As soon as the mansion came into Eugene's view, she stopped walking. Earlier today, she did not understand why Euria turned back and looked at everything with nostalgia, but now she understood. Just like Euria, she was taking everything through her eyes and embedded it in her. She searched for every little detail and tried her best to keep it in her heart and mind.
The door to the house, the trees, the grass, each of them conjured her sweet, or bittersweet memories. This was a place that soothes her, a place of peace. A healing place that allowed her to become who she was today, to breathe, a place that made her world moved again.
A place she has to leave. If she wanted this peace to last, she had to bring Euria back with her own two hands. Because it is not just the building that makes a home, but only when everyone is gathered together that this building becomes a real home.
'Today.' And it is today that she will have to leave. It was the only day she could leave considering the security at the mountain of Veria. If she calculated it right, she only had one hour before the knights of the house of Graeme, Akler, Marleigh, and Rodriguez came to temporarily guard their estate.
Eugene walked to the entrance of the house and walked in with Con. However, before she left to get her things, she turned to Con and told him to go ahead and rest. Con had been following her silently and even helped her overcome her emotional wreck and so for that, she felt incredibly grateful to him. She watched Con walk away before she headed upstairs.
She took some time walking to a room and when she arrived in front of the room, she paused for a good second before walking in without knocking or asking for permission. She walked in quietly to Aernest's bed and watched him sleep. If this was yesterday, Aernest would've been awake the moment she stopped at her door, but seeing his wretched state, it was not surprising that he did not wake up even when she was standing right in front of him.
Levis probably forced Aernest to go to bed with his headphones on so that he could get a good rest. Eugene's lips curved up as she slowly lowered herself to sit on his bed and watch as Aernest breathe in and out slowly.
"Ugh." Aernest head moved to the side as he frowned in his sleep.
Eugene's index finger reached to Aernest's forehead and pressed on his cease, "Shh… You are fine. This is only a nightmare." She whispered and repeated until Aernest eventually stopped frowning and began to smile in his sleep.
Seeing Aernest at peace made Eugene relieved.
'Life without brother Louis, brother Ramon, and Aernest.' Her relief soon faded away as one of the sentences in Euria's letter flashed by her mind. Her lips lowered down as she stared at Aernest.
She could not imagine a world without the three of them. It was ironic but would everyone be living even if one of them was missing? They were a sibling of five, not four, or two.
She caressed Aernest's face gently as she watched him sleep, 'He will probably be very sad when he knows I left without him right?' She felt slightly bad that she was leaving him alone when she had promised to include him in every aspect of her life and in every decision she would make. But she truly couldn't risk taking Aernest with her. Not only will it make traveling harder, but she also didn't want the possibility of something bad happening to Aernest.
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly when suddenly a hand grabbed her tightly on her wrist.
Eugene's eyes widened slightly as her head moved to her arm and then back to Aernest. 'No, he is still sleeping.' She exhaled in relief, 'Is his body reacting to the words I said unconsciously?' She thought as she tried to get out of Aernest's grip.
'I won't be gone for long.' She whispered as she patted Aernest's hands on her wrist, 'I promise I will come back soon with Euria. I promise, okay?' She gently coaxed the unconscious Aernest and pulled her hands away once his grip on her was loosened.
Eugene's gaze lingered on Aernest face for a while before she turned away and left. Aernest's room was excluded from the rest of the rooms on the floor, hence it took her more than a minute to reach her room. The first thing she saw when she entered her room was the sword she used earlier on today. The workers had cleaned it carefully and put the sword on her coffee table.
Eugene sighed, and began to pack the most essential stuff she needed on the trip, money. Of course, money was the most essential and was the most important thing. Without money, she wouldn't dare leave the house. This was the money she had saved up for 10 years. And the amount she had saved was enough to last her all her life if she lived frugally. Naturally, she didn't pack all of her money and only took half of what she saved up before putting the rest away in a safe corner.
Finally, weapons. She decided to bring the two weapons she took earlier today. Her bow and arrow that was custom-made when she was three, and her black sword. Her dagger was already on herself at all times so she didn't have to pack that up.
Once everything was done, she took out papers from the cabinet as well as some ink and brush.
"....." Eugene thought for a long time before beginning to write.
"There are many reasons why I choose to leave, and I know it is one of the most spontaneous and stupid decisions I will make in my entire because who do I think I am. I promise to bring Euria back. Even if it takes weeks, months, or years, I will bring Euria back safe and sound.
I will leave the first half of Euria's letter with you in hopes you get a better understanding of the situation and prepare for what's to come. This letter might scare you, scar you, and might break your heart but I hope… you read it.
I am sorry for keeping this for so long. I was stupid and I was scared of everyone's reaction when you find out who I am. I thought I wasn't scared, but in fact, I was scared that I wasn't your real daughter. But now that I know that I am, I am relieved and happy.
Finally, I am sorry. Sorry for making this decision myself and sorry for the hurt I've given you as a bad daughter, and as a bad sister for these past 10 years. Father, mother, brothers, Aernest… you are my family, my home. Thank you for all the love and care you have given me. Euria and I will return home soon so please take care.
-Eugeneia."
It was the first time Eugene ever called herself Eugeneia but… it felt good. Though it still felt a bit unfamiliar. Eugene caressed her name for a second before setting the letter down on the table along with the letters she read that were written by Euria.
"Dear Aernest,
I'm sorry for going back on my promise to you. You are my precious brother and I don't want you to get hurt. I'm sorry for making this decision myself and I will accept whatever punishment when I get back. Do not be anxious and do not be worried for me as I will come back no matter what. If you don't know what to do or become sad, I will give you my permission to sleep in the room or even… use the money I saved up. If the days are too long, strive to become stronger. Be stronger so that I do not leave you behind again.
Take care, and thank you for everything,
P.S- Do you think mother and father will ground me? No… right? I think I'll cry if I'm confined to the house without being allowed to train.
-Nia."
Eugene set the letter for Aernest down and walked out of her room. She headed downstairs. When the workers saw Eugene, they only bowed and walked away. They were used to seeing Eugene carrying a small bag as well as having weapons with her at all times so they weren't suspicious of Eugene. Some watched as Eugene headed to Moniqua's room, before turning around and continuing on with their work.
Knock Knock-
She didn't hear anyone responding so she went in. The moment Eugene opened the door, a waft of disinfectant hit her nose, once again reminding her that Moniqua was injured because she had protected her from the arrow.
With a heavy heart, she walked to the sleeping Moniqua slowly.