What Makes a Monster

♱Seventy♱

The day to leave for Isabe arrives. I wake early to attend to my usual duties while also making sure my belongings are packed for the trip. This is meant to be for business, but the jitters of excitement won't leave. Wondering what we'll do in our free time, hoping to enjoy certain aspects of the trip as a couple.

Wow.

Even thinking that sends me into shivers. We are a couple; feels surreal.

Ok, stop thinking about it! Stop, stop, stop!

Although Soran doesn't argue with me about attending to him as a butler for our departure, I have been informed that I don't have to wait on his hand and foot. We may have to discuss docking my pay or something, otherwise I feel like a jerk for not actually doing my job as I should. Anyways, our luggage is already waiting outside. Higra and Layne bow when Soran and I walk out the door.

The weather's nice, clear skies accompanying the warm weather of spring. There's finally some foliage among the trees. If the attack hadn't happened, the garden would be growing, alas, there are but a few peeks of grass and flowers through the fresh new dirt. Better than nothing I suppose, and perhaps a few flowers will be sprouting by the time we return. Malatis follows behind, actually choosing to hop up with the carriage driver rather than sharing with us.

"He likes to get off and walk around," Soran explains after we've settled in the carriage that smoothly moves forward.

"Suppose we will be on a train for a few hours. He should get out any energy he has now." I purse my lips with sudden realization. "Why does it sound like we're talking about a child?"

Soran shrugs, choosing not to confirm or deny that Malatis kind of is like a child. Moments later, the carriage veers off the old road into town. The curtains are drawn, shielding us from the outside world, which is a tad unfortunate. I haven't been to town in a while. Hearing the bustle of city life but only seeing shadows leaves me a little disappointed.

"I've brought a few books on lumen. We can read over some in the evenings, if you'd like," Soran suggests. I'm curious if he did so on purpose, perhaps catching on or assuming my thoughts. Either way, I'm grateful, rather not be in a solemn mood when we have some alone time together.

I do perk up at the mention of learning. First I couldn't begin because the doctor said no using magic for some time. Next it was because there was so much going on. While Soran is still obviously busy, he's at least getting me started.

"Really? I'd love that. I grabbed a book from the library before but didn't get far. Well, I might have done more if all--" I wave my hands around. "This didn't happen."

Soran nods.

"Did...did Kailyn teach you magic then?" I ask, worrying over my bottom lip. Now that his past has been shared, I'm uncertain if the topic of family is an acceptable conversation, or one that can be brought up even briefly. Although it happened so long ago, the scars remain as vivid as if they happened yesterday.

When Soran nods, I ease up. There's no obvious sign that he dislikes the topic since he does answer rather calmly, "Some I learned through observing as a child, admittedly they were not spells that a child should have known."

My throat tightens with nerves. He likely speaks of his years in the Baylor's dungeons. I rather not ask for the specifics of that, especially when I saw a glimpse of what transpired.

"Others Kailyn did teach me once I opened up a bit. He eventually hired a tutor that came every day to give me a proper education," Soran further explains.

Royals often school their own children with private tutors or send them off to high scale academies. Soran being schooled at home is no surprise, although that saddens me. The idea of him not making friends his own age is upsetting. I may not have had a lot of time at school, but it certainly helped me connect with people I may not have otherwise.