XLIII. Nä-ræl's apple

It has began to darken and Nä-ræl lay in Rapha's arms feeling a little sleepy. He stroked her hair gently while she relished the feeling and daydreamed about her in a wedding dress and Rapha in a suit.

"How are you going to go back." Rapha asked seeing that there was no way she could leave with the way the snow was coming down heavily.

"I do not plan to. I do not want to see them." She muttered.

"Why? Did something... Happen?" He asked concern etched on his brow deeply.

"Yes, it is nothing to worry about." She said, not wanting him to know about the planned and now official courtship with Ærtle.

"If it is something that makes you sad, then it is something to worry about."

He was sweet to her that she could not bear to lie to him or even neglect the truth about the matter so she opened up to him.