A Sudden Departure

A sudden rustling in the trees caught Sebastian's attention, and he turned to see a sleek black crow perched on a nearby branch. The bird cocked its head to one side, regarding him with an unblinking gaze. Sebastian's expression changed from one of rapt adoration to one of reluctant duty. "Ah, Morwen," he murmured, his voice low and resigned. The crow was a messenger, a harbinger of a previous engagement that Sebastian had almost forgotten in the face of his newfound passion for Emilia. Emilia's eyes widened in confusion as Sebastian's gaze snapped back to hers, his expression apologetic. "I'm so sorry, my love," he said, his voice husky with regret. "I had almost forgotten. I must attend to this." Without another word, Sebastian leaned in and pressed a swift kiss to Emilia's lips. "I promise to return as soon as possible," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "Do not worry, I will come back to you." And with that, he vanished into thin air, leaving Emilia standing alone in the moonlit garden. She felt a pang of worry, her heart heavy with the sudden absence of the man she had grown to love. Three weeks went by, and Emilia's worry turned to despair. She had not seen or heard from Sebastian, and she began to wonder if she had imagined the entire encounter. But she knew she hadn't. She could feel him, still drawn to him, still connected to him on a deep and primal level. Emilia's days were filled with a growing sense of restlessness, her nights spent tossing and turning with thoughts of Sebastian. She knew she had to do something, to take action and find out what had happened to him. With a newfound determination, Emilia set out to search for Sebastian. She had no idea where to start, but she felt a strange compulsion to follow her heart, to trust in the connection they shared. She packed a small bag, said goodbye to her bewildered family, and set off into the unknown. As she walked, Emilia felt a strange sense of freedom, a sense of purpose that she had never known before. She was searching for the man she loved, and nothing was going to stop her from finding him. The world stretched out before her, full of mystery and danger, but Emilia was ready. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as it meant being reunited with Sebastian.