The night after Alex and the others saved Raven from her marriage, and after Alex told everyone his plan, they gathered at a nearby inn in one of the local towns. Since they couldn't get back into Lyanna's house in the city, at least for the moment, Lyanna, Amelie, and the other maids gathered all of the important personal items from the house in order to move. Afterwards, Mary and Eve left to purchase a wagon along with horses in order to carry everyone to the capital, which was a few-day trip.
They purchased a few rooms, and everyone went inside. Raven, who was still upset at Alex, locked herself in her room, not answering anyone who wanted to talk. Alex understood why, after all, just after reuniting, he was leaving for a long time; that's not something that's easy to get over.
Alex, who had his own room, started to pack his things into a couple of suitcases, some clothes, books, and other sentimental things. He then looked at the silver locket necklace he saw on his bed. His mother had given him the necklace as something he should take with him on his journey.
"Something to tell you that no matter what, I'm there for you." she said when she handed it to Alex.
Alex smiled as he put the necklace around his neck. He had planned to leave that night until he heard a knock on his door.
"Coming." Alex said before opening.
Behind the door was Raven, her eyes puffy and her cheeks tear-stained.
"R-Raven?" Alex asked.
Raven said nothing as she walked inside Alex's room. Alex didn't know what to say before he closed the door behind her.
"Raven. I-" Alex tried to say, before Raven ran up and hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry..." Raven said as she buried her head inside his chest.
"What's there to be sorry for?" Alex asked. "I'm the one who hurt you."
"I...I acted like a child... I didn't understand what you were doing or why." Raven said.
"You didn't act like a child, Raven; you're upset; that's completely understandable, after all... I'm leaving you." Alex said, sadly.
"H-how long are you going to be gone?" Raven asked.
"A year...give or take." Alex answered.
"An entire year." Raven said it sadly. "I don't know if I can do it."
"It's hard for me to, Raven... I've been with you every day of my life; leaving like this...it breaks my heart." Alex said as he held Raven tighter to his chest. "Raven?"
"Yeah?" Raven responded.
"When I come back, I promise that will be the last time I vanish from your life." Alex said, looking at her in the eyes.
"You better keep that promise." Raven said.
"I will." Alex said.
"When are you leaving?" Raven asked.
"Soon...once I pack everything I need, I'll be heading out." Alex said.
"At night?" Raven asked.
"Better to move under the cover of darkness. I'm still a wanted man in this region after all." Alex said.
"Where will you go?" Raven asked, trying to know everything that Alex would be doing.
"I think I'll head to the southern region for awhile. It's a wide open region with tons of small towns, and it's the largest part of the Empire; it'll take anyone a lot of time to find me." Alex responded.
"So this is our last day together...for a year." Raven said saddened.
"Yeah-" Alex said before Raven placed her hands on his cheeks.
"Raven wha-" Raven stopped Alex from speaking by placing her lips on his, which shocked Alex, but he soon accepted the kiss and returned it. It was a quick kiss, but to the two of them, it felt like a lifetime.
Once the two separated, Alex was speechless, but Raven smiled.
"Stay safe, Alex...and make sure you come back to me."
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