“Golden blood?”
“Yes, golden blood.”
I checked to see if Tommy knew something and mentioned golden blood, thinking it couldn’t be. But all that was in his expression was a purpose to convey information purely. So, I relaxed my shoulders which I had tensely shrugged in needless suspicion and licked my lips.
“That’s only in myths…”
“It’s indeed in the young lady’s body right now.”
“!”
In an instant, Tommy’s irises sparkled. I couldn’t deny it any longer. He knew. It was around that time that an irrefutable conviction settled in my mind.
“Since when did you know?”
As I asked with a face full of wariness, Tommy simply shrugged as if it was nothing big. Then, he rubbed his chin with his index finger a couple of times and cracked a slight smile.
“Since a long time ago, so very long ago.”
“When was that.”
“Even if I told you, miss, you wouldn’t know.”
Again. Tommy kept talking about something that I inevitably couldn’t know.
I realized that the source of the discomfort rising in my heart was actually a feeling of being let down, and clenched my fists tightly. Then, I tried hard not to distort my face in effort.
In the end, this must also be related to the skills beyond the capabilities of humans that Tommy mentioned earlier. So, there’s no way anyone could know whatever I do.
Once I concluded that, I somehow felt more at ease. Humans are simple creatures; even when we’re falling endlessly, thinking ‘I’ve only fallen this much.’ makes it less miserable. And so, I felt the same way.
“Um, so, Miss,”
Tommy hesitated for a moment as he looked at me, then slowly began to speak.
“Yes?”
“There’s something I’d like to propose.”
“What is it?”
“Would you like to come with me?”
“…What?”
The proposal that came from Tommy was so shocking that for a moment, I thought I had heard him wrong. The place he must have been talking about going together to was probably where the World Tree is located. And that place was inaccessible to an ordinary human like me. No, even if it were possible, I would likely shatter from the pressure upon entering.
Seemingly noticing my negative reaction, Tommy quickly added a few more words.
“You have golden blood, Miss. So, if you went with me, you would be welcomed rather than in danger. And, and…”
“And?”
“Do you ever feel like running away from reality?”
“Hm?”
Startled by his sudden question, I tilted my head in confusion. Tommy gave a bitter smile, as if he was looking back on a distant past.
“Listen, young lady. If you join me to meet the World Tree, you can do things humans can’t. For instance, you can go back to the past, travel to different dimensions, glimpse into the future, and if you dislike all that, you can spend the rest of your days in a peaceful place where the World Tree resides.”
“What’s your reason for telling me this, Tommy?”
“Don’t you want to change the past? If you wish to meet the World Tree and go back, you could meet Lord Obelton from 11 years ago, or even further back than that. You could correct the wrong actions of the past.”
Despite my cool retort, Tommy, undeterred, continued to speak persuasively, pausing for a few seconds before continuing.
“Also, if you wish to escape from reality, that’s possible too. You can go to different dimensions, or even to a parallel world that’s identical to this one but separate from our reality. Really, you can do an infinite number of things.”
“…….”
As I listened to Tommy’s story, I swallowed my saliva. Meeting my father, making that horrific scene from 11 years ago as if it never happened.
Even going to a world that’s the same yet different from the reality surrounding me. Really, if it wasn’t attractive, it would be a lie to say there weren’t choices whispering in my ear. Yes, having only suffered due to the “Golden Blood” until now, shouldn’t I also see some benefits from it?
Ah.
A low sigh finally escaped my lips.
“I… So, I…”
It felt like realizing the path I was on was actually twisted. Like choosing the one wrong path among tens of thousands. Like the lantern that was lighting the way going out, and the sky that was once blue turning dark.
I thought it was all over. That I had passed it and only had good times to look forward to.
To change the past.
I tried not to furrow my brows and bit my lower lip. Among other things, the possibility of changing the past particularly bothered me. Going back to meet my father, saving him, saving the family, and with Ruth… with Ruth…
“Sorry.”
The final answer that came from me was a refusal.
Looking at Tommy, who seemed like he had anticipated this response from me, I managed a difficult smile.
Of course, I was attracted to the idea of being able to return to the past, but I knew all too well that it was not possible, that it couldn’t be done. I understood why dreams are just dreams. That’s why I refused. There was no other reason.
