When I awoke the next day, Laveda was fast asleep. Her sleeping face was so cute, but I didn’t have time to admire her face when I felt that slime finally slip from under my foot. Stupid slime. I pried myself away from Laveda and left the hut. I then grabbed the biggest rock I could find and went back into the hut. Without delay, I dropped the rock on top of the slime preventing it from moving. Now it won’t attack me.

I then made my way back to the sleeping Laveda. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. I sat near her and then lifted her head. I placed her head against my lap as I began to caress her hair. It was so soft to the touch. I ran my fingers through her hair as she breathed softly and before I even knew it, I had leaned down and kissed her forehead. I saw her smile in her sleep. She was really cute.

Seeing her smile, I suddenly remembered the words of my mother…words I have forgotten because of my fear of my Talent.

“Love can come as suddenly as a storm.”

The words were strange to me, but I remembered she said these words when mentioning how she fell in love with father. Remembering these words I long forgotten, I felt my heart begin to race. I fell in love just like mother. I’m in love with Laveda. Coming to this realization, I lifted up strands of her long hair to my lips and kissed it. I remembered father did this to mother before when she was still alive. I want to stay with Laveda.

Laveda suddenly groaned and opened her eyes. She met my eyes and looked like she was in shock. Her shocked expression is so cute.

“Good morning.”

Laveda shot up from my lap and exclaimed, “So we slept out here all night?” I nodded finding her changing expressions so adorable.

Laveda blushed for a short while (so cute), but she suddenly looked concerned and then shocked when she noticed the rock shaking. Darn, she released that stupid slime, but I have to admit that I enjoyed seeing that stupid slime crying. Serves that stupid slime right, but I hate it that Laveda is hugging it. Is that slime a boy or a girl?

I smiled with a chuckle as I approached Laveda, but she gave me a warning glare as she hugged that stupid slime. I am not going to harm it…this time.

I held my hand to her with a slight bow saying, “We should head back before our family realizes we are missing.” Laveda nodded and then placed the slime into her teddy bear (so that’s how it moved) and then slipped out of the hut avoiding my extended hand. I guess she’s angry that I dropped a rock on the slime, but I definitely want to hold her, so without giving any warning, I lifted her up into my arms. She was really light and so small. I was happy to carry her, but she looked scared…I wonder why? I did a small twirl to get her to smile, but she only looked even more scared and gripped the front of my shirt…this is great. I laughed as I began to run toward the mansion.

Laveda seemed to finally calm down when we reached the mansion, but I immediately saw that the servants were running around frantically. They must have discovered that we were missing. One of the female servants noticed us enter and showed concern for us, but I could see that even though she said she was concerned, she didn’t even bother to make eye contact with Laveda. She reached out to touch us, but I stepped back giving her a warning glare. She seemed to understand I didn’t want us to be touched and instructed us to go to the dining room where our family was waiting. I nodded and followed the maid down the hall with Laveda still in my embrace.

 “Can you put me down?” I heard Laveda ask, but I only smiled and said, “But you’re so light.” I didn’t want to put her down.

“Please…”

Before Laveda could finish her sentence, I was kicked in the cheek by the teddy bear (stupid slime). I was silent as I placed Laveda down and then I grabbed the teddy bear by the neck dangling him in the air. I seriously wanted to make this slime suffer.

“BIBI!”

Laveda tried to rescue the stupid slime, but it needs to know its place. The servant didn’t seem to notice that the bear moved as she instructed us to stay close.  I continued to hold the bear by the neck as I led Laveda down the hall by holding her arm.

When we reached the dining room, I saw our family waiting at the table to eat breakfast, but when my uncle saw us, he stood up demanding where we were. I could see the fear in Laveda’s eyes as uncle yelled at us, so I dumped the stupid slime on the ground and stood before her glaring at uncle.

 “I apologize, Uncle, but Lady Laveda and I were just playing in the back woods.”

Silence filled the room as Uncle began to approach us. He pushed me aside gently before slapping Laveda’s cheek. THIS BASTARD! How dare he slap Laveda! She didn’t deserve to be struck.

“Abigail was in charge of taking care of Cecil, not you. You had no right.”

Abigail again? I didn’t want that selfish girl to guide me. This is not Laveda’s fault! I stood before Laveda glaring at Uncle as hard as I could to transmit how angry I was.

“Lady Laveda…no, Laveda was a better companion for me and I asked her to play with me, so don’t punish her for something I asked.”

I won’t let Uncle harm Laveda anymore than this. I will protect her. I will protect the girl that I love.

“I agree with Cecil.”

Father? He’s glaring at Uncle as he speaks.

“My son asked your youngest daughter to play with him, so you punishing Laveda for obeying my son’s wishes is in poor taste. I believe you owe her an apology.”

Father is taking my side. My father goes with the flow a lot, especially ever since mother died and when he was attacked, but I’m glad he took my side.  Father convinced Uncle to apologize to Laveda and father nodded in approval and then smiled toward Laveda. What is he going to say?

“I’m glad my son enjoyed playing with you and if you like, you can come over to play with him again.”

Come over…Laveda can come over to our place? Please let her agree. I was looking at Laveda when she nodded. YES! I hugged her out of pure happiness. I bet father must be surprised to see me hugging Laveda, since I always avoid others’ touch, but I am extremely happy right now.

After we discussed the best time for Laveda to come over (stupid slime might also come), my father and I left the Lorenzino estate. I already miss her. I wish that I can get her out of there, but something tells me that things will improve in the future…is it my Talent telling me this?

As the carriage moved along the road, my father looked at me with a warm smile and asked, “So your Time Talent doesn’t activate around, Laveda?” I nodded, but then flinched as I looked at my father with wide eyes.

“You knew?”

My father nodded and added, “I’ve known since the attempt on my life, but I didn’t want to reveal your true Talent to the masses in fear of endangering you.”

“Endanger…so this Time Talent is dangerous?”

“Only if used incorrectly,” stated father with a sigh, “I’ll remain silent about your Time Talent. It is your choice to reveal your real Talent or not, but do not fear it anymore.”

“Fear…that’s right, this Talent scared me, but now…”

I remembered Laveda’s smile and stated, “It’s not so scary anymore.”

My father smiled and patted my head with a chuckle saying, “I’m glad to hear it.” Father’s hand felt large on my head…my power is activating again…I can see it.

He is holding me when I was just born with mother gazing up at him with a beautiful smile.

“Our treasure.”

The vision ended, but instead of tears, I smiled. It was a nice memory to see and I hope to see more memories just like this when I control this power. This power is no longer my greatest fear. I also hope that I can see the future where Laveda and I are more than just friends. I look forward to it.