Truly, ignorance is bliss.
We rode along on our steeds, racing steadily across the country side, laughter ringing wildly off the hills and through the trees. It was just like we were children again, young and free, Avelyn and I, willing to go wherever and do whatever it took all in the name of having fun.
Whatever it took to escape from reality.
Except for the fact of course, that now, we were near adults, and there was apparently, a bigger issue at hand than simplistic escape into nostalgia.
At least, that's what I could gather, along with the fact that we're important enough to be escorted out of town by a full grown lion I hadn't seen before. Odd.
Anyways, I wasn't the only one here. Kelem was here too, but not Mychel - Avelyn said we would discuss that when we got to her mother's estate; I suppose it plays into the bigger matter at hand. It's all fine and well that she has her issues under control on that front, but where does that leave me?
I've always viewed my dilemma as some sort of cautionary tale.
I'm Aurienne, the eldest child and heir to the Duchy of Ameli, which will pass to me in less than a month.
Sincerely, I have some issues with how I'm supposed to live my life.
Frankly, I'm pretty scared of approaching a guy about my feelings. I never have even, because there hasn't ever really been any guy I've wanted to approach.
And there still isn't. But there's one who has been approaching me since we could walk.
Fourteen years! You think he would've turned his attention away and found another lady to dote upon but no. Durmn, future Earl of Maistray, and probable appointee to being Captain of the Capital Guard, has been in love with little old me, for fourteen years.
We're betrothed, technically, a betrothal that will be activated in full if we haven't already married by the time we're twenty-one. Thank Amiada I have three more years to try and find a way out! Not that Durmn is terrible by any means in this country; he's actually really nice.
Therein lays my concern. Is there such a thing as too nice?
It's this I want to share with Avelyn, this why I want to seek her advice. I have a lot to get off my chest, and I was going to do it soon, but then this whole mission to the countryside arose. Again, I'm reminded to lay aside my feelings and tribulations for that of the nation I'm supposed to serve; I suppose I have to get used to it eventually.
Avelyn was slowing down now, letting her mount rest for a bit, and letting the rest of the escort catch up to us. "This is a blast, isn't it?" Her hair was wildly around her, a halo of unbridled energy, bucking every expectation anyone could have for her, at least in this moment.
"Yeah, it is!" I attempted to be jubilant, but she gave me that ever knowing look, silently asking if I needed to talk.
"Hey, Avelyn? Do you..." I bit my lip, thinking of how exactly to word this. "Can I talk to you here for a few minutes? You know, while no one is around?"
She smiled, in understanding and confirmation of her belief. "Of course Auri, whatever you need to talk about. I'm always here."
"Well..."
"Is it Durmn?" She rolled her eyes a bit.
"Yes, it is!" I was secretly glad I didn't have to say his name myself. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but he just seems... too perfect. He's unfailingly patient, comes around often enough to make my parents happy, has impeccable manners, holds doors for me, and he's so... predictable! Do you see anything fishy with him? Why me? He's only in it for the betrothal, right? That's my theory; he's only in it for the power. There has to be some meanness, some dominating aspect of him! I'm... I'm... I'm sick of wearing the damn pants in this relationship!"
