章 9: Old Scars - 2
"Al Lauragne, nice to meet you, Gabriel." With those parting words he left me to my senses, to the parting orbs that seemed to just fade in color. With time all faded, the colors of life trying and failing to keep that living fear.
And with that parting came the sound of the dinner, fading to the background as the servants placed empty plates into trays, the clattering of their hands creating a sort of musical sound that brought me towards the party.
Blind as I was, I still had a sort of sixth sense for things, able to perceive events with inferences.
And I knew the sound of cleaning, I knew it well. For with that same blindness came a wealth of experience hearing the sound of my messes being cleaned up.
Even if I wanted to help I was hushed away, turning towards places where I could rest in peace. Hand in hand with that same sister. Who doted on me so.
I found my hand taken from me, squeezed tightly and led towards the same room that I had been lying about in for the past few days.
Sitting on the same bed that I had slept in, watching the orb that was Abigail hurrying around the place, preparing all sorts of things here and there.
It was anyone's guess as to what they actually were, only that she was preparing something. And when she was done hovering over whatever it was she came back to the bed. Her hand warming mine as she took it in her hands and brought me closer.
I took a deep breath and in doing so breathed in her scent, so intoxicating. But maybe it was just that she was the only one meaningfully interacting with me. No, it had to be something else, right? Was I…
No, perish the thought.
I turned my head, and bunched myself into the bed, closing my eyes to another day. It had been monotonous, with nary a thing going on, other than the dinner.
And even so I was exhausted, wanting only to rest.
…
[Abigail POV]
Night dawned over me, the streets turning black, as they should in the coming of night. Yet even still, as I watched my husband curl against the sheets, eyes shut tightly and frail body hugged closely to the blanket.
I could only sigh, was I coming off to strong, was I too… what was the word… aggressive. I was not sure, but that didn't stop the embarrassment.
I was not only his wife, but the woman of the relationship and as such there should be no troubles for him. He should be able to lay there in peace and content.
But I had to cause him so much trouble, all because he was to be given an education. And those self deprecating words. I touched his face, curling my hand over his blonde hair.
Feeling the silky hair under my hands, the way that he leaned into it.
Sighing once more I stood and closed the door, taking with me my weapons. There was a duty to be taken.
And despite the comfort he gave when I was held him close, I couldn't indulge in such a thing. Moderately maybe, but more than that would be detrimental.
I tore through the halls, all until I found mother's office, opening the door without a hint of hesitation.
She nodded and gave me the papers I had requested, a form of magic that would allow him to read even without eyes.
An artifact that needed to be built.
It was quite simple, needing only a skilled enchantress and blacksmith to be made. The intended use was to read books in the dark of night, or important documents without holding them.
But it was perfect for someone blind. Such as Gabriel.
And so to the town I went, hidden under layers of clothes, hiding me with garbs that a noble would never think to wear.
After all neither I nor Gabriel could be seen around town. Well he could, but it wouldn't do for him to be by himself.
Even just thinking about him stumbling about and taking sympathy from some hussy filled me with a gnawing anger.
Yes, it was right to leave him back at home, even just walking the streets the previous time had us hounded by several leering women. Who thought my betrothed to be nothing but a chunk of meat.
The door opened, leading to our regional blacksmith, his skill in metalworking something that couldn't be found anywhere but the capitol and here.
And so I placed the order, the money being given anonymously and so too would the order. I was just here to make sure that everything was going well, that he would not scam us.
Not that I thought he would. Honestly, and I could only admit this to myself, I wanted to find something more to gift to him.
It was partly selfish, and partly motivated. I wanted a gift that would go well with the enchanted necklace I would give.
That was why I was here, shopping through dozens of books for anything that I thought might catch his interest.
From what I knew he loved to heal. But that was all, I knew not of his interests, of his hobbies. Only the bare minimum.
"Excuse me?" I asked, disturbing the librarian that was currently organizing the books.
"Yes dear." She turned, looking at my get up. It was nothing fancy, merely a cloak and some other layers that would hide my face.
"I was looking for something that a young boy may like, a gift if you will."
She smirked under her glasses, a glint glaring in them.
"Ah~ I see," She practically sang, drifting through book after book before one caught her eye, "This would do quite well, a bit expensive but all the noble ladies have been getting this for their betrothed, I imagine it would do well for you too."
She smirked, that same glint over her eyes as she rang me up.
I took a look at the title of it and found it to be some sort of fantasy, about some fairy tail romance. But who was I that I could divine the entertainment that boys liked.
So I just took it, hoping that Gabriel would like it, hoping that when he could read, that he would read and enjoy the book I bought for him.
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