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Aamon awoke at the slightest sound of the door creaking and light footsteps. He stirred from the couch, adjusted his blanket, and sat up. When he fully opened his eyes, he groaned from a sharp headache, followed by a hunger pang. Without lying on a soft bed, the quality of his sleep suffered the past few days. He reached out for water and drank against his dry lips. “My brother? Anything?”
“We apologize, your Grace.” His servants entered the room and bowed. Based on their demeanor, it was evident they did not bring good news. “We could not find a trace of Lord Gusion.”
He dismissed them with a wave of his hand and leaned against the couch, massaging his temple. While he enjoyed the luxury of his home and servants, Gusion might be somewhere cold, hungry, and alone. On the table in front of him was his uneaten dinner, and the map of his duchy, each town already marked as searched. Expanding the search beyond his duchy will require him to spread his men thin.
Closing his eyes, he hoped he could steal another hour of sleep before the next round of spies came reporting. Already accustomed to the environment, it only took a short time before he slipped to dreaming. Or nightmares. He was back again at the Celestial Palace, watching his brother succumb to darkness. No matter how much he tried to reach out, Gusion only fell deeper. He awoke, just in time before his head was about to slip down.
“Aamon, I’ve found areas of interest that may help us find your brother.” A woman spoke from the shadows.
There was only one person who could call him by his first name, and he returned the favor. “I’m surprised you are concerned about your family, Valentina.”
“You want your brother back. I want the Heart of Anima. It’s only natural for us to be working together.” Valentina replied without a hint of offense at the way she was addressed. She continued walking around the room, amusing herself with the statues made in her honor. In front of a family painting, she stopped, staring at the young faces of Aamon and his siblings - the final time the entire family was complete. “As the current Duke, perhaps it’s best for you to get proper rest and nourishment in the meantime. We already have a good lead.”
Aamon laughed in a mocking tone and Valentina turned her head towards him. “I want to ask you, why?”
“I already told you, we want the same thing.”
“No, I’m asking why you even put us through this wretched curse of yours!” Aamon stood up, his hands trembling as he tried to control himself. Powerlessness drove him mad, especially facing the woman who was the source of all their woes. “You would do everything to bring back your husband? Even cursing your descendants for a thousand years?”
“Irlan was everything.” Valentina stared at him blankly, with sadness in her voice. “Once you experience true love, nothing in this world can give it again.”
“All my life, I’ve been told of the great Valentina Paxley who founded our dynasty. They said she’s a woman of great courage, intelligence, and leadership.” Aamon’s voice trembled while he spoke to Valentina with subdued anger, but he glared at her with all the hate he could muster. “I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. You are the most powerful mage I’ve met in my entire life. I just didn’t expect you don’t have a single drop of remorse for the suffering you’ve caused.”
Valentina walked towards Aamon “The Paxley family had only used me and betrayed me, then led countless generations to worship me to fuel a delusion of greatness. We might share the same name and blood, but you mean nothing to me.”
“You spoke of your beloved, Irlan. Perhaps I can throw a celebration to welcome his revival?” Aamon gave her a smile of contempt. “I’d love to see what kind of man fell in love with a woman so selfish, hypocritical, and weak-minded to make a deal with a demon. If he is that kind of man, then I find him as pathetic and repulsive as his wife!” He spat and laughed. With him too exhausted and frustrated, he had already lost all inhibitions.
Valentina’s eyes widened at Aamon’s words and her voice softened. “Irlan was kind, brave, and noble.”
“Then what will he think of you?”
“I don’t know. I cannot recall who I used to be. The only way to know is to meet him again.” Valentina answered slowly, in a whisper, eyes dazed. She gazed at the large painting of the Aamon’s family. “I know you want me to perish, but the curse does not allow me to die. The only way for either of us to move forward is to find the Heart of Anima.”
Aamon breathed deeply to calm himself. “A part of me wishes you get your heart’s desire so we can end this, but there is also a part of me that hopes you live forever, wallowing in your misery. But fine, I shall accept this horrible, allegiance.”
He turned away from the woman and gathered his maps on the table. He wasn’t doing enough. If it will take all the power and wealth of the Paxley family, then so be it. Even if he had to beg the King of Moniyan Empire, even if I have to ask aid from Eruditio and the Moon Elves, at the expense of his dignity, he would do it. When he passed through Valentina, he didn’t speak a single word or look back.
“I’m sorry,” Valentina said after Aamon had walked further away. Perhaps, she didn’t know she could be heard. Perhaps, she did. Nonetheless, words could not bring Gusion home.