After Albion left, Iliora smiled wickedly to Fabian. “You know, you really don’t resemble him at all.”

“Pardon?” Fabian said confused

“I mean, you clearly take after your mother. All polite and soft spoken. That and those green eyes of yours.”

“You know my mother?”

“Of course!  I’ve known them since years ago. Didn’t your father ever tell you?”

Fabian look embarrassed. “Father rarely tell me things...”

“Huh.” Iliora perked her eyes. “Not even about the academy? How he met your mother and such?”

Fabian looked embarrassed, “no...?”

“I see...” Iliora sighed, then sat down in one of the chairs in the dining room as Fabian poured the tea for her. “I guess that can’t be helped. Going from being the supposed ‘greatest magician’ in Ophelia to living on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I can see why he wouldn’t talk about his past.”

“Fa-father’s still a great magician!”

“Fabian?”

“I-I mean, he hasn’t used it for a long time, but, I-I saw him before! And he was great!” Fabian said blushing as he realized that he has said something that would probably upset his father, “T-that’s why...”

“Alright! Alright! I’m sorry, I believe you!” 

“It’s just…he had always looked so strong and composed, but…” Iliora said, eyes far away. “I supposed some wounds take more time to heal…” 

Fabian didn’t reply, his face looked solemn as he couldn’t fully comprehend the meaning of Iliora’s words. Iliora noticed this and smiled brightly again, “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make things gloomy. This is actually quite a nice place to live.”

“The weather is really good over here.” “This feels like the perfect place to grow old...”

Albion entered the room with a bottle in his hand. “Here, you can give this to him.”

...........

Albion, Fabian and Iliora stepped outside the house. Iliora carried the bottle in her hand.

“You know, you still ought to bring Fabian out of this place sometimes, it would be good for him to have friends his age, someone like Eam, perhaps?”

“Eam?” Fabian perked his brows.

“Don’t listen to her, Fabian.” Albion said

“Fine, fine, no matter what I say, you won’t budge, will you?” Iliora sighed. She immediately perked up again, saying “Well, if you ever decide to visit the capital or need anything, just send word to my office; I’ll be discreet I promise.”

“And Fabian, next time I want to hear more about you, alright?” She winked 

“Just leave, Lio.” Albion responded coldly.

Unperturbed, Iliora waved over her shoulder as she moved to her horse. “Take care of yourself, Albion, Fabian!”

“Come visit again!” Fabian replied enthusiastically, as Iliora continued on her way, back turned to them. Knowing he would be returning back to monotony, Fabian couldn’t hide the disappointment from his face as he let out a sigh.

Reading his son’s expression, Albion grumbled and shouted out to Iliora, “Iliora!” Then after she turns to face them he says “We’ll go to the party.”

Iliora beams at this. ““I’ll be waiting!”

---