To the Leader:
Honestly, I don't like that title. It's cold-blooded and dismissive of life. But it describes you perfectly, Leader.
You have indeed changed, completely and utterly changed.
But it was only when Chernobog was occupied that I truly felt and realized that what you brought was not the so-called hope of the Infected, but their demise.
Now it seems Mr. Patriot was right all along; I would sooner or later part ways with you.
I miss the past, Leader.
During my time in Chernobog, I often dreamed of the past, of my companions, and of Alina and the others.
December 1089.
Third year of living in the small village.
Morning.
"Miss, why have you changed into these clothes again, and left so early?"
Yelena walked beside Talulah, asking with curiosity.
They were walking on a small path that, in Yelena's memory, led to a road where caravans passed.
"Uh, Yelena, didn't I say not to call me Miss anymore?"
Talulah stammered, not answering Yelena's question.
"Last night you said you were going into the mountains to hunt, but now you're here, wearing your old clothes."
Yelena guessed in a calm but slightly teasing tone, "Are you going into town?"
Talulah didn't answer, just turned her head away guiltily, pretending to admire the scenery along the way.
"Uh, Yelena... why did I never notice how nice the scenery here is before? Haha."
And the only response she got was the rustling of the wind.
Yelena took two steps, stood in front of Talulah, and squinted, carefully observing her expression.
"Miss, you need to answer my question."
Her tone was still calm.
Talulah never lied to Yelena, but even if she did, Yelena would probably see through it.
"Alright. I was going to surprise you, Yelena," Talulah continued walking, speaking as she went. "I want to go into town to buy some things."
"And buy a painting, by the way?" Yelena suddenly said. "Is it for Alina?"
"Uh?" Talulah stopped, looking at Yelena in surprise.
"Please don't look at me like that, Miss," Yelena pursed her lips, trying not to laugh too loudly. "Your thoughts are written all over your face! Besides, Alina likes paintings, so it's perfectly normal for you to buy her a painting as a gift."
"Is it really that obvious?"
Talulah muttered, touching her face.
"Yes, Miss, whatever you're thinking is always written on your face."
Yelena walked forward.
"But you should at least tell me. If I suddenly couldn't find you, do you know how sad I'd be?"
"Yelena," Talulah looked at Yelena's back, her steps forward no longer hesitant, and said, "Can you come with me then?"
She stopped, waiting for the person in front of her to respond.
Yelena didn't respond, she just raised her hand, shielding the bright light.
Then, she turned around, and Talulah saw her beautiful, gentle eyes, still smiling.
She watched, smiling, and reached out to take Talulah's hand.
"Then what are you waiting for, Miss? Be careful not to miss the carriage."
"Mm, let's go."
And so, the two walked into the sunset.
I was happy during that time, Leader.
Without too many worries, listening to Alina read poetry, and watching you help the grandparents with chores. Although food was always an issue, we were still alive, still smiling.
Perhaps you still remember, you said you wanted to buy a painting for Alina, but the reason you kept it from me was because you also wanted to prepare something for me, but didn't know what to give. I've kept that pen safe.
But later, you know what happened.
...
"Talulah, come in quickly, why are you wearing these clothes again?"
An old woman looked nervously at Talulah, who was walking from a distance, urging her on.
"Yelena, you too, how could you let her change into them again? How many times have I told you, if someone sees those clothes, it'll attract black bugs, and those bugs are poisonous. One bite, and even the crops won't grow."
The old woman chattered on.
"Look how much less trouble Yelena is."
"Grandma, please don't scold Talulah anymore," Yelena's voice gave Talulah a chance to defend herself.
"Grandma, you see how I usually wear normal clothes? I only put these on because I had something important these past two days."
Talulah paused, organizing her words, and continued, "Grandma, think about it, that gentleman who gave me these clothes, that young and handsome gentleman, if I don't wear these, how will he recognize me?"
"Miss!" Yelena pulled Talulah's clothes from behind, a little speechless.
Talulah's words reminded her of her former master.
"I believe fate will bring us together again, and then I can make sure Grandma and Grandpa both live good lives!"
"Pah, Talulah... Talulah! You liar, that's not what you said last time."
Grandma mercilessly exposed Talulah's lie.
"What? I forgot too, haven't I always said that?"
"Last time you said it was a gift from your father. You also said your father was robbed by a foreigner with a circle on his head, and you cried and escaped from the alley wearing these clothes, and they were covered in your father's blood!"
Grandma then added, "And the time before last, you didn't say that either... What is all this nonsense?"
Yelena echoed.
"Exactly, Grandma is just old, how could she not see through it?"
"Ah, I didn't say that this time. Grandma's memory is even better than mine now," Talulah chuckled.
"Flattering me won't work. You just talk nonsense all day long. And... I'm already close to the grave, don't you feel ashamed deceiving me every time?"
"Ah, I'm sorry, Grandma, I'm sorry," Talulah apologized quickly.
