A Boda of New Beginnings for a Once Wandering Heart Chapter 6

[xuebingcode]

Chapter 6

Townsperson A: Lennox, could you carry these logs for me?

Lennox: Sure, I’m coming.

Townsperson B: Rutile, I was thinking we should change the table colours, but which do you think is good?

Rutile: Which indeed! Let’s try a bunch out!

Everyone works alongside the townspeople in unison.

Mitile: Okay guys, we’re gonna use this coloured paper to make decorations for the wedding!

Mister Luca and Miss Emily said that they’d be happy to be surrounded by the things we like, so let’s first list what we like!

Riquet: What I like…

Well, you’re definitely one of them, Mitile! You’re my dearest friend after all.

Mitile: Ehehe…

Riquet: I also like Prince Arthur who’s always so kind, and Nero who prepares yummy meals for me, and Oz who gives me his candy.

Oh, and I like Cain too.

There are times where he messes up my hair by ruffling it, but I think it’s very gallant how he strives to protect everyone.

Akira: (I admit I laughed a bit when he treated Cain like an afterthought, but Riquet looks up to Cain in his own way too.)

Al: Oz and Nero are some of the wizards who came to help, right? Are Arthur and Cain also wizards of the Sage?

Riquet: Yes. They couldn’t make it, but I’ll introduce them to you someday. 

Mitile: We should make paper faces of everyone at the manor!

Making faces can be a bit complicated though, so we should get used to crafting first. Let’s practice with something more simple.

What can we think of other than people?

Akira: Hmmm, cats are definitely my go-to. What do you like, Al?

Al: What do I like…uhm…

I, don’t know.

Mitile: Anything is fine. Like for me, I’ll probably make corn soup, or Mr. Leno’s sheep…

Al: …I think I did before, but now, I don’t really know…

The paper in his hands creased. He was having trouble thinking.

Riquet: Then Al, would you help us in making the things we like?

I actually used to not know the things I liked either, until I eventually learned them.

Maybe in making things others like, you’ll remember yours, or find something new to like!

Al: …Okay.

Town Children: Mitile! We wanna make some too!

Child A: Can you show me how to make that animal again?

Mitile: W-Woah, let’s make a line, shall we?

Giddy to see Mitile again after a long while, the children make a ring around him. 

Riquet: Mitile, I can teach Al. I still remember a dozen of the things you taught me how to make. 

Mitile: You sure? Thanks! Al, I’ll see you later!

Al: …Mitile’s really popular. 

Riquet: Because he’s a wonderful and kind person. I’m sure you’ll come to love him too.

Oh, but we still don’t know how to make faces, so I can’t teach you how to make Mitile…

Al: …Ah.

Akira: What is it, Al?

He pointed to a tiny colourful flower growing by our feet.

Al: I want to make that.

Riquet: Nice idea! Okay, then let’s make paper flowers. Watch closely now. 

First, you grab enough sheets of paper to layer them like this, and then fold them in a zigzagged pattern.
Then, when you fold the last sheet, you pin the middle like this.

Al: Zigzag, zigzag…then pin the middle…

Riquet: You’re doing good! Now, you just have to gently drag the points out.

If you told me this smiling Riquet teaching another how to make paper flowers was the same boy from his first days at the manor, I wouldn’t have believed you.

That boy who had so much to learn about the world came to know so many things, and seeing him impart that knowledge to others was a moment so precious to me.

Al: …! I did it!

Akira: Wow, it looks as pretty as the real thing!

Al: Riquet’s instructions, were very easy to understand. 

Riquet: Hmhm. It’s usually Mitile who’s always teaching me, so being on the teacher’s side and experiencing something new with a friend makes me very happy. 

Al: Friend…

His expression dimmed. It didn’t seem like he hated being called friends, though.

I noticed that whenever Al was given kind words and actions he would look guilty like he didn’t deserve to be receiving them.

Akira: (I wonder what’s going on…)

Lennox: Rutile, can I ask you something? I want to know what makes kids happy…

Rutile: Hm, well children are each very unique and have their own likes and dislikes, so it’s hard to come up with just a single thing.

Lennox: …Right, that makes sense.

Rutile: Is this about Al?

Lennox: Yes. I figured I should try something, anything to cheer him up. 

Rutile: I’ve been thinking a lot about that too…

I guess for now, food is the answer. A delicious meal rejuvenates the body and the heart after all. 

Oh, that reminds me! Nero and some other townspeople are cooking up lunch together, so let’s go ask them about the menu.

