After being brought into an internal infirmary at the estate, Albus was left unconscious and the maids discussed amongst themselves. The maids involved were all close confidants of Avis, had some combat experience, and had been on the less savoury end of life for a few years. After their discussion, Avis immediately approached Albus to check up on him. It wasn't until it was night that he woke up.

He winced as he tried to sit and placed his hand at his side. He felt pain but realised he could now use his magic to counteract it.

"I guess that was real." He coldly commented. His eyes had no life and he blankly stared at the space in front of him.

"Alb- Master Bradley." Avis weakly said to him. She was in no pain physically but suggesting what she at that moment, had slowly been picking at her mind throughout the day. She couldn't imagine how he would react after he woke and felt some anxiety as she sat in the room with him. She couldn't imagine how disgusted he would feel with her but the guilt would be unbearable if she hid away from him.

"Earlier when I made my suggestion to your uncle-" As she talked she noticed a tear running down one of his eyes.

"H-h-hey Avis, c-can't we just run away?" He stuttered.

Avis shook her head.

"I've been having the feeling I've been watched these past few days even before your uncle visited. If I had to guess, it's his work." Avis told him with a downcast face.

Albus hid his face between his hands and started crying.

"Avis, was this a mistake? Did I cause this?" He asked through his sniffling.

She only wore a pained expression as he sat on the bed with his hand in his face.

"Of course I did. I knew. I thought he was allowing us to get back on our feet before I took the duties of a lord. I knew it was suspicious how he treated me yet I never questioned it. Was it so bad to believe someone in this family would treat me like I was a part of it?" The tears flowed through his hands and Avis could feel herself wanting to cry as well. She was the first person to treat him kindly in his eyes but in her perspective that honour belonged to his uncle. She couldn't imagine what he was going through right now. But that had to wait. As he cried, Avis interrupted him resting a hand on his shoulder.

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"Lord Bradley, please stop with this pitiful display." There was no emotion on her face. "Whether you want to admit it or not, your uncle wasn't the man you thought he was. I had to bail you out. I, a maid instead of the supposed owner of this mansion, suggested the logical conclusion to get him off your back. If you-" She stuttered but soon regained composure. "If you couldn't even make a suggestion like that for our sake then I'm not sure you want to protect us. Just sit here and wallow in the fact you nobles can't be buddy-buddy with each other. I will make sure we will still be here when next week comes."

As she removed her hand, Albus looked like he was going to burst into even more tears. "I'm sorry for getting you involved with this Avis. Because of me," he stopped himself. Was he going to let Avis do this by herself? He grabbed her hand. "No, I have to help."

She quickly removed his hand. "Don't be foolish. What could you do other than hinder our efforts?"

"Avis please, I can't let you do this by yourself. I know you're doing this to push me away."

She turned and tried again to walk but Albus got off the bed and ran towards her. He could barely manage to stay on his feet and Avis quickly caught.

"Alb- Master, what do you think you're doing?" She let some emotion slip out but quickly hid it.

"Avis, I'm not gonna let you be my scapegoat."

"W-what a ridiculous suggestion, we're only doing this to ensure our lives and paychecks continue."

Albus hugged her tightly. Avis tried to push him but couldn't bring herself to do it.

"You're right, you're only doing this to ensure your lives."

"Albus?"

"Then I should also pitch in, shouldn't I? After all, he did say I had a talent for picking these women out."

She forcefully pushed him off and dragged him over to his bed.

"The only thing you keep yourself concerned about is recovering. Leave those matters to myself."

"Please," Albus asked. "Let me shoulder this burden with you."

Avis gritted her teeth. ("Dammit you little bastard, I was afraid of this exact thing happening. As a mercenary, I did things just as awful if not worse. Just let me handle it. I can't have you turn out like a bastard like him.")

A certain fat man came into her mind.

He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. She turned away and answered.

"Sigh I'll never allow you to take part with us. But I suppose you will know about them regardless."

Unsurprisingly Avis's group agreed to help since most knew a thing or two about kidnapping. After talking to Avis, Albus became a larger part of the meetings Avis had with her confidants. He mainly gave them criteria he considered when picking someone for the job and they got to work finding one. They eventually tracked her house down to some run-down town that hadn't seen prosperity in decades and Albus himself had come to watch. Even if he wasn't going to be at times they kidnapped someone, he at least wanted to be present for this first time. He had to bear witness to this sin with his own eyes.