After reaching their house, Alaric opened the door. Darkness filled the room. There were no candles lit, nor any burning wood in the fireplace.
They stepped inside quietly.
"I guess Elara isn't home yet," Alaric said.
"I guess she went to the palace without coming back to change," Lalanat replied as she took off her shoes.
"I wonder if she went alone or if Heidi is with her."
"I think Elara went alone. She'll probably spend the night there. It's dangerous for a princess to go out at night."
Alaric nodded.
"Yeah, I guess. That makes it just the two of us," he said with a laugh.
Lalanat stepped closer to him.
"Alaric... about the story you told earlier. You were joking, right?" she asked.
Alaric rubbed his chin.
"Well, I don't really believe it either, but that's how the story was told back in our nation."
He started walking toward the stairs.
"I think it's just a story to scare children, so don't worry too much. Besides, I'm here with you," he said with a smile as he headed upstairs.
Lalanat watched him disappear up the stairs.
She slowly walked to her room, stepped inside, and lit a candle.
She sat in front of her wooden desk and slowly combed her hair.
Then she heard a sound coming from the kitchen.
Her hand froze.
She listened carefully as her heartbeat quickened.
A thief? A ghost? An animal?
The thoughts fought one another inside her mind.
She remained still for several moments, listening to the faint noise.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage, picked up the candle, and slowly walked toward the kitchen.
Before reaching it, she cautiously peeked around the corner.
As the candlelight reached beneath the sink, she saw a stray cat biting a mouse while staring directly at her.
She sighed in relief.
Just as she turned around, a man suddenly appeared before her.
"Ahhh!"
She screamed, dropped the candle, and started slapping him as hard as she could.
"Ouch!"
"It's me! It's me!" he cried, covering his face.
"Alaric?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Yeah... it's me. Ouch... that really hurts," he said, still holding his cheek.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were a ghost!" She crouched down to check his face.
"I heard a sound too, so I came to investigate. Then I saw you standing here, staring at something. I thought maybe you had seen something I couldn't, so I didn't want to call out and scare you." He sighed. "Then you turned around and slapped me."
"Ah... I'm so sorry! I heard the sound too. That's why I came here. When you suddenly appeared, I thought you were a ghost," Lalanat said in a panic.
"It's okay," Alaric replied as he stood up. "So, what was it?"
"It was just a stray cat catching a mouse."
Alaric laughed.
"See? I told you it wouldn't be anything." He rubbed his cheek. "But... you really slap hard."
"Ah... I'm so sorry. Does it still hurt?"
Lalanat reached toward his cheek.
Alaric gently brushed her hand away.
"It's a little hot, but I'll be fine. Don't worry."
He smiled at her.
After standing there for a moment, he spoke.
"I think you should get some rest. We have class tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, Lalanat called out,
"What about you? Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
"I was thinking of practicing a few sword swings first. After that, I'll go to bed."
"But you already had a duel today. Aren't you tired?"
"Not really. I couldn't even break a sweat today." He shrugged with a grin. "Maybe because I only used one hand. I wanted to finish it quickly."
"Oh... I see." She hesitated for a moment. "Can I stay and watch? I'm still a little afraid to be alone inside."
"Hmm... I don't mind."
"Alright. Thank you."
The two of them walked outside together.
Lalanat sat beside the open doorway.
A short distance away, Alaric continued practicing his sword swings.
His clothes were soaked with sweat, his eyes sharp and focused, as though he were standing on a real battlefield instead of the quiet yard.
She blinked slowly.
Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she had with Anna.
"Once we graduate..."
"We'll all go our separate ways."
"Alaric will continue his journey to become a knight."
"Elara will return to the palace, whether to politics or to chase whatever dream she chooses."
"And I'll go back to my own nation."
"In the end... we'll simply become a small chapter in each other's lives."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Somehow... that thought makes me a little sad.
Her gaze remained fixed on Alaric.
