It was already slightly bright, and Fern didn't know why he woke up early, and his legs were sore, but he was in good spirits and didn't feel tired.

Stan is sitting at the entrance of the cave on guard. "Why did you wake up so early, do you have a hunch?"

"Premonition what?" Fern stood to the entrance of the cave and leaned against the wall across from Stan.

"Queai has already gone first, this is what she asked me to give you, while she is leaving. Stan pulls out a folded piece of parchment from his coat and hands it to the mercenary.

"She's gone?" Fern looked into the cave, where Quiai had been lying last night was now empty, with only Ray and Ness still asleep next to each other.

"Yes, she left before dawn, and she got up very early and sat where you are now to finish writing this. Stan lifted his chin towards the parchment in Fern's hand. It can be seen that she is very sad when she writes, and her expression is always very melancholy. ”

"Melancholy?" Fern pouted, looking at the folded parchment with some hesitation.

"Look, whatever it's written, I can feel that she's pouring all her feelings into it, and you have to look at it. Stan picks up a bottle of ale from the fire and hands it to Fern.

Fern took the ale, nodded at Stan, opened the cap, took a long sip, and set it aside.

"What did she write it in?" Fern looked at the neatly folded parchment in his hand again, and could feel that Quiai must have been very careful when folding it.

"I don't know what it was, but she seemed to use magic to crush some of the black rocks, and then the powder turned into the shape of a quill in her hand. Stan shrugged. "I've long said that magic is about making all sorts of things that can't be explained. ”

"You didn't seem to say that last time. Fern smiled and spread out the parchment.

The whole parchment was densely covered with words, and Fern gasped, feeling touched by something.

Queai's characters are delicate, rounded, curved, without a trace of edges and corners, completely different from her character, almost every letter is connected to the latter, but in some places that can obviously be connected, it is abruptly disconnected. I guess hesitating how to write, Fern thought.

Fern, I have to leave first, and by the time you read this letter, I had already started another mission. Before I left, I handed the letter to Stan, he was a decent knight, and I didn't have to worry about him peeking at the contents of the letter, so I just folded it briefly.

This is what I've always wanted to say to you, but I haven't had a chance, and I'm afraid you won't give me that chance. Now, I beg you, give me ten minutes, and let me tell you. Please, Fern, please read it. Whatever you do with the letter afterward, at least, read it.

I wanted to leave last night, but I was flattered by your stay, I thought you wouldn't care about my safety, but, I was wrong. At that moment, my heart tightened a little, I could barely sustain magic, you just gave me such a little care, and it made me so excited, am I stupid?

I've never been like this until I met you.

As I said before, Fern, you have broken into my heart. Although I know that Ness is more important to you than I am, I am not willing to give up, I have never been a person who will give up easily, but between you and Ness, there have been several times when I realized that I am so insignificant.

What is it about you that attracts me so much? is it your messy curls, or your melancholy personality, or your bravery in protecting your fellow human beings at the risk of your own life. Probably neither, maybe both, in my eyes, you are so different, I never thought I would like a mercenary, and so much.

I have to admit that part of the reason I got into your cloak that day was to show Ness. But more than that, just I want to fall asleep in your arms, smell you, feel your body temperature, and I would like to never wake up again. Your anger at me later made me know that Ness's place in your heart is far more important than mine, and I am sad, but as I said, I will not give up easily, I know what I can give you, what Ness cannot give you.

Fern, I can be your strong backing, no matter what difficulties and setbacks you encounter, I will support you without hesitation. I can also be your gentle harbor, and when you are tired and helpless, please come back to me, in my arms, and sleep peacefully. I believe that as long as we are together, nothing in this world can shake our happiness in the slightest.

Fern, you don't have to give me an answer right away, my affection for you makes me bearably waiting. When you are willing to open your heart to me, please tell me that I will always be there for you, even though it may never come to fruition, but, you know, I have never left.

I sat beside you and watched you for a long time, you snored gently, your messy hair curled with dust, dry and dull, your face was gray and full of exhaustion, how I wanted to caress your face and take care of it for you. But I didn't, because I was afraid you would blame me again, like that time in the woods.

Fern, you don't understand anything, your mind is my mind, you don't understand it at all, but you want me to write it down, so you can read it well? Now, seeing this, can you understand something about what I am thinking in my heart?

Fern, I hope this letter does not bother you, because, after I have completed my mission, we will meet again, at least, please do not alienate me because of this letter, for even one look from you will make me fall to the bottom, or make me ecstatic.

Goodbye, Fern, protect yourselves, the road ahead of you will be dangerous. I know that you will give your life to protect Ness at any time, but I beg of you, at that time, that you will let me linger in your heart for a moment, if not for a second. Don't die at will, for your own sake and for me.

Waiting for you,

Quiai

Wearily, Fern folded the parchment again, put it in the inner lining, and leaned his head against the cave wall, his mind flashing back to the scenes after his encounter with Queay.

"Looks like her letter has touched you, how do you feel?" Stan asked tentatively.

Fern picked up the bottle beside him and took several sips in quick succession. "I can't see that she is so lively on weekdays, but she pours so much emotion into the letter, I can clearly feel her heart. ”

Stan rubs the bridge of his nose. "It's not easy, Fern. The knight squinted at the mercenary. "Queay, Ness, where the hell do you say you are so attractive that two such good girls are obsessed with you?"

Fern smiled bitterly, sighed and did not answer, but stood up, lifted the corner of the curtain, and walked out.

Outside the cave, it was already very light, and Fern sat on the big rock at the entrance of the cave, drinking and letting the cold blow on his face, but he didn't feel the cold at all.

At this time, Fern didn't realize that the seed that Quiai had planted in the depths of his heart had taken root and sprouted, and the wall of his heart, which had no gaps, began to loosen.