Chapter 14 – The Revelation of a Secret
Cordelia stretched and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Ah, ha… that was a good sleep. So, today our journey begins. Adrian, wake up! The sun has already risen!"
Adrian slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes as the warm sunlight filtered through the cracks in the wooden cabin.
"Yes, I'm getting up. So... where do we start looking today?" he asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Cordelia looked out the window, thinking for a moment.
"How about we go back to where you found the letter? Maybe there's something else there you missed."
Adrian nodded, already grabbing his worn boots.
"Okay, let's go then."
Cordelia threw him a piece of bread wrapped in cloth.
"Here, eat this."
He took it and smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, eating quietly. The tension of the situation was momentarily replaced by the simple morning ritual.
When Cordelia finished her last bite, she stood up and stretched her arms.
"As soon as we're done eating, we'll leave."
Adrian looked at her thoughtfully.
"Cordelia… I never asked you before… how did you end up in this place?"
Cordelia's expression darkened a little, but she didn't avoid the question.
"I was very sick," she started slowly, her voice quieter. "So my parents searched everywhere for a cure. But they never found one… because we were poor and weak."
Adrian frowned, confused.
"Wait… your parents weren't heirs?"
She nodded and let out a long sigh.
"Yes, but… Adrian, even though we're all heirs, there's a difference."
She looked him straight in the eyes, now serious.
"For example: someone who inherited the spirit of a centaur isn't the same as someone who inherited a dragon."
She tilted her head.
"If you had to choose, which would you choose?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"Of course, I'd choose the dragon."
"Exactly," she said, almost bitterly. "The people my parents asked for help didn't think it made sense to waste resources on 'weak' heirs like them."
She clenched her fists briefly before relaxing them.
"So, they found a solution: they would look for an inheritance for me. That way, I could cure my illness."
Her eyes softened as she remembered the past.
"And during one of those searches, we ended up here... by accident. We got separated. I found my inheritance and started searching… until I found you."
She sat back down for a moment, letting her words linger in the air.
"That's how I ended up in this place," she concluded, brushing crumbs off her lap.
Adrian looked at her, incredulous.
"So, you were here alone before you met me?"
She nodded and was already heading towards the door.
"Yes, basically."
She turned with a determined look.
"Well, let's go… we have a lot of ground to cover today. So, hurry up!" she commanded, stepping out with purpose.
Adrian followed her, stopping at the door.
"Cordelia, I promise… I'll help you find your parents."
She paused for a second, still with her back to him. She whispered softly:
"Idiot..."
Adrian tilted his head.
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing. Let's go!"
"Alright, alright… I'm coming!"
He rushed to catch up with her, the trail ahead long and uncertain—but now shared