The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Twenty Eight: Different Paths

Spring has begun to enter Plodnavor. The flowers began to bloom beautifully, but Amabel did not enjoy them. Unlike the flowers that began to bloom, tulips in Plodnavor have withered. Tulips are considered a sign of transition between summer and spring. Amabel is standing in front of Duke Lancaster and Mary. "I will go, I hope your mother and father are always given safety and happiness."

Despite her heavy heart, Mary finally allowed Amabel to leave. He doesn't want to be a hindrance to Amabel's dream. Duke Lancaster had a necklace with the Lancaster family coat of arms on Amabel. "It will connect us. I'm sorry papa, yes Bel. I hope you find what you're looking for on this trip."

He then kissed Amabel and hugged her. "Your two brothers will be angry later." Duke Lancaster hugged Amabel. "Make sure you stay warm."

Mary spread her arms and Amabel hugged her tightly. Amabel will miss the warmth and aroma of Mary. "Hopefully, wherever Bel will always be loved and loved. Careful." Mary then took a sword from a servant. "Bring this up and protect those who must get it."

Amabel's eyes immediately shone. He hugged Mary tightly and turned to Duke Lancaster. "I'm sorry if Bel can't be a good, selfish kid. The bell will make this journey meaningful. The bell will return when the time comes."

Both her parents nodded. This time was different from when they drove Amabel to the palace. This time they did not know where Amabel was going and how long she would stay. Alberto Bennett arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and went straight down to say hello.

He lowered his hat and greeted Duke Lancaster. "It's an honor because you allowed my daughter to be your student." Duke Lancaster clasped Alberto's hand tightly. "Please teach Amabel useful knowledge."

Alberto nodded, "of course. I'm sorry I didn't get to say hello to you, Duke. I have to prepare a lot of things and even in this meeting I can't take too long. We have to get ready to arrive at the inn before night."

Duke Lancaster nodded in understanding and patted Amabel on the back. "He's ready."

Alberto looked at Amabel who was wearing a brown dress over her ankles. His legs were clad in boots and his silver hair was braided. His body is covered with a matching colored coat. Alberto glanced at Amabel's waist decorated with a magic bag and a sword. He smiled, maybe.

"Then let's go." Take Alberto and Amabel to nod. "See you, Duke, Duchess."

Duke Lancaster and Mary nodded. Twice they took her daughter. This time it felt heavier.

"Miss! Wait!" Pita and Elle run when Amabel has entered the horse carriage. "Bring this! It's from us."

Pita gives a box with lunch. Elle gave me the box that I don't know what. "Miss, be careful. We'll wait until the lady gets home. I'll study hard." Elle said with tears flowing.

While Pita was already sobbing, "your lady should take care of herself and don't forget about us."

"will not. You take care of yourself too. I have to go now." Amabel removes Elle and Pita's tears from the window of the horse-drawn carriage. "See you."

"See you soon" the two said, taking two steps back. The carriage walked over and Amabel waved her hand from inside. This time he did not leave with compulsion, he went out of desire, and curiosity.

Alberto found Amabel's smile attractive. Interesting because the girl next to him was the girl with the highest strata among the nobles, but chose to go to the corners with him. Amabel did not cry, but smiled as if she were free. "You look so ready." Said Alberto.

"I have to be ready." Reply Amabel with a smile. "Where are we going, sir?"

Alberto gave Amabel a chocolate book. "First we will head to Rezenavor, a village near the Rreze mountains. There we will stay for three days, during which we will open classes for the children there."

Amabel's eyes shone hearing him, "what shall we teach them sir?"

Alberto looked at Amabel, straight and firm. "You have my students so stop calling me Sir. Call me Alberto that way you won't hesitate to ask."

Despite the hesitation, Amabel nodded. He felt disrespectful, but could not resist. "Good, Alberto. So, what will we do after that?"

"We will only teach reading and writing in general. Our destination is the Iliya behind the Rreze mountains. There is the oldest library in Yerkink and many professors that we can find. Briefly, Iliya is a student city." Obviously Alberto. He looked out into the street, they had already passed through the gates of Plodnavor. "In Iliya we will stay for a few months. There is a special exam to get a graduation certificate without having to go to school. You should take that exam, at least it can help you formally. You got it, right?"

