Her Trail

12

Months after my first successful operation in this world, father's birthday is nearing, and I still don't know what kind of gift I will give him.

I am not even sure if I'll get to choose a gift that he will like. Last year, I gave him a cake that I baked myself, I didn't even know if he liked it since he is not really into sweets. On one of his birthdays, I also gifted him letters, like a lot of it, still not sure if he read them one by one.

Now I've been thinking for a week now, and his birthday will be on the day after tomorrow, I am still empty-handed.

I look around me, the knights are playfully joking around each other. Sir Betram is serious beside me, while the knights under him are taking their break joyfully.

"Sir Betram, did you already bought a gift for Papa?" I asked, I'm not sure if he gives presents to him, but he always gives me gifts as well as older brother.

"I don't feel like giving him a gift."

Wow, my mouth gapes a little upon hearing that. Later on, I laughed out loud because he is serious yet funny!

I caught the attention of some knights who looked at me with adoration. Sometimes, I really think that they still see me as a child, well, I, as well, see this body as a kid, even though I'm fifteen and somehow, kids this age are starting to mature.

But at least I am mentally matured, I mean, I can't really say that since maturity can't be measured through age, but I guess I'm experienced enough to call myself that... still, I have a lot to learn and I'm willing to receive everything life will offer.

There are still wounds, and I am not sure if my mental health is stable, but at least, I am can face Donovan without remembering the nightmares of the past, at least, I am truthfully stepping on the process of healing after all that happened. That's because I have a strong support system, and that's my family.

I smiled at older brother when my eyes caught him approaching my direction. The knights who are around me greeted him, while I stay here beside Sir Betram unmoving yet smiling for him.

When he reached me, he stands in front of me with his usual serious expression.

"Let's go outside."

My eyes immediately widened at his proposal, I stand up from my seat and nodded my head right away.

"Sure! I am so willing to come with you, brother!"

He nodded, after that his gazes went to Sir Betram who is busy watching us in his seat.

"You don't have to come with us, and keep this from the Duke."

Sometimes he really talks like they are no father and son.

But why is he doing this? Isn't brother scared of letting me go out without the knights? He is just like Papa.

"We are not allowed to let you go out without us, young lord Memphis."

Brother became more serious, "You know my skills more than anyone, we won't be harmed."

"Still—"

"We'll be back at six."

Sir Betram sighed and nodded.

"I won't have the face to come near the White Dragons if any of you are hurt... come back safe."

We both nodded. I hug brother with glee and he smirks at me.

True to his words, we went out of the house without Papa knowing, and it also took one and a half hours to reach the capital.

It is my second time outside so I am so happy to the point that the moment older brother stopped the chariot, I immediately goes outside to smell the atmosphere of being with a lot of people.

Older brother parks the chariot on the are where there are also chariots and carriages.

"Brother, why did you suddenly went with me outside?" I asked him as we walk.

He get my hand to place it on his arm, I held it, full of glee.

"I overheard Bella and Shane talking that you were stressed out on what gift are you going to get for Father Duke."

Oh.

RIGHT!

I still don't know what to give him!

Worries suddenly filled me. I have had this day and tomorrow left to think what should I give him and until now, even with these stores around me, I can't still think properly.

"He will cherish whatever you give him."

I pouted.

"I don't think so..." I said, whispering.

"Silly. I and Father wait for your gift, that is the only thing we are looking forward to," he smirked, remembering something, "Remember your letters? I saw him reading that several times, he has his creepy smile, I'm getting goosebumps just by remembering that. He rarely does that."

I laughed. Older brother and Papa are so much alike. Like Father, older brothers tend to show emotions in front of me, as if they can be carefree around me. And them, seeing each other at that state is still weird for them.

"And the cake you baked... Sir Adalius is trying to get a slice but Father Duke rejected him constantly with the looks that could kill. It's hilarious, and somehow, it's scary to think that we are alike."

That made me laugh again. Of course, they are so much alike! Seeing him with the eyes that think of it as gross made it even funnier. My gums are hurting from all the laughter.

"Brother, I can imagine him, but really, you don't know that you inherited a lot from Papa?"

His eyebrows furrowed. Quite mad at what I pointed out.

"Of course not, I am better than him in all aspects."

I shake my head, smiling.

"But you respect him."

And I can testify to that. One thing I really admire is the amount of respect he gives to our father. I can witness that through his actions even though they really quarrel over a lot of things.

"He deserves it," all he could say, not looking at my eyes, shy. His ears even turned red, which made me chuckle.

But older brother says the truth, Papa deserves all the respect. I was told that among the noblemen, he was one of those who helps the poor. I love him for that.

I look around, hoping the shops will help me decide on what I will buy.

I saw the bookstore, the boutique, the flower shops, some restaurants, stalls...

I sigh as we walk more. What am I going to buy?

"I told you, just grab anything and he will cherish it."

