2. News; letter

It had been three days since Albel had left the group. A messenger had come with a letter from the king asking for Albel to return to Airyglyph and attend some top-secret business. He was still captain of the black brigade no matter where his travels had taken him in the past months and had his duties to fulfill.

Since they couldn't continue on with out him. Everyone chose to stay in Aquaria and he had agreed to meet them there when his work was done. Sophia had tried not to feel disappointed when he left without saying goodbye.

It was now almost nightfall and she found herself alone in the small park on the West End of the city. She sat on the cold marble bench with her head resting on a nearby tree. She looked out over the small pond watching the fish swim and the small leaves that floated on the surface.

When he first left she tried to convince herself that it hadn't mattered much. He would after all only be gone a short time and it wasn't like him to say goodbye to anyone. He wasn't trying to hurt her, he just wasn't the type of guy to go out of his way to say goodbye to someone. It wasn't like they were dating or anything. He had no obligations to her, no reason for him to have to tell her anything. But if that was true then why did it hurt so badly?

She felt tears sting her eyes and fought to hold them back. There was no reason for her to cry. Deep down she knew why she was hurting and it was completely her own fault. She had feelings for the dark-haired man. Which was ridiculous. He was almost seven years older than she was. They came from two completely differently planets, in different solar systems, and different levels of technology. She was a high school student and he was a battle hardened soldier. Not to mention the fact she was pretty sure he didn't have those kinds of feelings for her.

She really shouldn't have been missing him. She couldn't say she was lonely, she had plenty of company. She had trained a bit with Fayt, helped Nel in the castle, and even had a little girl time with Maria and Mirage. But somehow she always found herself looking around trying to catch a glimpse of black and blond in the crowd.

"Lady Esteed?"

Sophia jumped slightly and turned in her seat. Behind her was a soldier. She could tell by his uniform he was from

Airyglyph. She felt her heart sink deep into the pit of her stomach. What was an Airyglyph soldier doing in Aquaria? Unless…oh god something had happened to Albel! He could be hurt or dead or…

"I'm sorry my lady I didn't mean to scary you."

"No you didn't it's just…" he couldn't be here just to tell her something had happened to Albel. Why would he seek her out with that kind of news. It's not like she was his wife or family or anything. "You just startled me that's all." She stood up but still kept her distance from the unfamiliar man.

"You are Lady Esteed are you not?" she nodded and the soldier began digging through his side satchel. "I have a letter here for you."

"A letter for me?"

"Yes from Lord Nox." he said finally handing her the letter.

She looked at the letter, her last name written in Albel's handwriting. "How did you know who you were looking for?"

The young man smiled shyly and scratched his head nervously. "Well he described you so I know what you would look like."

"Oh really, and just what did he describe me as?"

"I would rather not say my lady."

She waked a bit closer to the man tilting her head a bit. "Now you have to tell me. Please I won't be angry Albel is the one who said it not you."

The young man looked around a bit almost as if he was afraid of being overheard. "He said I should look for a pretty young symbologist dressed in a pink top and…a scandalously short skirt."

"He said I was pretty?" well if he'd given her a compliment like that then maybe she could overlook the short skirt bit. The soldier nodded. "But still why didn't he just have you deliver it to the inn were I'm staying?"

The young man redid the latch on his satchel and looked like he was getting ready to leave. "My instructions were to hand the letter to you and you alone. He also said I should make sure it was kept private. Lord Nox is a very private man I don't think he wanted the others of your group to know."

"Did he ask for you to wait for a reply?"

"No my lady."

Sophia looked down at the envelope in her hands, for the first time wondering what it contained. "Well thank you for bringing this letter all the way here." She bowed slightly and he did the same before leaving.

After he had left she sat back down looking at the sealed envelope in her hands. Why would Albel have written her of all people? The thought of Albel sending anyone a letter was so farfetched that she almost thought this was some kind of joke.

Carefully she opened the envelope and pulled contents from within. Her hands trembled a bit as she held the letter out in front of her and read his elegant handwriting.

Keep this letter away from the other fools. The last thing I need is for them to start butting into my business. I'm simply writing to let you know I will be longer than I expected and it will be four more days till I return. That damn king's ordering me around like I'm his personal war-horse.

You'd better be keeping yourself out of trouble while I'm not there to help you. I don't trust that fool Leingod with the care of anyone let alone you.

Don't go reading more into this than the letter it is. I've simply grown accustomed to you and find your presence lacking in my daily routine. I'm only writing to let you know the length of my absence because I'm sure you'd fret about it otherwise. I don't need you working up the idiots into a frenzy with your worrying.

Also I've picked up a package for you here. It's just something for the journey ahead. I'll see you in four days.

Albel Nox

Sophia re-read the letter before folding it up and putting it in her pocket. Her head was still reeling from the fact that he had written her when Fayt called from behind her.

"Hey Sophia!"

She stood and walked over to him. "Hey Fayt what's going on?"

"I've been looking all over for you. We'll be eating dinner soon. You'd better hurry before cliff sits down to eat. You know if he gets there first you can kiss any hope of leftovers goodbye."

Sophia nodded. "Ok I'll be along in a few minutes. Just be sure to save me some ok."

"Are you sure you're ok? You're looking a bit red."

"Oh I think I've just been out in the sun to long. I'm fine really don't worry."

He didn't look like he believed her but nodded anyway. "Ok don't be to long." Fayt turned and started walking towards the inn.

Sophia watched him round the coroner. When she was alone she let her hand come to rest on the letter in her pocket. It was safely hidden away were no one would find Albel's little secret. Four days was sure a long time.

A/N

This theme and the two that will be posted after it will all be from the same set of events. So the next two will be directly related to the events of this story. This will probably be the only time I do this but who knows.

Some of you were getting confused with titles of the chapters and the numbers. I am writing these based off the 30 kisses community found here

http/ community. livejournal. com / 30kisses/

you must remove the spaces to get the link to work.

The point is that you have a set of 30 themes. Each story must be based on your couple, relate to the theme, and you must have some kind of kiss in each chapter. While I do not post in that community I do write these here. So the title of each chapter is the number of the theme and the theme itself.