We all turned once again toward the source of the sound—that door that refused to stay still, as if it had decided to become the main character today.
This time, it was Zairos.
He walked in with calm steps, his eyes scanning the room carefully before stopping in front of us with a faint smile.
"What's this? Looks like everyone's gathered here."
Luxian raised an eyebrow in annoyance and replied sharply:
"And why are you here?"
Zairos shrugged casually.
"I got bored, so I decided to come."
I couldn't hide my curiosity, so I asked:
"Weren't you with Serion earlier? Where is he?"
Zairos hesitated slightly before answering:
"After we finished eating, we went our separate—"
Click.
I pressed my hand to my forehead in frustration.
This door is seriously testing my patience.
We all turned again.
This time, it was Tyros—his face marked with fresh bruises.
He stood at the entrance expressionless, then walked toward us.
Luxian scoffed:
"Well, look who it is. Teiros, the calm pretender."
Tyros ignored him and said:
"I've been looking for you everywhere, and in the end I find you here… playing—"
Click.
Again.
For the third time.
Seriously, that damn door.
When is it going to stop opening every five seconds?!
A collective sigh escaped us, and I even heard someone mutter a curse under their breath.
We turned once more—
Sirion stood there.
He closed the door behind him calmly, then walked toward us with steady steps. His gaze went straight to Zairos, and his quiet voice carried a clear reprimand:
"Did you really think you could escape kitchen duty just by hiding here?"
Zairos froze.
Tension spread across his face, his eyes darting as if searching for a way out.
Wait… what?
That doesn't match what he just told us.
He said they split up after eating—he never mentioned cleaning duty.
I narrowed my eyes at him:
"Did you lie to us, Zairos?"
He raised his hands defensively.
"I didn't lie! We did finish eating and split up. I just didn't mention I was supposed to clean. Serion said I could leave."
But Sirion didn't budge.
"That doesn't change the fact that you ran away from your responsibility."
Luxian smirked, clearly enjoying the situation:
"Oh really? You ran away from cleaning? What, scared of a sponge? Hahaha!"
Zairos clenched his teeth.
"I'm not scared of cleaning! It's just boring, and I—"
Click.
That door again.
I swear… should I just break it already?!
We all turned for what felt like the thousandth time—
But this time, it wasn't one of us.
It was the employer.
He stood at the doorway, his face burning with anger, veins visible at his temples as his voice thundered through the room:
"What are you all doing here?! It's already three thirty! Lord Valis is waiting on the first floor, and he's about to lose his patience!"
We didn't need a second to understand.
We all stood up instantly, like soldiers caught off guard by an enraged commander.
We exchanged quick glances—then rushed toward the door all at once, turning the narrow exit into pure chaos.
Zairos tried to push through first, but slammed straight into Luxian's shoulder.
"Move!" Luxian snapped.
"No, you move!" Zairos shot back.
They started shoving each other like children at the doorway, while Cairo and Marcus tried to squeeze past them, occasionally pushing one of them aside with no success.
Meanwhile, Knox, Tyros, Sirion, and I stood near the employer, watching the chaos unfold, feeling things getting worse by the second.
Then suddenly—
Calstir appeared.
The noise must have drawn him.
He said nothing. He simply looked at everyone briefly, then stepped forward, nodded to the employer, and stood beside him like a silent wall.
But the employer had had enough.
"Move away from the entrance immediately!"
he shouted.
Zairos and Luxian froze, as if cold water had been dumped over their heads, then quickly stepped aside.
The path cleared.
"I'll go first," the employer said firmly. "You follow me—calmly."
He stepped out, and we followed in order:
Zairos, then Cairo, Calstir, Luxian, Knox, Tyros, Marcus, then me… and finally Sirion, who closed the door behind us quietly.
We walked through the corridors in near-perfect sync.
Silence.
Tension.
No one dared to speak before facing Lord Valis.
Even Luxian, who never missed a chance to mock someone, looked unusually serious.
