Little Vione couldn’t speak anymore. Little Usher’s words were true. The people loved her, even Usher’s parents, the Alpha and the Luna, loved her. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that there were naughty children who always tried to make her sad.
“Stop it. You don’t have to worry about what they say. Don’t be sad,” the little Usher said as he thought. Then he looked around and his eyes were wide with excitement. “Vione, since we’ve come this far, how about we play by the lake for a while? You know, there are rumors that the lotus flowers will bloom this week.”
Little Vione wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. But it was Usher, the future Alpha of the Frostholm Pack, who invited her. No matter how nice Usher was to her, she probably shouldn’t refuse his invitation.
Finally, little Vione sighed and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Little Usher smiled and immediately took little Vione’s hand. He led them away. They walked toward the southeast side of the forest, and it wasn’t long before they could see the lake from a distance.
Little Vione blinked. Something caught her attention. Little Usher asked, looking in the direction Vione was staring.
“What is it?”
Little Vione stopped. She continued to stare at one point with a furrowed brow. “I thought I saw someone over there.”
“Who?” Little Usher squinted. He tried to sharpen his vision, but he couldn’t see anyone. “I didn’t see anyone.”
Little Vione fell silent. “Did I miss?”
“I’m sure it’s just a small deer that almost fell into the trap of those naughty children yesterday.”
Little Vione seemed to disagree. For the shadow she saw briefly resembled that of an adult human. But she decided not to dwell on it. So, she said, “Maybe I was wrong.”
The journey of little Vione and little Usher continued. Their agile feet trod the rocky path, passing through rows of fresh-smelling bushes. Then they came to the lake they were headed for.
Little Vione was in awe as she saw the truth of little Usher’s words. There were beautiful, colorful lotus flowers blooming.
Little Usher smiled. “What do you think? Was I right?”
“Yes,” little Vione replied happily. “The lotus flowers are so beautiful. You know? This is the first time I’ve seen lotus flowers up close.”
Something made little Usher ask, “Never before?”
Little Vione shook his head. “No. Besides, I’ve only recently started playing in the forest behind the palace.”
“Oh,” little Usher nodded briefly. Then he suddenly noticed all the rowboats moored at the lake’s shore. An idea flashed through his mind. “Vione,” he called, reaching for the little Vione’s hand. “Would you like to take a closer look?”
“What do you mean, Usher?”
Little Usher pointed to the rowboats. Little Vione’s face changed.
“What do you think?”
Little Vione hesitated for a moment. “It doesn’t seem like a good idea, Usher.”
“It’s a great idea, Vione,” little Usher insisted, full of enthusiasm. He clasped little Vione’s fingers. “We’ll just play for a little while. So don’t worry. Besides, I promise.” He smiled earnestly. “I’ll always protect you.”
The doubt on little Vione’s face vanished. For a moment, she was astonished by little Usher’s promise, and then she nodded.
Little Usher’s smile instantly turned into an excited cheer. Little Vione also reflexively shouted with joy. They ran and sometimes jumped for joy.
They hurried. Little Usher untied the rope mooring the boat, while little Vione made sure the oars were in the boat. They cautiously boarded the rowboat, and the expressions of joy really lit up their faces when they were in the middle of the lake.
Little Vione’s face was adorned with a cheerful smile. She seemed so happy that she unconsciously reached out her hand and fingers to grab the nearest lotus leaf.
Little Usher didn’t miss it. So, he gathered his strength and rowed with enthusiasm. His intention was to bring little Vione as close as possible to the lotus flowers.
The oars continued to move. They sliced through the water, creating vibrations that reverberated through little Usher’s hands. The boat accelerated.
Little Vione’s excitement grew as the boat approached the lotus flowers. She became more and more eager to touch the lotus flower until a strange sound interrupted her desire.
Her excitement was stopped by the sound of a broken piece of wood. Little Vione turned to see that little Usher had stopped rowing.
“U-Usher.”
Little Usher quickly inspected the condition of the boat, his gaze fixed on the bottom where water was seeping in through a crack that had formed. The jovial atmosphere turned to panic in an instant.
“U-Usher,” little Vione cried, her voice shaking as she tried to stand. “What’s happening? What-”
“Vione! Don’t get up,” little Usher quickly interrupted little Vione. Her movement caused the boat to sway, and the water began to enter the boat even faster. “It’s better if you sit down and-”
Little Vione’s scream made little Usher’s eyes widen. His warning came too late. The movement of the boat caused little Vione to lose her balance and fall into the lake.
“Vione!”
Little Usher slapped the oar in his hand. Now he didn’t care if the boat was flooded even faster. The safety of little Vione came first.
“U-Usher.”
The little Vione struggled to call out to the little Usher amidst labored breaths and pounding heartbeats. She reached out to grab little Usher’s hand, but to no avail.
Fear gripped little Vione. Her body grew weaker as she struggled to stay afloat. Her strength began to fail, and as her vision began to blur through the water, she saw little Usher jump into the lake as well.
Little Vione tried to stop him. She shook her head, knowing that little Usher couldn’t swim either, but it was no use. Little Usher had already jumped in to save her.
“Vi-Vione.”
Little Usher’s voice sounded weak. Little Vione tried to answer, but it seemed that her strength had been completely drained. She could neither speak nor move.
Little Vione’s outstretched hand slowly began to sink. So did her body, as if it were being pulled into the darkness by the waters of the lake.
Little Vione closed her eyes. She had reached a point of surrender, and at that moment regret crept into her heart. She shouldn’t have let Usher drown with her. Forgive me, Usher.
But fate had other plans. Just when little Vione had given up hope, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her body, along with little Usher’s.
*