Eleven: Home – La Più Triste Addio –

A/N: Is this the end? *wink*

Soft morning rays of light cascaded down the empty hallway before me. Its lush carpets and warm wallpapers casted a happy homey mood and I felt a little sting in my heart as I trudged on. My feet felt like lead.

This was my last walk along these hallways.

Last night's confrontation was the least and last thing that I ever wanted to happen but coming to think of it, it must have been another right move of Fate. Nami must know about my return. With her anger, she would be having less time moving on. She'll be more willing to shove me away from within her diameter.

She would be more willing to forget about me.

I wasn't able to use much of the stuff Mr. Lehrer had given me so I took not much time packing things up. A servant took me the burden of taking it downstairs and placing it in the car's trunk. Mr. Lehrer had appeared to my door a few minutes after I had opened my eyes. Summer birds kept on chirping happily as they flew from branch to branch of the tree just outside my window. "We are at your bidding, Mr. Tsuchiura." Mr. Lehrer said as I put on my shirt. He still looked somber, probably because he felt too bad about what had happened. "It's not your fault, Mr. Lehrer. It was an accident. Everything here was an accident." I tried to cheer him up.

"It was an accident of Fate." He corrected and we knew that all these were not merely accidents or coincidences. There was some greater force pulling the strings in some part of somewhere. "I haven't had the chance to properly thank you for all your efforts, Mr. Lehrer." I remembered. He looked at me and blinked with a small smile. "Oh, please, do not burden yourself about that. I am happy to be of help." He said and a sad smile appeared on his face. Somehow, this man had been very essential to me, to us. "If only there is something that I could give back in favor of all the things you've done." I insisted and searched my bag.

"No, it's okay, Mr. Tsuchiura. I am contented with…with seeing you getting off well." His voice faltered. I know that he was greatly saddened by the turn of events. He felt greatly guilty and responsible for the rift Nami and I had last night. But I keep telling him that it was not his fault. "I'd also like to speak to the Duke and thank him." I said. "Do not worry, Mr. Tsuchiura. I have briefed him about this already and he believes that your clandestine escape is best. He sends his regards to you and your family and friends." He replied. "Please rely my gratitude as well." I said back.

"Are you ready?" he asked. I looked around the room and savored the last moments of it. "I'm going to miss this room the most." I said with a smile and we laughed as we went out. Before we turned right for the main lobby of the house, I paused and looked at the next stretch of the hallway that led to the family members' rooms. "Mr. Lehrer…can you…can you go ahead?" I asked him and he smield back at me. "We will meet you downstairs." He said and went on. When he was out of earshot, I walked to the direction of the setting of last night's drama. I stopped in front of a certain door and I began to take deep breaths.

"Mr. Tsuchiura?" a female's voice called from behind. It was Melinda from last night. "Guten Morgen." I greeted her with a smile and she bid me the same. "Is there something I can help you?" she asked me. "Uh…" I said and looked from the door to her then back to the door. "I just want to say something to Fiona." I replied. If I couldn't talk to Nami, then I'd have to leave it to her sister.

"Lady Nami is also inside. She took the night there. But she was already stirring when I left for the kitchen." Melinda gave me the news. I felt my heartbeat quicken. "Would you want me to say that you are here?" she asked quietly.

I wanted to say yes but…

"No, there is no need." I declined her great offer then dug in my bag. I took the object in my palms and handed it to Melinda. "Please give it to Nami. Tell her that…that…I am happy for her and I am wishing her all the best." I said then walked away.

"Mr. Tsuchiura, wait!" Melinda called. Looking back, I saw her green eyes getting wet with tears. "We wish you well too." She said and bowed. I nodded and walked on. Eerie enough, the encounter with Melinda seemed to make it easier for me to leave this place. It was like a thorn was taken out of my chest. I felt like my strides were lighter, easier. It was as if…I was happy to leave.

Outside, the black car was already humming with life. Mr. Lehrer and a small batch of his men were around the car. A few servants were also there with them. When I came to their view, the men in black rushed to their positions. The servants lined neatly on the side. "Well, here it goes." I said and looked at small party sent for my departure. I haven't really been that close to the staff but they were very welcoming. My constant touring of the manor made me quite a familiar face to them. I have enjoyed some good talks as well and their little company meant to much for me.

Mr. Lehrer took the little backpack that I had and handed to one of his men who placed it in the car. "This would be one of the saddest goodbyes for all of us." Mr. Lehrer spoke in behalf of everyone present. I smiled and laughed a little. "I'm going to miss everyone. I hope that we could still meet each other. You know, a random bump at the streets." I said and the others laughed as well, though with a sad string to it.

Mr. Lehrer opened the door of the car for me and I was about to enter when a voice pierced through the sharp silence around us.

