「Mär, what kind of story is there today? 」 The blonde girl in red and black eagerly inquires.
「Elise, as we're inside a well, how about a story for it? 」 The man's eyes never leave her for a split second, shaded with benevolent darkness.
Her laughter like a bell of genuine interest, the blue in her look wavering in happiness, she nods like always.
.
「 Once upon a time, there was a man born to thirst for conquer. He voyaged to a faraway land and learned to be a brave warrior under wings of the others. No, perhaps, a cunning one.
He met his old friend there, who now was an experienced navigator. Used to be a fledgling, he wanted to fly higher and farther on his own, so he asked for his friend's help. The other man was reluctant and finally said no. He couldn't do anything but agree with his friend's decision.
He was friendly for few days before his friend's leaving, questioning his friend mostly about experience with ships. His friend complied with no doubt.
At the same time, he obtained some kind of poison from a merchant. Small doses of it weren't to kill, rather making one weaker to attacks. For the last day, he invited his friend for a drink, also sent words to his enemy that he wouldn't depart without him.
His enemy sent people after his friend to make sure he would never return, then appeared to stop him from going on the next day. But he dispelled his enemy's demand with wits, going ahead regardless of coming threats.
No one asked why he soon ordered to continue the sail without him and one day later returned from the forest. No one noticed the trace of dry blood at the hem of his shirt either.
He became a conqueror of his own for how much he wished, yet he never learned how to overcome the death of his friend. 」
.
「 Why did he poison his loved friend? 」 「 Because it might be a twisted form of love. 」
「 Why might it be a twisted form of love? 」 「 Because humans can't separate love from lust. 」
「 Mär, then why do you look so sad? 」
The man answers it with silence. He smiles still, looking up to the full moon above their head.
「I love you, Mär. We'll be together forever and ever. 」
She worriedly tugs at the chains trailing down from his neck, hoping him to pay attention to her. There are many things she always loves to know from him, but she never asks him about the moon, afraid that he will leave if she dare.
Often so, he gazes upon her again, kisses her forehead and holds her dearly.
「Of course, Elise is the cutest princess of all. 」
She leans close to enjoy his touches, then falls to his arms, green eyes shut tight in content.
「 Mär, tomorrow, tell me more stories. 」
「 You shall have them, Elise. 」
.
There will be more stories tomorrow, but he full knows, he can't promise to be her story-teller.