A Boda of New Beginnings for a Once Wandering Heart Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

Lennox: Don’t worry. I’m only going to purify it. 

I don’t want any more harm to befall you, Luca, or Emily. So can you help me?

Al: …Okay.

Opening up to Lennox’s sincere words, Al handed over the compass.

Riquet: Do you need any assistance?

Lennox: No, this amount should be fine for me to handle. 

Forsettao Meiuvat.

A pale and warm green light is summoned from Lennox’s spell, engulfing the compass like a blanket. 

Akira: Ah…!

For a fraction of a moment, a black stain stinged on the compass, and quickly dispersed.

Rutile: You did it, Mr. Leno! I don’t feel that unsettling sensation anymore. 

Lennox: Al, it should be okay now.

Al: R-Really? Thank goodness…!

Lennox lets out a sigh of relief after the successful purification, and I place my hand on my chest, feeling my heart calm. 

Al takes back the compass, and rests it by his cheek, tracing with his finger the letters engraved within. 

Akira: (I can’t read those letters, 

but I bet they read something important to Al…)

After a moment, he placed the compass back into his pocket, and faces us again, preparing to speak once more.

Al: Uh…

I…I don’t know if those two, and everyone in town will forgive me, but…I want to apologize…

We quietly listened to his words, letting him take his time. Once he was finished, we answered. 

Rutile: Yes, we’ll come with you. I’m positive that if we explain what happened everyone will forgive you. 

Luca and Emily are only concerned for you too. 

Al: I’m the one who wrecked the wedding that everyone worked so hard to prepare for though…I can’t just apologize…

Words won’t be enough to make up for it. That’s what the tremble in his voice and the tight grip on the hem of his shirt told me. 

Even if his actions were not intentional, he still wanted to shoulder the heavy burden of what had been done with those small hands of his. 

Al: There…there has to be something I can do to fix this…

Lennox: …I have an idea.

The townspeople are right now working to repair the venue and restart preparations for the wedding. 

Could you help us with that?

Al: Uhm…is, is that alright? Having the wizard who wrecked it in the first place helping out…

Rutile: But you didn’t want to wreck the wedding, did you Al?

As long as you explain, I know everyone will welcome you again.

Lennox: Mm. I know firsthand how generous the people are. 

Rutile: Besides, in this country storms and typhoons are common, so we’re used to having the things we just built topple over. 

And if something’s broken, we can rebuild it again. 

I think it will make Luca and Emily very happy if you help out, Al.

Agreeing with this plan Riquet and I both smile warmly at him.

Al: …Thank you.

I’ll say sorry, and ask them if I can help out…

He mustered the words through his fear, looking up instead of down. 

Riquet: Then let’s head back to town.

Lennox: Al, you can ride on my broom. You’re probably still in no shape to be riding on your own. 

Rutile: Master Sage, you can hop on mine! I’ll get you back in no time flat!

Akira: Sure. Thanks, Rutile. 

Riquet: Master Sage, will you be alright riding with Rutile?

Akira: Ah.

It was too late. I was already on the broom. I had just remembered that Rutile’s “no time flat” is always word for word true.

Akira: Ru-Rutile!! I understand we should get back as soon as possible, but maybe we can enjoy the scenery today…?

Waaaaugh!

Al: T-That’s some speed…

Lennox: Don’t worry, that won’t be you.

Riquet: Master Sage, stay strong…

Flying through the air at a speed that would break laws back home, Rutile and I arrived sooner than the others to the venue. 

Following our arrival, Mitile and the other wizards came to greet us. 

Akira: The ground…finally…

Shylock: Are you alright there? Please, lean on my shoulder. 

Mitile: If you’re flying at that speed it must be something urgent…

Rutile: Not at all! We found Al safe and sound, and wanted to catch you up to speed on what happened.

Though I…may have overdone it. Master Sage, please forgive me. 

Akira: I-I’m okay! It’s been awhile since I’ve ridden with you…

In the middle of our conversation Lennox and the others arrive.

Seeing the boy appear from behind Lennox’s back, the couple dash over to him.  

Luca & Emily: Al!

Al: Ah…

He sees their faces and lets out a small voice.

A little while ago he wouldn’t say a peep or hold eye contact with anyone, but to those two he firmly looked them in the eye and made up his mind.

Al: …F-For ruining your wedding, and scaring everyone away…I’m sorry. 

Luca: You were scared too though, weren’t you Al? Coming back here was very courageous of you.

Emily: I’m so glad I get to see your face again, Al. I didn’t want that to be our goodbye!

The couple tenderly embraced the boy. 

Warm hands began to melt the fears embedded within,

and Al’s face looked the most peaceful it had ever been, arms reaching out to return the hug…

Until, sorrow crept its way back in, and he refrained himself once more. 

Lennox: …

Akira: He must still feel guilty…

Lennox: It might be more than that.

Akira: Huh?

Just as I was about to ask, I saw a group of townspeople walking over, and decided to prioritize clearing up the misunderstanding. 

Lennox: Al’s magic outburst was due to the inevitable effect of the Great Calamity. 

You have no need to worry however, as we have successfully purified the affliction. There won’t be anything like that again.

He didn’t mention that what the Calamity afflicted was not Al, but his compass.

Since it was a precious item to him, he must have taken his feelings into consideration. 

In notice of that, Al began to tear up, watery eyes fixed on Lennox. 

Lennox: Al, do you want to ask about the preparations yourself?

He patted his back gently, giving him the push he needed to talk to the townspeople.

Al: I’m sorry for ruining the wedding. Please, if there’s anything I can do to help with the wedding preparations, let me join you! 

It’s my responsibility for wrecking what you worked so hard on. 

I want those two to have a proper and wonderful wedding like they deserve!

Emily: Al…thank you!

Luca: We’re happy to hear it.

Townsperson: So young yet so strong. Alright, starting from tomorrow, it’s hustle time!

Youngster: With this many hands we’re gonna make it even better than before!

The passionate shouts of the townspeople fill the air. It was as Rutile and Lennox said, everyone here is generous and open-minded.

Al: Thank you so much…! I’ll do my utmost!

Lennox: We’re planning on helping out. What about you guys?

It’s going to be more days than what we originally came for, so I understand if you have to leave. 

Shylock: Of course, you will have my help to the very end. If anything, It’s an honour to take part in the preparation of this lovely ceremony. 

Nero: Welp, can’t just leave. I’m staying too. 

Oz: Owen already left. I will be here during the day to help, but at night I will return to the manor.

Minus Owen who wasn’t here, Lennox bowed his head to everyone in gratitude. 

Mitile: Hi Al, my name is Mitile, and I’m a Southern wizard. Let’s work hard together!

If there’s anything you want to try doing, just ask me!

Riquet: Mitile is very reliable, you can ask him anything.

Al: Okay, t-thanks…

Talking to kids his age for a spell, Al soon returned to Lennox’s side. 

Lennox: What’s up?

Al: Erm…thank you for not telling everyone about my compass. 

Even if you said there’s nothing to worry about, I’m sure there’s still people who are afraid…

Lennox: No sweat. I wouldn’t like it if others acted too cautious around something I treasured too. 

Al: Y-Yeah…

He said, body tilting forward and falling into Lennox’s chest. 

Lennox: Al…?

Al: Nn…

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