Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [... ]

º

…..A few days later-

º

Strange, was it not? How time seemed to act so fickle, so quickly spent...when one was not paying attention to it. Like water sliding through the cracks of a rock, the humid, cool liquid disappearing from ones sight in a heartbeat into their depths.

Alpha would have had difficulty believing it even to this moment, had she not come to accept it as just another certainty given to her as a gift by Reapers kindness…

Another act of gentleness that only a soul like him could have been able to share and made her head wonder in the clouds. As if swimming through cotton candy or calm, still waters in a pond of deep, yet clean waters.

And though she would have wanted to shore up her resolve, and show a strong face... she could not help but allow herself to accept it, to mellow down at the strangeness albeit no dangerous sensation that seemed to make her float peacefully in the comp-fines of her own mind…

Even though it was a decision promoted by some childish awe, rather than cold hard logic. After all, whether she liked or not...she was more a child than she would have wanted to admit.

And though a part of her was pained to see time fleeting through her fingers...she was not by no means disappointed in what she had experienced so far. Much to the contrary in fact...

But all things come to an end…

Nothing lasts…..

That was what Reaper had said to her hours after the entire mess of the cults assault had been dealt with.

Once again she could not help but ponder about them, revisiting that moment in her mind.

His words were cold and ominous..., almost to the point that they held a sharpness of their own... but not they were not the words born from a fatalistic or foolish mind for she understood the wisdom in them.

Had she not been living a life of ignorance in her village, thinking that she would grow, live and die there... only for those ideas be demolished one by one in a rather brutal and abruptly way with her demon possession?

Yes, nothing lasts….and this was no different.

Her lips pursued up, the ghost of a smile wrapping around their edges, yet her face did not denote any other lingering feeling that could be felt inside her..

Though she felt joy in her heart, she was calm, like the still waters of a pond…for there was no need for her to dread or grief these times when they came across her path.

Just like the storm left through the ravaged fields to allow the calmness that followed to fill the soil and the sun descended from the skies to allow the moon and its court of stars to color the horizon in dark and silver shades, this was just another facet of life.

And so there was no regret in her eyes as she glared at the carriage that stood behind Rose, the wind billowing the girls golden hair from the side as if it knew what was going to happen as it brushed and played with the strays locks of hair the princess of Orianna was trying to keep under control albeit to no much avail.

Hand fidgeting and fighting against the edges of her silky pink skirt who tried to flash them with the sight of her legs with each gush of air that went by.

Roses eyes sheepishly trying to avert their gazes from both hers and Koldarrds as she tried to present a proper lady like appearance, now more than ever given that she wanted to give them a proper farewell.

A tender smile wrapped around her lips.

To be honest, she shouldn't have to….a simple goodbye would have sufficed for her, but she was grateful nonetheless for the effort the human girl was putting for the entire ordeal..

The only thing she wished though...was for times like these to happen again.

Meeting a girl of her own age…, someone from a kingdom so far away with so many things to say and share.

Making a friend.

Getting angry at each other.

Protecting her from harm, coming to terms with one another.

Getting angry at the so called friend again…., so on and so on….

…

...

She closed her eyes, feeling a weight slowly lumbering on them even though she was not tired.

She could not help but hum with some sort of abject childish fascination and satisfaction as she made the count of the events.

The girl really had grown on her, hadn't she..? If she had not, then she could not explain why she had felt so angry when she had found the bruises left in the girls hands by those brutes…, nor she would have tried to heal her and console her when Koldarrd could not provide such service.

A dark shadow loomed behind the depths of her ocean blue eyes, her lips growing stiff as her memories started to ran further and further back..

Back to when she had felt that strange sting of pain…..

She bit her lip. She had ran as fast as her legs could take her...and yet she had not make it in time to reach Rose.

Reaper had...

Had they arrived just a little later, just a second too late...and perhaps she would have been grieving the lost of another soul instead of biding it farewell. It was a thought that she could not shake off easily..

She sighed…, feeling her shoulders slump down as the tension that had been building died out.

Luckily…, everything had ended well…, there was no point any more to belittle herself for what ifs..

So yes... it had been fun while it lasted….Alpha would not deny that, though she would never admit it out loud either. Instead she would cherish this memory forever in her heart.

But like Reaper had told her, there was a difference when one parted ways. It didn't take her much to understand what he meant.

