Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 37's

Resting all night, the next day, Rue who had recovered from her exhaustion was greatly enchanted by Hirrim Palace. The palace is truly beautiful and magnificent. Mirthy happily accompanied him around the palace, from the palace garden, library to art room. Rue who could not hide his admiration, stared at all of it with eyes sparkling like a child.

"Mirthy, have you sent anyone to deliver a message to Lara and Apple?" rue asked suddenly as they were inside Mirthy's room.

Rue had told Mirthy about how she was separated from Apple and Lara. From that story, Mirthy came to the conclusion that Lara may have reached the Kingdom of Catax. Those robbers would definitely not delay their journey just to look for Rue. Their goal was money, Rue who was an ordinary folk would definitely not be considered valuable. Although, she herself was actually also quite doubtful, as Rue's extraordinary beauty kept her thinking; was this girl really just an ordinary citizen?

As for the Apples, Mirthy felt he must still be in the Arthorn Kingdom. The apple that Rue was talking about must have been a blind warrior that people were talking about right now. The kingdom was still on war alert, as it was impossible for him to leave the Arthorn kingdom.

"I've sent people to deliver that message. I think it'll take them a week to reach their destination."

"A week yes..." Rue muttered softly full of disappointment. He really hoped that the message could reach them even faster, especially to Apple. If Apple takes about a week to receive the message, then it will take her about two weeks to see him again, and for Rue, two weeks is a long and long time.

"R-rue, two weeks is not a long time. These two weeks are sure to pass as long as you don't think about it." Entertain Mirthy as soon as he saw the face full of disappointment Rue.

"I see," Rue replied as she forced a small smile. He knew Mirthy was encouraging him. "Thank you, Mirthy..."

Mirthy did not like to see Rue's face like that. Ever since their meeting, he had been fond of the smile as well as the loose laughter on the golden-haired girl's face. Trying hard to think of something to comfort him, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Rue, do you want to take a walk into town? Three more days there will be a big celebration here, how about we go look around now? Time will pass quickly if we have activities." Take Mirthy slowly.

Mirthy's call made Rue smile more sincerely and nodded her head. Mirthy was right, seeing the Capital Ioreth he had never seen might be able to take his mind off, and also, he did not want to make Mirthy worry about him.

"Good job! Come on, let's go now!" mirthy's laughter was happy. Running out of her room while pulling Rue's hand, she didn't care about the maids running after her.

The big celebration that will be held in the next three days makes the city of Ioreth which is already crowded is increasingly crowded and alive. The entire houses of the residents and the street are decorated with flowers that bloom beautifully. Smiles and laughter adorned the faces of the townspeople as they were busy carrying out their activities. This upcoming celebration is a celebration that is very much awaited by all of them.

Rue peeked out through the window of the slow-moving horse carriage. He could clearly see the hustle and beauty of the city. His eyes sparkled with admiration and excitement.

Mirthy smiled looking at Rue's attitude, she was so grateful that Rue's face which was always filled with joy and excitement had returned.

Rue continued to ask Mirthy excitedly as he saw something he had never seen while passing through the street in this Ioreth Capital. Mirthy was not bothered by Rue's continuous questioning, happily, she explained slowly what was being asked.

"It was the stage of the height of the celebration." Clearly Mirthy while pointing at a large stage built in the middle of the capital's field.

Rue looked out of the window towards the stage Mirthy was showing. The stage was huge, majestic and beautiful. Filled with beautifully arranged flowers and ribbons, several women were seen practicing dancing on it.

"The upcoming three-day celebration is a celebration held once a year to commemorate the arrival of the harvest season. On the day of the celebration, on the stage will be held dances and songs. We all believe Hirrim, singing and dancing are the best way to convey our prayers to the gods." Mirthy.

"Dance and song?" rue asked as he looked at Mirthy with sparkling eyes.

"Yes. You should see this celebration Rue." Mirthy's laughter was happy.

"I can't wait for the day of celebration." Rue's smile returned Mirthy's words.

Later that night, the sleepless Rue decided to take a walk in search of the wind. While walking through the palace garden, his eyes caught the figure of Mirthy sitting alone on a garden chair.

"Mirthy." Call Rue slowly.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing for cornering you," Rue replied with a smile and sat down beside Mirthy. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sitting staring at the western sky, Rue."

"Western? Why?" rue asked tangently, he did not understand Mirthy's intentions at all.

Mirthy smiled. "Because west of here is the sea, Rue."

"I don't understand, Mirthy."

Mirthy smiled again and looked towards the west. Maybe because the one who asked was Rue, so he didn't mind telling it. "The west sea from here is the sea where I met 'He', Rue."

"Him?"

"Iya—'Dia'. I met him when I was very young" Mirthy explained slowly. His eyes glared in remembrance of the encounter he had never forgotten in his entire life. "I'm a very shy person, Rue. As a child, I did not dare to face people, therefore I was labeled as a failed princess by everyone. One day, I was a child and Ayahanda went to Aule Village because of royal affairs. I slipped out of the guards' guard and played into the sea near the village alone."

"Sea near Aule Village? Is that the sea you helped me in?" cut Rue.

Mirthy clapped his head and continued his story with a smile. "There I met him. He encouraged me and wanted to make that useless friend of mine. Every day, for a week while I was in the village, I sneaked out to meet him. He's older than me, maybe seven or eight. However, he similarly never looked at me as a failure, he was my first friend."

"Where is 'He' now?" ask Rue spirit

Mirthy turned her face to stare at the dark sky above, a smile still filling her pretty face. However, Rue could clearly see there was sadness within that smile. "I don't know. On the last day before I returned to the palace, he promised me that he would always wait for me at sea. However, that promise was never fulfilled, because she was never there again, no matter how many times I went ."

"Did you miss him?" ask Rue slowly.

Mirthy nodded his head. "Yes. That's why I'm still going to the sea. I'm sure someday we'll meet again."

Rue understood Mirthy's feelings. To Mirthy, 'She' must be a person she really loved. Not being able to meet the person we love so much is painful. Her newly separated self not so long from Apple had missed her so much, what about the feeling of Mirthy who had been separated for so many years?

Rue wants to help Mirthy. She owes much to the Princess of Hirrim Kingdom, from helping her deliver messages to Apple and Lara, providing her shelter and food, to accompanying her when she was sad. However, Rue did not find anything to help Mirthy.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through Rue's mind. Jumping from his seat excitedly, with a wide smile on his face, he clasped Mirthy's hands together. "Mirthy! I know what I can do for you! You said that in three days at the big celebration, on the stage that you showed me this afternoon, there will be dancing and singing, right?"

"D-yes." Reply Mirthy tangent.

"I'll sing and dance on the day of the celebration." Reply Rue while patting her chest full of pride.

"Eh??" Mirthy was very surprised by what Rue said.

"You said that singing and dancing were prayers to the gods, right? I'll sing and dance there, and I pray to the gods that you meet again with 'He' you mean."

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