The Decoder - Chapter 27

Edith

Edith couldn’t believe her ears. She could scarcely believe that Avery had professed his love to her. She was brimming with joyous amazement, her cheeks turning pink each time she thought about his confession and the showering of his kisses. She did not wish the time to end, if only they could stay in each other’s arms that way forever, to cherish the memory. Their friendship had blossomed into love. But reality had its own game.

Edith stared at her father’s leather-bound journal before her. She read, highlighted and took notes as she was halfway through the journal now. Merille remained seated next to her, busying herself with the messages that needed to be decoded. Merille’s presence calmed her and it is her presence that gave her the confidence to flip through her father’s journal without slipping into one of her nightmares that flashed in her mind from time to time. However, this time she could flip through the pages with ease as she recalled Avery’s affections and words. It was the happiest moment of her life, if she could call it. Edith giggled at the memory of it and she knew she must have looked like an idiot, like a schoolgirl.

“Recalling the sweet confession?” Merille chuckled without looking. Edith had told her every single detail that had occurred last night. In the confines of the Encoding and Decoding Department, Merille had beamed with excitement and they had both chuckled and giggled.

“I couldn’t help it…” Edith said sheepishly.

“I understand the feeling.”

“Has Caden confessed as well?” Edith asked.

“He did. He was so nervous and almost broke down. You should have seen his face. Despite his seriousness, it was amusing and cute. If only I could record the whole moment.” Merille laughed, the sound as sweet as a honey.

“I can imagine.” Edith chuckled, sincerely happy for Caden and Merille for they have found love in each other as well.

During the three days period before Avery came knocking on the door of Uncle Vern’s clinic, Edith had buried her nose deep into her father’s journal. At the same time, she couldn’t help thinking about their argument. She knew it was irrational of her, knew that Avery only wanted information about Sera and Nate, and she was not cooperating. As he had pointed out, she did not trust him. They had known each other since childhood and was separated for eight years. Edith felt their friendship was slowly pulling apart and she didn’t like it at all. Her burgeoning feelings for Avery was not helping at all, and a part of her wished to reconcile with Avery, to speak to him and apologise for her behaviour. What she did not expect was a love confession from Avery, and it had stunned her beyond words.

“Caden’s birthday is in three weeks’ time,” Merille said.

“That’s right. His birthday is the last week of 12th month, five days before the new year,” said Edith, her expression brightening at the reminder. It had been a tradition to hold a party for the birthday babies between Uncle Vern, Caden and Edith herself. From what she had gathered over the years, Caden was the type to hold a birthday party with his friends in the Militia before celebrating the actual day of his birthday with Uncle Vern and Edith. This year would be a special year, for Merille would be joining the family.

“The soldiers of Avery and Lucien’s regiment will be holding a party for him on the third week of the month. I plan to bake a cake for him,” Merille said, her expression glowing with the idea.

“I would need to bake a cake for him, too, as I always do for his birthday every year. We could bake a cake together for him and we would need to shop for the ingredients next weekend.”

“Oh no, not with those bandaged hands of yours. They need to recover before doing any strenuous activities.” Merille said with concern as she eyed Edith’s bandaged hands.

“Well, I could still join you. There’s no harm to it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then, I look forward to baking with you!” Merille beamed with delight.

“Though I’m afraid my talents in baking are rather mediocre.”

“Don’t worry. I will guide you.” Edith grinned, enjoying the idea very much as she was already looking forward to their baking session and Caden’s birthday party.

After another hour of perusal on her father’s journal, Edith gently closed the journal. She was nearing the end of the journal and had found most of the complex codes within the pages, along with her father’s scientific research on plants and nature, which she had found soothing and informative. The nightmares hadn’t surface, part of the reason being Merille’s comforting presence next to her and the soothing memories she conjured through her father’s eyes as he explored the wonders of nature. She could imagine herself surrounded by trees and plants of various species in Falborg Forest, the chirping sounds and rustling of leaves, rabbit hopping across the pathway, monkeys swinging from tree to tree, a woodpecker pecking away at tree trunks.

“It’s late and it’s about time for my meeting with Avery.” Edith stood and tucked her father’s journal at her side. “Do you need any help, Merille?” She asked as she pushed the chair to the table. Avery had requested to meet at the Music Room this afternoon when they had lunch together with Caden and Merille earlier.

“No. I’m done and will be leaving soon. Enjoy your meeting.” Merille wriggled her eyebrows scandalously with a mischievous grin. Edith laughed.

“Aren’t you meeting with Caden, too?”

“Yes, soon.” Merille smiled.

“Enjoy. Good night, Merille.” Edith grinned mischievously in return before leaving the Encoding and Decoding office.

“Good night, Edith.”

Edith left the building with ease as it was nearing midnight and the administrator had long retired to bed. She braced herself against the cold wind and made her way to the Entertainment Building. She headed straight to the Music Room where she found Avery seated on the pianoforte’s bench, ruffling through some music sheets. The only light source was coming from a single candelabrum placed at the top of the pianoforte. She called out to him as she approached the pianoforte, her footsteps echoing throughout the spacious room.

“Edie, come sit here.” Avery smiled warmly, patting the seat next to him as he moved to the left to give her space. She obeyed his words, instantly feeling the warmth from his muscular body as she settled down next to him. He had removed his coat, revealing his dark-grey waistcoat and his black collared shirt.

“How was your day?” Avery asked, setting aside the music sheets at the top of the pianoforte.

“It was good. Less busy and I spent my time at the Encoding and Decoding office with Merille, reading my father’s journal.” Edith said. She had briefly contemplated if she should confess her time at the Encoding and Decoding Department with Merille and decided to not have second thoughts. After all, they had agreed not to keep any secrets between them anymore.

