‘Even in its prime, it wasn’t that successful. From what I understood, the previous lord had no idea how to run a village.’ That was in stories he had long since forgotten, perhaps a little fresher in his older brother’s mind as the elder had now become the younger, but he knew that it was all in good hands now.
He ran his fingers along the tattered spine of the book on his lap, anxiously chewing his bottom lip at the latter’s ending comment. ‘I really don’t think the punishment would be that harsh, if there was one. Aphmau is a compassionate lord.’
And Gene had never done anything directly to her, had he? Well, sans knocking the woman out so many years ago when she had started unraveling Phoenix Drop’s past, but she wouldn’t know that nor have to.
‘There’s no cruel people there. And it’s not as if I would make you do it alone; I’ll still be here.’ It felt silly acting as though he was the older man’s parent, but the reaction, should it come, would surely be worse if he didn’t accompany Gene into town. At least they felt some sympathy for him and would perhaps be a little less distrusting if he vouched for his...friend.
A crack of lightning outside the window caused the shadow knight to buck off the couch by an inch, startled by the too-close sound that had likely struck a tree not far from the cottage. Despite all his healing he had done, which was a remarkable amount, loud noises didn’t sit well with him and he wasn’t sure if they ever would.
Fingers tightening in the blanket draped halfway off the cushion of the sofa, he pulled it over his lap and leaned forward to sit the book on the coffee table. Once more they fell into a lapse of awkward silence; personal questions felt too imposing and out of place for their relationship and yet, what was their relationship? Nothing felt appropriate or safe.
He wanted to ask if Gene was happy here, though that was a stupid question he no doubt knew the answer to, but then again, the elder shadow knight didn’t seem entirely too upset living here at this point either. They had become comfortable with each other, domestic even, in a strange way he wasn’t sure he wanted to acknowledge.
‘Oh- Ah...’ He paused, pulling the cover up closer to his chest and rubbing the back of his head, ‘Your brother. He has children. Two boys.’