Nero: …

Oz: …

Townsperson: Wow sonny, not only are you good with your magic but you’re even a master at cutting shapes!

Nero: O-Oz, why not leave the veggie cutting to me? You can go do somethin’ else if ya’d like…

Oz: When it comes to the other work I do not know my limits well, and may overdo things. This kind of work is familiar and just right for me.

Nero: Oh, is uh, that so…

Rutile: Nerooo!

Lennox: Sorry to bother you. Do you have a minute?

Nero: Rutile, Lennox, thank the spirits you–I mean, yeah, what’s up?

Rutile: We wanted to ask about the lunch menu…

Nero: Hmmm, a meal that generally all children like…

Oz: Children like stew.

Rutile, Nero, & Lennox: Huh?

Nero: I get the feeling this is based on Arthur rather than children in general, but…I guess it works. 

It’ll warm up the tum, and if we boil it for longer we can make it easier to eat for those who’re too tired to eat.

‘Sides, I was already plannin’ on making a soup dish, so we have chopped veggies at the ready too.

Lennox: Thank you. Your cooking is always delicious, so I’m sure Al will come to like it too. 

Emily: Everyone! I heard you’re all working on lunch, so would you put these breads out too?

Rutile: Oh, look at all these adorable shapes! Are you going to bake them now?

Emily: Mmhmm. I couldn’t just sit at home while everyone and you wizards were working your hardest for our wedding!

And Al…I hoped I could put a smile on his face if the bread was in the shape of cute animals.

Lennox: We were hoping for the same thing.

Rutile: If it’s your fluffy baked bread Emily, he’ll want to eat it everyday!

Nero: And to top it off, there’s no better combination than bread and stew. The kids’ll be crazy for it.

Rutile: Since there’s a lot, how about Mr. Leno and I help you in baking?

Lennox: Yeah.

Emily: Really? Thanks, you two!

Nero: And you can leave the stew to us.

Mitile: You’re on fire Al! You made so much!

Child A: Wow, he did!!

Child B: It’s hard to make the flowers pretty, so you’re super good!

Riquet: His skill with his hands surprised even me.

Akira: You might be better than me at cat-making…!

Al: N-No way, that’s not true. I, I like the white cat you made, Master Sage. It’s cute.

Akira: Aw, thanks Al. I appreciate it. 

With the sun shining down on us, the preparations for the wedding were steadily progressing,

and Al was warming up to Mitile, Riquet, and the other town children. 

There were still things I was worried about, but seeing Al included in the group gave me a sense of relief. 

Watching the kids get along, the smell of something good wafted in the air. 

Child A: Do you smell that! It’s lunchtime!

Nero: Woaaah, and they’re already running. I’m bringin’ it to ya, so be good and wait over there. 

Glasses Wearing Man: Nero, could I taste the stew first?

Nero: Oh, I’ve been wanting someone from this town to taste-test it, so yeah. Might be hot though, so be careful.

How is it? I tried flavouring it like regional dishes in South…

Glasses Wearing Man: …! D-Delicious! It’s so soft on the tongue and sure to be loved by people of any age!

Nero: Phew, that’s good.

Following the mouthwatering smell led to Nero and the others holding a large pot and plates of baked bread.

Town Children: Waaah! It’s stew!!

Nero: Haha, look at you rascals. There’s more than one pot, so eat a lot.

Town Children: Yaaay!

A familiar action, Nero fills plates with stew and hands them to the incoming townspeople one by one. 

Nero: Here’s your portion. You uh, really helped out.

Oz: …It’s more salty than your usual stew.

Nero: M-My bad, do you not like it?

South’s food is strong on the flavouring, so I used some consomme…

Oz: No…I think Arthur would like this too.

Nero: Arthur would, huh? …I’ll make this again when we get back home. 

Oz: …Thanks.

Shylock: Nero, pour me a plate?

Nero: Here ya go. Ugh, what’re you smilin’ at…

Shylock: A pair of bosom buddies, is all. 

Nero: That’s…okay sure, fine. Still in shock though.

Emily: Everyone, make sure to take some bread! They’re freshly baked.

Akira: Thank you, Emily. Oooh, it smells so sweet…

Rutile: Look, there’s all sorts of shapes too!

Mitile: Wow! They’re so cute…I don’t know which to choose!

Riquet: I will have this bear shaped bun. It looks like Oz. 

Mitile: Al, which one do you want?

Al: Uhm. I’m fine with choosing from the leftovers…just eating freshly baked bread is enough for me…

Lennox: Everyone’s picking a bun that they like for themselves, so you can pick a bun you like too, Al. 

<      Index      >