Wherever Rose would go, no matter the distance, or the time that would pass...this was not a goodbye.

But a see you soon...

ºº

ºº

Some could think that sending Rose out now was a bit to soon, that there was no need to be hasty in such decision when he could try to groom her like he had started with Alpha. Ignoring the fact that the elf-ling had butted her head into such path through sheer stubbornness.

The idea had been…. enticing if not honeyed in its nature, he would not lie about it.

Sweet to hear…, yet all the more bitter to swallow.

The choice had been presented to him long ago, when he had first laid out his eyes down her small, lithe form under the debris. There had been something back then...a little voice that had tried to compel him into that.

It was...even now, trying to do so.

Was it a part of his former self to blame for it..? Had the sight of her tears moved him that much? Or was it...a more perverse desire..?

He didn't like answers that led to more questions…, let alone questions that led to even more answers.

And yet, he brushed such thoughts to the side…., not because he wanted to. But rather because he had to.

The path was laid before him and he would not self-sabotage himself by choosing a shortcut, no matter how enticing the prospect could have been. After all, a warrior could not be groomed the same way a ruler would, there were steps to be taken, trials to be imposed…

Rose did not need them, not now…

She was a small, frail little bird. Pretty to see, entertaining to behold for a time as if her feathers glowed bright enough to reflect the glinting glow of the sun itself.., but apart from that she was not necessarily useful for any other thing... "at this given moment."

She would not grow to reach the potential he wanted her to reach if he caged her to him on a whim.

Loyalty was not born that way... nor greatness could be acquire without challenges..both of body and spirit.

Not when two whole kingdoms were looking out for her, and clearly not when she wished to be reunited with her family.

She was a child, young and naive. Kind and direct at times, but soft spoken.., a quick witted girl, but one that tended to overthink everything.

Rose lived her life with present no stakes to fight for the world she lived, not like he would expect for any silver-spoon fed brat to come out of the womb wanting to fight against injustice. Had that been the case, his life would have been easier..in this life and his past ones.

But such ideas were nothing but fanciful thinking of a tired mind..or a fool and he would suffer them no longer.

In the end, the idea of sending her back to her family was always meant to occur.

The question had not been why do it, but when... the spurn of fighting spirit that had burst through the heir of Orianna as she tried to fight for her life had been the chosen reason he knew that time had finally come.

She had ran at first glance of danger…

Tried to flee, to put distance between her and the bandits...like any other sensible person would when presented to an obvious dangerous situation. But once such situation had turned to the worse...she had not collapsed. She had not gave up or broken down into a pitiful sight like most children her age would.

If not all...

Instead she had fought. She had lashed out, she had made a stand….not for vengeance, not out of pettiness but rather her right to live. Seeing those eyes that had held such warmth twist in righteous anger...what wasn't there to not appreciate?

These experiences she had gone through these last few days…they would follow her now as they carved their place into her brains.

Rebuilding her..

Reshaping her…

And in time, preparing her for her given role….

No matter how long such thing would take, for it was not enough to witness violence, but to commit it as-well..and accept the act as a necessity of life rather than a mistake born out of desperation and quick judgment..

Words were pretty lithe little things, easy to spill out and convene what one wanted to say…, but they alone would not change the world.

Acts however would..., and he knew that she would not disappoint him in such regard. After all….the world was just a box of tinder, it only took one man to light the match...and then the flames would consume everything.

A shadow crossed past his eyes. His expression still calm, yet now more forceful, crude...fake.

That didn't matter, for now, he would wait...letting the dice of the long game start by falling from his grasp into the metaphorical floor.

He sighed, his eyes closed for a moment...before he reopen them, facing Rose as they stood in the middle of the road.

The win d brushing from the side, brushing their faces with its cool touch and toying with their hair, and making it float softly behind their backs. The sun of the approaching twilight tainting the skies above their heads in an ever stronger shade of orange and red as the sun bleed out..

An idyllic scenery around them...if compared with the abandoned village

He crossed his arms below his chest, pressing them tightly against it, but not enough to make the gesture seem hostile or tired. Silver eyes locked with golden ones….emotions flaring from one while the other remained tacit in tranquility.

The two having a conversation, yet with no words exchanged between the two...all the while with Alpha waiting patiently to his side.

