Volume 1. Chapter 26

Rudolf and Anna sat across from Lily in a small side room, where they had invited her to talk privately. Their expressions were serious and focused, and Lily could sense that this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. Rudolf was the first to break the silence.“Lily, sweetheart, we want to ask you…” He hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “Are you sure you can trust this Ken?”Anna nodded in agreement with her husband and added, “Yes, you’ve only just met him - he’s a complete stranger... How do you know he’s reliable? And Lily,” her voice softened a bit, though the concern remained, “you need to be careful. It’s a long journey, and you’ll be traveling with a man you’ve only known for a couple of days.”Lily felt her face flush, slightly embarrassed. It hadn’t occurred to her that anyone might question Ken’s sincerity or see anything strange in their journey together. She gathered her thoughts and looked them both in the eye with determination.“Yes, I haven’t known him long,” she began calmly, “but it feels like I’ve known him my whole life. I haven’t had a single doubt about him since the moment we met. No matter how it sounds, I trust Ken like I’d trust family.”Anna and Rudolf exchanged a glance, and sensing that her words weren’t convincing them, Lily began speaking faster, searching for the right arguments.“Ken... he’s kind. And thoughtfu - he’s always ready to help,” she continued, her words a bit rushed but full of sincerity. “He knows how to be cheerful when it’s needed, and in tough moments, he’s serious and dependable. And he... he understands me. I can talk to him about things I usually keep to myself.”She felt like her words didn’t capture everything she wanted to express, but she pressed on, trying to convey the depth of her feelings.“Ken is someone you can rely on. I know how this must look, but my instincts have never failed me. And honestly... I didn’t come here to ask permission.” She straightened up, looking confidently at both of them, and added, “I came to let you know that I’m leaving. I might be gone for a month… maybe longer.”Rudolf and Anna exchanged a long look, and Lily caught how they leaned in slightly to whisper to one another.“Looks like the girl’s in love,” Rudolf murmured almost silently to Anna.Anna nodded, smiling faintly, and whispered back, “Seems that way. All we can do now is trust her choice.”They turned back to Lily, and Rudolf sighed, his tone softening.“All right, Lily. It’s your choice to make, and we’ll support you. But please... be careful.”