glimpse of the injured horse but I thought it was just my imagination. So it was clear to me why Papa is confident that Augustus would accept the offer and because of the horse. Papa must have seen it also the last time.
"Neigh...Neigh..."
"Colt!" yelled Augustus.
The horse was so sick that it might die at any minute. It had a big injury on its leg and it could no longer stand.
"Heal the horse, Brielle," said Papa.
"Are you sure Papa? You're allowing me?" I asked.
It was the first time Papa initiated to give treatment. What a sudden change of attitude?
I went beside Colt and healed him. I could see the surprise on Augustus' face as he saw the big injury of Colt disappear in a second. Colt, who was a minute away from dying, was now standing firmly like it could run a thousand miles.
Augustus smiled.
"You're now smiling," I mentioned.
He immediately hid his face and it went back to his normal expression.
"So the problem has been solved. And also here is the money," Papa said, handing Augustus a bag of money.
"It's too much for an abandoned palace," Augustus pointed out.
"Take it. Abandoned or not, it's still a palace. A home," Papa answered."So, let's start renovating this place and make it more beautiful than the Imperial Palace."
"Really? You want to compete with the Imperial Palace?!" we said in chorus.
I laughed.
"Papa is funny, isn't Augustus?" I asked, laughing."You should get used to Papa since we're living together now. It will get noisy. "
I glanced at Augustus and saw that he was smiling. Being lonely in an abandoned palace for a long time must be hard. Well, not anymore."You're smiling like this," I said, mimicking how he smiled.
"I'm not and I don't smile like that. You look like Colt," Augustus denied.
"That's how you smile! Smiling suits you the best," I teased.
"No, I'm not," Augustus denied again. "And stop teasing me."He had this embarrassed expression.
"Yeah, sure, you're not glad to have us," I said.
"Come here! Let's start removing the withered plants in the garden," Papa shouted.
I immediately held Augustus' arm and ran to where Papa was and happily said, "Come on Augustus. Let's make our home bright and beautiful."
"...Okay, Brielle," Augustus said.
In the middle of the dusty, grassy garden;
Under the light of the glowing sun.
The first time he said my name.
And, magically, everything tastes like summer strawberries and morning tea.
That feeling will always be. Forever. The way he will remember me.
"Hah, I'm tired," I said as I lay down on the grassy ground, under the olive tree.
"Do you want to drink water, Brielle," asked Papa.
I nodded.
It was already night when we finished renovating the Alyvia Palace. We just need to buy new furniture for the inside, bedsheets, and metal for the gate because it was already covered with rust. Aside from those, everything was good. The garden, the palace hall, kitchen, and the palace chambers were all set and cleaned. The Alyvia Palace was good as new though it couldn't compare to the Imperial Palace.
Papa lay down beside me and we watched the night sky. It has been such a long time since we did it. I called Augustus and said, "Augustus, lay down here with us. The night sky is beautiful."
"I've seen it every night so I'm tired watching it," Augustus answered.
"Don't mind him, Brielle. He's just playing cold," Papa mocked.
When Augustus was about to say something to Papa, a swarm of fireflies surrounded the olive tree, flickering their lights."Wow, look! Papa, Augustus, the fireflies are glowing!"
A firefly flew in my head and I caught it with my hands. I got up and leaned close to Augustus, who was watching the olive tree, and whispered, "Augustus, look! a firefly. It resembles the star in the night sky. It seems the star personally came down to meet you."
"Shame on the firefly. The sparkle in your smile was more comparable to the stars...perhaps it was brighter than anything," Augustus said, staring at me. "It's pretty."
"M-me?" I asked.
He then chuckled and closed his eyes, "No...the firefly."
"Hey, stop flirting with my daughter. I'm right here, you know?" Papa warned.
"It was not flirting," Augustus objected. Then he lay down beside me.
Papa suddenly grabbed me and wrapped me in his arms."It's better to be on guard than never."
"That's rude! I don't have anything in my mind," argued Augustus.
Ugh, it would not end. It was not like Max and Papa's arguments because both of them don't like to lose. Personality alike would only cause disaster.
"Good night to the both of you," I said, burying my face in Papa's arms.
"Sleep well," Papa murmured and kissed my forehead.
"Good night, Brielle," Augustus said.
"Sweet dreams, Gus."
***
As the sun rose from the east, we woke up and ate breakfast that was only left stock from the storage of Alyvia Palace. It was a little bit near to being bad but was still edible. After that, we washed up and got ready to go to the palace to get the rest of our belongings.
"What time are you going back?" Agustus asked.
"Are you not coming with us?"
"Well...I don't like to go outside and my clothes were not appropriate to go to the Imperial Palace," Augustus answered.
His clothes were torn and their color faded. You could tell from the first glance that it was old.
"Then, let's buy you some clothes before we go there," Papa suggested.
"Yeah, that's right," I agreed. "You have plenty of money now so you can buy all the things you want, Augustus."
"...All right," Gus shyly responded.
"We'll help you buy your clothes. So, the next time you go to a banquet. You'll shine the most," I said.
"Y-you saw me there?!"Augustus asked, surprised.
"Why would I forget? You had this angry face," I replied, copying his face that time.
"I can imagine him having that expression," Papa chuckled."Even if he didn't wear fancy clothes, he could steal the spotlight."
I laughed.
"Let's go, now," I initiated."Ah! That's right, Colt! Papa, let's ride on Colt. He will be sad if left alone here."
"Okay. I'll get him. Wait here," Papa said.
Papa went to the stable and got Colt.
"You can call me like last time," Augustus said.
Huh? What was he talking about? And he seemed to be shy all of the sudden.
"Like last time?" I asked, confused.
"Last night! You called me with that name," Augustus responded.
"...name...Gus?" I asked.
He nodded, embarrassed.
"Gus," I said.
"Gus," again, I said.
"Gus," once again, I said.
Gus' face was all flushed and he had this puzzled expression."W-why do you keep repeating my name?!"
I smiled.
"It was nice, right? To be called your name. So from now on, you must get used to it. Because, I'll call your name over and over again until you get sick of me," I chuckled."Then, the loneliness you've been living with will never return."
The sudden gust of the wind,
olive leaves were swept.
The butterflies flew higher,
some held tight to the flowers.
I glanced at Gus and saw him rubbing his eyes. "Gus, are you alright?"
"Y-yeah," Gus answered shortly."It was just because of the sudden gust."
I just stand next to Gus in silence.
And at that time, I wondered.
The gust of the wind no longer existed, but Gus continued to rub his eyes.
I waited. For the gust to calm down.