The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the sprawling wn of Ravencrest Castle. The air was filled with anticipation as vilgers bustled about, setting up tables adorned with flowers, while children pyed in the open spaces. Sera moved gracefully through the scene, overseeing the preparations for the party.

  Four months had passed since Ravenna’s visit. This evening, a grand party was arranged in the castle garden by Sera, for Priest Benedict, who is leaving the day after tomorrow on transfer orders from his superiors.

  Vina and Tia, Sera's children, were bubbling with excitement as they helped arrange decorations under their mother's watchful eye. Carefully, they pced vibrant flowers on the tables, ensuring everything was perfect for the evening.

  “Vina, make sure the flowers are evenly spaced.” Sera smiled.

  “Yes, Mother.” Vina nodded.

  Vilgers had slowly started to gather with their families.

  Families from Vina's usual py group began to show up one by one.

  "Vina, look! Our friends are here!" Tia excimed, pointing toward the entrance of the garden.

  Vina's face lit up. "Ron! Luke! Over here!" she waved enthusiastically.

  Ron and Luke ran over leaving their families behind, their faces flushed with excitement. "Hi, Vina! Hi, Tia!" Ron greeted. "This pce looks amazing!"

  "Thanks! We've been helping Mother all afternoon," Vina replied proudly.

  Just then, Ember and Tyke arrived. "Hi, everyone!" Ember called out. "I am so excited!"

  "Me too!" Tyke agreed, his eyes wide with wonder. "I've never been to a party before."

  Rose and Lilian joined the group, smiling warmly. "Hello, Vina, Tia," Rose said. "Everything looks wonderful."

  "Thank you, Rose," Tia said, beaming. "We wanted it to be perfect for Grandpa Benedict."

  Finally, Olivia appeared. "Hi, everyone," she said softly.

  "Olivia! You made it!" Vina excimed, rushing to give her a hug.

  Olivia hugged her back. She seems to be in low spirits unlike her usual self.

  Tia noticed and gnced at Olivia’s family. Only her grandmother and mother had shown up and they were happily chatting with others.

  "Olivia, did Uncle not come?" Tia asked gently.

  Olivia's face sank. "Mother had a big quarrel again. So..." Her voice trailed off, and she didn't complete her sentence.

  "Auntie seems to always quarrel with Uncle. Why is that?" Rose asked.

  "I don’t know," Olivia mumbled.

  "Mother and Grandmother say that Father is useless and zy. They are unfortunate to have him..." Her voice trailed off, becoming inaudible again as if she lost all her energy.

  ‘Useless? I have rarely seen him, but he doesn’t seem to be like that. I thought he was very hardworking.’ Tia Sighed, ‘It seems like domestic quarrels are common in any world.’

  "Alright, cheer up. Since it is the first party in the vilge, let's enjoy, okay?" Ron attempted to dispel the gloomy mood.

  "Olivia, don't worry too much. My mother also scolds father all the time. But they always make up with each other. It will be alright," he reassured her.

  "Okay." Olivia took a deep breath and finally showed her beaming smile at Ron's words.

  As the friends gathered, ughter and chatter filled the air, adding to the joyous atmosphere.

  Most of the vilgers have gathered in the castle garden including Julian and his family.

  As the evening unfolded, Priest Benedict arrived at the entrance accompanied by Kevin, warmly greeted by the vilgers.

  "Kevin, take care of the shrine and the vilgers," Benedict said, patting Kevin's shoulder.

  "I'll do my best. But today is about you!" Kevin grinned.

  The castle wn transformed into a lively gathering as the evening progressed. Vilgers congregate around tables, sharing ughter and stories, while a long table is adorned with a feast fit for a royal celebration.

  Baroness Sera raised her gss. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us raise our gsses to Priest Benedict, who has served our vilge faithfully for so many years. May your new journey be as blessed as the moments you've shared with us."

  The vilgers echoed the sentiment with cheers and appuse.

  Benedict smiled. "Thank you, friends. It has been an honor to be part of this community. But fear not, for Kevin is more than capable of continuing in my stead."

  Kevin spoke, "I'll miss Sir Benedict's wisdom, but I promise to uphold the values and traditions he has instilled in me."

  Amidst the festive atmosphere, vilgers approached Benedict, expressing their gratitude.

