Hi, I'm a new fanfic writer here and it's my first fanfic. Btw, I hope you like it.

Fragment of Hope

Chapter I: After the War

A red haired man walked alone at the wide hallway of Circle Palace, Harmonia. The wall and floor made of crystals, reflected the figure of the man in white coat. He walked graciously as the soldiers around him bent down to him. After the Second Fire Bringer War he was appointed to work with Bishop Sasarai, the elder brother of Luc, the man that he worked for on the last war.

He finally stopped in front of a big door, the door of Bishop Sasarai's office. He knocked the door two times then introduced himself. "It's Albert. May I enter, Your Holiness?" he spoke with his usual monotone and low voice.

"Ah, come in, Albert!" replied a youthful voice from inside the room.

Albert opened the door and entered the room. Then he closed the door behind him and walked further to the center of room.

"Greeting, Your Holiness," Albert greeted the young looking man in the blue Harmonian bishop robe that sat on the chair across the desk in front of him and bowed to him.

"Stand up, Albert!" Sasarai ordered him with calm voice. There was a smile on his face. His usual innocent smile.

Albert stood up again and looked at Sasarai. Then he looked at the desk. There are a lot of papers scattered on it.

"It's looks like you're still busy. I'm sorry if I have disturbed you," Albert stated it with his usual cool expression on his face.

"No, no, it's okay. Please sit down." Sasarai adjusted the chair across his desk.

"Thank you," Albert thanked him then walked towards his chair and sat down.

"So, what brings you here, Albert?" Sasarai finally asked him. The smile still lingering on his face.

Albert pulled something from behind his coat. "I come here to give you this." He adjusted a letter to Sasarai. "It's a letter from my brother. He sent it along with a letter for me."

Sasarai looks surprised. "From Caesar?" He then received the letter and opened the fold. He read it quietly.

Albert waited for Sasarai to finish his reading. The letter from Caesar makes him curious. For him, Caesar just wrote about his life now. He now continues his journey alone because Miss Apple wants to build a school in Toran. Caesar also congratulated him for the position that he got in the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. What could be his younger brother wrote to the bishop?

Suddenly, the light brown haired bishop chuckled. Albert frowned.

"May I know, what he wrote to you?" Albert asked, curious about what made his superior amused. Did his younger brother write some jokes, just like what he did sometimes to him?

Sasarai raised his head and looked at Albert. "Oh, nothing. He just tell me to take care of myself and tell the situation in Grassland now. And…he also asks me to help you find a woman to married, so you will stop to make the stoic face." The young looking bishop closed his mouth tightly trying not to laugh.

Albert surprised knowing the content of the letter. 'He wants to make me embarrassed in front of Bishop Sasarai!' He felt both angry and irritated to his younger brother, but he kept the stoic expression on his face. "Please forgive my younger brother, Your Holiness. He just like to jokes on me."

"There is no need to apologize. Your brother is a funny person," Sasarai answered him, smiling widely.

Albert looked into Sasarai's green eyes. "I knew that you were stayed for a while at Budehuc Castle during the last war, but I never thought that you and him become close that fast."

Sasarai shrugged. "I just knew him for a couple of weeks in Budehuc Castle. We both often discussed some interesting topics together." His smile becomes soft. "And during that time, I could see that he is also a brilliant strategist, just like you."

Albert looked to aside, said nothing. Yes, he also knew that Caesar was a brilliant strategist. But he is lazy and has no passion when works. That's what Albert disliked from him.

Sasarai continue to speak, "I also knew your grandfather, Sir Leon Silverburg. We once worked together in Highland fifteen years ago, in Dunan Unification War. He was a great strategist, I really respect him."

Albert leaned forward and folded his arms on the desk. " I know. My grandfather also told me about you. That time you was led the Harmonian troops to aid Highland when Highland requested military aid from Harmonia. He said that you're a smart young bishop." He stopped for a moment, then continue his words hesitantly, "And also…I heard from Luc that it's the first time you two met."

Sasarai's expression suddenly changed when hearing the name of Luc. They both fall silent for a moment.

"Yes. That time we stood against each other. He was on the City-State of Jowston's side and I was on the Highland's side. And that time…I didn't know that he is my brother." Sasarai smiled faintly. "If only I know…." He stopped his words.

Yes. It's too late now. If only he know from that time, maybe he still can solve the problem between them, so they can become a good brother. If only he know from that time, maybe he still can change Luc's perspective, so he won't had that intention…and so he won't die like now……

……No!

Maybe if Luc revealed the truth about themselves that time, he also will become like Luc. Had the intention to destroy the True Rune that he bore…and suicide……

"Your Holiness?" Albert's voice make Sasarai's mind stop trailed.

"…Yes?" Sasarai quickly put a smile on his face, trying to hide his feelings now.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry I make you remember about Luc." Albert's face showed a little concern.

"I'm fine. I'm fine, Albert." Sasarai smiled honestly to him. It's already four months since the end of the Second Fire Bringer War. Since Luc dead. He cannot keep looking on past. He must move forward.

Even he know the truth about himself now, even he doubting his existence now, he cannot bring himself to hate Head Bishop Hikusaak and Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. His loyalty towards Hikuusak and his love towards this country are very big, that made him could stand again after what Luc told him. He still has the remnants of faith on Hikusaak.

"Well then, if you don't need anything from me now, I will take my leave." Albert finally raised from his chair.

"Yes. You can leave, Albert," Sasarai replied him.

"Have a nice day, Your Holiness." Albert bowed to Sasarai, then walked to the door.

Sasarai gazed on Albert quietly as the red haired man walked to the door, waiting for him to be at the outside of the room.

After the door closed again, Sasarai leaned down on the desk and buried his face to the sleeves.

I hate you more than anything in this world.

But at the same time, you're the only one I empathize with.

Luc's voice ringing on his head.

'Luc…just to remember about you and your words toward me make me hurt, but why I still had the hope that you're not die…that we still can meet again someday……'

Thank you for reading. How was that? Do you like it? Sorry for the grammatical error.