Amber Memories, Forgotten
-Let Peace Be For Once-
Noah had a wife, you know, and he did indeed love her deeply.
Hence, the possibility of us, descendants of Noah, falling in love can be just as high as any human beings.
It's just that we never realized it, or never wanted to;
Perhaps for the fear of getting hurt ourselves.
"My lady," whispered the lady maid as she cracked her mistress's door a little. "You called me?"
Kaeda Amber shifted uncomfortably in her four-poster bed, prying her face reluctantly from the silken blanket to note the latter's arrival. Faking on a hoarse and weak voice, she moaned a little and coughed. "Yes, I would like you to help write to Lord Mikk that I would be unable to receive him this afternoon."
Frowning with concern, the lady maid wanted to walk towards her mistress but the young lady only shook her head and gestured her to stay back. Shaking her head, the lines on the maid's features deepened despite her relatively young age. "This is no good, my lady. His lordship is supposed to meet you today so as to settle on your bridal gowns. Everything else is already settled. Are you really…"
Kaeda glared at her maid, before sighing. She said, "I'm really tired today. Please do write the letter and do not disturb me till dinnertime."
"Yes, your ladyship," muttered the servant as she shook her head and left the room. The young lady had been confiding in her own room ever since her mother's death anniversary, thought the maid worriedly, as she headed off to get some tea for her mistress. It was as if she had returned to her old self before her long vacation away, as if the new ghost that had possessed her body left her out the blue, leaving an empty shell trembling against the strong tidal waves. Yet there was nothing to worry about, the maid assured herself, as the young Lord Tyki Mikk seemed very eligible and compatible for her young lady. The young man had been ever so caring and thoughtful since the proposal. Smiling to herself, the maid nodded along with her thoughts, seeming pleased with herself.
"Woah, do be careful," said a low male voice as the lady maid found herself caught in the young man's arms, his hands on her elbows to stabilize her. Removing his hand almost immediately, the man broke into a friendly smile. "Do watch you are heading to next time, Madam."
Trembling with embarrassment, the lady maid looked up in sheer surprise when she realized that it had been her mistress's very own lordship. Yes indeed, the young lady was a lucky woman, she reassured herself once again.
"Would you'd mind informing your mistress of my arrival? The new butler does not seemed to be doing a good job, I feel," commented the young man as he shrugged his shoulder and grinned politely at the maid, exploiting his charms.
"I- I…" stuttered the latter as she broke away from the man's gaze. "Her ladyship is- is unwell at the moment. You have- have arrived too early, but no matter what, she is- is unable to receive you- you today and would like your lordship to-"
"She's unwell?" questioned the young lord as he peered over the maid's head and recognized the way to her room. Frowning, he tried to think up of the different types of illness she would have- was it her headaches again? The man shrugged his shoulders. "Then I shall send my concerns to her."
"This is absurd, your lord ship. Our lady needs to…" The lady maid's words began to die off when the young man simply walked passed her and head towards the young lady's room. She was about to relax, it would be good for the young man to cheer her up, when something struck her hard- someone as strong headed as her lady would be furious to be caught in her sleeping gown... the maid then began to chase after the man. "Lord Mikk, please…"
Tyki ignored the lady maid's endless chatter and nagging. It seemed to be getting louder despite each further step away from her and closer to her lady. Sighing in annoyance, he stopped upon a grand door and turned the knob nonchalantly. "Dear, I'm here to visit you…"
Yet the man's teasing only fluttered across the bedroom and danced hollowly back. Surprised, Tyki stared in flabbergast to find the room empty even though the bed was still in a mess. He then shook his head in confusion. "Where is your lady?" asked the young man when he could feel the lady maid closing up on him by the door.
However, the latter only stared at the empty room in shock, though it quickly faded overtime. Sighing helplessly, she said, "It's just as usual, Lord Mikk, for our lady to simply disappear. I should have known that she would play such a trick…"
"Where did she go?" asked Tyki impatiently, as he glanced around the room. Spotting some things in particular, he stooped down to reach for them.