When we reached the first floor, the scene was clear.
Lord Valis stood there in full presence, wearing a dark, elegant coat.
Beside him stood a young girl with refined features—
Roshin.
Her gaze was sharp, yet touched with curiosity, as if wondering what had delayed us.
We lined up in a straight row behind the employer, like part of a formal reception.
Lord Valis spoke, his voice low but edged with cold sharpness:
"What delayed you?"
The employer answered quickly:
"My apologies, Lord Valis, my employees were—"
Valis raised his hand, cutting him off, his eyes scanning each of us:
"No. I want to hear it from them."
Silence fell.
The air itself felt heavier.
No one met his gaze.
Then Sirion stepped forward and spoke calmly:
"Allow me to apologize on behalf of everyone, Lord Valis."
He took a breath.
"I was cleaning the kitchen with Zairos, but he left suddenly and went to the third floor. I followed him to find out why, and there I found the others… and we got distracted. It's not a sufficient excuse, but we hope for your understanding."
He bowed slightly as he finished.
His tone was sincere.
We waited for Valis's response.
After a moment, Valis sighed.
"…Very well. It's not like being angry will change anything. I must leave for the capital now. The guards assigned to escort me have arrived."
He turned toward us.
"Let's go. Now."
His tone was calmer—but we all knew this wouldn't be forgotten.
We left in an orderly line.
The employer walked ahead with steady steps, while ours felt heavy.
Each step tightened something in my chest.
This was it.
The moment of farewell.
The castle walls that once sheltered us felt unusually quiet—as if watching us leave in silence.
We reached the inner gate.
The employer opened it, and a cold breeze rushed toward us, reminding us—
Outside is different.
And this chapter… is ending.
We stepped into the courtyard, sunlight reflecting off the stone floor.
Ahead of us stood the massive wooden gate separating us from the outside world.
Tall.
Ancient.
Covered in carved patterns that felt like they had guarded this place for centuries.
Slowly, it was pushed open.
The deep creak of wood echoed like the sound of an ending.
We stepped outside.
And there it was—
A luxurious carriage waiting.
Polished dark wood, framed with shining gold, adorned with intricate carvings.
Velvet crimson curtains swayed gently in the breeze.
Massive wheels gleamed under the sunlight.
Inside sat four guards:
One with pure white hair, dressed in elegant attire, a golden insignia marking his high rank.
Another with blue hair and sharp eyes, his expression strict and unyielding.
A third with short brown hair, wearing a wide hat that hid half his face, though his faint smile seemed friendlier.
And the fourth—
Messy black hair, calm features. Not imposing like the others… more observant than aggressive.
I was lost in the scene when Lord Valis's voice pulled me back.
"…So this is farewell."
He looked at us, something almost soft in his tone.
"I wish you all the best."
We nodded in unison
.
Words caught in our throats.
Then, a soft voice beside me:
"Uncle…"
I turned.
Roshin stood there, elegant, a hint of shyness on her face.
I smiled gently.
"Yes, little princess?"
She lifted her chin slightly, a mix of pride and shyness:
"Since it's goodbye… I have a gift for you. I didn't buy it—it was in my pink room. Instead of throwing it away… I decided to give it to you."
I smiled warmly.
"That's very kind of you."
She held out a small hand.
A red pen.
Decorated… with my name engraved on it.
It shimmered under the sunlight.
I took it carefully.
"Thank you… I'll treasure it."
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Then she suddenly turned and ran lightly toward the carriage, waving:
"Goodbye, uncle!"
I raised my hand.
"…Goodbye."
She climbed in and sat beside Lord Valis, who gave us one last look before closing the door.
Moments later, the carriage shook slightly—
Then began to move.
Slowly… farther… and farther away.
I watched until it became a small dot…
Then disappeared beyond the hills.
And in that moment—
I felt an emptiness stretch inside me.
The silence left behind was heavier than words.
So…
This really is goodbye.