  "Priest Benedict, you've been a pilr of strength for us. Your sermons always brought comfort, and your kindness touched our hearts. We'll miss you dearly," Mrs. Thompson said with a warm smile.

  "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. The pleasure was mine. May you always find soce in God's light."

  "Sir Benedict, the vilge won't be the same without you. We've been blessed to have you with us," Mr. Johnson raised his mug.

  "Your words warm my heart."

  As the night unfolded, children presented handmade crafts, vilgers shared anecdotes, and even the local musicians pyed a cheerful tune in Priest Benedict's honor.

  "Father Benedict, you taught me to be kind and compassionate. I'll miss our talks after service," Sarah expressed her thanks.

  "You've grown into a wonderful young dy, Sarah," Benedict patted her head.

  The elderly bcksmith, Harris, approached with a gift wrapped in rough brown paper.

  "Sir Benedict, this might not be fancy, but it's handmade. May you take it on your journey," Harris gruffly said.

  "Mr. Harris, this is a heartfelt gift. I will cherish it." Benedict said.

  "Sir Benedict, we'll miss your stories by the fire," one of the vilgers said.

  "Your wisdom guided us through many storms," someone added.

  "The vilge will miss you a lot," another continued.

  As the night wore on, the air was filled with mixed emotions of joy and sadness. Vilgers, young and old, approached Benedict to express their gratitude and bid him farewell.

  "My dear friends, you have all become a part of my extended family. Carry the teachings of the shrine in your hearts, and the spirit of community will endure," Benedict smiled.

  The heartfelt farewells continued long into the night.

  As the festivities continued, Vina and Tia approached Father Benedict, their eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and sadness.

  Vina spoke up, "Grandpa Benedict, thank you for teaching me. I'll never forget your stories."

  "Vina, you're a bright young soul. Keep those lessons close to your heart, and may they guide you on your journey," Benedict replied with a warm smile.

  "I'll miss your ughter. Will you visit us?" Tia hugged Benedict's leg.

  "Tia, it will be hard. But I'll come and visit whenever I can. Take care of your mother and sister," Benedict said, tousling Tia's hair gently.

  Tia nodded, eyes reflecting both sadness and understanding.

  Sera joined the conversation, her eyes reflecting both gratitude and a touch of mencholy.

  "Sir Benedict, your guidance has been a blessing to me and my children. You've been a fatherly figure to me, and we are forever grateful," Sera said, taking Benedict's hands in hers.

  "Sera, you and your children hold a special pce in my heart. You possess strength and capabilities that far surpass this small territory. It's regrettable that you are unable to wield magic. If you could, I would have gdly taken you along with me. You have the potential to bring about great changes in this world, just as you have transformed this territory," Benedict said, his voice filled with emotion.

  "Very few people have left a sting impression on me, and you are one of them. I think of you as my own child. I regret not being able to aid you during your past struggles.”

  Benedict continued. “However, perhaps it's not such a bad thing for you to spend the rest of your days in this now peaceful vilge."

  "I wish you happiness from the depths of my heart."

  Sera wiped away a tear, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you. You've been more than a priest. You've been family. Our castle and our hearts will always be open to you."

  Copyright ? [June] [2024] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.

  …..

  "By the way, Sir Benedict, did you see the small house that was constructed near the shrine?" Sera smiled.

  "The one you've been constructing for the past few months?" Benedict spoke as he recalled.

  "It is a small and cozy timber-framed cottage with wattle and daub walls and a thatched roof. Inside, a central hearth serves as both a cooking area and a source of warmth. The living space is furnished with rough-hewn wooden furniture, a sleeping alcove with a simple bed, and a few handmade decorations. Outside, a modest herb garden and a small yard with chickens add to its charm. Overall, it is very nice and peaceful.

  “Why do you ask?"

  "That is our gift to you, Sir Benedict," Sera revealed.

  "Huh?"

  "I know it is nothing compared to what you might have had. But please, do not think too much about it. In the future, when you are tired and need a pce to rest, consider it an option. Just come here and take some time for yourself.

  "I would have liked to invite you to stay in the castle or the shrine, but I know you would feel uncomfortable that way. So, I had this cottage built for you. Please do not reject it. This is nothing compared to what you have done for us," Sera expined.