"I'm not too sure. Since her rifle is not here either, I suppose she would have gone hunting…"
"I suppose too," mumbled Tyki with a small grin playing on his lips, his hand turning the small wood piece round and round in his hand. She kept this still, he thought amusedly to himself, before looking at the other item he had found under her bed, all crushed and crumbled into a ball. As he smoothed the surface of the coarse paper, he was stunned when he saw that it was the country's map and had dozen little red circles scattered around this region.
Then a smile lit up his face again. "I'll take my leave then, Miss."
"Sir…" said the lady maid nervously. She too had seen the map and bird carving in his hand. Was it given by him?
"I'll try to find Kaeda back too," assured Tyki good-heartedly as he walked out of the room, a smirk creeping over his lips, spreading it wickedness across.
The wind blew her hair away from her face as she rode on her horse sturdily, unhappy that no matter how strong it was; it would still be unable to blow her troubles away. Duty over desire, she reminded herself, yet those words only seem to flirt playfully in front of her eyes and skittle away. The horse continued to trot on, continuing its bumpy road ahead.
Duty and desire; how was only ever supposed to choose between them two when both are just as loathing? Her heart ached, as if someone had given her more than just a punch and kick on her chest when her thoughts wandered to her past. She recalled her first reaction when she was struck by the harsh recoil of a pistol and rifle; taught by General Cross despite the fact that he was not her master. And she would never forget her everlasting horror when her rank was bestowed upon her.
Stop it; she chided herself harshly, wishing for the wind to slash her hard across her face as she rode against it. Stop those memories, please.
He used to be there, used to be with her in her darkest moments and sleepless nights. He would be right beside her, not speaking yet comforting her in his own unique way. Her heart ached as she recalled how his cigarette would produce that particular smell, how his spectacles reflected light in a certain angle, and how his lips would curl in amusement at every word she said despite her protests. His surprises never failed to cheer her up, and it was through him and the rest that she really tasted happiness. Perhaps the reason why she did not want to find them again for fear that she would never muster up the courage again to return back to her duty. Happiness could be seductive and murderous.
Stop it, please, stop those darn memories; yelled the young lady in her head, furious tears scorching down her face as it streaked cruelly down. Her grip on the reins finally relaxed, and she stopped along with her horse, feeling exhausted and defeated. Trembling as she climbed down the horse, she tried to steady herself despite the chaotic emotions.
It was meant to be simple: just let go of them and go on with her duty. Yet it could be so difficult, she cried silently, balancing herself next to a nearby tree. Her body felt weak, as if it was near fire and melting.
"Kaeda."
The young lady stiffened abruptly, recognizing the voice. It sounded… no, it could not be him. Clutching her fist, she tried to embrace her remaining strength to counter whatever she could. Akumas, Noahs, brokers- she had her fair share of killing them. Anymore, it would just be an insignificant addition to her list.
Then she stopped, stunned when she saw him. "Lord Mikk."
"Kaeda," he said once again, this time not as gentle as the previous. "Why… are you here?"
The latter glared up at the man, watching as his long curly hair swayed along with the wind. He – this Noah- resembled him so much that it was going to endanger her life. Why was she allowing this to even happen? Allowing her nails to bite into the flesh of her palms, she demanded angrily. "You followed me here?"
As she waited for his reply, the anger in her began to swell. Yet it was not the hunting instinct sort of frustration- it ached so much that she could just tear down the tree next to her. With increasing annoyance, she watched as the man slowly took a folded piece of paper from his jacket, smiling as he unfolded it.
"I found this," he said simply, observing her. "And thought that if I were to just follow these red markings, especially the one near your house, I would be able to find you. So, why are you here?"
