I sat by the kitchen table, waiting for them to come home. Biting down on my lip, I stared at the cup of tea I made for myself that had long gone cold. They were taking their time, but I wouldn't hold it against them. Granat had a lot of explaining to do for the things he did.

I had almost dozed off when they came back. Chriselda had her arm weaved through Granat's and both had smiles on their faces. Finally, I was able to breathe at ease. I knew for a fact that Chris was a difficult person to apologize to, not because of resentment, but because of her pride. She'd easily forgive anyone, but her pride and reputation was something she held onto dearly.

Granat nodded towards my direction and I knew our plan had succeeded. I smiled a bit and took a sip out of my cup as I watched the male elf walk my best friend to her room. When he came back down, I couldn't help but ask, just for reassurance. "So she's going?"

The elf nodded. "Yes. It took some time, but she finally agreed," he replied. "She'll be on the first ship bound for Iria four days from now."

"And you're alright with this?" I asked. My question caught the man off guard, but he was able to answer, although it was not the kind of answer I was looking for.

"Why shouldn't I be? My best friend and my twin brother are going to work things out between them," he told me. "Chris won't be trying to kill Granites anymore and Granites wouldn't be as distant as he is now."

I crossed my legs and tapped the surface of my table. "But wouldn't it be better if she just stayed here, with you? I mean, you'd treat her better than Granites ever would. Unlike him, you're more considerate of other people's feelings. You'd know the right things to say and do whenever she's in a pinch." His eyes turned away from me and I could tell he was getting uncomfortable at the way I was reading him.

"That's not true," he quietly said, shaking his head. "Granites is a good person. He loves Chriselda and she loves him, despite everything she says."

"And you love her, making you the odd man out," I sadly stated as I slid my finger across the table's surface. I drew invisible patterns as I continued on. "You love her too much to see her constantly cursing your brother's name and adore it at the same time. You can't bear to watch her tear herself apart."

Granat ran a hand through his silver hair, chuckling bitterly. "I see why Chriselda likes you so much. She doesn't have to talk to tell you something."

I shrugged. "There's talent, and there's genius. And then there's me, who is a little bit of both."

Seconds of silence passed before he confessed to me straight out the truth of what he felt about the whole thing. "I love her."

"I know."

"I don't want her to go."

"I know."

"It would mean I'd never get another chance with her."

"I know."

"And we'll remain friends. No more, no less."

I nodded. It was sad, but I couldn't do anything about it and neither could Granat. He already knew that he had lost Chriselda to Granites and he wasn't going to fight over her or anything. "Friends. No more, no less," I reiterated.

"No more, no less."


And now we're done!