I dipped my small brush in blue paint, and, with small strokes, painted the petals of the forget-me-not on my canvas.

"That's beautiful, Leyla," commented Ms. Rose, peeking at my painting. She wiped her brush on a rag and dipped it in the yellow paint.

"Thank you." I grinned.

It's been some time since I finished my studies. Ms. Rose now comes every other day to keep me company. We spend most of our time chatting and painting out in the garden. I really enjoy these little moments.

"You're getting very good at this," She painted more petals on her sunflowers.

"I have been practicing any time I have the chance. My goal is to have a few of my paintings hanging on the Manor walls." The thought of displaying my artwork on the walls of my home filled me with excitement. "Actually, I hung my first good painting in the foyer a couple of days ago." A big smile burst across my face as pride bubbled up my chest.

"Oh, I saw it. Did you paint that? Wow, I―,"

The sound of screaming came from further in the garden. Wide-eyed, Ms. Rose and I looked at each other, trying to make sense of the abrupt screeching. 

The sound was quickly followed by hurried footsteps, and Brigitte ran out from the south side of the garden, screaming, jumping, and shaking her skirt like a madwoman. "Get it off! Get it off!" 

Annie ran after her and bent at the waist various times, attempting to reach her calf. "Stop moving. If you want me to get rid of it, you have to stop screaming like a banshee."

Brigitte stopped running and tried to stay still.

Ignoring Brigitte's dramatic dry-heaving. Annie bent down, and with a leaf between her index finger and thumb, she pinched a dark spot on her calf. "It's just a slug, you big baby." She threw the small creature towards the bushes.

"Oh, like you would have reacted any different." She scowled and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "How about I get a slug and slap it on your leg and see what happens."

"Sure, if you're able to stand picking one up without throwing up first."

Brigitte pressed her lips together and glared at her. She whirled around and stiffly bowed her head, looking slightly abashed. "I apologize for the intrusion, madam."

"Oh, no worries." I bit my lips shut to hold in my laughter.

She bowed her head again, and with her back straight as a rod, she stomped back to the manor.

"I'll better leave you two to it." Annie giggled and scurried after her friend.

"Well, that was interesting," Ms. Rose quipped, pushing her glasses higher up her nose. After a moment of dumbfounded silence, we burst out laughing. After several futile attempts, she was able to catch her breath. "Have you received another letter yet?"

"No" A sudden wave of sadness washed over me as I did the final touches on my painting. "For these past few years, he has written to me every single month without fail..."

"Don't worry. You know how difficult it is to send and receive letters from the front lines. Maybe, it just got delayed a little." She patted my knee.

We painted until it got dark outside, and after saying my goodbyes to Miss. Rose, I retired to my room.

I hope he's doing okay, I thought to myself as I brushed my hair before bed. Through the mirror, I looked at the framed pressed wildflowers hanging on the wall. I couldn't help to break out in a smile as I remembered his letter from a year ago.

"I hope you're okay," I whispered to no one.

That night, I dreamed of battlefields, swords, and flowers resting beside an engraved stone.

⚜⚜⚜

"Madam, I'll be right there beside you. You have nothing to worry about." Said Benjamin, as he held the front door open for me.

"B-But." I clutched the fabric of my skirt. What is wrong with me? I am a grown woman. I shouldn't be this afraid to go outside.

Benjamin approached me and gently held my hands in his. "I know this is very scary for you, and there's nothing wrong with being scared. To tell you the truth. There isn't someone in this world who isn't afraid of something. But what's important is to never let our fears stop us from living our lives. We have to do our best to overcome our fears and move forward."

I looked at our hands and took a deep breath. "Let's go" I stepped out of the manor and climbed into the carriage.

"To the elderly care house, please," Ordered Benjamin as he climbed in.

I kept my eyes on the manor as we pulled out of the estate. The farther we got, the higher my anxiety climbed. This is the first time I'll be going out to the town. Back at the Adelysia Dukedom, all my time was spent inside the manor. The Duchess prohibited me from stepping out of the mansion. Maybe she was too afraid I was going to escape or that someone will figure out their dirty little secret. After I was free of that godforsaken family, for some reason, I just didn't bother to go outside the Nubilus Manor. 

"The place we're going to visit today is a place that's very dear to Iskander's heart. He opened the care house right after he returned from the war. He saw how the elderly parents of the deceased soldiers fell into tough times due to not having anyone to care for them and chose to honor those brave soldiers by taking care of their parents." Benjamin trailed off as he looked outside.

Buildings started showing up on my side of the window. An old-looking tailor shop with colorful dresses displayed on its windows. A lively flower shop and a school with some rambunctious boys chasing each other outside in a game of tag. Maybe those are some of Ms. Rose's students.

