Chapter 92: I’ll Wait
Fueled by this urgency, Fabian stressed to Welden the importance of keeping this information from the king, advocating for the pretense of continued search efforts.
Welden, though still bearing the heavy weight of grief, found a glimmer of solace in this strategy. While his demeanor remained distant, occasionally lost in thoughts that seemed to stretch into eternity, there was a slight spark of resilience in his eyes – a faint reflection of his former self.
The loss of Bianka had left a gaping void in Welden's heart, a part of him forever missing. He navigated through life as if perpetually searching for something just out of reach – a haunting reminder of the woman who had been his anchor.
As Fabian fervently worked to untangle this dangerous web and formulate a lasting solution, Yohana found temporary refuge at Nina's house, sheltered from the looming threats that hung over her.
However, just as Fabian's efforts were taking shape, a calamitous piece of news shattered his resolve – word arrived that Nina's sanctuary, the very place Yohana had found solace, was now consumed by fire.
The blaze had claimed Nina's life, yet it spared Yohana's, her absence hinting at a possible refuge. Nina's words about a reclusive herbalist named Per resonated in Fabian's memory. Within the sanctuary of the forest, Yohana had been an apprentice to Per.
For Fabian, Nina's legacy became a lifeline. Armed with every crumb of information Nina had shared while alive, he embarked on a relentless quest to locate Per's dwelling.
But his dogged pursuit proved to be a chase against shadows. When he finally stumbled upon the once-habited haven, it was a desolate shell, riddled with bloodstains like macabre footprints. Whose blood it belonged to remained a chilling mystery, casting a shroud of uncertainty over Fabian's heart.
Holding onto a fragile hope, Fabian fervently prayed that the blood wasn't Yohana's. Desperation became his constant companion, spurring him to employ every resource at his disposal to locate her.
He dismissed the prospect of the royal knights aiding him in the search, fearing their presence would only push her further into hiding. Instead, he orchestrated searches of the forest expanses, combing the wilderness for any trace of Yohana.
He hatched a daring plan, placing a trusted informant within the palace walls, hoping to uncover Yohana's whereabouts should she be confined there once again. Yet, despite these meticulous efforts, his sister's elusive shadow remained beyond his grasp.
With no stone unturned, Fabian immersed himself in the world of nobility, navigating social circles and mining for any whisper that might lead him to Yohana's trail. His life shifted as he juggled between schooling and the ceaseless search for his sister.
But as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, every lead led to dead ends, every hope crumbled beneath the weight of reality.
Futility became a bitter companion, settling into his heart like a heavy stone, as Fabian wrestled with the painful truth that his relentless efforts had yielded nothing – that his sister remained shrouded in a cloak of enigma, slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.
Despite the ebb and flow of time, Fabian's unwavering determination to find Yohana never waned. And then, as if summoned by fate itself, Yohana emerged from the shadows, stepping back into his life in the most unexpected of ways. The sight of her, after what seemed like an eternity, was like a burst of sunlight through stormy clouds.
A surge of happiness mixed with guilt swept over Fabian as he looked upon his sister. The sheer relief of seeing her safe and sound was palpable, yet it was mingled with the gnawing awareness of the hardships she had faced alone. He longed to take her pain away, to erase the suffering she had endured, but he knew he couldn't change the past.
***
"I'm sorry," Fabian's voice trembled, his eyes locking onto Yohana's as if he could convey his emotions through that single phrase.
Yohana, taken aback by his unexpected apology, furrowed her brows in confusion. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"
His gaze dropped for a moment, then lifted again to meet hers. "For not looking for you harder," Fabian's words hung in the air, heavy with regret. "I should have tried harder. I should have dedicated all my time to that."
A surge of emotion swelled within Yohana, and without thinking, she reached out and clasped Fabian's hand, their fingers intertwining in a shared moment of comfort. In that instant, the walls that had separated them began to crumble, replaced by a raw connection of understanding.
"Stop that, Fabs," her voice was gentle, carrying an unwavering sincerity. "I purposefully avoided you. I know how hard you were looking for me. You didn't find me only because I avoided you on purpose."
"What are you saying?" Fabian's voice was a hushed whisper. His eyes widened with a mix of surprise and realization, and he held her gaze as her words sank in.
Yohana's gaze lowered, her lashes casting soft shadows on her cheeks. Her voice quivered as she began, "After the fire incident with Nina, someone attacked Per. He told me to hide underground while he received beatings for not disclosing my location."
Relief surged through Fabian's heart as he finally learned that the blood stains that he found back then were not Yohana's, as he had hoped.
As if guided by an invisible thread of understanding, Fabian's thumb brushed away a stray tear from Yohana's cheek. He wished he could turn back time and erase the suffering she had gone through.
"Per and I ran away. And I couldn't tell you because... because—" Her words trailed off, emotions choking her voice.
"Yohana, you don't have to tell me if you're not ready. I'll wait," Fabian's words were a gentle reassurance, his fingers holding onto Yohana's hand as if offering an anchor in the storm of her emotions.
"Runa. Duke Fabian." The interruption came in the form of a deep voice, pulling their attention away from their intimate exchange. Fabian turned, his eyes meeting the figure of Henrie who stood before them, his gaze fixed on the entwined hands.
The atmosphere shifted, a mixture of surprise and discomfort hanging in the air. Yohana's reaction was almost instinctive, her fingers slipping from Fabian's grip as if caught in an act she wasn't supposed to be a part of.
"Henrie..." Yohana's voice was a quiet murmur, a blend of emotions hidden beneath that single utterance. The weight of their history, their unspoken feelings, and the current dynamics of the situation all converged in that moment.
Henrie's gaze shifted from their hands to Yohana's eyes.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Fabian's nod was both respectful and polite, a subtle acknowledgment of their differing positions.
"You don't have to do that, Fabian," Henrie's words carried a casual ease, a reminder that they were not in the formalities of the court. "There's no one else but us here now. What do you say we have afternoon tea together for the sake of the old days?"
Fabian's gaze shifted toward Yohana, as if seeking her affirmation. Her demeanor around Henrie seemed comfortable. In that glance, Fabian could discern how much Henrie cherished Yohana, an unspoken sentiment that didn't elude him.
As Henrie's invitation lingered, the memories of their shared past resurfaced like fragments of a mosaic. Their childhood, when the Duke Georg von Siegfried would visit the Reinhard manor accompanied by his son.
Fabian's mind journeyed back to the times when he and Henrie, nearly the same age, would engage in innocent adventures, forging a friendship through their shared moments.
Yohana's presence would sometimes grace their play, though Henrie's disposition toward her was apparent. A distinct recollection emerged – Henrie's preference to play without the company of a girl.
At times, Fabian had been gently encouraged to foster his bond with Henrie over Yohana, a reflection of the societal expectations that guided early friendships with an eye toward the future.
Fabian's chuckle broke the air, a sound laced with the irony of hindsight. It was a sentiment born from the unexpected revelation that Henrie, once dismissive of the young girl's company, had now fallen deeply in love with her.
"What is it?" Henrie inquired.
"Oh, nothing much," Fabian replied casually as they crossed the threshold into Henrie's inviting pavilion. "Just reminiscing about days gone by."
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