He sighed again. He was gonna have to do this, wasn't he? Curse his fate...

"Oh please,..you are just blowing things out of proportion. It will be fun."

He fought the urge to groan and grind his teeth, choosing instead to sent a brief, but sharp side glance at the woman in question who had spoken just now, even though he already knew before he even came across that playful smirk wrapped around Auroras lips.

The purple haired witch who was hovering right to his side. Leaning on him with one arm, while the other gripped at his back, pushing her closer to him. Her lips almost a breath away from his as she uttered those words..

Sweet to hear for most, but only a bees buzzing for him as he fought the scoff that had been about to slip out..

[Fun? You have a rather shrew manner to see things..]

"Oh, dear...where is the fun in seeing things the normal way? But don't worry, I am sure you don't mean that..you are forgiven´´

[If you are going to offer a helping hand on the matter, then do it...if not then don't waste my any more of my time]

She started to giggle, clearly not bothered by his words.

"I can offer my utmost emotional support…, my words are weighed in gold"

[You are a ghost so you float around, and words don't have weight, there is no instrument capable of measuring such thing..]

He replied dryly...

She shook her head, the mirth slowing dying from her lips as she started to poke at him with an accusatory finger.

"You know...when you dissect thew joke like that its not funny..."

He decided to ignore what she said, pushing aside the ghost of a past not properly forgotten, focusing rather on the more pressing matters.

Like Rose…

With a sigh he took a step forward.

``It is time, Rose….its getting quite late´´

Rose fidgeted with her fingers, stopping for a moment, glancing at the slowly orange hue the skies were slowly receding into with the slow and lenient descend of the sun through the horizon before she smiled weakly at him.

``I-I suppose it is. How fast time flies, wouldn't you say..? It fills me with a bit of regret if I am honest..it seems like it was a breath ago when I woke up in that bed..´´

One of his eye brows rose, bemused if nothing else. Of all things she could come across...that was not the one he had expected to hear.

He nodded, not finding anything wrong with it.

``I guess so…, though I suppose it depends on the eye of the beholder more often than not. Why do you say that?´´

The little princess rose her head at the question, her blond curls moving back and forth by the playful breeze blowing around. But once their eyes met...she strangely decided to look away, bringing her hands behind her back though it was clear that she was fidgeting with one another...

``N-nothing important, just something to came out in its own..´´

"Oh, she is soooo cute….why don't you pat her head? I am sure she would like that"

[Aurora...]

"Yes..?"

[She is not a dog..]

The purple haired woman stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable albeit he had taken notice the way one of her brows rose a little before her lips pursed into a catlike expression, so devious..like a lion ready to pounce on her new toy in a moments notice.

That was not good..

"I never said she was…Where did your mind go to think that? Eh?"

His line of thought halted for a moment, as if struck by an invisible hand. His face grimacing internally, changing in milliseconds from dumbfounded, then aghast, to utterly scandalized at the mere implication.

Curse that woman, he had walked into that one, hadn't he..?

To add salt to injury, Aurora started to send images into his mind of Rose in...different positions. Most of them making her appear dressed in a-...with a-...

….

He closed his eyes, barely able to keep out the frustration from creasing his face with line after line of hot burning annoyance. For the fragment of a ghost of a soul that had been given a shit life before and even shitty fate, she seemed rather...eccentric. And that was to put it mildly.

What he was sure about, was that Aurora…. really was a pain in the ass.

[Could you stop that.?]

"Stop what..?"

[That..]

She started to smile..

"That what..?"

[That..]

Her smile turned into a shit eating grin…, how could a human mouth become so wide without a proper mutilation was a mystery to him.

``But what is that you say what?

[I am going to kill you, you know that...?]

"Oh, but you would miss me..."

He would certainly would not, but that would be a tale for another day. He shook his head internally, hoping to quell such murderous thoughts from leaking out.

[Children these days….]

Aurora crossed her arms below her chest, pouting.

"I am not a child...!"

[You may as-well be.., funny enough the actual child is more mature than you are]

"Ara ara….are you saying I am not mature enough for you?"

[Pick your poison and leave me out of it…] He grumbled with a wayward thought.

