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Epilogue
Sunset approached in the Capitol City of Arvol. The bustling and crowds of the Castle Town steadily diminished with the residents and communes looking for a hot meal and a warm bed for the night.
Outside the Castle Gates, young Ken slumped on a marble bench with a dulled look on his face.
“Nothing. A whole day that I finally had to myself went by and I got done nothing. I thought I could have some fun to myself without Rodrian around tag along but… it’s like some nutty force wanted to keep me from enjoying myself.” He groaned.
The peasant boy in red took one weary look at the setting sun, but could still not find any pleasure.
“I would have at least thought my buddy John would have some time off after militia training, but the whole “Noble Ceremony Thingy” just had to extend their hours to show off Arvol’s “future strength”, didn’t it? Bah, this is why I hate Armies. No second thought needed.” The boy grumbled.
The restless commoner started drumming his fingers upon the bench as he continued thinking about the day.
“If there’s a consolation for all of this, I suppose boredom beats the kind of painful “adventures” Rodrian ends up dragging me into on too many an occasion. And, well… no stupid thugs sought to thrash my butt on their own terms.” He said aloud in a positive light.
For a little while, Ken seemed to have found a spring in step, but that spring eventually caused him to fumble.
“Still, I can’t help but think I wasted all this time for naught when I could’ve finally had a worthwhile adventure on my own.” He sighed.
Again, Ken continued drumming on the bench until a girl’s soft voice spoke out.
“Em… excuse me, do you mind if I sat with you for a moment?” the voice asked.
“Meh, sure… if there’s enough room to fit one more, might as well take up the space.” Ken replied.
The source of the voice seemed hesitant for a minute.
“…Thank you.”
Ken then scoot over slightly without bothering to look at his new acquaintance.
For awhile, the two sat together in awkward silence until the unseen acquaintance suddenly reached a thought.
“So… do you happen to be a local of the Castle Town?” she asked.
“Kind of.” Ken shrugged. “My home is near the outskirts in a farming community. My Father certainly loves the atmosphere, but I end up making my way here to relax myself and have a little fun.”
“Oh, so then you’re a farmer boy?” the acquaintance asked with heightened curiosity.
“Yeah, I guess you can put it that way, but as you can tell by my taste of life story, my world doesn’t revolve around home, so consider me what you think makes most sense to you.” Ken suggested.
“To be honest, I don’t know what to think of you in that regard. But from what I can tell so far, you’re a nice person, at least.” The acquaintance replied.
“Huh, really? Well then, thanks. I guess…” Ken answered back in slight excitement.
Ken then started drumming on his muted knee as the voice went silent for a short while.
“Well, then… since you happen to live and wander around here, do you happen to know any nice places to visit? Besides the castle, I mean.” The acquaintance asked.
“Ah…besides the castle? I’m not sure what you would call “interesting” around here…” Ken replied awkwardly.
“Well, how about what you think is fun to see? Maybe I’ll like some of the same things you do.” The stranger suggested.
“Er… alright then.” Ken began. “Well, there is this great bakery not too far here that has some of the best pastry I’ve ever smelled or tasted. And then there’s the oddly-shaped fountain at the Town Square with ruby “eyes”, if that’s what they’re supposed to be. There’s also a valuables store at the bazaar with a bunch of gemstone figurines and jewelry if you’re into art and sparkly thingies. If you’re looking for a show, I guess you could also sneak a look into the Militia barracks to see some soldiers and trainees train for battle if you’re into that kind of thing.”
“Hm… much of that actually does sound worthy of seeing. But I’m also curious… what about the farmlands?” his acquaintance said.
“What about it?”
“Is it open for visiting? Or do the people there prefer to keep it private from outsiders?” the acquaintance asked.
For a little while, Ken scratched his head while thinking about the question.
“Ah… er… um… I think it doesn’t matter. Company’s welcome, as long as they aren’t suspicious and likely to screw up the farming or anything like that. But… it’s not a place I’d suggest. It’s not too exciting... maybe too peaceful, and the atmosphere is a bit “unpleasant”, if you get what I’m saying. I’d think the Royal Stables in the Castle grounds would be more worthwhile. Why would you be interested, anyway?” Ken answered.
“Really? Actually, I’m curious because… well, I haven’t really seen a farm up close for myself and I’d really want to some day…” the acquaintance answered hesitantly.
“What? Seriously? Not once? Huh. I would think most people have visited that kind of place at least once in their lives; maybe to run an errand to pick up a few things only farmers provide, or doing it for the sake of visiting a relative who runs that kind of place. Then again, I guess sending children to those kind of places isn’t too common, and some guys have the luxury of having delivery people for that kind of thing. I still think it’s strange for anyone wanting to see the country lands personally.” Ken ranted.
“Ah… to be honest, I don’t get too many chances to get out like this, so I would be very curious. But I’m sorry of my curiosities are too odd for you to understand.” The acquaintance replied.
Ken quickly shook his head.
“…n-no… you don’t have to be. Maybe I’m the one being too blunt here.” he answered back.
“Not all. I’m just fine.” The acquaintance assured Ken. “In any case… it’s a really beautiful sunset out now, huh?” the acquaintance noted.
“…Sunset?” Ken uttered uneasily.
“Yes, I must say that the view’s nice. It’s almost as if the sky is on fire near the sun.” the acquaintance elaborated.
“N-no… not that. It’s just… I didn’t realize it was THAT late now. A sunset means that night’s approaching, right?” Ken brought up.
“You’re correct… oh, I get it. Do you need to go back home before the night arrives?” the acquaintance asked.
“Not really, but it would sure be a heck of a lot easier that way. I’d rather not go bumping into walls and such along the way. It doesn’t help that I can be a bit…clumsy .” Ken sighed. “My parents won’t mind, anyway. As long as they see me in bed after nightfall, they won’t worry over me. Otherwise, they’re usually busy with one thing or another to see I’m around to bug them.”
