Beta-ed by Gimei.
Disclaimer : LSK is not mine.
"Leaf."
"Yes?"
We were currently resting, still on our way to return to the Holy Temple. Sun wordlessly dragged me further from the group.
Sun?
"I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't had time until now to check the after-effect of Resurrection." he explained.
Sure, if locking yourself in your room can be counted as busy. What were you doing in there?
Paperwork?
"I'm totally fine, Sun. There's nothing wrong."
It was you I'm worried about.
"We won't know for sure. Not without checking. Okay tell me the number of flies you can see over there."
"Flies?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah."
"I need to count?"
"Obviously."
"Surely there are other things to count instead of..."
Counting flies on the poop.
"It's an order."
"Why?"
Looking at me, he solemnly asked, "Didn't you once mentioned you saw the hole on the wings of a fly from a distance?"
I nodded.
"And it only started now?"
I nodded again.
"Thus we need to check how much your sight improved!"
Seeing there was no room for negotiation, I started counting, "It's twelve."
Minutes later, I continued, "Now it's fifteen. Nope, seventeen. Three flies away, it's fourteen."
This is ridiculous!
"Adding to four new red-eyed flies, and two blue-eyed leaving, it becomes sixteen. None had a hole, or a scratch in its wing this time." I purposely elaborated, never thought an offhanded remark would land me in this situation.
Facing him, I resisted the urge of turning him into porcupine and instead smiled and asked him politely, "Are we done?"
"So there really is nothing wrong. I'm glad." he said softly, revealing a gentle smile.
"Behind you!" he suddenly warned.
I turned around only to see there was a demon wolf not far from us, ready to devour us at any moment.
I quickly took my bow and shoot the wolf, which was a second too late as it was already frozen before my arrow reached its target, leave me wondering how strong his magic was. The arrow penetrated the ice and left a crack to the otherwise perfect ice sculpture of the demon wolf.
I stared at him and he looked back at me, smiling an innocent smile. As he opened his mouth I quickly raised my hand, signaling him to stop talking.
"I know, I know. The demon wolf suddenly sprang. Unfortunately it tripped, fell and died from falling. Yet the wolf didn't want to end up in someone's stomach so it used magic to freeze itself." I sighed, repeating his explanation on how a demon wolf of the fire element was able to use ice magic before its death.
Only he can make up that kind of explanation. But at least I can be sure that...
"So you're not blind. I'm glad."
He rolled his eyes and said, somewhat exasperated, "I've told you over and over again. Is it so hard to believe me?"
"Very hard." I replied without a moment of hesitation.
"Seriously, you've been pestering me about my eyes for quite a time. Stop worrying, will you?"
"Okay."
Satisfied, he then concluded his findings, "Your sight seemed to be improved significantly... Your archery skill is still the same, which means all your four limbs are working just fine. I don't think we need to perform another test to check on that."
You already plan for more? What kind of test did you had in mind?
"Do you feel any different? Your hearing, your sense of smell... Your memory...anything?"
"Nope."
"You sure?" Sun asked, still unconvinced.
"Pretty sure."
"Let's go back. The others are waiting." I quickly said, a bit afraid he will force me to perform another test. One was more than enough.
Maybe not, because someone was already here to look for us.
Stone.
Seeing that we were both fine, he heaved a sigh of relief and started to scold us, "Hurry, the others are waiting, just what are you doing here?"
A little late to notice the ice sculpture, he asked again, "What's going on? What with that ice?"
I solemnly explained, "It's the result of a demon wolf who froze itself because it didn't want to get eaten after its death."
Stone's jaw almost dropped after hearing the ridiculous explanation.
I waited for him to refute the claim but he only commented, "How smart."
You're truly a good guy, to play along with such nonsense.
Just when I thought the matter was settled, sounds of footstep was heard again, becoming clearer and clearer for each passing seconds.
"You're all late."
This time it was Ice. Immediately noticing the sculpture that was completely out of place in the afternoon, he stared at us, demanding an answer.
"It didn't want to get eaten after its death. Thus it sealed itself in the ice." explained Stone.
"How did it die?"
Did you have to ask? Does it matter?
"Oh... well... that was...I mean, it was because..." trying to come up with an explanation without much success, Stone looked at the two of us, wishing for help.
