The Forest Of Elves

>>Amber

I thought a response from the elf people would take a lot of time. But a week later, we were ready to leave.

Hael and I stood in his room, he held me close to him, his hand on my waist as he conjured his teleportation spell. The further the distance of the place or the more complicated it is, the longer the teleportation magic takes to start.

The light flashed and I closed my eyes shut, then as I felt the magic fading away, I opened my eyes.

“Woah!” The first thing I saw when the wind died around us were the humongous trees, “That would be very hard to miss.” Now I understood why Hael was so confident about finding the Elf Forest.

“Exactly,” Hael let go of me and we walked towards the entrance of the Elf Forest. There was a clear difference between the normal trees and them slowly getting bigger.

Two wild trees stood as pillars at a distance from each other, indicating the entrance of the Elf Community.

Lilia stood there, along with another man.

“Hello,” She greeted us.

“Hi,” I waved at her but Hael did nothing, even didn’t even attempt to greet them.

"This is prince Ezio," Lilia introduced him. He was taller than her, about the same height as Hael. But he had platinum gold hair, and his eyes shone the same hue. Ezio was beautiful. But then again, elves are known for their beauty. His golden long hair was tied in a ponytail. And his golden brown eyes shone ethereally in the sunlight that was making its way down through the canopy of leaves.

"Hael?" He looked at the magic master with his eyes wide, "Wow, you've grown." He then scoffed, “Well, of course, that’s ‘the normal’ for humans.”

Woah, The prince knows him too? Well, if he knows the Queen, so I guess that shouldn’t be a surprise. I would have asked Hael about how he knows the elf kind, but the whole week he didn’t come back to visit me.

I just ran the cafe like normal

The weird part is that Ahin didn’t come either, which I found very odd. Someone, no one knows anything about him or where he is. It’s making me a little uneasy. He can’t just disappear out of nowhere.

"..." Hael didn't answer Ezio. He just looked ahead and began to walk in.

I found it odd but didn't question him and just quietly followed behind him.

Is it just me? Or has Hael been acting a little aggressive? He's normally a little rude but there's something more odd today.

“I’ll take you to the Queen,” Lilia caught up to us and Ezio did the same.

“Hi,” He came and walked beside me, “You’re the saint, right?”

“Hello,” I greeted back, “Yes,” Saying yes so confidently made me feel guilty, “That would be me.” But, I didn’t have any other choice, I was stuck with this role. I thought about this whole thing a lot during the past week.

I can’t run away from it now, but I also didn’t want to be ridiculed as a fake. I know this whole thing is wrong but in the end, I don’t want to be shunned by people around me. So might as well go along with the whole thing and make it official. I just hope this all works out.

“Great!” His eyes lit up, “It’s good to have you here,” He said and then his gaze traveled to Hael who ignored him. He simply kept his eyes up ahead and walked pretending Ezio wasn’t even here.

“Thank you…” I stared at Hael. What is wrong with him?

“I kept wondering what the saint looks like,” Ezio got closer to me, forcing me to look at him,

“O-oh, I hope I didn’t disappoint you then,” I offered him a professional smile.

“Oh no,” He took my hand out of nowhere and we both stopped walking, “You are a very charming woman, Saint Amber,” Then he kissed it, making me blush. My cheeks got warm and I felt self-conscious.

Wow, my heart’s beating weirdly, “Why, thank you,” It must be because he’s so handsome!

Wait, does this make me a disloyal person? Or am I only nervous because I’m a sucker for good faces? Well, I am a sucker for handsome faces. Who isn’t? This can’t count as cheating-

Wait, why am I even thinking this?

“I only speak the truth,” He smiled, and I have to say, that smile was charming, “We have a party in a few days, will you be my dance partner?”

“Oh?” I pointed at myself, “Me? Why me?”

He let out a soft chuckle, “Obviously you! Because you’re the saintess! It would be an honor to dance with you!”

“Oh,” I looked away guiltily, “Sure,” There isn’t any harm in dancing with an elf prince, is there?

“Lovely,” He kissed my hand once again before he let go and started walking again. I hadn’t noticed that Hael had stopped for me as well. And just as Ezio went ahead and met up with Lilia who was far ahead from us, I felt a hand come to my waist that pulled me back, startling the shit out of me!

!!!

Hael then grabbed my hand, “I see, you’re quite fond of pretty faces,” He eyed me, then turned and began to walk, pulling me with him.

