NoGift

"CLAY?"

Clay's brows visibly scrunched up when he heard Aurum's voice over the phone. It was a bit hoarse. Like she was holding in her tears and couldn't manage to get it out even if she wanted to. "Are you alright?" he couldn't help asking.

Aurum, on the other side, was startled when she heard Clay's question. It was as if he knew what she was feeling right now. She almost blurted out – 'no, I'm not, I just broke the heart of a very important friend and I'm not sure if our relationship could ever return back to normal'. But she stopped herself in time. It's not right to involve him in her emotional problems. Especially since it wasn't just about her. 

"I'm okay," she said.

Clay had a feeling that Aurum was forcing herself to smile right now. And he didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. She should only smile because she wanted to and not because she was forcing herself.

"I see," he only said. He could just observe her later to know what really was the problem.

"Why did you call? Is there a problem?" Aurum asked, changing the subject.

"I'm in Albion. At the capital's port, to be exact."

Aurum was truly surprised hearing that. "You're here already?"

"Well, you told me to come, right?"

"Yes. But I kind of thought it would take you at least a few more days to get here."

"The mountain range we live in is not on the other side of the world. If I take a ship from Castille, it would only take 2-3 days before I arrive here in Albion. So, it shouldn't be that surprising that I'm here," Clay said, a bit amused by Aurum's obvious surprised reaction. "Besides, milady told me to go to Albion as soon as I could. How dare I, a mere plebeian, delay time?"

"Now, you're just being annoying," Aurum said in an annoyed tone.

Clay smiled. At least now, he could no longer hear the depression in her voice. "How should I go to your house? Do I just have to rent a carriage and tell the coachman to take me to your family's place?"

"No, there's no need. Just stay there and I'll send someone to get you."

"Okay."

And the two ended the call.

----------

After the call, Aurum immediately asked a nearby servant to get one of the manor's coachmen to meet her. She didn't have to wait and soon, the coachman walked up to her.

"Milady," he said giving her a bow.

"Go to the port and fetch this person," she said, showing him a picture of Clay from her sPhone. 

The coachman looked down and saw a young man with reddish-brown hair and a pair of dark brown eyes. He looked very normal. Not like some aristocratic gentleman. He wondered if it was a friend of the lady. Or maybe a new servant? The latter seemed to be more probable. After all, how could their noble lady have such a commoner friend? 

But it was not his place to ask, so he just said, "Yes, milady."

After talking to the coachman, Aurum finally went back inside the manor. Her mother and Black seemed to have finished eating breakfast because she saw the both of them walking out of the dining room. Black quickly ran towards her.

"Aurum, why didn't you eat breakfast with us? Nelly made a very delicious pumpkin pie. Black ate all of it," he said, pushing out his little chest as if very proud of what he did.

Aurum pinched his nose. "Didn't Brother warn you not to overeat?"

Black held his reddened nose and pouted. "But Black didn't overeat!"

"Said the one who ate a whole pumpkin pie," Aurum retorted sarcastically.

Black bulged his cheeks. "Why do you always bully Black?"

Aurum smiled and poke one of his bulging cheek. "Because it's fun."

"You- you bully!"

Anthea clapped her hand, stopping the bickering of the two. "Okay, stop fighting you two."

"We're not fighting though, Mother. This is just normal for us. Isn't that right, Black?"

Black snorted. "Hmp! Black is definitely fighting with you!" Then he turned to Anthea. "Lady Anthea, Black is just going outside to play."

Before running outside, he didn't forget to push his tongue out towards Aurum's direction. 

"That kid, let's see if I don't punish you with my fist later," Aurum said looking at Black who had already ran outside.

"Aurum, you shouldn't bully Black too much," Anthea said shaking her head helplessly.

"But it's fun," Aurum only said while smiling at her mother.

Besides, because of her bickering with Black, the depression and sadness she was feeling finally subsided a little bit. Or maybe it already started to subside since she received the call from Clay.

"By the way, Mother, Clay called. He's already here in Albion. I already asked one of our coachmen to get him at the port," she said.

At her daughter's mention of this Clay, Anthea remembered the young man with reddish-brown hair and a pair of dark brown eyes. Argent had already mentioned to her that the family of this young man seemed to have a map that might lead them to one of the remaining two ancient artifacts. Most probably the elven queen's ring. Because apparently, there was a lore being passed down from generation to generation of Clay's family that talked about their ancestor meeting the elven queen and giving them the task to protect her beloved treasure.

But arriving here so soon. He probably left immediately from where he was the moment he received the call from Aurum. 

She glanced meaningfully at her daughter. Earlier, Aurum still looked very down, like she received a very bad news. But now, it was obvious that her mood was alleviated. Could it be related to that young man, Clay?

"Then I'll ask Nelly to cook more food. He might haven't had breakfast yet," she said. "You too, why don't you have your breakfast now?"

Aurum shook her head. "I'll just wait for Clay."

Anthea no longer persuaded her and just walked towards the kitchen to find Nelly. 

Aurum who was left decided to just sit by the window and wait for Clay. 

She wasn't sure how long she waited. All her focus was outside the window. She didn't even notice that someone had served her tea. A little while later, she finally saw the incoming carriage belonging to their family. She quickly stood up and ran outside. 

The carriage stopped at the driveway of their manor. And a very familiar figure walked out of the carriage.

"Clay!" she called, not even noticing the joyful smile that crossed her lips.

A big smile also appeared on Clay's face when he saw Aurum. He stared at her intently from afar, making sure that he wouldn't miss any expression on her face. Aside from joy, he could see a bit of sadness in those beautiful amber eyes. He knew it, something did happen.

Before Aurum could ran towards Clay, a black canon-ball suddenly launched itself from Clay's side and tackled him. It was a good thing that Clay didn't fall or hit his head on the carriage.

"Clay, you're here!" Black - the canon-ball - said while hugging Clay's waist.

Seeing this, Aurum suddenly had a huge urge to pinch the brat until his cheeks became swollen.