  "When I was thinking of ways to repay you, Tia gave me this idea."

  "Our gift is not just a house, but a home—a pce of solitude. It is meant to provide you with a space to contempte, rest, and rejuvenate yourself in seclusion, away from the politics and tensions," Sera added.

  "This is a unique gift," Kevin interjected from the side.

  "Indeed, now that I think about it, I would like to have such a pce. Wow, Tia, you came up with such a unique idea. To not give a house, but to provide a pce of retreat and soce. How did you come up with this idea? Even I couldn’t think of something like that for myself," Benedict asked, genuinely surprised.

  ‘In my previous life, I knew many monks who lived their lives in seclusion, away from the rush and tension of city life. He is simir to them. But I can't say it like that,’ Tia contempted.

  "I saw Grandpa always enjoying his life in this vilge. Teacher Kevin said that you are here on a holiday. So, I thought, you might want a pce to enjoy alone in peace," Tia simplified.

  "Isn't he always resting? Why does he need another pce to rest?" Kevin grumbled.

  Benedict gred at Kevin.

  "Whistle, whistle," Kevin looked away, whistling nonchantly.

  "Do you like it, Grandpa?" asked Tia.

  Benedict's eyes softened. "It seems like you have inherited your mother's ingenuity. It is a wonderful and unique gift. I like it very much. I will accept it. Thank you," Benedict said, ruffling Tia’s hair eliciting a bright smile.

  "Hey, what about me? Where's my pce of soce?" Kevin teased Tia.

  "Well, I always see Grandpa enjoying himself, but I always see Teacher Kevin grumbling with a bothersome look. So, I thought it might not hold much meaning to Teacher Kevin. Maybe Teacher Kevin’s pce of soce is somewhere else," Tia replied thoughtfully.

  Kevin was taken aback by Tia’s expnation.

  "B-Bwahahahaha!" Benedict burst into ughter.

  "If you were to give him a house here, it would really be a pce of punishment for him. How dissatisfied are you to let even a kid see through you?"

  "Indeed, Kevin’s pce of soce is in the city, on the p of dies," Benedict teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

  “Hahaha” soon everyone joined the ughter.

  Kevin, trying to regain his composure, "You’ve got me all wrong, Sir Benedict. Don’t spoil my pristine reputation."

  Benedict harumped. "Don't think I don't know what kind of reputation you have. By the way, where is my farewell present?"

  "What? I have to give you one too?" Kevin excimed.

  "Of course, the entire vilge has given me a present. How can my disciple not give me one?" Benedict frowned.

  "You know what, Teacher, I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a long time. Isn't your attitude towards me different from how you treat others?" Kevin asked, a hint of frustration in his voice as he tried to change the subject.

  "Of course. They are devotees of the shrine, while you are my disciple. It is only natural," Benedict replied matter-of-factly.

  "What do you mean by 'natural'?" Kevin frowned.

  "Devotees are meant to be guided with patience and kindness, while disciples are meant to be worked to their bones."

  "Then they are sves, not disciples," Kevin retorted.

  "What are you talking about? Disciples are sves," Benedict decred confidently, as if stating an obvious truth.

  Silence descended upon the party as no one knew what to say.

  "Ridiculous. Don’t..." Kevin began to retort, coming out of his stupor.

  "Chop!" Benedict nded a chop on Kevin’s head.

  "Ouch," Kevin rubbed his head, wincing.

  The vilgers burst into ughter at the exchange.

  "Stop talking nonsense and take out your gift," Benedict demanded.

  "I didn’t prepare any," Kevin admitted.

  "Oh my god, I am so sad. Is this how you revere your master? Haa, I am so sad, how did I get such an ungrateful student?" Benedict mented dramatically.

  Kevin’s mouth twitched uncontrolbly. "Fine, fine. I just have to give you a gift, right? Stop your annoying drama."

  "Hehe," Benedict smirked.

  Kevin looked at Tia and took a deep breath and smiled. "Since the gift need not be a physical one, simir to Tia’s idea, I will also present you with something simir."

  Kevin reached into his pockets and retrieved a forearm-length stick.

  Copyright ? [2024] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright w. For permission requests, contact the publisher at [[email protected]].