Mainland

"Happy birthday Willow and Wolfe!"

​​

Everyone in the ranch greeted the two. Months had gone so fast after the Lagdameo heir left and right then, the Dugmoch's were celebrating intimately in the Loch where most Dugmoch's siblings once celebrated their birthday.

Tomorrow another birthday celebration will be held in L'Empire and they will then be introduced as the new Lagdameo heirs. The relationship between the Dugmoch's and L'Empire smoothened this time as they were all trying to adjust for the sake of the children. That day's birthday was only a simple household celebration and only the laborers and a few friends were invited.

"Do make a wish," Ziggy encouraged and the two closed their eyes and blew their candles. Everyone cheered as they delightedly blew the fire off.

"Yehey!" A bit of chaos took place after that as each took a plate and started picking up food. There was music playing while everyone was busy with eating and small talks.

Willow however waited for a cake to be sliced and when she was given a small plate, she held onto it and walked out the small cottage toward Winter's grave, Wolfe followed behind. They both sat in the greenery and played with the toys scattered around their brother's resting place as Darryl used to make him one.

"This is Appa's word work," Wolfe played with a toy train. "It's so beautiful brother. He must have been thinking of you a lot when we weren't here yet,"

"He always makes Winter a new toy," Willow noticed. "Look there's so many. Can I perhaps get one brother?" She talked as if the grave could answer. "Or I'll just borrow it. You don't mind right?"

"I wonder how Appa was doing these days," Wolfe blabbered and dragged his eyes into the view of Puente De Amor standing tall in the ocean. "Does he miss us?"

"He misses us a lot, that's for sure," Willow sighed. "But Appa needs to go away,"

"Do you think he'll come visit us soon?"

"The third miss told me he might not come back soon,"

"What if he'll not come back?" Wolfe was saddened by the idea. Although they didn't get to be with Darryl for a very long time, they had always looked forward to meeting them when they were a bit younger and so he left a mark and longing in their heart that cannot be filled by anything but him.

"Then I'll come to him," Willow was determined. "When I grow up a bit. I'll go and see Appa,"

"Me too. I'll come with you," Wolfe also hoped for it.

***

Xhemin was standing in the dock looking at Manggan Island on the other side. It had been months since the Lagdameo heir journeyed back to the island without news. However, because people from the mainland knew he had good connections with the Manggan people, his crossing didn't cause as much havoc as before.

Even L'Empire accepted it heartily as they were under the impression it was Darryl's greatest life wish that they accept. Going to Manggan Island after all wasn't as bad as dying and prior to leaving, he made sure all things were kept in order. If there had been something that he missed, Lawyer Yu and Dannah filled in the gaps.

Xhemin sighed thinking through it. It was rather ironic how Darryk's departure went easy on most people, but to her it wasn't. Like the old days that have passed, she constantly longs for him and says prayers for him in the wind.

"My dove," The call of Lady surprised her and she immediately turned and saw the Leigh elder descended from the stairs that lead to the dock.

"Great grandaunt, be careful!" Xhemin worriedly welcomed and assisted her. "You should have not come down here,"

"Well if I didn't I would not never get to see such a view," She replied looking far beyond the sea. "No guts no glory they say,"

Xhemin was glad that these days, her great grandaunt decided to stay in the Richmond ranch with them. She only flew once back to her home abroad but only to fix a couple things. Now she was there, enjoying her time in the south and managing the Richmond ranch with great care with the assistance of Ang and the rest of their employees. Her health too had improved overtime and she had been as healthy as ever.

"The Mangan island is quite a view," Lady Portia noted as she adored it. "When I was young, there's a girl I was very close with and she once wished to explore mysterious places and I couldn't help but think about her whenever I see this island,"

"What happened to her?" Xhemin inquired seeing that her great aunt's face flushed a bitter smile.

"She became a missionary and explored places to bring the word of God,"

"She got her wish then,"

"Yes," Lady Portia answered but the emotion that went on her face didn't falter. She was reminiscing a sad memory and Xhemin understood why in a moment, "But it was tragedy,"

"A tragedy?" That definitely got her intrigued.

"She once went on a mission and she never came back," Lady Portia dragged her eyes back to Xhemin. "She was so young when that happened. That's when we all lost her,"

"Oh," Xhemin certainly didn't expect that ending "Sad,"

"It is," Lady Portia agreed because until then there was some hurt and longing that rose to her whenever she remembered that old friend. "It is a sad story. But do you know what gives me consolacion over her sudden demise?"

Xhemin didn't answer and just waited for her great grand aunt to finish her story. "It's the letter that she once sent me. In that letter she said she had chase all what she wanted desperately in this life and that if she'll die then, she'll have no regrets,"

"I see," Xhemin's heart ached with the old lady's story for some reasons. "She must have been living a simple life as a missionary, but that was all what her heart wanted and so she was happy and satisfied,"

"Her life reminds me of your mother's life for some reasons," Lady Portia continued, now taking her time to scrutinize her once little dove.