Still.., he stretched his hand forward, not because he was going to follow that clowns advice, not in the slightest. Instead, his hand missed her head by a hair and landed over her shoulder. Feeling the heat and warmth emanating from the contact, among other things…

``Nonsense, everything you say is important..´´

``Really..? Do you hold me in such high regard..?´´

The way she asked the question would not have been strange had her eyes not glinted strangely. Her cheeks heating up a little, coloring her soft, pale cheeks. With a far more vibrant hue.

He paid it little heed, shaking his head with a slow shrug before he allowed his arms to fall limp to his sides.

It was probably his own mind playing tricks to him...

``I do, I thought that would have been made clear by now.´´

He said before leaning a little bit forward, tilting his head to the side. His gaze never wavering from hers, lips pursued into a playful smirk, though one that did not meet his eyes.

`` I never lie, do I...?´´

She nodded weakly, giggling for a moment before she started to rub the back of her head.

``Yes, you did say that…sorry, I must have kinda forgot with everything going on..´´

He acknowledged her answer, nodding his head. In a sense, that was true…, still, there was no really any need to apologize for..

``Don't fret much about it, Rose, It happens to everyone´´

``Really...?´´

``Yes, so don't let that bother you...in fact, I don't see it as a bad thing to ask for a reassuring opinion…after all, how could you go forward if you don't know how?´´

Her eyes widened rather briefly, her lips curling open wide in clear awe, before she closed them tightly with haste once she realized the expresion her face was lock in. Placing one of her hands over them to hide the blush of her cheeks, yet he still could see the upstrokes of the lining between them..

He would have told her that there was no need for her to act like that, but he had an inkling of a thought that she would not listen.

And so, he went to speak, only for her to speak up in his stead.

``That...is very wise of you..´´

He shrugged. ``Perhaps, but sometimes one needs to be bold to reach what one wants. What is the point of power if you are too wise too use it? After all, I do remember a girl who would rather stand her ground than running away in fear..´´

Rose smiled, her expression still timid at large...yet slowly growing more confident, more secure in herself.

It was... a beautiful sight, he would not deny that.

``Still, that was not it, was it?´´

Rose shook her head, and apologetic expression warping under those golden eyes that shone so much like the very sun.

Sometimes she looked far older than her looks would tell.

``Was I so obvious...?´´

One of his eyes rose up at the question. Was it amusement...? Surprise?

He took a step back, tilting his head to the other side.

``You want me to answer that..?´´

Rose merely stared at him for a moment before she shook her head, placing a hand over her chest. Was it some sort of gesture from Orianna, if so.., why did it look like she was trying to quell the way her chest was heaving up and down?

``Asking even now for my own comfort….? You-...´´

``Me..?´´

``You are too kind…´´

``Most would disagree..´´

She took a step forward, stretching her arms forward and graving his right hand. Her small, delicate fingers interweaving with his as they held on to them as if her life depended on it. A passionate look brewed in her eyes all the while...

``Most don't know the actual you I am sure of it...´´

[And do you?]

"Ah, here we go again...beating yourself over old things. You remind me of little old me..."

His hands started to tremble a little bit, out of annoyance at Auroras lack of timing. Luckily or not for him, Rose mistook it for something else entirely as her grip grew a little lighter, yet she closed in the distance between them.

``You have a good heart, Koldarrd..and the people will see it, rest assured of that´´

A good heart..

A good...heart? Him?

The urge to burst out in laughter had been nearly too much for him to bear…

[Oh, sweet summer child….if only you knew]

Slowly, he pulled away from her grasp, much to her disappointment...though she did not say it. It didn't matter, they were here to talk about what she was doing, not him..

`` You feel...conflicted, uneasy. Why..?´´

Rose tried to speak, her lips open up, ready to share whatever ailed her...but nothing came out. Nothing of use anyway.

``I...its complicated´´

``Put words….and I will listen´´

``Is it always so simple?´´

``Why would we make things more difficult for us..?´´

``I suppose you are right…, or is it because I am here with you that I feel it to be that easy to do now..?´´

He frowned in confusion. Him? What did his presence had to do with anything? No, that did not matter...he was starting to understand what had made her get a cold leg at last.

``You are troubled by the choice at hand, are you not..?´´

She stared at him with confusion for a moment, her eyes seemingly having trouble to place him...before something dawned in their depths.