The smile on her lips grew just a little warmer.
She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her head against them, quietly watching him train.
The next morning, before it got too late, Caelin prepared to leave and walked to Elara's room.
Knock. Knock.
"It's me. Are you awake? We should leave before class starts," he called from outside the door.
"Wait a little! I'm still changing," Elara shouted from inside.
"I'll wait for you downstairs."
Caelin stepped away and headed down the stairs.
There, he found his father and King Midus enjoying tea together.
"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Your Majesty."
He gave them a respectful bow.
"Good morning," they replied.
"So, Caelin," King Midus asked, "how's the academy?"
"I think it's been going well," Caelin answered with a smile.
"You should've come to see me when you arrived last night," King Midus said before taking another sip of tea.
"I thought you were already resting, so I didn't want to disturb you."
"Well," Caelin said, glancing toward the stairs as he noticed Elara coming down, "if you'll excuse me, we're almost late for class."
"Very well," King Midus replied. "We'll see each other again soon. And be good to each other, you and Elara."
Caelin bowed once more before leaving.
He waited inside the carriage.
"You're up earlier than I expected," Elara said as she climbed inside.
"I'd rather not get scolded for being late."
He rested his chin on one hand as he looked out the window.
"For some reason, I couldn't sleep well. I think I sleep better at the residence in Elysium than here. Maybe I've just gotten used to it."
She leaned back with a quiet sigh.
The carriage began to move, carrying them away from the palace.
---
Meanwhile, back at the table...
"I think they've both grown into fine young people," King Midus said with a small laugh.
"They do look good together," King Conrad replied as he set his teacup on the table.
"Haha. You think so?" King Midus leaned forward with an amused smile.
"So tell me..." King Conrad lowered his voice slightly. "Is Elara engaged to anyone?"
King Midus sat back, thinking for a moment.
"I don't believe so. Her mother never liked arranged marriages. She always said our children should marry someone they truly love."
King Conrad nodded.
"I see. Perhaps you've raised them so well that they deserve to choose for themselves."
He smiled teasingly.
"Don't say that." King Midus chuckled. "I can see that Caelin has grown into a fine young man. Handsome, polite... you've raised him well."
"You can tell, can't you?" King Conrad laughed.
The two kings shared a hearty laugh.
As he looked out the window, his thoughts refused to settle.
How am I supposed to convince them?
I went to my father before even asking what they wanted.
...I should've spoken to them first.
He let out a heavy sigh.
Suddenly, he felt a gentle weight on his shoulder.
He slowly turned.
Elara had fallen asleep, her head resting against him, her hands folded quietly in her lap.
He looked at her for a moment and smiled faintly.
Carefully, he adjusted his posture and gently pulled her a little closer so she could sleep more comfortably.
His eyes lingered on her sleeping face.
He reached out and gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
How am I supposed to let go of these feelings...
...when every time I turn around, you're there?
Perhaps it isn't the person you chose that I can't compete with...
...it's your choice itself.
He quietly sighed.
Then he turned back toward the window once more.
Outside, the carriage continued along the road.
The morning sun drifted behind a passing cloud.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Only silence traveled with them.
After a while of traveling, they finally arrived at the gates of Elysium.
The carriage came to a stop, and the driver opened the door for them.
Caelin gently shifted his shoulder.
Elara slowly opened her eyes and found him leaning slightly toward her, waving a hand in front of her face.
She quickly straightened herself and fixed her hair.
"Ah... I guess we've arrived."
She stepped down from the carriage and stretched.
Caelin followed behind her.
"Wow... I didn't expect the Princess of Valerith to snore that loudly," he said with a teasing grin.
Elara shot him a glare.
"I'll kick you."
Caelin smiled and walked past her.
After a few steps, he stopped.
"Can you tell Heidi and Alaric that I'll be there in the final?"
His expression grew more serious as he slipped a hand into his pocket.
"Can't you tell them yourself?" Elara asked.