Grandma sighed and brought over a pot of soup that looked like it had been simmering for a while. Clearly, it was left for the two of them.
"Grandma, I'll carry it," Yelena quickly walked over, took it from Grandma's hands, and placed it on the dining table.
"Honestly, I told you to come back at noon, come back at noon, and now the sun is almost in the valley, the soup is almost boiled dry. By the Emperor!"
Yelena brought bowls and served Talulah a bowl of soup.
Grandma handed over a plate.
"Don't just drink soup, take this and eat the bread too."
Talulah obediently took it and ate submissively.
"Don't eat so fast either, be careful not to choke." Grandma looked at Talulah with a somewhat complex expression, then at Yelena.
Yelena was quietly watching Talulah.
"Oh, Yelena, you come over and eat too. Every time, why must you always wait for Talulah to eat first?"
Yelena smiled when she heard Grandma's words, said nothing, and reached for her own piece.
"Sigh," Grandma sighed.
"Neither of you are easy to deal with."
And then she started talking about old times.
"But I still remember that night."
She paused, then continued, "The two of you, on such a dark night, covered in blood. I'm still a little scared now. At that time, there were animal cries outside, and someone was knocking on the door."
"If Yelena hadn't cried and pulled you..."
Cough, ugh.
"I told you to eat slowly. You were still unconscious then, both of you were injured, Yelena was almost fainting, but she was still thinking of you. And that thing on you, I've only seen it with the hunters in the village. And, and that, that big, that huge knife."
Ugh, puff... cough, cough!
Talulah choked again.
Grandma continued to herself, "That was the biggest knife I've ever seen in my life."
Yelena instinctively patted Talulah lightly to prevent her from choking, but then felt it was a bit inappropriate, so she put her hand down and said to Grandma, "That's a sword, Grandma, don't talk about it anymore, Talulah doesn't want to bring it up."
Talulah was also a little annoyed, "Exactly, Grandma, we agreed not to mention this again, if you do, I'll get angry."
"Oh dear, look at my mouth, by the Emperor! I won't say it again, never again! Oh Emperor, forgive this old fool's unintentional mistake!" The old woman blamed herself.
"Don't be like that, Grandma, you're far from dying," Yelena comforted her.
"Besides, the Emperor doesn't have time to care about us. He lives in the big city and is doing very well. We don't even know where our potatoes for next week are coming from. You probably don't even know who the Emperor is now."
Talulah picked up the soup, took a sip, and cleared her throat.
"Nonsense, I still remember who the Emperor is clearly."
"Grandma, is there no salt left at home?"
Yelena answered for Grandma, "Talulah, you're only just realizing that? It was empty last night."
"Exactly, both you grandchildren are spendthrifts, eating so much salt. Every time you go out, you leave Yelena alone at home, my poor Yelena, she always waits for you to come back. And when you come back, there's nothing, truly wasteful." Grandma started scolding Talulah again, so much so that Talulah didn't know where to begin to refute her.
Talulah could only interrupt forcefully, "Alright, alright, I'll go get some."
"If you have so much energy, why not do some work in the fields? Don't go, I just told Alina, she'll bring some for our family. She's much more diligent than you..."
Talulah listened to Grandma's nagging, desperately winking at Yelena, but saw Yelena's eyes crinkled at the corners, full of laughter, and she mouthed a word.
My fault?
Yelena then subtly pointed in the direction of Alina's house.
Alright, Talulah helplessly waited for rescue.
"Old mother, Talulah works very well, you shouldn't scold her anymore."
An Elafia girl walked in through the door. Even though she was wearing ordinary village clothes, it was hard to hide her gentle demeanor. She was very similar to Yelena.
She smiled as she walked in, holding a small bag in her hand.
When Grandma saw Alina, she said, "Alina, you have to help me talk to her, if she keeps going like this..."
"Nothing bad will happen," Alina finished Grandma's sentence, which immediately stumped Grandma.
Talulah looked as if she had seen a savior.
"Alina, phew, you're finally here. Yelena isn't helping me, only you can make Grandma quiet for a bit."
Grandma didn't refute Alina like she had refuted Talulah.
"Alright, alright, I'm not going to bother with you two anymore! I'm going to work, honestly, you two eat!"
Saying that, Grandma walked out of the room, not forgetting to care for Alina: "Alina, eat if you're hungry, Talulah, don't eat too much, leave some for Alina."
"I don't need any, Old Mother. Thank you."
Alina replied.
Yelena looked at Talulah, then got up and walked towards the door.
"Well, Talulah, you chat with Alina. I'll go help Grandma, she's old." Yelena blinked, then saw Alina's somewhat puzzled look, and gave an 'I understand' smile. "Besides, don't you have something to talk to Alina about?"
Hearing this, Alina shifted her gaze back to Talulah, a little at a loss.
"I'm leaving now, you two take your time."
"Yelena, you really don't have to..."
Talulah hadn't finished speaking when Yelena smiled, pushed open the door, and walked out, closing it behind her, leaving the two alone.