"Ryou!"

I looked back and saw her, panting and crying as she jogged to me. "Nami?" I asked then she jumped on me and held on like it was the end of the world.

It was, in some way.

"Please…don't go…I'm sorry for last night. I'm really sorry so please…don't go." she sobbed. I felt a hard little lump hit on my chest. Looking down at her, I saw a little silver strap donning her neck. I felt my heart did a little dance when I knew what it was, even if I didn't see it clearly yet.

It was…

"I see you got the message from Melinda." I said as I pushed her away and eyed the little trinket dangling on her chest. While I was accompanying Mr. Lehrer to buy some stuff for the ball a few days ago, I passed by a small jewelry store and something in the display window caught my eyes. There, hanging solely on a little stand, was a silver necklace with a full bloom rose with an orange gem on the center. I went in and asked for the necklace and learned that it was locket. Without second thought, I bought it and I was planning to give it to her if ever I confess to her (I didn't know that I would be confessing to her in the way that I had done). I was able to ask for her picture and placed it in one of the slots. I left the other one free but I had it be engraved with a simple phrase: You are the rose of my heart.

She held it and cried again. "Don't leave me, please. I beg you." She said and held on to my arm as if she was going to drag me back inside the house if I said no. I smiled at her and wiped the tears on her cheeks. "There, there, you don't look good if you cry. Stop it." I said soothingly but she cried harder. "Why are you doing this to me?" her voice was very much broken. I couldn't bear to see her like this. It was like being shot through the heart by an arrow with a poisoned tip. How I wanted to hold her and never leave but I know that it would only make things tougher. If I had to hurt her, I'd want that pain to be a fleeting feeling. I wanted the pain this decision would make something that will be easy for her to forget. I had to leave immediately.

"Look, you have to go back inside the house now. Your father might get worried to find you missing in your bed." I said and pulled myself away but she kept on grabbing my arm. "No, please…Ryou, I need you here. I wont survive this without you." She cried. The female servants who were lined up were starting to dab the sides of their eyes. The look in her eyes melted me inside. She was begging me. As far as I know, Amou Nami didn't beg to other people. It was always the other way around.

"That's not true. You're a strong woman, Nami. I'm sure you could do it. Besides, you have your loving family and Mr. Lehrer here to help you. You're going to be great." I said and patted her head with my other arm. She shook her head and kept on crying…

Despite the calm smile on my face, inside of me were a war, destruction and chaos. I was slowly dying.

"I need you, Ryou. I need you here beside me. I…I love you too." She sobbed and she buried her face on my chest. Hearing those words was enough to send me to my death faster. But I was happy, at least, I was able to hear those sweet words before I left. I was happy to learn that my rose loved me too. It was the sweetest death of all, I told myself, and I was honored with such a thing.

"T-Thank you, Nami. Thank you for everything. I will not forget this experience. Goodbye." I whispered, quickly kissed her forehead and pulled myself with a little force that she stumbled. As she did, I took the chance to quickly get away from her reach and duck inside the car.

"Ryou!" I heard her scream in desperation and pain. Mr. Lehrer was instantly beside me inside the car. "Mr. Tsuchiura…" he gasped. Nami was pounding on the window at my side. "Ryou! Open this! Don't go!" she said.

"D-Drive." I said to the driver. He and Mr. Lehrer looked at me with surprise. "Drive." I said, putting more stress into it. I wanted to leave now, leave as fast as the light. I wanted to free myself from hearing or seeing more of her sadness. I wanted to escape.

I wanted to die right now.

The driver hesitatingly pulled up the brake and the car inched forward. I just looked straight ahead, not wanting to lock eyes with her. Right now, seeing her broken form was tearing me apart as well, making my slow death a painful one. Trash the sweet part of learning that she loves me too. Pain was winning more than any other emotion now. And add to the fact that her pained and broken form was because of me.

She followed the slow increase of the car's speed as it circled the fountain on the front of the manor. "Ryou! Ryou! Don't go!" she kept on shouting. I was fighting hard not to listen to her, to answer her call. This was the most crucial part of my death. Suddenly, gasps and shouts came from behind us. Mr. Lehrer looked behind and gasped as well. "Lady Nami! She fell!" he said and he looked like he was going to bolt out the car and help. The car began to slow down.

"Just drive. Pretend you didn't see anything." I barked and the car picked up speed again. The sounds of her cries vanished as the distance between us increased. Soon, we were traversing the forested path and the light of the town greeted us.

She was out of my life.

I was out of hers too.

I had died.

She would now be able to live.

I had fallen.

The crown was saved.

"Goodbye." I whispered and allowed a small tear to finally rush down in one sweet move.