"I could, but I don't have time to run around looking for them. Besides, you and Alaric live together." He smirked. "You also owe me one for using my shoulder as a pillow."
Without waiting for her answer, he continued walking.
Elara watched him leave before heading toward the residence.
As she approached, she spotted Alaric and Lalanat outside.
Lalanat sat by the doorway while Alaric split firewood with an axe.
Every time the axe cleanly split a log in two, Lalanat clapped happily.
Seeing the two of them together, Elara couldn't help but chuckle.
She walked over to them.
"Wow... looks like you two had plenty of fun while I was away."
Hearing her voice, they both turned around.
"Oh, it's Elara," Alaric said as he walked over.
Lalanat followed with a smile.
Alaric looked her up and down before leaning in slightly, narrowing his eyes.
"Wait... did you just wake up?"
Elara quickly fixed her hair.
"W-What? No! Of course not."
"Hmm..." Alaric crossed his arms. "I guess sleeping at home really suits you. That's unfair."
"Of course it does," Elara replied proudly. "I slept a lot."
Her gaze drifted toward Lalanat.
Without another word, she ran over and hugged her tightly, the two of them giving a little hop as they embraced.
"I missed you so much!"
Elara's face lit up with joy.
"Me too," Lalanat replied with a smile.
Alaric pointed at himself.
"What about me?"
The two girls looked at him for a moment...
...then walked inside together.
"Hey! Seriously?"
Alaric hurried after them, complaining the whole way.
Meanwhile...
Silvia stood in the garden, watering the flowers while quietly humming to herself.
As she turned slightly, she noticed Caelin standing by the roadside in front of their residence. One hand rested in his pocket as he silently stared at the towering walls of Elysium.
Curious, she walked over and quietly approached him from behind.
She suddenly leaned forward, peeking at his face.
"What has you standing here so early in the morning?" she asked.
Caelin straightened his posture as he noticed her.
"Oh... it's you."
He glanced around.
"Where is everyone?"
Silvia stood beside him.
"I think they're all still sleeping."
"What about you? Why are you up so early?" Caelin asked, turning his eyes back toward the wall.
"It's just my habit." She smiled softly. "The morning air is fresh, and I like listening to the birds sing."
She took a deep breath, enjoying the cool air.
Her gaze followed his toward the distant wall.
The two of them stood there in silence for a while.
After a moment, Caelin spoke.
"You know..."
Silvia turned to look at him.
"I feel like my life is here... but my heart wants something beyond that wall."
He paused.
"But if I go beyond it... it'll be the end of me."
He never looked at her as he spoke.
"Hmm..."
Silvia quietly watched him.
"Growing up hurts, doesn't it?" she said softly.
"When we were children, we could laugh and smile just by chasing each other."
She looked toward the wall as well.
"But now... chasing dreams or chasing people only seems to hurt."
She let out a slow breath.
"So, Caelin..."
She smiled gently.
"I'll stop chasing you too."
"I don't know what's troubling you, but... I hope you'll be okay."
"Maybe not today..."
"...but someday."
Caelin looked at her, surprised.
Silvia returned a small smile as they faced one another.
"Don't look at me like that," she said with a quiet laugh.
"I'm only saying the things I've been keeping inside."
"It actually feels like a relief... finally being able to say them."
She lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze.
"I'm sorry," Caelin said softly.
Silvia shook her head.
"It's okay."
"You don't have anything to apologize for."
"It was my choice to fall for you."
"And your heart simply didn't choose me."
She smiled.
"And... that's okay."
She turned to leave.
Then she looked back over her shoulder with a gentle smile.
"So..."
"I'll do my best to let go."
"And don't worry about me."
She clasped her hands behind her back.
"Come on."
"I think everyone else is awake by now."
She slowly walked toward the house.
Caelin remained where he was, silently watching her disappear inside.
After standing there for another moment...
...he quietly followed.