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The best time of the week was when she could slip away from castle duties. Ever since Laios became king, it seemed he always seemed to need her by his side for this or that. It was quite a big ask to be the lead mage over so many people, it was often she would stay awake doing duties well into the night and be up with the sun the next day. It wasn't to say that she hated it, as helping run a kingdom had its own perks. Still, who doesn't like off days?
On the slow days, usually at the end of the week, Marcille travels into town. She goes to the same vendor who welcomes everyone with a crooked smile and asks for their best bottle of wine. It's always different. Traveling down the main road as the sun starts to set, she makes it to her destination on the edge of the woods, a small cabin. Chilchuck's cabin.
They both know the routine, greet each other with warm hellos and slight teasing. One of her favorite parts was when Chilchuck would make a dramatic comment about unexpected visitors but would always have a prepared meal for two. They would enjoy dinner and then open the wine- chatting endlessly sitting before fireplace- both on the ground because it reminded them of the dungeon (though neither said it out load.)
And then, like clockwork, Marcille will bid goodnight- with Chilchuck offering her a place to sleep as they had a lot to drink. She would decline, however, and make up an excuse- always outlandish to make him roll his eyes. Chilchuck always got the hint to let her go.
It was almost a dance and tonight was no different as Marcille was getting ready to head out into the night. Chilchuck was leaning where he always did, a soft grin and a slight blush from the booze.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay? Even though you're so freakishly tall, my guest bed is pretty spacious."
"That's okay; I need to be in early to help Laios find his where he put his robes."
He rolled his eyes and chuckled; she smiled and giggled. Like always.
"Goodnight, Chilchuck!"
"Goodnight, Marcille. Get home safe."
Taking one last image of him and saving it in her memory, she turned around and stepped into the night. She was already excited for her next day off.
The night was cloudy, perhaps a promise of rain later. Hearing the door shut behind her, she made her way to the cabin's fence gate in stride as she didn't want to be caught in any downpour. However, the elf was halted by another silhouette on the other side of the gate.
At first glance, she knew who the mysterious half-foot woman was instantly. Marcille had met his daughters enough times to recognize their own mother, Chilchuck's wife. His ex-wife was walking towards his house so late into the night.
Marcille simply nodded as the smaller woman passed by, too shocked to react any differently—which was repaid with a smile. Questions raced by in her mind at a million miles per second, but one stuck out the most, the most pitiful and jealous thought: Why was she here?
Even though she did not know much about half-foot beauty standards, his ex was probably the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She was shorter than Chilchuck (he always boasted his exceptional tallness) and wore a graceful green dress that contrasted well with her pale skin. Short Black hair matched onyx eyes—even a well-placed mole decorated her cheek.
Marcille tried not to finger at her own hair and for some reason his words from earlier echoed in her mind, "you're so freakishly tall."
After exiting past the fence, Marcille couldn't help but hide behind a bush with a view of the door. The others always called her nosy, and the wine did not help deter her from the decision to spy. With a held breath she watched as the other woman knocked on the cabin door. A pause. And then Chilchuck opened the door in a rush.
A face of smug turned into a face of surprise of who was standing on his doorstep. After a few glances around, Chilchuck seemed to say something to the woman, but Marcille was too far away to hear. She held back a gasp as he then invited his old partner inside, with one last backward glance.
Marcille stepped out from behind the bush, even though the rock in the pit of her stomach made her want to keep kneeling there. What was she doing? Why was she still standing there.
Through the small window, she could see the two of them sitting down... Chilchuck had offered her a drink, and both were smiling. Any person could tell what was happening... and it would be harder to deny what a good couple they made. Was this a glimpse of what their life was like before they separated? Despite her heavy feet, Marcille took one step and another- faster and faster until she could no longer look back at that cabin.
Her lungs were on fire, and she was sure that she had never run so far- but she kept running. Kept on running even when she felt soft droplets slide against her cheeks.
"Oh" she gasped
"The rain started..."