"That is none of your business," snapped Kaeda, her eyes flaring with anger. "You have no right to follow-"
"I have every right to, being your fiancé. You have already given me your hand, didn't you?" interrupted Tyki, enjoying the look on the young lady's face. "So, why are you here?"
"I said it's none of your business," Kaeda growled, looking away. The map was a thing of the past, something she had casted away for months. "You should have better things than to keep-"
"We were supposed to be looking at your bridal gowns."
"I have no mood for that," Kaeda defended herself.
Tyki snapped. "Then why are you here?"
Kaeda looked up in surprise, wondering why the latter was so determined to find out why she was heading off to nowhere that she even knew. She did not even plan anything, for god's sake. Looking up, the young lady was about to argue back when the scene set upon her eyes stole her breath and words.
"Something," stated Tyki angrily, as he stared at the lady caught by the scenery. "Must have brought you here, isn't it?"
Kaeda let the Noah's words linger by her ears, her attention too engrossed by her sight to even say anything in defend. She had not planned this, she told herself; she had not deliberately made herself travel such a long distance to arrive at this place.
So why was it that I'm back here again?
The young lady felt herself shriveling upon the grand sight, seemingly insignificant and weak in comparison. The maples, now dressed in brown once again, stood side by side just like how it used to be. Her fingers ached as the coarseness of the bark she was touching forced her to divert her gaze there, and Kaeda could feel her chest tightening. It was the same tree, the one which shed the last autumn leaf which she gave to her brother for the last time she could see him.
The last time she had ever seen him…
"Kaeda," muttered Tyki once again as he rushed up to catch the latter, afraid she would faint once again. With such a close distance, he could smell the familiar sweet scent of honey in her hair.
She was too close.
He looked down upon her sad features, and brought up his fingers to caress her cheeks, moving it his thumb over her lips softly. It sent shivers coursing through her spine, and he could feel her even more vulnerable under his touch. Yet his touch was so soft and minimum, it was scarce even, as if he was afraid he could break her composure now.
"Kaeda," he whispered down upon her forehead, his breath upon her tears stricken cheeks. "If there is something you can't let go, we can always postpone the wedding."
The wind whirled around them for that instance, dancing passed them while the two stood in silence. Throughout then, Kaeda had her eyes closed, bracing her remaining life. Then, she looked back up at Tyki, her eyes catching his golden ones. Smiling an expression that threatened to freeze through and break his heart, Kaeda narrowed her eyes with pretended happiness.
"It's okay, Lord Mikk," she laughed hoarsely as her hand pressed itself against the Noah's gray skin. "What more can I ask for other than the honor and privilege for marrying into thy family?" she said flatly, holding his eyes with cold speculation, taunting him.
Tyki flexed his jaw muscle in frustration before breaking her strong gaze. His chest was aching so badly that he longed to grab the lady by the throat and end her life to end his pain.
Yet he could not.
Stepping back, he tried to get use having his arms buoyed by his side with that fact that there was no longer anything between them.
Kaeda laughed. Such that the laughter was so sarcastic, such that it could have made them wish that they could turn back time and take an alternative route. With acid lingering on her every word, the young lady looked upon the man nonchalantly. "I shall take my leave then, my lord," she said casually, walking to her horse before climbing onto it. Without turning back to even look at the Noah, she tugged at the reins, ready to go.
The wind rustled around them, as the horse blew its nose and shook its body. The hollow sound between them grew as she rode further, further and further away. Heart thumping profusely from a combination of confused emotions, the young man knew well that he was going to regret it if he were to give this game up at this time. The pride of a man thus stepped upon, the oath of a Noah not to be hurt thus trampled on, and the determination of a lover crumpled and abandoned. Breathing deeply in his attempt to stabilize himself, Tyki Mikk flared open his golden eyes before that diminishing flame went off.
"Stop," he demanded at the young lady, his voice travelling loud and clear across the distance. "Stop right there now, Lady Kaeda Amber."
I cannot afford to lose anymore of this crap.