We pulled over at a pretty-looking pale wood house. Its triangle-shaped roof and porch full of rocking chairs created a cozy atmosphere.

"Welcome! Welcome!" A middle-aged woman greeted us as we stepped out of the carriage. "It's such a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Grace, and an honor to have you here at our humble home." She bowed her head with a big smile on her face. "I'm Nina, the head nurse of this beautiful house for the elderly."

"Y-Yes, thank you for having us. I'm Lehylany, and thank you so much for all your hard work." 

"Oh, it's nothing. It's a huge blessing to be able to serve those who once long ago served us." She looked over my shoulder. "Hello, Benjamin."

"Good Morning Ms. Huxley."

She smiled big. "Well, let's go inside." She guided us inside the house, where various older adults sat around a fireplace. Some knitted, others played board games, and a few spoke amongst themselves.

"As you know. This house has been working as an Elderly Care House since our dear Duke Nubilus designated it as such ten years ago. Since then, we have been the only dukedom that provides elderly care for seniors who don't have any family left. These are some of our seniors." She turned towards the group sitting in the rest area, "Everyone, can I have your attention, please? Today we have a very special visitor. Duchess Lehylany Nubilus has come to see how you're doing and to see our house for the first time."

All eyes focused on me.

"G-Good Morning. It's a pleasure to see you're all doing well." I clutched the fabric at the back of my skirt, trying to get rid of my nervous energy.

"Good Morning, Your Grace." They greeted in unison.

A lady wearing a purple evening dress and sparkly white gloves stood up and walked toward us. "Your Grace, thank you so much for coming." She took my hands in hers, "My, my, you are a beauty. The Duke is a lucky man."

"T-Thank You." I bowed my head.

"You two will have some cute kids, that's for sure."

My face grew hot, and she laughed at my reaction.

"Alright, let's not embarrass the young madam." Said Nina and continued, "This is Alice, Your Grace. She is the oldest member of our family. She came here after losing her only son in the previous war."

"I'm so sorry about your loss," I said.

"That's alright my dear. Things happen. It's life." She sighed. "How about I introduce you to some of these old geezers sitting here."

I laughed. "Yes, that would be great."

I spent the first half of my day getting to know each and every one of the seniors staying in that house. I sat with them and listened to their life stories full of adventure and love. Alice was a ballerina at the royal concert hall? Wow. He sailed across the ocean to declare his love to the woman of his dreams? That's so sweet. 

After spending such a wonderful time at the elderly care house, I was excited to go to our next stop for the day. The town's orphanage was in the town center and was adjacent to a large church that rested in the middle of the plaza. About twenty children lived in the two-story building. It was a lively house full of laughter and joy.

"Hi," A little girl about five years of age came to me holding a teddy bear and dragging a blue blankie on the floor.

"Hello," I got down to her eye level. "I'm Leyla. What's your name?"

"Lilly." Said the little girl as she rubbed her eyes.

"Hi, Lilly. I like your teddy bear." I smiled, tugging one of the teddy bear's ears.

"Thank You. Can you read me a story?"

One of the caretakers spoke up, "Lilly, the Duchess doesn't have much time today to read you a story, but I-"

"It's alright. I can read her a story. What would you like me to read, my dear?"

⚜⚜⚜

My cheeks hurt from all the smiling today. I had such a great time with the seniors and the kids. I can't wait to visit them again. You have done a lot of good here, Zander, I thought to myself as I lay on a blanket in the garden and watched the sunset bring beautiful colors to the sky. I closed my eyes and breathed in the pleasant sweet, crisp scent of roses that the cool breeze wafts around the garden.

"Madam! Madam!" A voice grew more and more desperate as she kept calling for me.

"Brigitte?" I quickly got on my feet and met her halfway. "What's wrong?"

Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she caught her breath and tried to speak at the same time.

Oh, no. No, no, no. My heart pounded in my chest. This can't be happening. Grabbing Brigitte by her shoulders, I gently shook her. "Brigitte, please tell me what's wrong." The firm tone in my voice wavered.

"H-He," She took a couple more breaths.

My nightmare has come true. My eyes prickled with unshed tears.

Suddenly, her stunned face broke into a wide smile. "He's here."

My mind went blank. What does she mean? Who's here? My eyes trailed to the Manor entrance, and my feet followed soon after. 

With the deafening thumps of my heart in my ears and the clacking of my heels on the tile, I ran as fast as I could. The hallway seemed to stretch further away, mocking my desperate attempts to reach the front entrance. 

When I finally caught sight of the foyer, my heart soared. Turning around the corner. My feet skidded to a stop, and I was frozen in place by familiar grey eyes locking onto mine.