A gloomy morning shrouded the castle, bringing a thin mist that crept slowly through the cold corridors. Margarett Londy Yapharec sat in the corner of her room, burying her face in her hands. A heavy sense of guilt crushed her, like a pile of stones pressing down on her breath. What she had done last night still lingered in her mind—the earth she had dug, the graves she had opened, and the savagery that now felt too suffocating, even though she herself had committed it.
"Why did I do this?" she whispered softly, almost inaudibly. She knew the answer. Anger, revenge, and the desire to prove that she was more than just a weak-willed fiancée. But now, it all felt hollow. No matter how great the fire of vengeance, her guilt was now greater.
Margarett finally stood, though her body felt so weary. She knew she couldn't continue like this. With slow steps, she left her room and headed to one of the chambers in the castle's wing—where Hukmi Lamreta often spent his time. Hukmi, known as the wisest among them, was always a place to turn to when situations became too complicated to handle alone.
As Margarett entered the room, she saw Hukmi sitting in a chair, reading a thick book. The morning sunlight streaming through the window cast a soft silhouette on his serious face. Hukmi didn't immediately notice Margarett's presence until he heard hesitant footsteps.
"Margarett?" Hukmi turned, his voice gentle yet attentive. He closed his book and stood up. "You look pale. What happened?"
Margarett didn't answer. She just stood there, trying to find the right words, but everything felt too heavy to say. In her silence, she walked closer and sat on the floor in front of Hukmi. Without hesitation, she rested her head on his lap, seeking a peace she couldn't find elsewhere.
Hukmi paused for a moment, clearly surprised by Margarett's unusual demeanor. However, without saying a word, he placed his hand on Margarett's head, gently stroking her hair. Hukmi knew this wasn't the time to push or ask questions. He could only wait until Margarett was ready to speak.
"I... want to say something," Margarett finally spoke, her voice soft and almost a whisper. "But I can't. I can't, Hukmi... It's too much."
Hukmi took a deep breath, trying to understand what Margarett was feeling. Though he didn't know the details of what was tormenting her, he could feel the weight of the burden Margarett was carrying. "You don't have to say anything if it's too difficult," he said gently. "But you must know, Margarett, whatever you're feeling, you're not alone. I'm here for you."
Tears began to flow down Margarett's face. Hukmi calmly gave Margarett time to cry without judgment. When her sobs began to subside, Hukmi finally spoke again. "Perhaps what you need now isn't answers, but a little time to find peace. How about we leave the castle for a while? To the city center?"
Margarett slowly raised her head, her teary eyes looking at Hukmi in confusion. "The city center?" she repeated, her voice still hoarse.
"Yes," Hukmi replied, smiling slightly. "There's a place there that might help you. In the city center, there's a large library, where people come to seek knowledge and inspiration. You can see many magic books there, Margarett. Perhaps it can give you something new—or at least, a temporary escape from this burden."
Margarett didn't answer immediately, but in her heart, a small sense of relief began to grow. Hukmi always knew how to give simple but meaningful advice. Although she felt unworthy of this kindness, she knew Hukmi wouldn't let her drown in sorrow.
"We'll go just the two of us," Hukmi added, his voice full of sincerity. "I don't want to see my little sister sad any longer."
Margarett was surprised to hear those words. She never thought Hukmi considered her like a younger sister. But it was enough to make her cold heart feel a little warmer. She nodded slowly, accepting the offer without a word.
Margarett and Hukmi departed from the castle around noon. A simple carriage took them through winding roads to the city center, leaving the shadows of the forest behind. Throughout the journey, Margarett sat quietly, staring out the window without really seeing the scenery. The mist in her mind still lingered, though the warmth of Hukmi's presence slightly dispelled the chill.
Hukmi, sitting across from her, didn't force conversation. He knew Margarett needed space to process her feelings. However, occasionally, he glanced at her, ensuring she was alright. "You look paler than usual, Margarett," he finally said, breaking the silence. "This trip will be good for you. The city center is always bustling with a different energy. It might be what you need."
Margarett only responded with a small nod. She appreciated Hukmi's efforts, but words felt too difficult to utter at the moment. In her heart, she wondered if this trip would really change anything, or if the darkness within her was too deep to be fixed.
When they arrived in the city center, Margarett was taken aback by the abundant life there. The streets were filled with people bustling about—merchants calling out to customers, children playing in the street corners, and the tantalizing aroma of food from small stalls along the sidewalk. The atmosphere felt far removed from the castle's gloom, almost like a different world.
Hukmi, with his gentle smile, led Margarett to the grand library that was their destination. The building was magnificent, with stone walls covered in vines and large windows that radiated sunlight into the rooms. Inside, bookshelves towered high, filled with old and new books that looked like hidden treasures.
"This is a beautiful place, isn't it?" Hukmi asked, observing Margarett's expression. "I often come here when I need time to think. I thought, maybe it could help you too."
Margarett only responded with a faint smile. She followed Hukmi down the library aisles, allowing herself to be carried away by the calm and peaceful atmosphere. Hukmi seemed very familiar with the place, greeting the librarian warmly before leading Margarett to a quieter corner.
There, Hukmi picked up several books and handed them to Margarett. "Here," he said. "Some books on simple magic and healing. I thought, maybe there's something here you can learn. Or at least, something that can give you peace for a moment."
Margarett hesitantly accepted the books, but her eyes began to be drawn to the open pages. Each word she read brought a kind of stillness to her mind, as if the book was a refuge from the storm that had been shaking her.
Hukmi sat across from her, watching Margarett with a caring gaze. For him, Margarett was more than just a weak-willed fiancée. She was someone to be protected, like a precious younger sister. Seeing Margarett engrossed in the book pages brought a small sense of relief to his heart.
However, despite the calming atmosphere of the library, Margarett's heart was still not entirely free from the shadows of her past. As she read, her mind kept returning to all she had done. The unearthed graves, the dirty earth, and the guilt that gnawed at her. She wondered if peace like this was truly worthy of her. Did she deserve Hukmi's kindness after all she had done?
Even so, something began to change within her. Perhaps not forgiveness, but at least, an awareness that she was not entirely alone. Hukmi was there, willing to support her unconditionally. And for now, that was more than enough.