Hildebrand was appalled when he heard what Amy had to say about the guards. "Well then, perhaps they did deserve a blow to head if they were attempting to get involved with women while on duty..."

After Amy and Andy left, the knight turned to Eliezer. "The Nemes Estate, Your Highness?"

Eliezer hesitated. "I do not think that it would be appropriate to bring a stranger into Lady Nemes' home, Sir Hildebrand."

"With all due respect, Your Highness, I do not believe that we have much of a choice at the moment," replied Hildebrand in an urgent tone.

Eliezer glanced at Raven, and then to his knight, and nodded. They took off from the village into the nearby forest, heading in the direction of the crown prince's temporary abode. The estate soon came into view, and eyeing it through the trees, Hildebrand spoke again.

"We should be far enough from the village, Your Highness. I shall go ahead to ensure that it is safe for the both of you to approach. Hopefully, I shall run into Shadow, so that I can send him out here to inform you of the situation."

Assuming that Raven did not have a weapon on her at the moment, the knight drew a short sword and handed it to her, in case she and the prince had to defend themselves at some point while waiting. He then turned and made his way towards the estate, soon vanishing from sight. Eliezer let out a sigh of relief at the chance for a rest, but having been given the time to think again, he started to become aware of the circumstances, and question the weight of what he had gotten himself into. He turned to Raven, finding her presence immensely comforting, yet wondering if she was worth what he had just done. The conflict was almost too much for him to handle. The soft light of the bright Moon shone through the leaves, and around them, the forest was silent. He stepped closer to her and gripped her shoulders tightly, resting his forehead against hers.

"There was once another who made me feel that I did not have to hide anything from him, the same person whom I have recently learned wants me dead. I do not know what I would do if I were to be betrayed in such a way again. I think that I am beginning to understand how much this means to you. I am choosing to trust you, my lady. I believe what I have done tonight is sufficient proof that this is so. In spite of how much I fear, and knowing how absurd this decision is, here I am with you. Can you take my fears away? How can you assure me that I have made the right choice? Perhaps I am the one who is selfish. You had the chance to start fresh by leaving tonight, but I have just taken it away from you."