A Promise Among the Lilies

                                                                          Chapter 1

In the quiet countryside of Edinlodge, the village of Cliffdecorps lay peacefully beneath the towering cliffs of Edin Hill, a steep mountain atop which the nation of Edinlodge rests.

Cliffdecorps was a charming village built from sturdy oak wood. Its simple yet warm houses featured timber facades adorned with intricate carvings that reflected the villagers' craftsmanship. Gently sloped roofs covered in deep brown tiles added rustic charm to the landscape.

The streets wound gently, their cobblestone paths worn smooth by countless footsteps. Bright exotic plants and flowers in shades of green, pink, yellow, and purple lined the lanes, while clear river streams wove through corners of the village, their gentle murmurs enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.

At the centre of it all stood a massive banyan tree, its sprawling branches casting a wide, protective canopy over the heart of the village—a living symbol of Cliffdecorps and the life within it. The village felt like a place where time moved slower, wrapped in the quiet, soothing rhythms of nature.

Amid the village's vast expanse of grassy fields, two children played together.

Weston, Son of Asher, a young boy with short, spiky black hair and an innocent, soft expression, knelt on the ground, his brow furrowed in concentration as he focused intently on his work.

Tallia Arbre, a pretty and cheerful girl with long, straight brown hair and bright, gentle eyes, skipped happily toward him, her presence as light as the breeze that danced through the grass.

Weston wore a casual white t-shirt with brown shorts, while Tallia sported a black t-shirt and denim shorts, her playful grin hinting at the next prank she had in mind.

"Westie!" Tallia called out, her voice bright with playful energy. "What are you up to?"

Weston glanced up and gave her a proud grin. "Hey, Tallia! Not much—just crafting a chair."

"Wow..." Tallia leaned over, eyes sparkling with interest. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Weston replied with a puffed chest. "My dad taught me. Unlike you, I have to learn how to do important stuff like this."

Tallia stifled a laugh but couldn't resist teasing. "That's impressive... but, uh, Westie, isn't your hand glued to the wood?"

Weston's confidence faltered. He looked down. "Huh? Like I'd make a mistake like—" His face paled. "What?! My hand is stuck!"

Tallia burst into laughter, clutching her sides. "Hahahaha! You're as clumsy as ever!"

Weston yanked his hand, trying to free himself from the sticky mess. "It's just an accident. Happens to everyone..."

Tallia watched with barely contained amusement. "Go on, you've got this!"

He struggled for a few more moments before flopping onto the ground with a groan. "I give up... It's impossible."

Still giggling, Tallia crouched beside him and handed him a bucket of warm water. "Here! Soak your hand in this—it'll loosen the glue."

Weston blinked, bewildered. "Wait, is that how you're supposed to do it?"

"Yes," Tallia said, smirking. "Shouldn't you know that already?"

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" Weston groaned, exasperated.

"Because it was fun watching you struggle. Hahahaha!" She erupted in laughter again, leaving Weston to sigh deeply.

Suddenly, Tallia stood, her excitement bubbling over. "Westie! Let's race to the bottom of Edin Cliff—and the loser has to follow the winner's orders all day!"

Weston arched a brow. "Why would I agree to something that crazy?"

Tallia leaned in close, her grin teasing. "What's wrong? Too scared you'll lose?"

He rolled his eyes but stood up, cracking his knuckles. "I'll show you who's going to lose!"

With a burst of energy, the two dashed toward the base of the cliff, their laughter trailing behind them like music in the open air. The cool wind rushed past their faces as they sprinted, both determined to win. The fields blurred around them, and soon they reached the old elevator nestled at the bottom of the towering cliff.

Panting heavily, Weston collapsed onto the elevator floor. "How... how did you run that fast?" he gasped between breaths.

Tallia leaned casually against the elevator wall, barely winded. "It's all because I wanted to make you my guinea pig!"

"You and your weird intentions..." Weston rolled his eyes playfully, catching his breath.

With a mischievous grin, Tallia pressed the lever that activated the elevator.

"Wait—what are you doing?!" Weston yelped as the platform jerked and began ascending.

Tallia extended her hand to help him up. "Come on, scaredy-cat."

Weston hesitated but finally took her hand, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks.

