A DIFFERENT PORTRAIT - PART 10 (Patreon)

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Part 10: The Moment of Farewell

The wedding’s end also marked the time to leave the serene countryside of Azure Haven Town and return to the bustling Luminous City. Tonight was my final night here. I still remember how disheartened I felt on my first day in Azure Haven Town, not knowing how to face Narek’s older brother, Aiden Chandler. And yet, now I found myself reluctant to leave. Why is that?

I shook my head and chuckled. Hadn’t I already known the answer? Instantly, her image appeared in my mind. Every shy gesture, every warm smile, every moment we spent together—each one played vividly like the most beautiful and captivating film I had ever seen in my life. But every film has to end. No producer would invest more money to continue the mundane story of a beautiful country girl and an ordinary city veterinarian.

“What’s with your sad face, huh?” My best friend, who had just gotten married not too long ago, walked over and wrapped an arm around my head in a rough gesture, like a fighter executing a Rear Naked Choke in MMA.

I rolled my eyes at him and decided to change the subject before this nosy guy figured anything out. “Nothing, really! By the way, where’s your brother? Your wedding’s such a big deal, and he didn’t even show up?”

Narek burst out laughing. “I thought you were dreading running into him, and now you’re asking about him?”

I shoved him away before I could drown in the spray of spit flying out of his mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense! I’m just trying to find something to talk about with a damn idiot who just got married!”

“Jealous much? Go find yourself a girlfriend already. Or are you planning to be friends with all the animals forever?” Narek teased, then smirked. “But actually, my brother did attend my wedding… just in a way that an idiot like you wouldn’t notice.”

I immediately objected, “You have no right to call me an idiot. My university graduation scores were way higher than yours, and not by just a few points!”

Narek raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright! I get it, young and brilliant veterinarian of the district! But anyway, as long as my sister was there, it’s fine. Usually, only one of them attends important events like this.”

I asked curiously, “Why’s that? Is there some kind of rule about it?”

“The rule? That’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own. If I spill the beans, I’ll probably get kicked in the shin.”

I didn’t bother continuing the topic any further. We chatted a bit more, mostly about packing up for tomorrow’s return to Luminous City. Just as Narek walked away, a familiar voice called out from behind me, “Ace, you’re not asleep yet?”

I turned around, unsurprised to see Sylvia, as that soft, soothing voice had been etched into my mind over the past few days. She was wearing a light jacket over a simple long dress, her hair flowing freely. Her face showed a hint of weariness, yet it remained as gentle as ever.

“Yeah, it’s my last night here, after all. I just wanted to enjoy this peaceful atmosphere a little longer,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“You talk as if you’ll never come back here.”

I hesitated, turning to look at Sylvia. “Well, yeah. I don’t really have a reason to come back here anymore.”

Sylvia fell silent for a moment before softly replying with just two words, “I see.” Her face carried a hint of sadness. I couldn’t help but wonder what was making her feel this way. Was it the joyful atmosphere of the wedding now fading away? Or was it something else? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t dare. We sat quietly, the only sounds being the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves and the soft chirping of insects in the night.

“Everything... has really come to an end, hasn’t it?” Sylvia said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice was gentle, yet it carried an indescribable sadness.

I looked at her, sensing something in her quiet gaze. “You mean Narek and Lina’s wedding?”

“Not just the wedding,” Sylvia said softly. “I think… everything. In the end, I wasn’t able to fulfill the wish I had in the beginning. But it’s okay, these past few days have been enough. Everything felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. I’m glad I could make amends, even if just a little, for the rudeness caused by the person I used to be.” Sylvia confided.

I didn’t really understand what she was referring to. The days leading up to the wedding and the wedding itself were truly meaningful, so I could see why, for her, these days felt like a dream. But what did she mean by “rudeness?” Had she done something in the past that she regretted?

These questions lingered only in my mind. The past few days, though brief, had left a profound impact on me. In this moment, I wanted to tell her that I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay, to spend more time by her side. But I knew I couldn’t. As I had said, I had no reason to stay.

“I... will miss you so much!” Sylvia suddenly said.

“Thank you,” I said with a smile, though I knew this smile couldn’t fully express how I truly felt. “It’s the first time someone’s ever told me they’ll miss me. Thank you for treating me so kindly these past few days. The moments we shared... I’ll never forget them.”

Sylvia's gaze was gentle yet filled with regret. “The moments shared just between us? Yes, those moments… I’ll never forget them either!”

Those words felt like a dagger piercing through my heart. I wanted to hold her, to keep her close, but I couldn’t. All I could do was stand there, looking at her with eyes full of helplessness.

As we stood by the gate, the faint light of dawn began to peek over the treetops, yet the atmosphere felt inexplicably heavy. Narek and Lina were busy fussing over the luggage, while I just stood there, my eyes fixed on Sylvia. She had her arms crossed over her chest, her hands tightly gripping the edges of her jacket, her gaze never leaving me.

She didn’t say anything, just smiled in farewell, as if every word had already been spoken the night before. No one likes a tearful goodbye, though my heart ached deeply as I came to terms with the fact that this parting was forever. This girl would one day have a happy family, just like her younger brother. I wasn’t sure if, when that time came, I could attend her wedding the way I had today.

“Sylvia, thank you for everything,” I said, trying to hide the tremble in my voice.

She smiled, and if I had been more perceptive at that moment, I would have noticed that there was something off about that smile. Sylvia had been holding that same smile all this time—stiff and unnatural, like wearing a mask.

Sylvia stood still, the soft light of dawn gently illuminating her face. In that moment of farewell, I wished time would stop, just so I could stay a little longer. But then, Narek called out to me from a distance, pulling me back to reality.

Narek glanced back and forth between me and his sister. He seemed about to say something, though it was unclear whether it was meant for me or Sylvia. However, his newlywed wife gently tugged on his hand. Lina shook her head, silently implying that he shouldn’t say anything. Narek hesitated, a hint of regret in his expression, but ultimately stayed quiet.

After taking a few steps, I heard a loud noise behind me. Sylvia was walking briskly toward Narek's house, her pace quickening until it turned into a run. One of her hands seemed to be covering her mouth. Narek, standing right beside me, let out a heavy sigh.

When Sylvia disappeared from our sight, I had no choice but to accept the truth—that these were the final images of her etched into my heart. In just a few minutes, everything would become nothing more than a beautiful memory.

PART 11 >>