NOVEL NEXT Ch. 16
Chapter 16: Don't Be Sad About a Parting That Hasn't Come Yet
After leaving the gathering, Mel bought a few more packets of herbs on her way back, preparing to start brewing potions tomorrow.
Just as she had expected, when she returned home, Veronica was not yet back.
So Mel hid the cloak and mask, then placed the herbs in a place where Veronica would not normally look.
After doing all this, she sat obediently in the living room, waiting for Veronica to return.
As usual.
Under the dim yellow light of the gas lamp, the simple furniture cast long shadows.
A faint scent of herbs filled the air, intermingling with the smell of the wooden furniture.
As the time approached ten o'clock, the sound of the lock turning broke the silence.
“Click, clack——”
Veronica pushed the door open and entered, her blonde hair glowing softly under the gaslight.
She took off her coat, and hung it on the coat rack, then turned to her sister with a smile.
“I'm back, Mel.”
Veronica walked to Mel's side and gave her a gentle hug.
Mel could smell the faint scent of ink on Veronica, mixed with the smell of paper.
“How was school today, did you feel unwell anywhere?”
Veronica's hand gently brushed through Mel's hair, her eyes revealing a look of concern.
Mel tilted her head up slightly, meeting Veronica's gaze, a gentle smile gracing the corners of her mouth, her voice soft and steady: “Everything was normal, sister.”
“That's good.”
Veronica breathed a slight sigh of relief, then let go of Mel and turned towards the bathroom.
“I need to take a shower first, I've been organizing books all day, I have a smell on me.”
Mel watched Veronica enter the bathroom, then subconsciously glanced at the calendar on the table.
February fifth.
Only twenty-three days left until the beginning of spring.
“Twenty-three days”
Mel looked at the date circled in red on the calendar, a complex emotion rising in her heart.
March first, this date was like an invisible knife, dividing her life with Veronica into two distinct parts.
(In a way.... it can be considered a good thing)
Mel thought.
“At least this way, Veronica can live her life peacefully and not get involved in those things.”
“Whoosh——”
The sound of water in the bathroom fluctuated, as if it were trying to say something.
Mel turned her head and looked at the Red Moon hanging high outside the window, her mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.
Why did the Red Moon choose her to be a Shepherd, and why did it grant her such a special shepherding ability.
Clearly, other people's shepherding did not require taking another's life, why was her own shepherding method so cruel.
“Mel, can you get me a towel?”
Veronica's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Mel turned her head, then walked to the cabinet where the clean towels were kept.
(Perhaps separating is really the best choice)
Mel picked up a towel.
As she walked into the washroom, she looked at her own slightly pale face in the mirror.
(This way Veronica won't be drawn into a dangerous vortex, nor will she know that the little sister she has always taken care of has long had blood on her hands.)
“Drip, drop——”
The sound of the dripping faucet was like the footfall of time, reminding Mel of its passage.
She gently knocked on the bathroom door and handed the towel in.
“Thanks.”
Veronica reached out and took the towel, her wet, warm fingers inadvertently brushing against Mel's fingertips.
“You go rest first, Mel.”
Veronica's voice came through the crack of the door, “You don't have to wait for me.”
“Mm.”
Mel answered, then turned and walked out of the washroom, returning to her room to lie down.
The red moonlight streamed in through the window, as if draping her in a blanket.
The young girl lay on the bed, then slowly closed her eyes, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.
After an unknown amount of time, in a daze, Mel was awakened by a slight movement.
Along with a rustling sound in her ear, Mel opened her eyes and sat up abruptly.
Then she saw Veronica sitting by her bed, hugging a pillow, looking embarrassed.
She had thought it was the whispers in her ears again, but unexpectedly, it was Veronica who had made the noise.
“Veronica....?”
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
Veronica said, a little embarrassed, “I thought I was being very quiet.”
Mel didn't speak.
In fact, Veronica's movements were not loud, it was just that after being tormented by the whispers several times, she had become a bit sensitive to such slight movements.
“Why are you here....?”
The young girl asked, puzzled.
“Because I saw that you seemed to be in a very bad mood.”
Veronica said, while placing her pillow next to Mel's, then squeezing onto the bed.
Mel shifted to the side slightly, making room for her sister.
The wooden bed felt a bit crowded with an extra person, but it brought a strange sense of security.
“Alright, lie down.”
Veronica reached out and gently pushed Mel back down on the bed, then tucked the covers in.
This scene couldn't help but remind Mel of the days when they were young and would often sleep in each other's arms like this.
“Were you wronged at school today?”
Veronica's voice sounded softly, filled with deep concern.
Mel felt the other's hand gently stroking her hair, just like when she used to soothe her to sleep as a child.
“No.”
Mel said softly.
“Then it's something else.”
Veronica seemed to have already guessed the answer, so she gently hugged Mel.
The moonlight shone through the window lattice, plating the room in a bloody hue.
The figures of the two sisters were projected onto the wooden floor.
A faint, clean scent of herbs, and the smell of soap from Veronica, lingered in the air.
“Mel, listen to me——”
Her voice was still gentle.
“Sister will always support you. I know what you are worried about, but it's only a temporary separation. When I graduate, I will rent a place outside, and we can live together again. Just like before.”
Her words were like a double-edged sword, comforting Mel's heart while also making her feel even more pain.
“And during the time we are apart, you will make many new friends, so you don't have to be afraid of being alone.”
Veronica continued, her fingers gently combing through Mel's hair.
“On your future path, there will always be someone to accompany you, so, don't be sad about a parting that hasn't come yet.”
Veronica said softly, as if making an eternal promise.
“It is for a better reunion.”