"Somewhere very different and this time not to talk to an angry mayor. I'm going to Earlville to visit my sister. Would you happen to know the way there? I know it's on the opposite side of the path but I am unsure of the exact route." Adelina stepped down onto the path, very excited to see her sister.
Abaven walked by her side, eyes still watching for any attackers. "Yes I do, milady! In fact, I was born there." He smiled at her
"Thank heavens!" Adelina stood ever so slightly behind Abaven so that she wouldn't get lost. "That is very interesting, what made you come here instead of staying in Earlville?"
"Ah," he sighed softly. "I saw no reason to stay there."
"Hmm, I see." Adelina was silent. She did kind of agree, there wasn't much in Earlville, but it was a decent town. They came across a fork on the path and she stopped, unsure of where to go.
"Left," he said softly. After a bit of walking, he asked, "Where were you born, milady?"
She turns left with Abaven. "I was born in Countier." She said with a smile. This time, she wore different shoes so she was able to kick rocks. Adelina started to kick a rock as they walked down the path.
Abaven smiled at her action. I wonder if she'll get mad if I join her? He decided it was worth the risk, and he kicked a rock. "Countier? I've been there. I've also been banned from that city, but…" he trailed off, smiling to himself
Adelina was surprised and curious after Abaven said that. "Banned? What you have possibly done to get banned from such a place?" She looked over at him.
He laughed, "It was way back when. I used to be in a dangerous group that would slaughter civilians for money." He looked over at her to gauge her reaction. "You've heard of the Axhilians, right?"
Her eyes widen and her face turns slightly paler, but not enough to really notice it. "Oh… yes I have heard of them…" Adelina accidentally kicks the rock to hard and it goes flying off the path.
"I was in that group for a while. When I quit, somehow the governor of that town figured out my crimes, and banished me from there." He spoke casually about it, like he did nothing wrong in his life, ever. He kicked another rock.
"… Did you know someone by the name of Hammond?" She looked over at Abaven, slight hope in her eyes. Adelina's brother was part of that group. She hasn't heard from him in a very long time and she's afraid he did while being in the Axhilians.
"Hammond? Yeah, I was actually his friend. I almost convinced him to quit, but he decided to stay for a promotion." He shrugged. "How do you know him?"
She sighed and looked down. "Yes… he is my brother… Have you seen him recently? I have not made any contact with him in 7 years."
"Yeah, a few years back. We didn't talk to each other, but he seemed to be doing well." He thought about it for a minute. "You know, their hideout isn't in that city. If you ever want to visit him, I can help you."
Her face lit up a little. "Really? I would love that. What about after I visit my sister?" She asked with a smile.
"Of course, milady!" He smiled after seeing her happy.
There was a town or two on the way to Earlville and they were approaching one of them. Adelina saw it in the distance, instantly recognizing it. She smiled then frowned.
"Are you alright, milady?" he looked at her, slightly concerned
"Oh yes, Abaven, I am. I just remember that town." She pointed to the one they were approaching. "On one hand, that's where my sister and I would always go to be with each other. We would go to the little market and go to the park, having so much fun. But on the other…" She debated whether to tell Abaven or not with a conflicted look on her face. It was where she had her wedding. Everyone thinks they have a happy marriage and they love each other so much, but underneath, they both don't love each other, they only keep the image.
Abaven studied her expression. "You may tell me if you wish to relieve your stress and I won't tell a soul. But I am not and will not be forcing you, of course." He smiled at her reassuringly.
Adelina sighed. "That's where Robert and I got married… I know that should bring happy memories and emotions, but it's… complicated." She takes a breath. "My parents arranged a marriage with Robert, who was a duke, so that I could bring honor to my family. We married each other just two weeks later. However, we never clicked. We don't love each other. We are friends, but more like business partners. So we only stay together for the benefits of being a duke and duchess for our families." She looked down and found a rock to kick.
"You could always hire an assassin," he mumbled, kicking another rock.
"Oh my goodness, that is such a bad idea! Yes, we don't love each other, but I couldn't do the duties of a duke and a duchess." Truth be told, she had thought about that. But she did realize that it would be difficult without someone else to split the work load.
"Marry someone else, then," he shrugged. He didn't understand why she couldn't do it. "Someone you love this time," he chuckled
She slightly nodded. "I suppose, if I married someone else then divorced Robert, I would be married so my workload isn't overwhelming and I would be with someone I love." For some reason she had never thought about doing that. She would stay being a duchess, so no problem there and she would be happy. All of that sounded so much better to Adelina than what was happening. From then on, she would be almost on the search for someone, but not desperate.
"Well, whatever you want to do," he chuckled softly. (Do you want her to get hurt now or when they visit her brother?)
(How about both lol, but it really doesn't matter to me)
Adelina smiled. She loved being able to talk to someone so casually, even though he was technically not supposed to talk to her. She continued to kick a rock after she found one.