``You really see me like an open book…, you truly are exceptional..´´

``Rose..´´

``Sorry, I started blabbering again..? Didn't I?´´

``More or less..´´

``I see, still..what you said is right... and I really can't believe it. Back then, I only wanted to get out of the palace to explore the world, because even though I enjoyed my life in the palace..I felt...constricted´´

She then looked away from him, her sight landing on the forms of a few birds flaying overhead. A sense of longing passing by her golden iris..

``I was like a caged bird, I could see what laid beyond the walls and sometimes walk through a street over here and over there...but I never had the chance to go out in my way., but now... ´´

``Now is different..´´

She nodded. ``I want to go back home… I can not wait to see my sister, my mother and the people I knew back in Orianna.´´

``A lot of things happened..´´

Roses eyes darkened for a brief moment, so quickly that it could have been missed, but it was there…and though that darkness no longer clouded her eyes. They had lost some of their brightness.

``Yes, and I am sure that my father must be sick worried about me..´´

``Any good parent would..´

After that, they said no more….

A moment of silence to stretch between them…, to think, to ponder...and reflect on what had been said. One of them at least...was doing that.

Then, for some reason….Rose decided that it was a good idea to bow in front of him. Not kneel...which would have been rather embarrassing on its own, but bow…

Had he not TAKEN a step back just in time, he was more than sure that the girls small, squishy little head would have slammed against his chest.

[What now..?]

"Ara ara...this is getting more interesting by the moment, I thought that it was the boys that were supposed to kneel when they tried to propose to others.. You are quite the ladies-man…, so you like them young.., eh?."

[Now…. is NOT really the moment..]

"Oh? Don't tell me that you are growing flustered by this? Hmm...do you think I should do it too? For science of course.."

He strangled the urge to grumble any further. Teeth grinding against one another to the point that a spark should have gone by now, yet his expression remained unperturbed.

Truly…

This woman would be the death of him...and that would be quite the accomplishment.

Perhaps he should just stuff her in a bottle like a genie and throw her down a lake, though perhaps that would be too much of a cruel punishment...to the fishes that is.

``Rose what are you-´´

`` I only wished we could have spent more time…, I have not yet apologized enough for my mistakes and all the trouble I put you through´´

…

…

So it was...that? By the darkness….why did children have to blow up things out of proportion..? This was another reason why he never dealt with them in the first place..

He was not made for this...grueling and tortuous experience.

``Ah, Rose….what I am going to do with you..´´

She tilted her head, confused. ``What do you mean?´´

``Please...rise´´

``But I-´´

``The fact that you are ok is apologize enough for me.., surely you know better than to ignore the words of your friends, don't you, Rose?´´

``Ah, ah...please Koldarrd….don't say that, my heart may not be able to bear the thought´´

``What was that?´´

``N-nothing, nothing at all, must have been the wind...its blowing quite a lot just now..´´

``Are you sure? Your face is growing redder? ´´

``I think that its getting quite late and she may be about to catch a fever if we derail this any longer mas-Koldarrd….´´

The two of them turned on their heels to regard the only other soul that was there to say that.

``A fever you said Alpha?´´

``The nights have been cold these last few days, and giving that the time has been windy these last few hours is possible that she may be feeling a little bit ill´´

``Y-yes! That must be…the other day I spent so much time outdoors and well into the night that I forgot that I could catch a cold. I am so sorry that you would worry about that..´´

He knew that they were lying through their teeth, but seeing the way Alpha looked at him, and gave him a simple nod...well, there was no need to delve any deeper, was it not?

``If you said so...´´

Children….

They really were a mystery to him, even now..

ºº

ºº

``If you insist so...´´

Rose had never been so happy to put an end to a conversation than this one.., and it was not like she had anything against Koldarrd, much to the contrary in fact..but oh by the goddess..she was sure that she would have said something foolish otherwise.

Not like she had managed to held her composure anyway…

Though with the raven haired boy moving to speak with the carriage driver she was left with Alpha who had at first staring with a longing gaze at the back of her friend, before switching towards her.

A more formal and regal glare to be sure, especially if compared with the silent, yet kind looks of her human companion, but one that had some warmth to it..

``Thanks Alpha…, I owe you one. A moment later and my heart would have poured out from the confines of my chest..´´

``Surely you jest..´´

Even though her answer was rather coolly, she could help but feel she was been teased by the elf who regarded her with a half neutral stare. Her lips though quirked upwards into the ghost of a smile.