“I see… it must be hard not having your family look out for you so much.” The acquaintance added in concern.
“…Not really. I’ve been used to it for a while now, and it’s not like I think they don’t love me or anything… I know they’re just busy. Besides, I think I’m picking up on this whole “independence” thing that much sooner. I actually like all this “me” time I’m getting.” Ken explained casually.
Despite the young commoner’s calm, his mysterious acquaintance gave off an anxious sigh.
“At the very least… do you have any friends to look after you? I’m afraid to think of you being lonely most of the time without them.” the acquaintance asked with deep concern.
“Some, I guess. One’s a top trainee within the army, and another is… well, he’s a hyperactive justice nut. Practically everyone else I’m familiar with considers me a bother, so yeah… those two are the only ones I can consider friends, seeing as how they’re actually willing to deal with me regularly.” He said in an unpleasant tone..
“…a bother?” the acquaintance repeated.
Ken sighed. “Yeah, you can’t really see it, considering we just met I’m flat out bored, but I’m not exactly normal… most things that excite me are things that others would see as strange. And when I get worked up about it, I can become a real nuisance. On the other hand, my energetic companion causes me more trouble than anything. And my other friend is too strong and fast for me to match him, that he easily outdoes me at sports and such… despite our friendship, I feel we’re too different to be close. Meh… it feels like I’m either annoying someone, or I’m being annoyed. I feel like my social life stinks either.”
His acquaintance became silent once again while Ken stared at the ground solemnly.
“…do you find me annoying as well?” the acquaintance asked.
“Well, considering that you’re some random stranger who came up to me and started asking me all these questions… yes, actually. No stranger in their right mind should be able to casually ask such things and expect easy answers from someone they just met on the street.” Ken answered.
“Really? My gosh, I never consider… I’m---“
“But here I am, sharing all these ugly thoughts with said stranger. The last one who approached me this way made me leave in a really bad way. Huh, you just made me contradict myself… consider it an achievement.” He interjected.
“Ah…. Thank you?” the acquaintance replied.
“Sure… you’ve been very calm about the whole thing. Not so pressing like a few of the others I met. And I appreciate it… just don’t push your luck.”
“Right! Right…” the acquaintance said in a shaky voice. “But, you know? Considering what took place just now, perhaps your life in dealing with others isn’t quite as bad as you think.”
Upon hearing this, Ken rose his head curiously.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… you said it yourself. I’m too big a bother after all, right?” she reminded him.
“I guess… but something tells me this is chance. And I’m not about to get so close to some traveler who I just met. I’ve already said too much…” Ken refuted.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to say a word of this… to anyone.” The acquaintance assured him.
“Alright… I had a feeling you’re not the type to gossip, anyway.” Ken answered.
“Still, can you please keep in mind what we spoke of earlier? If you at least found one like me to be good company, there’s a good chance you’ll find other such people in the future. You might even find someone you can really trust think of a true friend.” The acquaintance shared hopefully.
“Maybe I’ll find better luck in finding a girl like that…” Ken uttered aloud.
“Eh… what?”
“Yeah… as strange as it sounds, I’ve generally found the girls I’ve come across somewhat less of a bother than my fellow guys. It’s quite odd, though, especially after something that’s come upon me recently.” Ken shared.
“I see…” the acquaintance spoke up in an awkward tone. “Well, please don’t count yourself out, in any case. Despite everything, you’re nice. I’m sure there will be others that will see that in you. Perhaps you’ll be better friends with your current ones. If not, I’m certain one day you’ll meet true friends you’ll feel really good with.”
“…Thanks for that.” Ken answered in a soft voice.
“I really appreciate this conversation of ours. Even if it is one by pure chance. It’s certainly giving me much more to think about.” His acquaintance said.
Ken nodded. “Good. At least you’re getting something out of all of this…” Ken sighed.
Suddenly, the pair heard a cry growing increasingly coherent.
“Castella! Castella! Hello?” another girl cried.
“Brianna? I’m over here by the gates!” Ken’s acquaintance cried back.
“Oh, good. You better get back, then! We’re spending the night in the Castle before we all head back tomorrow! You’ll be worrying our folks if we’re not inside soon!” Brianna shouted.
“Fine! I’ll meet you back in just a minute!” Ken’s acquaintance answered.
“Wait a minute… a traveler privileged enough to spend a night within Castle
Arvol walls? Did I just speak with a noble?” Ken thought to himself with a gulp.
Slowly, the shaken boy turned around, and before his very eyes was the girl whom he could not take his eyes off while spying within the Castle grounds. Poor Ken became frozen with this close encounter.
“Thank you very much. I’m not sure if we’ll ever cross paths again, but I will remember this encounter fondly.” Castella said endearingly.
As she said this, young Ken witnessed what was perhaps the most pleasant smile in his entire life. The mere sight of it started turning his cheeks red.
Afterwards, the young lady picked up herself and gave him a brief curtsey.
“Good bye then, sir. I hope you find the happiness you seek.” She said before leaving.
Castella then took off towards the gate in great speed, especially for one in her attire.
“I’m coming, Brianna!” she cried in a panic, with her voice trailing off in the distance.
For a while, little Ken remained dumbfounded in place, staring blankly and silently at the empty spot next to him.
Eventually, when the sun became close to falling below the horizon, the taciturn boy finally lifted his left arm and smacked himself right in the forehead.
“Some great will… must REALLY like torturing me today… that must be it…” Ken thought to himself as his body trembled uncontrollably.
 Chicken Yuki · Tue Sep 18, 2007 @ 08:23am · 0 Comments |
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