It will be better this way…

ㅤ "Caius, I challenge you to a duel!" Syme said enthusiastically. "Whoever wins marries Rubia!" Caius looked puzzled at the young man who so desperately wanted Rubia's hand in marriage. They had lived in the same small village for so long that Syme should have known all of Rubia's faults: a demanding lady, fond of scolding for every little infraction, and always getting into arguments. Spend his life with her? No, thank you, Caius would have given her up without a fight. But Syme wouldn't understand and would have taken it as an insult. So he had to answer calmly: "Fine. Deal." Syme had greatly overestimated his strength. It wasn't that he was completely weak. Caius had managed to train himself, venting his anger over the taunts of his peers after his father had once again failed to take him to the big city. During his father's absence, he'd spent all his time swinging his sword, either practicing his blows or practicing them on monsters in the nearby forest thicket. So losing would require a great deal of effort, and a believable one at that. "Yes!" Syme exclaimed, brimming with energy and enthusiasm. "Victory! Now you agree not to interfere with my relationship with Rubia or to show any romantic interest in her!" 'It never even crossed my mind,' thought Caius, but said out loud: "As you say." "Swear!" "I swear," Caius placed his hand on his heart. It seemed the matter was settled and they could live peacefully. However, it wasn't all that simple: soon an enraged Rubia approached, menacingly asking: "What do you mean you lost me in battle!? Am I some object to you, that you decide for me who I should be with!?" "Well, I never intended to win, so I lost on purpose," Caius scratched his head. "So it's your choice whether you accept his offer or not." "Then why fight!?" "Refusing would have hurt his pride…" Before Caius could finish his sentence, he received a resounding slap, and sweet Rubia's face twisted even more in rage. "And what about my pride!? Have you thought about that?! How selfish you all are! You want me to marry Syme? You didn't intend to win, then!? As you wish! Then you'll be groveling at my feet and begging for forgiveness! Syme!" she continued heatedly, moving toward the second instigator. "I'm not promising to marry you, but since things have turned out this way, I'll give you a chance. Let's get to know each other better first, and then we'll see how things unfold…" Caius watched them with indifference, thinking that Rubia's scandals were completely unworthy of the lady she called herself. Or were all ladies that capricious? It didn't matter. After all, he didn't love Rubia. To him, she was just a friend. His best and only one. And soon, having learned his origins, he became convinced that this would only be better for her. Five years later, a wedding invitation came to Caius during a protracted journey around the world. He was still searching for a place that would truly embrace his heart. The ceremony took place in Janna, where, after years of separation, two friends who had endured profound hardships were reunited. "So, you've finally made up your mind?" Caius exhaled with a smile. "You haven't changed your mind?" Rubia asked, just in case. She always felt like there was more to her and Caius than just friendship. Especially after what they'd been through… Even though she'd agreed to the wedding, even though she respected and even eventually fell in love with Syme, she was ready to call it all off at any moment for Caius. "No. It's better for you." "What does that have to do with me? What's better for you?" "Seeing you happy, protected from human prejudice," Caius said calmly and sincerely. "Silly…" Rubia said almost tenderly. "If that's all you care about, then I'll be offended if you think I'm so weak and dependent on public opinion," she pouted dramatically. Caius just laughed, wishing good luck and all the best to the bride, and soon to the other man's wife. 'It would be nice to visit Feln…' a thought flashed through his mind, full of nostalgia. He simply wanted to visit, to remember those happy, carefree days. 'It's a shame my place isn't there…' It belonged to Rubia. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His place was the entire world, in every corner of which he found refuge, never settling anywhere for long. ㅤ