Evangeline: “Well that went a lot better than expected!”
Camren: “FOR YOU MAYBE! You know that’s not what I meant when I called you that!”
Evangeline: “Awe but really? You don’t think I look like a princess?”
Camren: “What happened to being all flustered…”
Evangeline: “Eh, I get over stuff like that easily. Unlike you~”
Camren: “You know I almost died back there, right? I’ve never been slapped so hard before…”
Evangeline: “Oh, you’re just being dramatic.”
Camren: “Maybe it’s because you don’t have a partner yet, but you have to stop being so carefree all the time you know.”
Evangeline: “Ehhhh I don’t want one yet, also why should I have one?”
Camren: “Oh right, that’s why you came here in the first place. Also speaking of which,”
Evangeline: “?”
Camren: “What, IS your plan? Are you just planning on living here for the rest of your life?”
Evangeline: “I don’t really know honestly, do kids tend to run away with the whole plan in mind?”
Camren: “I don’t know, frankly I’ve never thought of doing it myself…”
Evangeline: “Well if they did, they’d be smart enough to know not to run away, right?”
Camren: “Um…”
Evangeline: “Right! Then they’d realize that in reality, they wouldn’t have anywhere else to go, they’d be scared of the consequences of leaving a family that most likely loves them.”
Camren: “... You scare me…”
Evangeline: “Haha! It’s just a thought really.”
Camren: “... Then what about you?”
Evangeline: “?”
Camren: “If that’s what you think, then would that make you just too dumb to think of the consequences?”
Evangeline: “Wow, that's not hurtful at all! Kidding~! That hurt a lot.”
Camren: “...”
Evangeline: “But, I guess I was just ready for the consequences.”
Camren: “...?”
Evangeline: “I wasn’t scared or anything, I guess I was just more scared of the idea that I would’ve belonged to someone, you know?”
Camren: “Like, you were afraid of not, being your own person?”
Evangeline: “Right! Believe me, although not fully, I knew what I was getting myself out of and into. In Gillua, through the ritual of marriage, the woman becomes the man’s property. Crazy right?! Although more often than not, the men in Gillua are taught well and kind, I still didn’t want that to have been MY life, you know? I am myself! I know that I didn’t want to live pinned down to a rule or a person that I wasn’t happy with. If it wouldn’t hurt me or those around me, then why does the rule need to exist right? I loved my family with my whole heart, don't get me wrong, but I have my own life too! I am my own person too… But yeah, maybe, just maybe, I would’ve learned to love the person as well! Maybe I didn’t need to run away, all the way out here, and maybe I didn’t have to have inconvenienced you and Katie! …Maybe! I would’ve been happy there! Do- do you agree? …If I just sucked it up, and accepted my place, followed the rules, then maybe, I wouldn’t have had to struggle for the past week, haha… You know, maybe I could've been happy. Maybe I could’ve been around my whole family, and they could’ve congratulated me, and maybe I could’ve been a beautiful bride to a loving husband. I… I’ve always caused trouble to those around me, and I know you said I need to stop being so carefree all the time, but trust me I know, and I’m trying. So maybe if I just stayed home, maybe if I just, maybe I…”
Camren: “H-hey,”
Evangeline: “I’m not crying!”
Camren: “I didn’t say anything yet…”
Evangeline: “You’re right! I’m totally crying!”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Camren: “...”
Evangeline: “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry for bringing you guys into my mess! I- I should never have-”
Camren: “Hey listen, it’s alright, really.”
Evangeline: “It’s not! I’ve been nothing but a bother to you! Because I was selfish and because-”
Camren: “Listen, things happen, but you don’t need to put yourself down even further than where you already are. I’m so sorry that you had a tough past few days, but it’ll be ok. I understand how you want to be free to feel like yourself, and not be what someone else wants you to be. That’s not being selfish Eva, that’s wanting your own life.”
Evangeline: “Do… do you think that’s a bad thing?”