She really was the representation of control, wasn't she?

Always in control, calm, collected...her voice strong yet not too loud, soft yet not turning into a whimper.

And the way she could speak with Koldarrd without growing nervous..

And the way he had stretched his hand forward that day to pat the elfs head.

….

For a brief moment Rose felt a pang of envy towards her elvish friend poke at her heart, but it vanished as soon as it came as she extended a hand forward, while the other remained clinging to her chest.

Why would she feel like that about a friend..?

It didn't make sense...and since it didn't, she didn't pay it much heed. Like bread crumbs carried away by the wind.

``If only I could say that, I was about to make a fool of myself...with my heart throbbing and my words getting stuck in my chest..´´

Alphas eyes softened slightly, like a mother watching their children share a terrible nightmare with them. Rose then felt the warmth of the blond elf's hand resting on her shoulder, stroking it with care...

Patting it softly.

Giving comfort...

``Its ok, like he said...it can happen to everyone. To be nervous is not something to be a shamed...there is nothing wrong with that´´

``Alpha, I...´´

`` Its just a part of you...and he nor I would not judge you for it..´´

Rose bit her lip, it all sounded so easy when she or Koldarrd said it….

As simple as it was breathing.

The more she thought about it, the more foolish it seemed her worries to be. And they were...

A chuckle slip past her lips, Alpha was right…, she was just allowing her nerves get the better of her.

Curious enough, she had not been when he had met him...back then when she had woken or when she shared meals with them.

``If you do still seem to retain some humor, then is not as bad as you thought it would be…, is it not?´´

Alpha said, a timid smile slowly morphing over her lips as she slowly pulled her hand away.

Rose shook her head.

``Thank you..´´

Her friend merely shook her head, her golden mane dancing as a result under the sway of the wind.

``It was nothing, but please, don't mind mast-Koldarrd...he is just that kind of person. Worrying about others first rather than himself...´´

``That he is…, that he is...like a guardian angel though without the wings and halo´´

That seemed to elate a few more chuckles from the two blond girls. Clearly having found something they shared an opinions on. The way Alphas eyes had glinted so dangerously a few days ago all but forgotten in her mind.

It had been a while since she had laughed this much…

It felt...refreshing.

And yet, she could not help a tinge of sadness swing by once their eyes met again. There was something that she wanted to ask...even though she already knew the answer to it.

She...needed to hear it with her own ears than anything else.

``So...you are going to stay here?´´

Her friends blue eyes hardened a little at that…the mood shifting a bit around them, but not enough for her to perceive it.

``Yes...´´

``Can I ask why..?´´

She did not know why she did, or what drove her to do it, but before she knew...she had already asked. The blond elf did not seem bothered by it though.

``I am afraid I have things I have yet to do...a promise of sorts to upkeep..´´

She had heard that elf's were rarely to give or make oaths…

If she had made a promise...then it would be naught but impossible to dissuade her from it. Nor like she would have even wanted to consider the idea to force her...

``I understand…, I too have a promise to keep´´

``Then we better not disappoint the other, we will meet again..´´

``You believe so...?´´

Alpha nodded. ``I know so…, after all…, fate seemed to lead us to you in the first place. Its not that unheard to think we shall cross paths again..´´

…

…

They really were the best friends she could ask for….

``Rose, are you ok-?´´

The blond elf's words were cut short when Rose lunged forward, wrapping her arms around her friends body and pulling her closer in a hug.

``R-rose...!?´´

``We will meet again! I promise you that we will and then I wills how you all that I have learned..´´

Though she could not see it, she was sure that Alpha was smiling at her...

``I suppose….that I will take you up to the offer...´´

It was not a yes…

Not a I know you will…

But it was good enough for her...and with that she released her friend from her grasp. Taking a few steps back as she tried to retain her regal composure. Breathing in, breathing out and-

``Its good to see that you two are leaving on a good note…, though for a moment I thought you were about to pry the soul off my dear friend..´´

Just like that she jumped, startled by the voice of the boy who had seemingly sneaked up on her. Still, his calm demeanor and his playful smirk slowly soothed any worries...

``Koldarrd..? Did we make you wait too long..?´´

``No, not at all….I just finished giving the man the instructions he needed it, but for your own safety I would suggest to part ways as soon as possible.

