"What were you talking to Vincent about?" Garroth asks.

I shift my eyes over to him for a brief second before looking back directly in front of me. I can feel my braid bouncing against my back as the horses run forward.

It didn't take much time for him to ask that question.

"Laurance and The Calling," I respond. I'm not in any mood for a fight regarding me not answering. I'd rather tell him right away than hold it back. Though, I'm aware that he will most likely tell Aphmau anyway.

Having my luck, she'd want control and wish to know the details of my conversation. It's frustrating because it is my brother. I deserve to know something about him as much as anybody else does. If not, I deserve to know more.

He is not her lover. Aphmau does not have the upper hand over Laurance where she must know where he is and what he is doing at all points. She is no longer a lord to him. A friend, yes, but no longer a lord.

We'd all be damned if she didn't know what was happening in everybody's lives with a village she doesn't even run.

"Why?"

"I understand my brother's whereabouts, but I did not know why it was so. Vincent was kind enough to explain what exactly The Calling is because Vylad didn't wish to even mention it to me. In fact, none of you wished to do so until after they both left."

Garroth falls silent. I no longer hear him speak of the conversation. Instead, the only conversation she starts up again isn't until a great deal of time later where he decides it's a good time to stop to give the horses a break. We're almost back to the others, but even I fear the horses are overworking themselves.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

We arrived soon after. We've fallen hungry due to the trip, and Dante has kept us both at his house for a meal. Kawaii~Chan happily agreed to make extra, and the children beamed with joy.

Now, it's after our dinner and the children have dragged me outside to play. Dante and Garroth have walked off to talk. Nekoette tries her hardest to show me her new skills of flower crown making, and Dimitri fakes a sparring match with a nearby tree. I keep careful watch if both children as the men walk around.

Footsteps sound near me, and I look up to see Aphmau. I try my best not to scowl at the sight of her, and smile to myself when I succeed.

"I've run into Garroth," she says, glancing over to the children. "He told me you were speaking to Vincent. Why?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "Because he walked up to me and asked why he didn't see Laurance at the wedding." My words sound more like a question rather than a confident statement. Frankly, I don't see how this is of her concern.

She looks confused. "He should know why. I'm surprised that Cadenza didn't relay the message. Anyway, Alex, you shouldn't worry about Laurance. I care about him just as much as you do, but you need to accept the fact that he isn't coming back any time soon. It hurts me, too. He was my guard, my friend, but I decided that there were more important things to take care of rather than someone who isn't coming back. You need to figure that out too."

I stare at her, dumbfounded. I don't think I've ever seen her act this way before in my life. I shake my head, looking over to a sparring Nekoette and Dimitri. I turn my head in a different direction to see Dante and Garroth coming our way.

"I don't wish to talk about this anymore," I state, refusing to take no as an answer.

The boys come closer and stand next to us. They appear oblivious to the situation as they start up a conversation with Aphmau. I stand there, numb.

How is it that when my brother runs off because of something he couldn't control that I need to learn how to get over it. For all I know, Laurance may never come back. It's horrible of me to think, but I can't help but think that in some way this is slightly her heart. He refused to lose all his emotions because of his love for her. Not his love for a sister. No, love for a woman who never loved him back. One that toyed him along for so long. One that toyed him and his best friend along and against each other.

But yet. . . But yet when Aaron died, she spent months weeping over him. How is it that I am not allowed to have feelings,, but it's alright with her?

Anger boils within me. Before I can say something I may regret, I try to make any escape. "Garroth, I'm going home. Dante, please tell Kawaii~Chan dinner was wonderful. Thank you for having me."

There isn't much time given between my quick steps and their responses. Just having Aphmau there made me feel physically sick to my stomach.

At least going home is my escape. It's where the peace and quiet is. Nobody I don't want to be there will be there.