Camren: “No of course not! It’s your own life, you should have control over it! Look at me! I can speak in a world where people are not allowed to!”
Evangeline: “Yeah that is, pretty cool of you.”
Camren: “And who’s to say that you still can’t go and have a happy life? If you want to marry the man, then you can! If not, I’m sure your family will understand, right?”
Evangeline: “I don’t know about that but, w-what if my family wouldn’t accept me back for running away?”
Camren: “Like you said, the family would most likely love their kids, right?”
Evangeline: “R-right.”
Camren: “It’ll be ok, but in the end, the only person who can get you out of this situation is yourself. So let’s help you figure out what you want, k?”
Evangeline: “Thank you Cams.”
Camren: “Still… still not used to that, but anyways! It’s morning now, should we head back home? Or what do you wanna do?”
Evangeline: “I don’t know… You’d know more about that then I would! Riiiight~?”
Camren: “W-what are you implying…”
Evangeline: “Show me around! I am curious as to what this place is like!”
Camren: “Well, you’ve already seen some at night, and-”
Evangeline: “Awe, but aren’t there places you like to go to or something? Maybe a park or… OH OH! I saw an amusement park earlier! Why don’t you take me there?!”
Camren: “That’s…”
Evangeline: “Pleeeeeaaaaaase???”
Camren: “Ha… listen, that’s something only couples would do, got it?”
Evangeline: “I’m just boooored that’s all! I promise I won’t try and hold your hand, try to hug you, try to kiss you, try and call you cuuute nicknames or anything-”
Camren: “Those are a given!”
Evangeline: “Please??? We can even bring Katie!”
Camren: “She’s grounded, remember? Not allowed anywhere.”
Evangeline: “Then why was she at the school last night?”
Camren: “I don’t… really know actually. I should ask her next time I see her huh?”
Evangeline: “Well then, I promise not to tell her!”
Camren: “NO! I really don’t wanna do anymore stuff that’ll get me into more trouble… I ONLY HAVE SO MANY CHEEKS ON MY FACE!”
Evangeline: “Hehe, cheeks.”
Camren: “You’re annoying.”
Evangeline: “I like you Camren, thank you for everything, seriously.”
Camren: “No~ problem, let’s head back to my house. My parents are most likely up by now and are wondering where I am.”
Evangeline: “Oh no! Will you be ok?”
Camren: “Yeah I’ll be fine, if anything they’ll be glad that I made another friend.”
Evangeline: “AWWEEE, you called me your friend!”
Camren: “And seeing that you can talk, they’ll be more than thrilled to get to know you. My siblings would love you as well.”
Evangeline: “Ooouuu I can’t wait!”
Camren: “Although, I still don’t know where you’d be sleeping.”
Evangeline: “Do you guys have a couch?”
Camren: “You’re not sleeping on our couch… at the very least I’d be sleeping there.”
Evangeline: “You’re so nice Cams, you know that?”
Camren: “Yeah? Just don’t let it get to you too much.”
Evangeline: “:)”
.
.
.
Camren: “I'm home… Hello?”
...
Evangeline: “Is, anyone here?”
Camren: “Huh, that's weird, usually they'd greet me back…”
Evangeline: “Did they go somewhere, do you think?”
Camren: “I'd assume so, although I don't remember them telling me about any-...!”
Evangeline: “W-w-w-whats wrong?”
Camren: “Don't tell me……”
Evangeline: “?????”
Camren: “It's… my birthday…”
Evangeline: “It is??? Why didn't you tell me?! Happy birthda-”
Camren: “Nonononono, you don't understand!”
Evangeline: “W-why?”
Camren: “Oh God, they must've already started.”
Evangeline: “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????? YOU'RE REALLY FREAKING ME OUT!!!”
Camren: “THERE'S NO TIME! QUICK! FOLLOW ME!”
Evangeline: “Wha- But we just got back!!!”