“Don’t sweat the little details,” Isabelle replied, using the exact same words and tone Reinford had just used a few minutes ago to dismiss her words. The smile on her face was evident, however, and no matter how Gaius looked at it, she was probably using this issue as a way of getting back on the countess.

It was a brilliant method, one that would score seven out of five stars for Gaius. The first five stars were for just how perfect that counter was, while the two extra stars was because Isabelle was the one doing it. It was a thoroughly unbiased scale, no matter how Gaius looked at it, and he tossed another grape into his mouth as a reward.

Reinford glared at Gaius. “I get a feeling that you’re thinking something very rude.”

“I’m not,” Gaius replied. “What makes you think that? I mean, I was just thinking about Isabelle’s rebuttal.”

“Rebuttal? Elaborate.”

“You’ll feel really embarrassed, so I won’t do that,” Gaius replied smoothly. “Anyway, can you provide us with a guide to the finest wineries of the Western Holdings?”

“They’re all in my county,” Reinford replied. “Have you forgotten that I’m a countess?”

“No, but you just seem like a regular classmate to me,” Gaius replied. “Right, Isabelle?”

“She doesn’t feel like a noble anymore,” Isabelle replied, nodding her head along, leaning forward to look at Reinford. “She got rid of all the embarrassing bits, became a nice person, and is overall less condescending. Hmm. Just what made this change possible?”

“Can you not talk about me like I’m not here?” Reinford replied, fidgeting slightly. “I’m flattered, but…it’s embarrassing!”

“Okay, moving on, then.” Gaius cast around for a random topic, and then focused on his ex-classmates. “What’s the class doing now? Isabelle graduated really early, and I’m essentially a dropout, so I haven’t gotten up to date with school for some time.”

“Oh, more advanced artefact things. Pretty much pure theory at this point,” Reinford replied. “Your sister’s doing rather well; I think she has a better grasp over artificing than me at this point. You should ask her instead of me.”

Gaius nodded, and then looked out at the flora and fauna all around him.

He didn’t want to ask Nakama about it, since his goal was to create some distance between the two of them. It hurt when he thought about it, but it was for her own good. The more friends she had, the more people she had in her life, the less inclined she would be to follow when he finally vanished from Orb.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

No, when he and Isabelle finally vanished from Orb.

It was no longer just him alone. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but wonder if he should tell Nakama too, the way he told Isabelle, but Gaius just couldn’t take that last step. The logical side of him said that he should at least let Nakama know or something, but it had taken him a few months to tell Isabelle about his eventual fate to begin with.

“Are you alright?” Isabelle asked.

“You seemed to be thinking about something really deeply,” said Reinford. “Need some help?”

“Just wondering about something.” Making a mental note to consult Isabelle — who was probably the one who knew Nakama the best now, given his absence of three years — he straightened his face out. “So. Uh. Wine. Yes. I like Du Contee a lot.”

“Du Contee? Well, never mind that. When will you two be leaving?” Reinford asked.

“This evening,” Isabelle replied.

“Can we push it back by a day?” Gaius asked, turning his eyes to Isabelle.

She met his eyes, the light in her own a piercing one, and then nodded. “Tomorrow, then. I was wondering when you would bring that up, after all. It was a bit obvious when you started talking about school.”

“An outsider is still here,” Reinford replied. “Please hold off the sensitive talk until I’m gone.”

“Right, sorry.” Isabelle’s eyes glittered. “So, do you have a guide for us or something?”

“To be honest, the Reinford County will be more than happy to help any tourists along to the Hall of Hope,” replied the countess, who had pumped herself up at up clearly was her territory’s pride and joy. “We’re all friendly people who love to share.”

“So, just ask for some directions?” Isabelle asked.

“That’s right. And see for yourself the superiority of the West’s winery, incomparable throughout the Five Lands. Also, I’ll be at home a few weeks from now. The Court of Hallows is holding an emergency meeting, so if you do come…consider dropping by the Reinford Palace. I’ll bring out the best drinks.” Reinford chuckled. “One last thing — if you do want a marriage ceremony, there are also great sites in Reinford County, so do consider having one there.”

After dropping off that advertisement, she did a pirouette, stalking off with a victorious air. The duo looked her retreating frame blankly for a few minutes, before both of them shrugged in unison.

“I didn’t expect her to drop an advertisement, but here we are,” said Gaius.

“After we visit the West, I’m going to show you how great the Assembly’s wineries are, got it?” Isabelle ruffled Gaius’ hair, and then buried her face in it. “I can’t have you thinking her country’s better in wine.”

He wasn’t sure how they got to this point, but it was interesting to see how she had this…nationalist streak in her, despite pretty much being a non-citizen of the Assembly. Or of the South.

It was probably pride.

Or was it something else? Gaius wasn’t too sure.

After spending a few more minutes to mess up his hair, Isabelle exhaled slowly, and her demeanour changed. “So…you wanted to ask me about Nakama, right? If it was a good idea to tell her about your…our eventual fate, right?”

“You always seem to read my mind,” Gaius replied.

“Always.”

“I don’t know what to think,” Gaius confessed. “I’m treating you and her differently, and I don’t know why either. And I know that I should be telling her, but…”

He shook his head.

“What should I do?”