Truth Be Told

Hmm? What are you doing there, Vetille?

Shhh! Aldo, look!

Huh?

You've been to Corabel again, all on your own?

What does it matter to you where I go?

Oh dear, but I worry about you. It's not somewhere a young lady should walk to alone.

Nothing's happened to me so far, so maybe you should stop worrying.

As stubborn as ever...

Are we done here, Gran? I have things to do.

You didn't go to that boat again, did you?

......

Dear, it's time to forget about him. How long has it been now?

I know he's not coming back. You don't have to bring it up.

But, dear, you seem to...

Leave it, Gran!

Sounds like Shemila's grandma knows what's nagging at her granddaughter. She might be willing to tell us.

Hopefully.

Let's go and ask her.

Excuse me madam, do you have a moment?

Oh, what an odd pair. Can I help you?

Can you tell us why Shemila keeps going to Corabel alone? We um...we overheard your conversation with her. It seems like you know what's on her mind.

And why do you want to know? I hope it's not idle curiosity!

I just can't stand her being so sad. Maybe there's something I could do, but she won't talk to me.

Please, madam. This boy has only the best intentions.

Ah, so he is worried about Shemila just as I am.

In that case, I will tell you.

What, really?

You both seem kindhearted, so I'm going to trust you.

It's a long story. You would have been just a baby when it happened, little one. A human knight shipwrecked and washed up on our shore.

Was he alive?

Yes, but badly wounded. Shemila tended to him and nursed him to health. It didn't take long for them to fall in love with each other.

......

But it was not for them to enjoy a happy life together. The knight had to leave the island as soon as he fully recovered.

They belonged in different worlds. He was human after all. Shemila could not accept that, though. She tried to go after him. The broken boat in Corabel was built by her.

Ah, now it's all coming together.

Since the boat got damaged, she stopped sailing out. But she hasn't given up hope that the knight might return to Corabel one day.

That's the cause of her sorrow, I believe.

I feel so silly now... I had no idea.

You wouldn't have remembered. It happened when you were too small to even walk.

You wanted to help my granddaughter overcome that sadness. But as you can see, it is a very difficult case. I fear there isn't much you can do.

I'm not giving up! I'll find a way to make her happy again.

You're a determined young gentleman, I see. Who knows, with that attitude you might be able to make a difference. I wish you the best of luck.

What can we do, though? It's not an easy problem to solve. Do you have a plan in mind?

If Shemila misses that knight so much, I'll find him for her. Maybe they will stay together, maybe not. But they should have another chance.

You realize how crazy that sounds, don't you?

It's the only way to make Shemila happy again, though.

All right, I'm on board. Now, if we only had some clue as to where to find that guy.

Will this be any help?

What have you got there, a pendant? Whose is it?

I found it in Corabel. It belonged to Shemila. Maybe she got it as a gift from that knight? It's just a possibility, but it's the best lead we've got.

I'm not convinced. Look at how new it looks. If she got it from him, it'd be more tarnished by now.

She took very good care of it, polishing it often. I should have returned it to her when I found it, but she's been so busy...

You'll give it back to her at the next opportunity. Let's keep it for now. I'll ask around and try to find out who that knight might've been. Wait here for me.

I'm not coming with you?

It might not be safe, and your parents would be worried if you left the island with a stranger.

Oh, I guess they would. I'll wait for you. Good luck!

Since it's a knight I'm looking for, Miglance Castle might be a good place to start.

I'm not making any headway so far...

Hey, got a moment? I'm trying to find the owner of this pendant.

Let me see... Ah, yes. My friend had one like that.

It could be him then!

He showed it to me a long time ago. Said he got it as a gift when he joined the Order. Where did you find it?

I um...I got it from his girlfriend, in a manner of speaking.

His...girlfriend?

Sorry, it's none of my business. If you want to speak with the guy, he's taking a break in Unigan.

Okay, thanks for the info!

Excuse me.

Huh? Can I help you?

I've been told that this pendant might have belonged to you.

H-How did you...

Oh, it's so beautiful.

And...who might you be?

She's my fiancée...

Come again?!

Teehee! I know, the age difference is shocking to some people. We get mistaken for a father and daughter sometimes! Can't blame people though.

That's not what I was getting at...

If you don't mind, can we talk at some other time?

That's fine with me.

Why? Is it something not for my ears?

No, dear, it's just...a very private matter, to do with an old friend.

By the way, are you getting married soon?

Yes, on my birthday. It's too soon, if you ask me!

What do you mean?

It wasn't as much our choice, as our families'.

I didn't even get a say in this! My dad thinks he knows what's best for me. I'm not against it, but I have never actually had the chance to fall in love with anyone.

I also believe people should marry out of love, not because their families decided it over dinner.

That seems unfair for both of you...

Forgive me for the interruption, but we've received reports of beasts on Serena Coast!

What did you say?

I must leave you now, I'm afraid. This is an emergency.

Of course, I understand. This date was my dad's idea anyway. Take care out there.

I'm coming too. Not going to let beasts wreak havoc on my watch!

All right. Let's go.

And there he is!

The cursed humans found me already... Come out, minions!

Wha, monsters?

I have no time to waste on you. Have fun!

Stop, you coward!

We need to deal with the monsters first!

The beast got away...

At least we contained the situation here before it got out of hand.

I will need to report back to the castle.

But I imagine you have pressing questions to ask me first.

Yeah, and since no one's around this time, you can be perfectly honest with me.

Did Shemila give you the pendant?

She didn't exactly give it to me... Oh, sorry if I made it sound as if something had happened to her. She's okay.

I was worried about that when you turned up with the pendant.

She's doing perfectly fine.

Now I can breathe easier. But then, why did you come to find me?

I came to ask you to see Shemila one more time. She never forgot you, and is still hoping you'll return to the island.

......

I can't. My circumstances do not allow me to.

Your circumstances... You mean being engaged?

What else? Even if it's an arranged marriage, it's an obligation I cannot back out of.

Are you really okay with this? Don't you have any feelings for Shemila anymore?

Even if I did, it doesn't matter now.

I was lucky to find him, but he's engaged... Vetille won't take this well...