Ava's monologue

When I was eight years old, my parents divorced. I didn't understand what 'adult issues' meant, but I knew it meant they were gone and I was stuck. But I had my grandpa. He was always there for me, with his big smile and his hearty laugh. I never saw any negative traits in him, except maybe that he liked his liquor a bit too much (haha). But it's not like he was drunk all the time or anything. He was just…Grandpa. I don't mean to brag, but it's because of his wisdom that I'm the woman I am today.

He had a special spot under a maple tree where he liked to sit in the evenings. We'd watch the sun set in the west, and he would tell me while sipping his liquor, 'Ava my granddaughter, sometimes the best things in life are right under your nose.'

At the time, I just nodded along, not really understanding what he meant. When I was twelve, a man told my grandpa that the castle needed more workers, and he could get me a job as a maid. The idea of working in the castle made my heart melt with joy. I begged and pleaded with the reluctant grandpa to let me take the job, until finally he said yes. Of course, he couldn't resist his sweet granddaughter, haha.

From the Southern region, I began my journey to the center of the kingdom. As I approached the castle, my expectations were exceeded—it was huge and beautiful, just as I'd imagined and seen in books.

I started working as a maid, loving how my new dress looked on me. My fellow maids were friendly, but distant. The one person I truly couldn't stand was Arabella, the queen. Why did I dislike her so much? I couldn't put my finger on it, haha.

One day, while running errands in town, the unexpected happened. A malnourished young boy snagged my grocery basket from behind. I couldn't bear the thought of returning to the castle empty-handed, so I tried to get my basket back, shouting at the top of my lungs. Before the boy could get away, a mob cornered him, ready to exact their rage. But as I watched the frail child get roughened up, a deep pang of guilt tugged at my heart. Without thinking, I pushed through the crowd and proclaimed, 'He's my brother! We just had a little misunderstanding!'

I managed to drive the mob away, but now I was left with this boy. What should I do with him? In the end, I decided to take him with me. First stop: an inn. I couldn't very well walk around with a half-dead child, haha (no offense, kid).

He practically inhaled the food, devouring dish after dish without pause.

I was both shocked and impressed by his appetite, but also slightly concerned about the rapidly rising bill. After paying a staggering ten silver coins, the boy didn't even have the decency to utter a single 'thank you.'

Since I couldn't exactly take him into the castle with me, I had to find a nearby place for him to stay. Luckily, he didn't try to make a run for it.

From that day forward, I'd visit him when I could, always bringing small gifts: a bit of food, some fresh clothes. But it wasn't all sugar and sunshine—I made sure to teach him some manners along the way, too. If he was going to be under my protection, he had to learn some respect and responsibility.

One day, I was dismissed as a maid for reasons I still don't understand. I didn't want to return to the South, and I wanted to surprise my grandpa with how much I'd grown. So, using the cash I'd saved from working at the castle, I bought a house in the East and moved there with the boy. The rest of my savings went into opening a tavern, and the boy became my assistant. It wasn't the life I'd planned, but it was a start.

Leios and I spent countless hours together, weathering the good times and the bad. He became more than just a brother to me—he filled a hole in my heart, a warmth I didn't know I'd been missing. In that moment, I finally understood what my grandpa meant when he said, 'Sometimes the best things are right under your nose.' Leios had been under my nose the whole time, but it took me a while to see how special he really was.