Rhapsody of the Sunset-Kissed Greenhouse | Chapter 6

[healingbonds]

Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7


Akira: (....I wonder if Heath is okay.....)

I walk carefully, so as to avoid spilling the tea, and head to Heathcliff’s room.
I asked the maid who was bringing tea to his room to let me do it instead, because I was worried about Heathcliff and wanted to check in on him.

Akira: (.....He might be asleep. I’ll come back another time if he is.)

I’m about to knock on the door when I notice that it’s slightly ajar. From the crack, I can see into the room.

Akira: (....Ah.)

Heathcliff is sitting up in his bed and gazing out the window.
With a hand on his cheek, he lends his ears to the sound of the rain, as if listening to his own heartbeat.
His beautiful profile, crafted of exquisitely delicate lines, is quieter than the silent night; he looks as if he’s about to melt into the rain.
The scene feels so holy that I lose myself in the moment and almost forget to speak.

Heathcliff: ....Sir Sage?

Before I utter a word, he notices me and tries to climb out of bed, so I hurriedly rush in.

Akira: Ah, no, please stay there.....!
I apologize. I didn’t mean to interrupt you while you were resting.....

Heathcliff: Ah, no, I’m sorry for greeting you like this. ....Oh. Did you bring me tea?

Akira: I asked the maid to let me do her job because I wanted to see how you were doing.... I’ll leave once I’m done pouring the tea.

Heathcliff: Thank you for your kindness — you even brought me tea....

Heathcliff furrows his brows apologetically, then directs his blue gaze at me, hesitant words on the tip of his tongue.

Heathcliff: ....I’ve calmed down a little, so won’t you have some tea with me?

Akira: Are you sure? Then maybe I’ll stay for a short while.....

✦✧☾✧✦

The warm fragrance of black tea in my cup soothes me.
One sip is enough to draw relaxed sighs from both of us.

Akira: Heath, there’s some color back in your face. I’m relieved.

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust told me to spend time in my mana area to recover my magic — he said it was the best way to rest.

Each wizard has his own power spot, known as a mana area.
It’s their favorite place, somewhere they can soothe their hearts and recover their magic.

Akira: Right, your mana area was your bed on a rainy day, Heath.

Heathcliff: Yes. Listening to the sound of rain sharpens my senses, and I feel magic spreading across my body.

The gray sky hasn’t stopped crying for hours. The watery footsteps grow even stronger.
Heathcliff shifts his gaze to the window, his long eyelashes turned downward.

Heathcliff: ....I apologize for the unsightly scene I caused earlier.
Sir Oz’s words really shook me.

Akira: Heath.....

I recall the gravity of Oz’s words — Heathcliff might have been the one who cursed Shino.

Heathcliff: I was terrified. Because if he were right, then I wouldn’t understand myself any more — how I could subconsciously bind Shino’s life like that — and my heart just wouldn’t stop buzzing.....
The more I panicked, the weaker my magic grew. And now here I am in this dismal state.
I feel so pathetic. I can’t do anything, even though it might’ve been my fault to begin with that Shino is in so much trouble right now.....

Akira: But.... We don’t know for sure if it was because of you, Heath.
And even if it were a curse born from your subconscious, you don’t recall casting any magic on that miniature garden, right?

Heathcliff: ....Yes, you’re right.

Heathcliff looks lost for words. His gaze wanders around the room in search of what to say next.

Heathcliff: First, my failures during practice yesterday, and now this... I’m sick of myself for dragging everyone down all the time.
I’m a wizard, yet I can’t even save my friend when it really counts.....

The words he forces out of his mouth are tinged with bitter frustration and irritation.
His heart, his mind. They belong to him, yet they won’t do as he wishes. He can’t become a bold, powerful person who will never waver.
I understand that pain.

Akira: ....That’s not true. You’re uneasy because he’s your precious friend. Of course you’d feel this way.
You’re not pathetic, Heath. So please don’t berate yourself.

I grip Heathcliff’s hand, frustrated that my words cannot adequately convey my feelings.
All I want is to help ease him of the anxiety and disappointment that eat away at him.

Heathcliff: Sir Sage.....

Heathcliff’s eyes open wide before he breaks into a feeble smile.

Heathcliff: ....Actually, this isn’t the first time this has happened to me.
There was another time I couldn’t use magic.

Akira: Really....?

Instead of nodding, Heathcliff responds by closing his eyes. When he opens them again, his gaze isn’t directed at me — it’s directed at some distant, unknown scenery.

Heathcliff: ....Yes. The same thing happened when the orange tree in the orangery was chopped down.
That orange tree was a precious friend of mine when I was young. When I lost it, I became a complete shut-in for a while.
But Shino did everything he could to cheer me up, to make me feel better.... And one day, I could suddenly use magic again.

Akira: Shino.....

Heathcliff releases a short sigh. HIs beautiful brows twist in agony.

Heathcliff: ......... .....Sir Sage. It really might be my fault that Shino is trapped.

Akira: Huh....?

The pouring rain sings, its voice pounding on the glass. If you ran outside without an umbrella, you’d be soaked in an instant.

Heathcliff: .....I’m already in such a pathetic state. Would you mind listening to my story for a little bit longer?

I nod, and Heathcliff begins his tale, turning the dense pages of his memory one at a time.

Chapter 5 << | index | >> Chapter 7