As promised, I'd left the stables to request that Nelwynn sleep within my room, and that I take her place in the stable. At first hesitant to the idea, father could see that I'd nit wver in my resolve, thus allowing it.
Arnold: "sigh, Very well Landyn."
Ornelle: "Oh, I knew that Nelwy was just meant for my little Landyn!"
Landyn: "Mother, please refrain from saying anything like you did earlier, I've no desire to chase someone in the dead of night because you'd embarrassed them."
Ornelle: "If that's what my little Landy wants!"
With that, I'd returned to the stables to see Cordell standing outside against the walls.
Cordell: "Landyn, I don't suppose Nelwynn told you anything after you found her, did she?"
Landyn: "Aside from that she'd faced harassment at both the Institute and her hometown, not much else, why do you ask?"
Cordell: "...I see, it's nothing. Seems there is some harassment that even I was unaware of."
Cordell made his way into the stable. From the sounds of things, Nelwynn kept secrets even from Cordell, though I suppose it would make sense, considering her belief that Cordell only pitied her. Putting aside that, I'd made my way to find Nelwynne trying to lay on a stack of hay.
Nelwynne: "sigh, hay never was comfortable to sleep on..."
Seems this wasn't the first time Nelwynn bad been required to sleep on hay, though such was usually only commonplace for commoners or slaves. Such did not make much sense, as to even enter the Magic Institute, one must be of the craftsmen class or higher. Nelwynn hearing my footsteps turned around, surprised to see me.
Nelwynn: "L-Landyn? When did you get back?"
Landyn: "Just now, father and mother are fine with me taking your place in the stables."
Nelwynn: "But I told you that such kindness isn't necessary..."
Landyn: "You did, though you also appear to dislike sleeping on hay, so you'lk be sleeping on my bed instead, and I'll be sleeping on the hay out here."
Nelwynn could see that I was determined for this, and saw little point in trying to argue. Instead, she'd let a light smile and thanked me.
Nelwynn: "Thank you, Landyn."
Landyn: "It's no worry. Did you need escort back to the house?"
Nelwynn had blushed, though before she could answer, Cordell interjected.
Cordell: "If you two are going to be lovebirds, do it beyond where people can hear you, please. Especially people who are intent on rest."
Nelwynn's face immediately lit up upon hearing Cordell's words.
Nelwynn: "We-we aren't lovebirds Cordell!"
Cordell simply let out a small chuckle in dismissal.
Nelwynn: "L-Landyn come on!"
Still red in embarrassment, Nelwynn made her way out the stables and towards the house. I quickly moved to follow suit.
Landyn: "Nelwynn, are you alright?"
Nelwynn: "Landyn... there's something I should tell you... but you can't tell anyone else, promise?"
Landyn: "Very well, I promise not to tell anyone. What is it?"
Nelwynn: "The truth is... the truth is that my, "parents" well, I've no idea who or where they really are."
Landyn: "I thought your family was in Saltbrook?"
Nelwynn looked at me with tears in her eyes.
Nelwynn: "No, that's... They're... The truth is that, while I don't know my real parents are... the ones in Saltbrook aren't... they're um..."
Landyn: "Not your real parents?"
Nelwynn: "Yes."
Landyn: "So they'd adopted you then?"
Nelwynn: "Not quite..."
Nelwynn pulled up one the sleeves from her arm, revealing a mark. I'd known what the mark signified, since I'd assisted father with several of his operations in selling goods. It was the mark, the crest that belonged to the slave class. From what I'd read, the mark itself had no magical effects, though it was akin to a scar, it was physical, signifying to others that the bearer was a slave.
Landyn: "You're a slave? But how did you get into the Institute, I thought they only took in those whose class was greater than or equal to the craftsmen?"
Nelwynn: "They do, however both my "parents" belonged to the noble class, though they were relatively low rank within that class. When they'd discovered my aptitude for magic, they'd contacted the Magic Institute."
Landyn: "That still doesn't explain why they'd acceoted you though. The Institute would have known about your class and refused you"
Nelwynn: "Usually, yes. Though, in my case, I was purchased by the Institute. I suppose they needed the money since I was still to young to be of any true use to their household, thus leaving me a burden for them..."
Hearing this, I'd grown furious. I stopped Nelwynn and pulled her closer to me, embracing her.
Landyn: "You aren't a burden, Nelwynn! And both those nobles, and the Institute should be ashamed for forcing you to remain a slave!"
Nelwynn was stunned by what I'd said. As though it was something a madman in this world would say.
Nelwynn: "Thank you, Landyn. But my status as a slave cannot be changed. That's how this world is..."
Landyn: "To hell with that!"
Nelwynn's eyes opened wide.
Landyn: "Why should someone as capable as you be a slave? You're brave, braver than even the royal guards we'd fought with. Braver than the entire Koteshian army we'd fought! If the world as it is demands you must be a slave for the sake of the system in place today, then that system should, no must, be dismantled!"
Nelwynn: "Landyn... I..."
Landyn: "Even if such a task is deemed impossible, then I will find a way. I will do the impossible. If I must change the whole of society to end the enslavement of others, this wicked class system, then I will."
Nelwynn by this point had returned my embrace.
Landyn: "If I must complete such a task alone, then I will. Though, it'd be nice to have friends by my side. With that said, Nelwynn, would you too fight for your freedom?"
Nelwynn began crying once more, holding me tight, before she'd given her answer.
Nelwynn: "Yes. *sob* Yes, Landyn."
Nelwynn moved in bringing my face to hers, pressing her lips against mine. After she'd pulled away, her face had lit back up, and she frantically turned away, apologizing as she did so.
Landyn: "Nelwynn..."
I'd turned her around again, and this time, I'd brought her face to mine, and we'd locked our lips once again.
Landyn: "There's nothing to apologize for."
As I'd slowly let go of Nelwynn, we began to carry on walking back to our house. As we'd entered, I'd showed her where my room was, though as I was about to turn around and leave, she'd pinched part of my shirt, lightly tugging me. As I'd turned around, I saw Nelwynn let go and cutely fidgeting as she spoke.
Nelwynn: "Um, Landyn, if it's alright, um... Well, it's a bit cold out and..."
She wasn't asking me to sleep with her, in the lewd sense, rather, it sounded as if she'd wanted for me to lay with her, as a means of comforting her. Though I'd promised both mother and father that I'd be sleeping in the stables, it would turn out that such would become a lie. I'd agreed, albeit hesitantly, to lie in my bed, alongside Nelwynn.
As we'd begun lying down, Nelwynn spoke once more.
Nelwynn: "Landyn... thanks again, for everything."
I said nothing, as saying to say something now would ruin the mood, I'd felt. Thus, we'd both headed to sleep. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of this come morning. That's a problem for tomorrow's me, tonight's me is more focussed on sleeping.