“Why do you have to read your father’s journal at the Encoding and Decoding Department?” Avery asked as he reached for her hand and gently held it in his.

“Because…I feel more comfortable with Merille’s presence next to me as I peruse through his journal. It keeps away the…nightmares.” Edith gazed at him and was slightly surprised to see his expression, one that radiated warmth and understanding. He knew about her trauma.

“Did you find anything interesting in your father’s journal?” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Edith browsed through her memories, remembering the words that were penned by her father.

“He wrote exclusively on his findings about the wonders of nature and some complex codes.”

“Complex codes?” Avery queried, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes. Codes that will be enable me to decode this parchment my father left behind.” Edith fingered the star pendant of her necklace with her free hand.

“Are you nervous to decode its contents?”

It was a question that Edith had no sufficient answer to. Part of her was nervous and scared to discover its contents because she had an inkling that it was related to the High Commander Ekker. The other part of her was curious and felt the sense of justice to do what was right. Sera and Mr. Roan’s words resurfaced in her mind and she couldn’t just ignore their words, which brought her the need to discover the complex codes within her father’s journal.

“A little. I’m not sure what it contains. It could be a direction to a lost treasure.” She said lightly.

“I doubt it’s a direction to a lost treasure.” Avery laughed softly.

“One never knows.”

“True. A coded message usually contains vital information. There’s a reason why it’s coded in the first place.”

“Indeed.” Edith nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly, which brought her mind to the message she had decoded that was originally in Ira’s possession. The message from the mysterious “E” whom Edith had an inkling the signature belonged to the High Commander Ekker. Just the thought of it, made her shivered inwardly. Edith glanced at Avery to her left. He’d wanted to know what she had discovered in that message before, and it was about time she told him. Except, he was not coaxing it out of her now. He may know the details about ‘Operation Z’, which she had to admit she was deeply curious about what it entails.

“I will be away on an assignment for two weeks, starting from the day after tomorrow.” Avery’s words broke her thoughts and she shifted in her seat to face him. Unable to see him for two weeks? She hadn’t seen that coming. She mentally shook her head. No, she was not the clingy sort.

“What is the assignment about?” Edith asked.

Avery was silent for a moment. He averted his gaze, looking around the music room, and she knew he was reluctant to share it with her. Avery had never once discussed his assignments with her, and she understood well enough that it was confidential.

“If you feel uncomfortable sharing what the assignment entails, you don’t have to.” Edith said and lowered her gaze at their entwined hands. If she were honest with herself, part of her wanted him to open up to her. After all, they are more than just childhood best friends now, weren’t they?

“I’m sorry. It’s strictly confidential. But I promise it’s not dangerous.” Avery said and lowered his head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I understand. Please be careful while you’re on this assignment.” Edith forced herself to look up at him, at those mesmerising emerald eyes, and gave him a genuine smile.

“Thank you.” Avery leaned forward and kissed her. Edith welcomed it, savoured it, cherished it like she did her father’s journal. Her feelings were overwhelming, and she never expected to experience such strong feelings, one that is filled with warmth and gentleness. When Avery pulled away slowly, he grinned at her like a besotted schoolboy.

“I will come back to you.” He murmured, his deep baritone was like a balm to her ears.

“I will wait patiently.”

They sat in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the moment. Sitting side by side, with her head on his broad shoulder and his atop hers. just like their childhood days when Edith had taught Avery piano lessons. Suddenly, against her will, the message she had decoded popped in her mind again. Her curiosity about ‘Operation Z’ was not going to abate easily until she found answers, and the answers she seek was just a hairsbreadth away from her.

“Avery?”

“Hmm?”

“What is ‘Operation Z’?”

Avery sat straight, his eyes wide like saucers as he faced her, his mouth agape. He seemed to have lost his words for a moment before he closed his mouth and blinked several times. Edith knew her question shocked him.

“How did you come across it?” Avery finally found his words, frowning.

“Remember you asked about the message that Ira possessed, which Sera had forced me to decode? I decoded it during my free time and that’s how I know about ‘Operation Z’.”

“Blast.” Avery muttered and ran his free hand through his hair, freeing the neat locks from its hold and a few strands fell over his forehead.

“So, you do know something about it.” Edith tilted her head.

“It’s highly confidential, Edie.” Avery exclaimed.

“So, I see.” And she could. She could tell it contained some high-scale information that is similar to the assignment related to the Hathagian refugees. The realisation of it gave her goosebumps.

“You will not speak of it to anyone. If the High Commander caught wind of this, you may be executed immediately.” Avery’s expression hardened.

“What does it entail?” Edith asked, growing curious by the minute despite Avery’s protestations.

“As I mentioned, it’s highly confidential. I can’t share the details with you.” Avery said icily.

Edith frowned and averted her gaze elsewhere but his face. This was going nowhere. She was not getting her answers. Had she made a mistake confiding in him?

“Edie.” Avery gently cupped her jaw and turned her head, forcing her to look at him again.

“The knowledge of it is not safe. Stay away from it, please? I do not wish for any dangers to befall you. Your safety is my concern.” Avery said, his tone gentle, unlike moments earlier. When Edith said nothing, he pulled her into an embrace, her chin rested on his right shoulder.

“Edie, promise me you will stay away from this operation’.” Avery said, a hint of plea in his voice. What does this ‘Operation Z’ entails to the point Avery would want her stay away from it? She couldn’t figure it out completely.

“Alright.” She murmured and he tightened his arms around her and gently kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you, Edie.”

But as much as she tried to push the thought to the back of her mind, her curiosity wasn’t abated, and she knew it will not be satisfied until she got her answers.

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