"It tripped." replied Sun, still smiling his innocent smile.
Yes, yes. That was the most logical explanation. Thanks for enlightening them, Sun.
"The arrow?" Ice asked again, pointing to the arrow that marred the beauty of the sculpture.
Does it matter? Does it really matter? Was the arrow that important for you to know why it was there?
"Ah... I wanted to test how solid the ice was, you know, to ensure that indeed, it won't get eaten." I said helplessly, completely sure any sane person won't believe it.
Don't ask again, Ice.
Please...
Ice's face remained impassive even after hearing my explanation. He then used ice magic to patch up the crack I made and froze the sculpture, making it even bigger.
"There, better."
On our way back, I asked softly, "Why was the wolf there at the first place?" It was weird. We hardly see a demon wolf in the middle of the day. They were night creature after all. Clearly not caring, Sun merely shrugged and replied, "Who knows?"
And at last, we finally returned to the Holy Temple.
Which was a sad thing.
Because I'm broke, saddled with debts. The last ducat was spent for Ann.
And to complete the misery, we returned just when the kitchen staff was having a day off.
I knew I should have just stayed at the castle for a few more days, until the pay day next week.
Oh, well. Not that it never happened before.
I need to survive until then. And hide it from my vice-captain. I won't tell him until I cleared my debt to him.
Probably.
My stomach growled. Time to hunt for some food!
While roasting pigeons over a fire, I can only lament over my sad life. Thankfully we all were given the day off, which gave me an opportunity to find something to ease the hunger. Usually I survived on Ice's sweets but since he was on holiday too... It was just appropriate not to disturb him.
My vice-captain smiled as he assured me he can handle works for today. With nothing to do, I returned to my room, which clearly didn't show any signs of being neglected for a month. Someone must have cleaned it up on daily basis. The bed looked comfortable to sleep in. Obviously far more comfortable compared to sleeping in the wilderness.
Good night, everyone.
A knock on the door startled me awake. I opened the door only to find no one in sight.
A prank?
Sun?
No, it was impossible. He won't wake up early just for this.
A pale hand gently tapped my shoulder.
"Cloud?" I asked cautiously.
Slowly he manifested himself before me. I'll never get used to it no matter how many times I see it.
"Are you okay?" he asked with his barely audible voice.
Huh?
"They told us you were dead." he further explained when I didn't answer his question.
"Don't worry too much. I'm fine now."
He softly smiled and before I knew it, he was already gone.
I've yet to close my door when I saw Storm waved at me, holding paperwork on the other hand.
"Please?" he asked.
"Sure." I replied as I opened the door wider for him to come in.
"So it's true that Sun ressurected you?"
"Yeah."
"Any side effect?"
"No."
"He told everyone how dangerous the spell is, so it freaked us out when Stone and Ice told us what happened to you guys. And because yesterday was your day off, I decide to check on you today."
Don't tell me everyone would visit Sun and I one by one?
Days passed by as usual, and finally it was time for me to get my salary. On that same day a messenger from the neighboring kingdom came. They really made a fuss over the letters Ann had sent me. Getting teased for a whole day was not something I appreciated, even if it came from my brothers, the Twelve Holy Knights.
Waiting for the night to come, after placing my finished paperwork on Storm's desk, I opened Ann's first letter.
Hey, Leaf!
What a way to start a letter. Hi, Ann.
Not dead yet, I hope?
Nope, because there was no 'kidnapped princess' here in the Holy Temple that tried to kill her savior.
Sorry, I was joking.
I know, I'm joking too.
Don't let Sun bully you too much.
Thanks for the concern.
But you're so mean! How could you accuse me for falling in love with your knights! I still haven't forgive you for that!
Ahahaha. I'm sorry. So another pie is required, huh? But really, an arrow is forgiven and not that silly accusation? There's something wrong with your logic, Ann.
Let me tell you what happened when Sun met my sister and the dark knight.
You knew?
Sun nearly killed the dark knight, yet surprisingly healed him and told him that he will escort my sister back home.
Is that so? They both believed he would do that? I wouldn't.
p/s : With or without the pie, I do know you're a good guy. You really don't need to apologize. Part of it was my fault too.
I smiled. I'm starting to miss her.
