Bridal Lessons - Chapter 82
“Brother, whas this?”
“Shh, be good. Good girls don’t bother the older boys.”
Even now, it was the same. As Rosen showed interest in the weapons and armor they were wearing and tried to touch them, the Countess quickly stepped in to pull her away.
“You’re already four, my dear. You should act like a lady, right?”
She tried to distract her young daughter by pulling out a bag of snacks from her purse.
“Here, let’s have some cookies.”
“Wow, cookies! Cookies!”
“Yes, these are Rosie’s favorite, aren’t they?”
Just then, a short trumpet sound echoed once more, making even the stern commander’s expression solemn.
It was the final part of the farewell ceremony before the new knights boarded the ship. Fathers gave prepared cookies, and mothers handed flowers to their departing sons.
The small cookies used in the ceremony had a texture between bread and pastries, symbolizing the parents’ wish for the physical well-being of their children as they sent them off to war. The flowers represented their souls, signifying that their hearts would always be with their sons, protecting them even from afar.
“I’ll go first.”
Count and Countess Dana, already red-eyed and wiping tears, stood with their son. Iscarion, who had been with Theodore’s family to avoid standing out alone amidst the many people on the deck, gave his friend a light pat on the shoulder and started walking ahead.
Of all the new knights setting out today, he seemed to be the only one without family present. While it was something he was used to, having always been alone since his parents’ early passing, today felt somewhat different. Maybe it was because it was his first time heading to the battlefield. As he walked, he turned back momentarily to see Count Dana hugging his son and giving him cookies and flowers.
“Theo, take care of yourself.”
“Father…”
“Mother’s heart will always be with you.”
Watching from a distance, Iscarion felt a pang of sentimentality. Turning back and focusing on strategy and formation, he was about to ascend the steps to the deck.
“Brother!”
“……”
“Oh no, Rosie! Stop!”
At that moment, he saw Rosen break free from her mother’s grip and run towards him. The sound of her small feet echoed as she hurried over, panting. Meeting his eyes, Rosen smiled with a flushed face from running.
“……Rosen?”
“Why are you alone, Brother?”
“Because I have no family.”
“No family? Why? Rosie will be your family.”
Tilting her head and bombarding him with questions, Iscarion couldn’t help but soften his expression.
“Alright, you can be my family.”
“Brother, eat this. Cookie.”
As soon as he replied with a smile, Rosen handed him something with her small hand.
“Here, you don’t have any cookies. You don’t wanna eat?”
Seeing the others exchange cookies, Rosen seemed to have been concerned about him being alone. She held out a snack bag she had been gripping tightly, looking determined.
“This is Rosie’s… It’s really tasty, but you can have it all.”
“Thank you.”
Receiving the snack bag from Rosen, he slowly opened it and almost laughed out loud. There were only two cookies left inside. How much she must have cherished and saved them, and how big-heartedly she offered them now.
“Let’s each have one.”
“Okay.”
He took out a white meringue cookie and quietly placed it in Rosen’s mouth. With Rosen insisting he eat one too, he tasted one himself. Though he didn’t usually prefer sweets, the delicate meringue cookie melted in his mouth, becoming an unforgettable taste. He thought he might always like these from now on.
By then, other knights had finished their farewells and were heading toward the ship. Looking around, Rosen saw the flower bouquets they held and hastily patted her head. She handed him a small hairpin with a white flower decoration.
“Brother, this.”
“Thank you. Are you giving this to me?”
“Yes, if you have this, Rosie and Brother can be together.”
Iscarion looked at Rosen’s hand for a moment. The tiny hand holding the flower pin reminded him of tender leaves. He slowly reached out and accepted the gift.
‘Maybe I’ll come to like this flower too…’
The small white flower decoration seemed to emit a gentle warmth.
“It’s time to go now.”
When he lifted her up with one arm, Rosen giggled. As Iscarion set the child down in a safe place and was about to leave, Rosen enthusiastically waved and jumped up and down.
“Brother, bye-bye. Come back soon.”
“Yes, stay well.”
Iscarion carefully tucked the flower pin Rosen had given him into his left chest pocket to keep it from getting damaged, and finally turned around. A faint smile appeared on his lips. Although the wind that brushed his face was still cold, it felt as if a warm spring breeze was blooming deep within his chest.