Amabel nodded. Alberto may not be able to give her a certificate of graduation, so Amabel has to get it herself. It doesn't matter, though Amabel believes it will be difficult. "Then, what are you gonna do?"

"I will research the education in Iliya so that I can report it to the king. Oh, thanks to the answer to your essay, the kingdom is making a compulsory learning program for the people." Seeing Amabel's disbelieving face, Alberto continued. "Yesterday when I reported to leave, the king gave me a special mission to make a report on the teaching in Iliya. I think it has something to do with Prince Hendery because he gave a detailed explanation."

Amabel smiled, but Prince Hendery listened to her that night. He felt happy, even though he was not the one who directly took care of this. At least his wish can be done. Now maybe that justice can be achieved, even if very little.

"Maybe in autumn we can leave Iliya." Mumbled Alberto. "Oh, one thing you should know, I'll leave you some time to report to the kingdom."

Amabel nodded, feeling no problem with it. "Oh, Alberto, how do exams usually take place?"

Alberto rubbed his chin, trying to remember. "Hm, they will start with some tests to find out the strength of each candidate. In the first test may be a physical test, from there they will know the ability of each individual and the next test will be related to the physical test. Subsequent tests could have been related to sword ability, magic, or knowledge. In the last test you'll be required to write the final assignment as a devotion to knowledge."

Well, Amabel didn't think it would be this hard. However, of course the face because in public school takes 8 years, while this program only takes a maximum of 4 months. From this comparison, of course, there must be a big difference during selection. Amabel cleared her throat, so she felt insecure. "Alberto, how many participants are usually accepted?"

Alberto slicked his shoulders, "depending on the result. It could be hundreds, it could be just a matter of fingers." Alberto turned his head, putting his finger between the two. "You need to know that being accepted and staying as a student are two different things. You may be accepted but, there is a possibility that you are not able to undergo education. Every day will be filled with tasks until you feel like quitting and many do."

Seeing the worry in Amabel's eyes made Alberto flick his student's forehead. "If you learn for the sake of the crowd, you won't give up easily. Understood?"

Amabel nodded despite the doubt. The point of Alberto's words is that if we learn to give the knowledge to the people, we will never stop looking. Learning to teach is the best way to survive. Amabel lowered her head, "does Alberto think I can do it?"

"For someone who loudly expressed dislike for the King's attitude, what can't you do?" Reply Alberto with a smile. Strangely though it sounded a satire Amabel so come smile.

Alberto turned his head, his eyes slightly narrowed as he spoke. "Oh, please hold back to lift Iliya's sword. The people there are a bit sensitive with sharp objects."

"I won't raise a sword if it's not needed." Said Amabel, calming and as a promise to yourself.

Although the preparation of the army led by Arion had little preparation, they could prepare to the fullest. The barracks were finished when Arion arrived. The black-haired man got off his horse, greeted by Arthur Richmond - his right-hand man.

"Although the time is short, we can prepare to the maximum. Rest and basic supplies are available. Then it's just waiting for the health team and the drugs." Arthur reported the work. The red-haired man gave a board containing the results of the report. "Master, our place is only a few kilometers away from the countryside. While the enemy forces are in the west and are already preparing to attack."

Arion sighed, just now he saw the villagers who looked scared. He did not want to sacrifice innocent people. "Create a small army to move them to a nearby village. It might be hard but, I don't want any victims from innocent people."

Arthur nodded. "I will do it. Your resting place is done, what-"

Arion instantly cut in, "let's get together first. I think we need to talk a lot."

Seeing the look in Arion's eyes made Arthur smile and nod. He immediately called for the entire army to gather in the middle of the campfire. They have more troops than in previous missions. Many new faces were here and Arion began to stare at the faces before him one by one.

"I, the son of Yanha Walcote, Arion Saverio Walcote will be your leader during the mission." Arion now points straight ahead, "on the battlefield I cannot promise salvation to all of us. It's just that I know you guys who are in this army will be heroes of the kingdom. There's a lot we're going to stake on this mission and I hope you're prepared for the worst. Either way, we'll win. Because I will not allow defeat into this army. For a victory I need you, without exception."

Arion stared intently at the faces before him. Without exception means without traitors and spies. "So, if you guys are the part I'm going to exclude, go from now on. I will not hesitate to kill, not even someone who has served me a long time. Remember that as long as we're on a mission. Now, do your job."