I pouted.

"But I wanted to give Papa a gift he will truly like."

His eyes glowed as he look at me, I can see a mixture of adoration and amusement in his dark red eyes, it was really beautiful.

"Then, let's looks some more."

I nodded, happy at what he said.

I noticed that some are looking at us, or perhaps at my brother because I can really tell that he is famous, not only because he is the son of the richest duke, but also because he has the looks and charisma. They are eyeing him and the guy beside me didn't care about it at all.

I shake my head, this is so him. Distant from people, cold at everyone except me and sometimes Papa.

As we continue roaming around, I saw a lot of interesting stores that I might visit once I'm free to go outside. It will be exciting to try things out.

One shop made me stop walking. I can see paintings and painting materials through the glass window. I can also see people painting inside, it caught my interest.

Being a med student back then made me a little knowledgeable of drawing because I have to draw a lot of body parts, even the tiniest cell back then. But its peak my interest so I tried to make my skills better, on vacations, I enroll myself in art schools, that's when my hobby of painting starts, and that helped me move on from the friends that turn out to be my enemy has done to me. Painting is therapeutic.

"Brother, I wanted to try that," I pointed to the shop, he immediately nodded, supporting what I want.

"Let's go inside."

Glad, I jump out, smiling. We both walk towards the shop and as we enter the place, the staff greeted us with a smile right away.

"Good day—" his eyes widened when he look at older brother, probably recognizing him, "son of the Duke—" he wasn't able to finish it.

"My sister wanted to do something."

My brother's eyes went to me, I blink a few times before I nodded.

"Yes! Uh... I wanted to paint something here, can you give me a spot?"

"Oh, daughter of... ah! Yes, I'll lead you to a good spot right away, please follow me."

We did as he told.

When he pointed the spot on the corner, he told one of the staff to put another seat on there for older brother.

We went there, I sit hurriedly, excited to touch the materials again, it's the old version but I can really say that it's unique and the materials are all pretty!

Brother sit next to me, "What do you want to paint?" he asked, curious about what I'm going to put on the blank canvas.

"Hmm... probably, an image of me and Papa, what do you think?"

He smirked, "He'll love that."

That made me proud and confident.

I pick the brush and started painting the picture in my imagination. Gosh, I am not really a pro on this so it's hard to paint a certain picture of true persons in my imagination. If there are only gadgets here... but of course, that won't exist here.

In the middle of the painting, someone came next to me. I first saw her lovely dress, but when I look up because I'm sitting while she stand near me, my smile disappeared.

What is Amalia doing here?

Last time I encountered Donovan, and now this girl? Seriously?

"Hi, Lady Elora. It's been years, right? Are you here to paint for the Duke too?"

Wait, what? Paint for the Duke too?

She is going to give Papa a painting too?

Wow.

I can't help but look at her in disbelief. I know she probably thinks of it first, but it's sick to think that she will have the same gift like me.

I hate that I sound so immature even in my own ears, but...

A sigh escape my lips, fine, as older brother said, he will cherish whatever I give.

"Yes," all that I can reply to Amalia.

She smiled.

"I'll paint next to you!"

I didn't reply after what she said, gosh, Elora, just paint and finish yours already!

I look at brother whose eyebrows are furrowed but when I saw him looking, his expression softens.

"You're doing good," he complimented.

I smiled while painting again after that. Hopefully, I was able to finish the painting faster than expected, and now, I'm just waiting for it to dry.

"Wow, you're done already? Let me see it!"

Amalia came near me again, she look at my painting as if she's scrutinizing every bit of it.

She pointed the neck part of Papa, "You shaded it wrong."

"Oh," that escaped my lips as I nodded.

"Thanks."

She smiled, "No problem, just let me know if you wanted my help."

That will probably never happen, Amalia.

I make the part she pointed better, but with a heavy heart. When I look at brother who groans beside me, he looks really mad at something.

"What?" I mouthed, without any sound.

" I hate her."

I can't help but bark out of laughter after that. Oh, silly! That made me really happy!

He smile a bit when he saw me laugh.

I can't help but smile widely after that, but when my brother's face refuse to smile again, I knew she's near.

"It seems that you're happy! Now, I'm curious what you were talking about," she made a very feminine laugh.

"I never saw a noble lady laugh as you do, Lady Elora, it's quite entertaining. But people will be weirded out if you did it in public," she said as if she's trying to scare me by using what people will think of my card.

"I don't really care about that—"

"My sister can do whatever she desires, Miss Briossa."

I saw how Amara's face crumble a bit but she still manage to smile.

"Well, if that's what you want, I just don't want her to be judge by anyone."

I couldn't even interrupt because right after that, brother speak again.

"You are the only one who points that out, Miss Briossa, just continue your painting, we're leaving."

Thankfully, the painting was already dry, and after we paid for it, we left the place and went home.