Street Signs

Chapter 40

CHEVEYO

Many faces were in the palace, waiting for Verena to come after going to the place of the Baspiritus for weeks ago. Everyone had little smiles, just showing that they were still having tension to see her, to know her condition right now. And even I, could not be at peace at this moment as long as I hadn't seen her yet.

I was sitting beside Drystan when he asked me if I didn't go to the human world this time. I told him we did not have classes, and besides, the coming back of Verena was important to me. I was sent into the human world by the king and queen for a certain task, but that did not mean that I would set aside my duty in Serinokuni. Wherever I would find time, I would go there, especially since I was a warrior, I had to give more. Indeed my schedule was hectic but gladly, I wasn't often feeling exhausted because I focused more on what would be the fruit of my labor.

"Are you nervous?" Drystan asked.

"Yeah, but I trust Verena. I believe she's good."

"I couldn't agree more. Verena is different from the rest of the girls here in Serinokuni. She's powerful and that's what makes me adore her. Though sometimes, she's just unreadable. I can't understand her mood sometimes."

"You well know her."

"Of course I do. Since we were children, the three of us are always together. I can still remember when she punched my face, you are in between because I want to also punch her. But now, I just can't hurt her and I can't bear to hear that she's hurt. Please, don't tell her."

"I won't, but I'm a little surprised by the sudden confession. Why don't you tell her that instead of me? You can't know how she feels towards you by just expressing yourself in this way."

Drystan let out a sigh. "I don't have plans either. I know it's you she likes."

I stared at him. "You're not sure with that. Just go and tell her what you feel."

The two of us were not able to talk more when the king and queen went in front and told everyone that in just a few minutes, Verena would come. Instead, we settled in our seats and remained quiet until Verena arrived at the palace.

Everyone stood and clapped for Verena's arrival. We were not allowed to shout, and so we just expressed our gratitude for her living presence through the smile on our lips.

Verena entered by the door of the palace. She was so well and just like everybody, she was also smiling. Her dress did not change at all; it wasn't ruined. Her skin had little wounds, but at least she was safe. As she passed by everyone in the palace, she could not help herself blush to see the warm welcome. There was a kind of blushing that showed her soul, a sort of compliment to her eyes and the delicate sweetness within her. It showed a connection, that the smile in her came from some deep emotion... and that was a beautiful thing, that was something real.

Drystan's voice that thanked the Highest for the safety of Verena touched my ear, causing me to barely look at him. His smile became brighter and brighter, like a spring flower opening. It erupted from deep inside him, illuminating his eyes and spreading throughout his entire body. He was smiling with more than just his mouth by the tone of his voice, the phrases he chose, and the way he relaxed. It was beautiful, too.

When Verena arrived in front, she bowed, then followed by the crowd. She stood firm in front and still held the sweet smile on her lip. She was even carrying her sword out of the scabbard, which looked like she was so proud of the news she would share with the Nokunis.

"Nokunis, listen," the king spoke, "this gathering will just take a little time because Verena would still be taking rest after her journey in the Baspirituan. Unfortunately, she won't be able to tell us her experience because she is exhausted and still coping. However, please expect a piece of news that you wouldn't like to hear. But anyway, knowing that our Verena is safe, we can calm ourselves as of this moment."

"The king is right," the queen said. "Although we won't hear something from Verena, expect that in the coming days, we would be able to know about her journey in the Baspirituan. We will be holding that upon the meeting for the preparation, so you must wait for it. At this point, I am commanding you to get back from work and no visitation, please. We will not allow anyone to visit Verena unless she said so. Are we clear?"

"Clear!" everyone concurred.

Disappointment ruled over Drystan's face. "I am planning to visit her, though," he said.

"That's alright. We can visit her in the coming days," I told him.

Drystan smiled at me before he left the palace and got back to work. But his eyes didn't tell he was happy about it.

I was also about to leave the palace when to my surprise, Verena approached me.

"Where are you now?" she asked.

"To the house probably. I'll still be preparing for my tasks," I told her. "You... you should now get back to your room so you can now rest. I know you've been so tired."

"I am, but are you not proud of me?"

"I am proud of you."

Verena's cheeks blushed in pink. The scene was quite unbelievable for her, shocking probably. Her mind was sent reeling, unable to comprehend or process the images it was being sent by her eyes and the words told to her ears. She looked away, then looked back again at me. Staring was not quite the word for what she did, though she'd fit the dictionary definition to a tee. Her eyes rest, not unblinking but slowed; yet the effect was soft and inviting instead of harsh. Perhaps it was her lips that gave away her intention, not quite smiling but tilting as if they mean to.

"This is the first time I heard from you that kind words," Verena said. "Well, I appreciate it a lot. But anyway, I come to you because I want to ask you to visit the house. I am longing of talking to someone about my experience in the Baspirituan, but the king and queen did not permit me. They told me I have to rest first."

"You really need to rest first, Verena. I will listen to your story, don't worry. But please, not now. You have to regain first the strength that you released."

When Verena did not talk, I planned to leave already. But she did not let me go away because I only took two steps when she talked again, which made me turn around her once more.

"What did you say?" I asked her as my eyebrows folded.

"The Baspiritus... they are looking for Brielle," she mouthed, which made my world seem to have stopped.