!!!

*Well..." I was caught. Should I lie and say no?  "Yes," I didn't try to hide it but that seemed to offend Hael

“Hmp,” He scoffed lightly, “Is a face all that matters to you?”

“Well,” I pouted, “A pretty face is nice to look at,” My statement made him roll his eyes and he let my hand go, refusing to look at me after that.

“Hael?” He didn’t answer me.

Wait,

Do I sense jealousy? I pursed my lips, trying to hide my smile. Hael can be jealous!??

Really? That’s so cute! Let me just stare at him and enjoy this moment!

***

The Queen’s palace was ethereally beautiful. I could never have imagined such a place, it looks like it’s manmade but the way it's infused with nature makes one think it’s not. The interior was a masterpiece of elven design, with soaring ceilings adorned with delicate filigree, and windows that frame breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. Elaborate tapestries depicting scenes from ancient lore hang from the walls, while crystal chandeliers sparkle like stars in the night sky.

“Your Highness,” Hael and I gave the Queen a short bow as soon as we entered the throne room. Unlike the one in our country, it wasn’t long, but it was wide, spacious, full of light and air crossings.

“Hael,” I saw the nervousness in her eyes. She looked at Hael as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. She even stood up from her throne. Her eyes lingered on the mage before it came to me, “Saint Amber,” She smiled at me, “Hope you both are well.”

I smiled at her in return, “Yes,”

“Lilia must have briefed you about our demand,” Hael started, “We don’t have any time to waste, so give us the mana piece, we’ll heal your elves, and be on our way.”

“You don’t have any time to waste, huh?” She looked a little sad, “None at all?”

“None,” Hael replied coldly and I looked at him quietly.

“I heard you wanted to know about the origin of miasma, if you stay, I’ll tell you all about it myself.”

“...” Hael contemplated that, “Lilia already gave her word. We heal your elves, she tells us about the source.”

“Hael, after so many years-”

“Don’t,” Hael cut her off, “Just give us what we came here for,”

“I had no idea you were alive.”

Hmm? What is this conversation? She had no idea he was alive? Why? Did something happen that would kill him?

“That’s good,” Hael replied.

“I would have done something about it.”

Hael closed his eyes trying to keep himself calm, “Good thing you thought I was dead then,” He seemed pissed off, “Hand over the mana piece,” He opened his eyes again, his voice got a little harsh, it alerted the guards but the Queen wasn’t offended, at least not then.

"My sister wants to meet you." Helena said out of the blue and that seemed like a snapping point.

Hmm? Why would the Queen’s sister want to meet Hael? What for? Does he know her too?

"Why?" Hael's voice got sterner, enough that it scared me a little,"Do you want me to kill her?" He replied without hesitation but it got all the elves present in the throne room on edge. They took an offensive position, taking out their weapons and pointing it at him

But Hael didn’t stop, “None of your petty weapons will work on me.” He mocked the elves in the room, sparing them a glance before his eyes landed on the Queen again, "And that sister of yours, I would have no trouble killing her. I’m sure she’s a burden to you too." He pointed at his head, “After all, she’s got so many loose screws,” Hael was un bothered by the hostility around him, probably because his hostility exceeded everyone else’s.

“Hael!” The Queen got a little pissed off, “Watch your tongue,”

“Hael,” I grabbed his arm as I scooted closer to him, “Why are you doing this?” I whispered, “Calm down,” I noticed how angry the elves in the room were getting. All the elf soldiers that stood on either side as the Queen’s guard were glaring at Hael but he stood there unbothered.

Proud and confident that no one in the room could do anything to him, "On that note, I'll make it as painful as possible." He smiled, making chills go down my spine. I watched him speak, “How about it? Should I do that for you?”

"Hael!" The Queen finally lost it and stood up in anger, "That is no way to talk about your mother!!" Her soft voiced changed, now it thundered in anger

But, wait

...

What?

...

What did she just say?!?! The information took it’s time processing in my mind

I looked at Hael in horror, then looked at the Queen, then back at Hael

What!?!?!?!

What did she say?!?!! Oh my god! The heck?!? His mother?!? His mother is the Queen’s sister?!?!?

But- but! That would mean- I shook my head at him.

Is Hael part elf or something!?!?

Wait a minute!!! Doesn't that mean that Hael is an elvish prince?!?!?!

Holy hell!!!!