Since I finally got my salary, let's see which seasoning I'm going to buy... and maybe...yeah ... I'll buy a slice of blueberry pie for him. He'll like it.
May tomorrow be as peaceful as today.
The next day, the atmosphere brightened up. Everyone was in a good mood. Who wouldn't? After all we had just received our salary.
"Leaf!" called Storm.
"Coming!" I quickly answered.
Maybe he needs help with the paperwork again?
Besides Ann's letter that caused Elijah to come over, nothing much happened at the Holy Temple. Storm must be bored, seeing not a lot of rumors floating around for him to check its authenticity. I don't think I need to mention Sun. He just holes up in his room during his free time, though I don't think I remember seeing him being busy. Everyday life was filled with mundane things.
Still, I felt nostalgic just by being here.
Especially since there was a time when I thought I wouldn't see them anymore.
"Captain!" my vice-captain greeted me, all smiling.
I went with him to the training field, the platoon was already assembled, waiting for me to start the drill. And they were all smiling.
Seriously what happened?
"What's going on here?" I asked, seeing how they were still smiling even after the tiring drill. Surprisingly the question caused some of them to be moved to tears.
"We're just happy that you're back."
I've been here for nearly a month and only now you said that? Wasn't it too late to feel happy about it?
"So?"
"During your journey with Knight-Captain Sun, the Pope had sent us for a mission close to the border of the kingdom."
I can understand. It must be hard for them, considering how much the actual expenses spent compared to the money allocated for the mission. For us the holy knights, the hardest thing was not about how to accomplish a mission, but how to manage the money provided for it. That was why most of us, if not all, were good at financial management. Sadly I was a part of the minority, and always troubling my vice-captain, especially at the end of the month.
"... And only then we realized we missed your cooking."
Eh?
"But it's not like you all didn't know how to - "
"The only one of us who's skilled at cooking was ill the night before our departure." my vice-captain immediately cut in.
Oh, and coincidentally that same guy can't join us on our mission tomorrow. Maybe I should add cooking lesson for them?
Finished with the drill, as I walked along the corridor, a holy knight called me and handed me a letter.
"From the princess." he explained, smiling.
Ann?
Once back in my room as I took a glance at the letter, I was full with doubt.
It was short?
She'd never send me a single letter, and a short one at that.
Leaf, listen.
I immediately stopped reading after the two words.
Sounds serious. Must be important. Hopefully it was not something like her sister tattle to the queen about Sun and how the neighboring kingdom is planning to make Sun responsible for his actions?
Taking a deep breath, I continue reading the letter.
Because of a suspicious skin care recipe that Sun gave to my sister, her skin turned dark, causing her to scream in panic in the middle of the night, startling both me and the guards
If it was suspicious, why did your sister use the recipe in the first place? And what's the recipe anyway? Care to tell?
Reading and rereading the whole letter, it was just about how scary Sun is.
Don't worry, Ann. I already knew it long ago.
For a princess to realize it, I still wonder whether it was a good or bad thing.
"She really loves you." a voice casually commented from the side.
"Storm?"
You read my letter?
"Don't be mad! You looked so serious! I thought you were having trouble with work!"
He immediately retreated to the furthest corner of the room, and hastily made up some excuses.
"Why did you come here?"
"Because you were late. So both Cloud and I were looking for you and Blaze."
"Where is Cloud?"
I can only see you here.
"Here." Cloud replied, and it turned out he was right at my side.
The blue-haired knight sighed, "Even the neighboring princesses realized how scary Sun is. Can I consider it as a good thing?"
My thoughts exactly.
"And because it was Sun, I don't think even washing her face with a thousand tears helps to make her skin fairer." he added.
"Princess Ann should know it was impossible to hide you, though it's even more impossible for you to anger Sun. She didn't need to worry about that."
Another knight who read my letter seriously assessed the situation.
"I know, right?" agreed Storm. It seemed like he said something afterwards, which couldn't be heard clearly as my door was suddenly opened, issuing loud noise as it crashed into the wall.
"Sorry, Leaf. My hands are full." Blaze apologized as he placed the cookies on the table, and started complaining.
"You should tell if you changed the meeting place. I've been looking all over for you."
And kicked open all the doors along the way, right?
"Oh, and this is from Ice." he added.
I've thought of this before, and felt the same thing again.
It's good to be back.