"Good!" Teach them simultaneously.

Arion then turned around and patted Arthur on the shoulder. "Make a small army now."

Later he entered a special barracks. Tonight Arion needs to study the surrounding area and plan an attack. The following nights will be busy and Arion loves it. With all this he will forget his problems. Also, Amabel.

"Sir, this is Arthur." Arthur said and only entered when allowed. He carried a roll of paper, "this came from the Lancaster family."

Hearing that made Arion turn his head quickly. So fast that he laughed at himself while rubbing his face. Amabel can take over her reflexes so easily. Arthur sees a sad expression on Arion's face and he feels it. While following Arion on the battlefield, Arthur never saw such an expression. Arion on the battlefield looked so cold and untouchable, even though he returned to the palace he did not have much expression. The miss from the Lancaster family is so amazing that it can give a variety of expressions on Arion's face. "I will continue the work of the master." Arthur said, giving the scroll.

Arion nodded and opted out of his barracks. He walked towards one of the hills around the barracks. Arion sat there and opened the scroll. He can smell the scent of cinnamon and vanilla from the scroll. Reminds him of Amabel.

To Prince Arion.

When you received this letter, did you arrive safely? I hope so.

Prince, when you received this letter, I was no longer in Plodnavor. I have been a pupil of Sir Alberto Bennett and am currently on a journey of seeking knowledge. At the end of the day, we are on a different path. But you need to know that I am so happy to take this path.

I often ask, am I selfish for feeling so happy and free? Did I finally get the real meaning of the happiness I was looking for? I don't know, but I'll find him on this trip.

Arion could see the tear drops on the letter, making him feel sick. He could imagine Amabel asking herself in the middle of the night.

The only reason I'm writing this is because I don't want you to know it from anyone else. I don't know how long I'm going to be on this trip, I don't know how many people I'm going to meet, I don't know how much blood, sweat, and tears I'm going to shed. Just like you are struggling, I will do as much as I can.

I will always pray for your safety, so please return safely. Just like me, you deserve to be happy. Don't just look for a victory, but please seek your happiness as well.

If you are injured, please treat your wound first. If you can't, please stop for a moment. You can stop, you can complain and let out your emotions. Just don't ever give up because I'm sure you can get past the obstacles in front of you.

In the future, I may not be able to send any more letters. So, in this letter I will wish you a happy birthday for the years to come. My prayers will always be mine, your safety and happiness. I would also like to wish you a happy new year, hopefully you can see the beautiful sky.

Prince, I used magic paper. Once you read it, it will burn. Please understand that I don't want to be a burden on you going forward. Although this letter is burning, my prayers will never stop.

Greetings, greetings,

Amabel Rosemary Lancaster's

As Amabel said, after Arion finished reading it the paper burned with a blue flame. Arion hit his chest that felt tight. Amabel didn't even let Arion keep the letter.

"Should you be this bad? You didn't let me keep it and give me no hope of meeting." Lirih Arion's. Amabel was so evil that she burned the letter. So evil was it to send a letter to Arion and not let Arion reply. Wrong, Arion was not given the opportunity to reply to the letter.

Of happiness? How can Arion look for another happiness when the happiness he wants is away? The only happiness for Arion is Amabel. Even though he won, Arion never really felt the joy of victory.

"Now, tell me, Bel, how can I be happy when you are the happiness I seek? When you're that happiness, but don't let me have it." Arion can now only hope that the happiness Amabel seeks is within her.

So abstract is the kind of happiness. However, for Arion a happiness arises when he sees the happy face of Amabel. Enough with the girl being by his side. However, when happiness was at his side, he chose to leave. Does Arion not deserve to dream of happiness? Is this a punishment for his past sins?

How painful this punishment is. Until making Arion repeatedly feel suffocated and crowded. "Bel, you may be looking for happiness on your journey this time. But I'm here to protect it. So keep walking and looking. As far as distance is concerned, I will always keep your happiness. Forever."

The moon shone brightly with the same color bias as Amabel's eyes. Arion closes his eyes, hoping he can see Amabel's smile. However, in his memory he instead sees Amabel crying while at a party with a sword pointed at her neck. Protecting what? Arion couldn't even do anything that night.