The morning after the Boaz Casteron death celebration, Tiarnan and Delyth had talked about whether going back to Swuybia would be a good move or not. Their decision was to stay. Much to Delyth's content, Silas ignored her at all costs for the betterment of two days because he remembered the monologue of him revealing his buried feelings and childhood.

Because Delyth had nothing to do other than stare at the same marble walls every day, she accepted Cybil's invitation to return to her home and spend some time again. Cybil taught her how to garden, something she never had to learn because of how barren Naelund was and still is. Her excuse since she is thought to be Swuybian born was never been interested in gardening though she loves flowers. It was a partial truth. Having stayed in Swuybia for so many years, you get to enjoy and appreciate nature. Especially when you are dating Tiarnan Holian who finds the time to bring a different flower in their private times.

"Jothan tells me about your fiance. He was Captain of the Guard in Swuybia, yes?" Cybil asked, the same warm smile that seems to be etched on her face. Her eyebrows move with her face, expressively.

"Tiarnan Holian. Yes, he was." Delyth couldn't help but smile at the mere thought of him.

Cybil caught her dazed expression and beams brighter. "And he followed you all the way here to Varusa? That is the epitome of true love right there."

Delyth's cheeks are raised high as she blushes. "My life was dull before him and now it shines brighter every day."

"Have you set a date for the wedding?" She tapped her fingertips together to express her excitement.

"Hopefully, in a matter of three weeks. It's being held in Swuybia. His sister is probably still planning it as we speak." She laughed as she imagined Roisin rushing around making demands at everyone to ensure that the wedding will be perfect.

"Is it possible if an invitation can be extended to myself and Jothan?" Cybil smiled sheepishly.

Delyth nodded her head. "Of course." Cybil immediately shrieked and hugged her out of sheer enthusiasm. During the hug and the thrill of sensation, Cybil was already deciding what she was going to wear and what gift to bring for the happy couple. She hasn't attended a wedding in years; this was going to be the best occasion of her lifetime.

Upon arrival at the Lardel Castle, she received news from Tiarnan that a letter came from Hais Gaisser in Esadom that he was in grave mourning of his past wife and child and it is necessary that she came as soon as possible.

She lets out a sigh and bites her lips in exasperation. She recently took care of two people a few days ago during a similar circumstance. Now, she has to travel to another nation to do the same to a friend. Of course, she will do it at the drop of a hat but sometimes a girl needs a break.

Tiarnan leans against the carriage door—that Silas anonymously provided—with his arm resting on the roof of the carriage. "Are you going to be okay? I can come with you."

She smiles softly. "I will be fine, Tiarnan. It's Hias I'm more worried about."

He nods, reluctantly. "Be careful. Send my condolences to Hias."

He taps the roof of the carriage and the coach gets the horses to start galloping. Apparently there is another route to Esadom—around Devil's Run—which is a long one. Frustrating to the coach, she asked him on a number of occasions to stop at certain points so she could pick a divergent of flowers to create a bouquet to present to Hias.

In the meantime, documents are spread all over Silas's desk in a mess while his eyes quickly scan through them. His brows are in a tight knot in confusion and annoyance. Nothing makes sense. When he thinks he finds the answer to his unanswered questions, another block forms in his path.

After two glasses of spice ale, pacing the room for fifteen minutes, rereading emails that are from everyone in Swuybia except Cillian Quaid—Delyth's ally—and pulling his hair, he finally discovers the truth.

Who is Delyth Aiken?

Evidently, Delyth Aiken doesn't exist. There are no records of a Delyth Aiken that was born in Swuybia. No one knows where she comes from. He checked records in Esadom and Varusa and just like he expects, they are non-existent. All references state that she showed up in Esadom one day, cozied up to Hias Gaisser without suspicion, stayed for a year and left to go back to Swuybia where she told them she was from.

There is one nation that is impossible to check because he didn't care enough for the people to keep records of them. This fact would give Delyth the perfect opportunity to disguise herself under a different name. But what is the motive? Did she really want a different life so badly that she fled Naelund, hid in Esadom and trained in Swuybia just to work under him in Varusa. Why would she go through all of that to work for the man who killed her family?

The only logical explanation would be that she was sent by Ruadhan Dinan against her will because he wanted her out of Swuybia; basically handing off his troubles onto someone else. Which would explain her disdain towards him from her arrival to this day.

The point of the matter is Delyth Aiken is not who she claims to be. His breathing quickens, his hand twitches and the papers become a blur in front of him as a rush of betrayal washes over him.

Delyth Aiken lied to him. She is a Naelundian.

She slowly pushes the door to the inconspicuous room, cautiously. Pushing her head, she scours the room and finds him sitting at the closed window, staring at it or through it in a pale state. She knocks lightly but he doesn't move a wince or answers, just stares. She steps in and stands a foot behind him, her eyes soften, empathizing with him. She understands what it is like for him in this situation.

She was in the same situation as him two years ago in Swuybia. Luckily, she had friends by her side.

Delyth has a reputation of being the strongest—physically and emotionally—woman any of them has ever met. It scared them to see her lay on the mattress immobile. Not talking, hardly sleeping or eating. Mostly crying silently. This has been going on for almost a week and that worried them.

On day two, they sent Tiarnan to get her out of bed but that failed. They even tried making her laugh, but in complete silence. On day four, they heard a creak and woke up instantly to see a trance like Delyth rising from the bed and walking out of the room. They followed quietly behind to see her going in the same path she and Tiarnan took to go to the Shed. On his command, he convinced them that she was fine and to go back to bed.

At the end of day five, he went to the Shed and found her sitting in a chair, staring inwardly at the wall.

"Delyth." Her head slowly turned to look in his direction. He flinched slightly at her hollow state and made a step forward but stopped waiting for her to tell him that it's okay to go near her.

Her lips parted, no words came out. That was all the permission he needed before he rushed to her and embraced her in a comforting hug. She sobbed loudly in his chest, her body shook while his hand ran up and down her back in a soothing manner.

"I miss them."

He hugs her tighter. "I know."

"Hias." She calls, hardly above a whisper, making her presence known. He spins around in his chair, his eyes widening at the fact that she appeared faster than he thought. He rises from the chair and lunges toward her to hug him and as soon as her arms wrap around him, the tears he withheld fell instantly. She places the bouquet of flowers on the nearest thing her hand could find.

The pain is too heavy and it weighs his body down to his knees, bringing Delyth with him. She doesn't mind instead she holds him so he cries on her shoulder as well as supports his body from getting hurt.

In times of grief, some may want solitude but what we all need but are too afraid of asking for is a friend.

29/07/22

Au revoir...

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