Together, they stood as the elevator carried them upward, slowly revealing a breathtaking view of the village sprawled beneath them.

"Cliffdecorps looks so beautiful from up here," Tallia murmured, her gaze softening as she admired the landscape below.

"Yeah... It really does." Weston found himself agreeing, his voice quieter than usual.

Tallia's expression turned wistful. "There's something special about this village. Every time I come here, I wish I could stay forever."

Weston glanced at her, surprised. "Really? But isn't your town better?"

She shook her head. "There's a charm to your village that my town just doesn't have."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment as the elevator reached the top of Edin Hill.

Stepping out of the elevator, they were greeted by the vibrant green fields adorned with sunflowers and golden lilies, their colours dancing in the gentle breeze.

"You visit every month," Weston said thoughtfully. "Isn't that enough?"

Tallia sighed. "I wish I could come here every day... but my parents are strict. If they weren't, maybe I could."

Weston groaned in sympathy. "Ugh, why are parents everywhere so strict? My dad's always scolding me over the smallest things..."

Tallia suddenly turned to him, her expression shifting. "Hey, Westie?"

"Yeah?"

"Is there anyone you're in love with right now?" she asked, tilting her head with an innocent smile.

Weston's face burned bright red. "Wha—what kind of question is that?!?"

Tallia giggled. "Your face is so red! So... is it a yes or a no?"

He fumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Umm... Probably... yes?"

Tallia leaned closer, her hands clasped behind her back, her face just inches from his. "Is it the person you're looking at right now?" she whispered.

Blushing furiously, Weston managed a nervous nod. "Y-Yeah..."

Tallia gave him a warm, tender hug. "I love you too, Weston," she whispered softly.

Weston hugged her back, a mixture of happiness and disbelief swelling in his chest.

After a quiet moment, Tallia pulled away, and together, they turned to gaze at the village below.

As they stood amidst the vibrant sunflowers and lilies, Tallia turned to Weston, her voice soft and sincere. "You know," she began gently, "the age of adulthood in our country is eighteen. When we both reach that age, can I move into this village and live with you?"

Weston smiled, feeling a strange sense of certainty. "Yeah... I promise you can."

Tallia's eyes sparkled as she extended her pinkie finger toward him. "Pinkie promise?"

With a wide grin, Weston hooked his pinkie around hers.

The warm breeze whispered through the fields, making the sunflowers and lilies sway like dancers under the sunset's embrace. The breathtaking view of Cliffdecorps unfolded before them, bathed in a golden hue, creating a moment that felt timeless and ethereal.

They lingered in that tranquil silence, feeling the world around them fade away, until they reluctantly let go of their pinkies, their arms drifting back to their sides, a warm sense of connection lingering in the air.

Suddenly, Tallia's expression shifted as a thought struck her. She pulled out a pocket watch and gasped. "Oh no! I might be past my curfew!"

"I'll walk you back home," Weston offered, surprising her.

Tallia arched a brow, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "That's rare, coming from you."

Weston rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm just... a little happy today. So I don't mind."

Tallia paused for a moment, her gaze drifting upward as if she were conjuring an idea from the sky.

A playful grin spread across her face as she suddenly stretched with an exaggerated yawn. "I'm sooo tired," she declared dramatically, her tone teasing. "Can you piggyback me home?"

Weston's eyes widened in shock. "W-What?!?"

She giggled. "You lost the race, remember? You have to do what I say!"

With a sigh of resignation, Weston knelt down and opened his arms. "Fine..." he muttered.

Tallia climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around him snugly as he straightened up, ready to carry her home.

Weston began walking along the winding path that led into the woods, the gentle rustle of leaves accompanying their journey toward Edinlodge, with Tallia comfortably perched on his back.

"Seven years from now..." she whispered softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "That's a long time before I can finally be with you."

"I'll wait," Weston said with quiet determination. "No matter how long it takes."

Tallia smiled, content and sleepy. "When I wake up," she murmured, "seven years will have passed... and my dream will come true."

With that, she gently closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of the moment to envelop her. Her head found a cozy resting spot on Weston's shoulder, the rhythmic rise and fall of his movements lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, the scene faded to black, the promise of seven years ahead lingering in the air.