“No, it’s okay. I was actually thinking that you would refuse anyway.”
“Um…”
“Miss, this seems like it will be our last meeting then.”
“…What do you mean, Tommy? The last? Are you saying you’re going to leave just like that?”
I replied bitterly and then widened my eyes as if I had been struck on the back of my head.
Tommy, looking resigned, gestured and answered.
“Yes. After I fix the barrier, I plan to embark on a long journey.”
“A long journey? To where?”
“Um… To the west. Far away.”
“When will you return?”
“I won’t return, Miss. That’s why it’s the last time.”
“But, but.”
I couldn’t continue speaking. Tommy had been my friend since I was young. And now, to imagine him disappearing from my life was unimaginably terrible.
“Can’t not go?”
“This is also my own greed. As long as there’s even a faint hope that things can change, I have no choice but to go. I’m sorry.”
“What is this faint hope that things can change?”
Despite my question, Tommy consistently responded with a smile. From that, I was able to guess the answer he wanted to give.
So this is something I inevitably can’t know.
“Then, I will give you a farewell gift, young lady.”
“A farewell gift?”
“Yes. I plan to give you three.”
Tommy lifted his index, middle, and ring fingers, then flashed a mischievous smile. Then, with his free hand, he quickly pointed to his ring finger.
“The first is a memory.”
“Memory?”
As I asked in wonder, Tommy elaborated.
“By tomorrow morning, the memory of the young lady as ‘Serbia’ will be erased from everyone else’s minds. Of course, except for those who loved the young lady as ‘Serbia’.”
“……”
“And the second, I will arrange for you to meet the former Duke of Obelton.”
At this point, I was so surprised that I even forgot the fact that I wasn’t breathing.
“You’re going to let me meet my father?”
My mouth fell open and stayed that way. I was that astonished, and even more, I was overwhelmed. It had to be a mistake, but I could vaguely picture my father, who was dying, right before my eyes.
I wondered when the feelings of hatred I once had turned into longing. A question with no one to ask wandered aimlessly through my mind.
Tommy looked at me, who was remaining silent, and then folded his ring and middle fingers together.
“Because I don’t have much power, it will only be possible just this once, but I’ll let you meet him.”
“…Tommy.”
“Here’s the last thing.”
As I softly called his name, Tommy pulled a red rose out of his possession. Considering it was kept inside his clothing, the rose looked surprisingly fresh and was already giving off a fragrant scent before it even reached my grasp.
As I was entranced by the rose, Tommy chuckled and placed a hand on my head.
“How is it?”
Then he handed the rose to me.
“Doesn’t it smell lovely?”
The moment when the scent was imbued into the colorless rose was fleeting. That moment became eternity, and the scent remained, turning into a phantom. That was his desire. That was Tommy’s desire.
***
After parting ways with Tommy like that, I spent the rest of the day feeling bizarre as if something was off, soaked in a strange mood. And then I went to bed. Somehow, it all felt like meeting Tommy was just a dream. Or perhaps, it was my wish for it to have been a dream.
However, it ultimately turned out not to be a dream, proven by the second parting gift Tommy left me.
“…Dad.”
In a space surrounded by whiteness, I collapsed at the sight of my father standing before me. Placing a cold hand on my shoulder, my father knelt on one knee to match my eye level and then lifted the corners of his mouth. Just like he used to do.
“Yes, Seri. It’s been a long time. Have you been well?”
“Dad. Is it really you?”
“What, you thought I was some other soul wearing my face?”
Unable to believe the scene before me, I asked a foolish question, prompting a chuckle from my father. Then, after examining my face for a moment, he spoke with an expression he had never shown me before.
“You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you, Seri.”
“…”
“Has it been tough for you?”
At that point, I couldn’t deny the father in front of my eyes. No, I didn’t want to deny him.
Simultaneously, a tear streamed down my dry cheek.
Words seemed to be stuck, with only a faint sound leaking out as if tightly sealed. Seeing how much I’ve changed compared to my father, who remained the same as before, filled me with an indescribable overwhelming emotion.
When I was young, being with my father always made me wish to grow up.
But now, I question that thought.
“I missed you, Dad.”
Did I really want to become an adult?
“Truly.”