``Right, we should have left a while ago…, I-´´

He rose a hand in a placating manner, his face still stuck a playful smirk...though his eyes glinted with a bit less enthusiasm.

``I know, there is no need to give it more attention than it needs. Right now the night is coming...and the road is not as safe as it could be during the day.., you must already be aware of what sort of..."things" could come across your way back to the capital..´´

He was always thinking ahead…wasn't he?

Always worried about the safety of others...

She really had wanted to stay a little more...even though that would have been a bit selfish on her part...

Her thoughts were interrupted when a hand appeared in-front of her, waiting…

``Here, take my hand...allow me to lead you inside the carriage..´´

She stared at him for a moment, a bit baffled to be sure, but not at all bothered.

``I have been in others before..´´

``But have you climb over one yourself..?´´

Now that..was not a question she had expected..

``Errh...well, I...´´

….

``No, sorry...I have never climb over one´´

She meekly replied in the end. It was a bit embarrassing to be honest, for more often than not it was her servants or her parents who helped her to get on the high steps of the carriages.

They had told her that once she grew they would not be that much of a bother…, but until then.

Her expression must have shown given the look of bemusement drawn in her friends face.

``Case in point..´´

``Then I am at your complete disposal..´´

She said as she took on the offered hand. Her fingers clasping onto his rather tightly before he lead her up.

The warmth of the touch and the closeness made her self conscious that this was by far the first time they had held hands like this...

And just as they took the first step up the offered suspension that connected to the main box of the carriage..the distance between them had shortened to a mere whisper.

Her soft lips stiffened, her fingers closed a bit more tightly around his hand, drawing his attention..

If this was the last time they would see each other in the near future, then she had to say it…

She had to take that step…

She had to try...

``Is it true that there is nothing I can offer that may sway your desire to stay here..? ´´

She whispered into his ear, trying to sound as calm and collected as she could, and yet the way her voice broke at the very end surprised her.

Lines started to form around Koldarrds face, creasing his youthful look with a pained and tired demeanor...but his eyes till glimmered with that gallant light.

That soothing glance...

``Rose, we talked about this...´´

Her grip grew a little tighter…, her chest burning a little more.

She knew what he was going to say..

She knew what his final opinion was going to be based on the answer she got...so why did she kept trying..?

``You could come with me back to the capital, to Orianna. You could meet father…, my friends and family. They would be delighted to meet you, to hear your tale..´´

``That is….generous of you..´´

``I am sure that they will reward you for your bravery. You could be lauded as a hero...even though for me you are already one..´´

Perhaps he could get a tittle by his efforts, becoming a knight, perhaps even a noble and seeing how capable he was she knew that he would probably rise the ranks rather quickly and smoothly.

He could could with her home back to Orianna...where she could show her all the things she loved and wanted to do.

She knew she was just fooling herself…

That she was building castles in the air...

That it was a shot in the dark…, but at least that meant that it was as worthy as any other shot.

And so she held her glare. His glared became softer, almost apologetic…, no, regretful...

``I am afraid not.., Rose. I did what I did because it was the right thing to do.., not for a title, or reward of any kind...or would you have wanted that?´´

This was not answer that her heart had wanted to hear…., but rather her soul.

So why.., why did she feel the tinge of disappointment poke at her?

She tried to shook her head internally, focusing on anything but that feeling that was turning so bitter in her throat, or the tears that were threatening to slid down the edges of her eyes.

No…, he was right.

If that had been the case she would not have felt so indebted to him.

It was his honor and selflessness that stopped him from taking what should be his…..

``You really are a true knight, Koldarrd. My shining knight...´´

``Aren't I a bit too small to be one?´´

She smiled, chuckling even for a moment.

As far as he knew, his words were not that funny…, but he was not gonna reproach her for that.

``Still, even if I cant give you something by my title...it still remains the matter of rewarding you..´´

``I already said-´´

She stopped him, placing a finger over his own lips.

``I know, I know….but one day...one day I will-...I will...´´

``You will..what?´´

Her fair skin turned red of embarrassment, but she did not lost her composure as she leaned forward, each centimeter she cut closer, she grew more stiff until she was barely a breath away.

Whispering into his ear with all the control she could muster.

``That...is for me to know and you to find out...´´

ºº

A/N

Here comes another chapter, I hope you like it. Feel free to comment to give some feedback. Any commentary will be appreciated