Chapter 26 - Who said you won't be thanked?
1881 Words
“How do you guys feel towards us?” Nate posed her own question.
Aaron sat in attention, wanting to know his friend’s thoughts.
They saw Philip shrug, while Selene giggled.
“I’m a little envious.” She admitted. “How cool would it be if I could make those twinkling of fires appear?”
Ah, that. Nate chuckled upon hearing her last statement. She’s still a kid. Until she mentioned it, they only thought of their powers as something to use against enemies. Who would’ve thought that they could be used for entertainment? Well, there’s Pyro who does what he wants.
“Well, there’s not much difference when we’re out here like this. This feels the same like before. It’s not like you guys can use your abilities in public. So, you appear like the rest of us.” Philip explained. It would be nice if they can go out, but since they’re talking about this topic, it’s best to stay indoors.
“Do you wish to have a magical ability?” Vincent asked, looking at his friend.
Slowly, Philip shook his head with a small smile, “I don’t think so. I want a simple life.”
“There’s nothing simple about being a knight, though.” Aaron noted.
Philip laughed at his friend, “You’re just saying that because you haven’t been brought up to understand it deeply. It serves a great purpose to me.”
“To me, as well.” Vince affirmed, “To be able to protect those who can’t protect themselves, who are unaware of the existing dangers, it’s satisfying. In a way.”
“But that would be what we’ll be doing as well.” Nate countered, “Although not as public as you guys.”
She turned to Aaron, “Do you feel bad that we’ll be protecting others but can’t even be acknowledged? We won’t be receiving their thanks.”
Aaron was startled by the question, he quickly turned to Vince.
“Who said you won’t be thanked? They will definitely express their gratitude. Though they might not know, you would have to accept their thanks. You guys would know if they are thanking you, no?” The prince explained.
“He does have a point.” Aaron replied to Nate. Yes, he will have to take it. If they are grateful, he would be satisfied.
“It’s a pity I can’t help you at this time, though.” Philip stood and went to take a goblet, pouring water for himself. He’d heard what they are planning to do at the land of fae.
“There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, I’m sure.” Vince assured his friend. The knighting ceremony will be held in less than a year. Philip would be included in that batch. The king plans to involve the best knights in forming strategies. Copies of the maps from King Florian are being made. The meeting would be after they had scouted the land, though.
They would bring Aaron next time as well. After he returns from the northeast, that is.
After a long silence, Aaron spoke up, “I hope your parents don’t ask me a lot of questions.”
Nate prepared a short letter, yeah. That could happen. She shrugged, “Then, tell them you don’t know much.”
With the word sent ahead to them, Hannah turned to the royal couple. Nate won’t be coming.
“Should I go with him? I have chosen Alec and Corrine, two of our best students.” She informed them with curious eyes. The queen seemed disappointed.
“Alec and Corrine? What are their abilities again?” They have so many students that he couldn’t even remember who’s who. The so-called best students also change every month.
“Alec has power over the wind. Corrine over water. Both are excellent warriors. He’s skilled with swords and her in archery. She’s proficient in traps as well and have a strong intuition against dangers.” Given the future adventure in front of them, Hannah deemed they are the best choices. They could consider it a mission.
“Alright. Let me talk to them a day before you depart. Have you prepared the books we will send out?” The king has a good impression of Aaron. They must trust him to entrust this endeavor to him alone. He doesn’t come across as sly or pretentious. On the contrary, he seems respectful and obedient.
Aaron was nervous by the time they arrived at the palace. He wasn’t expecting anyone to receive him, but Hannah was there.
“The king will receive you at the throne room.” After a short greeting, Hannah directly informed him.
He’s still intimidated by her. She has that air of confidence about her. Beautiful but fierce. Though, currently, she does look pure and innocent. Her white ensemble making her look like an angel, what with her young appearance as well.
“Thank you. You’ve received Nate’s letter?” Aaron was accompanied by a servant who was in charge of lugging the books behind him. He dismissed the earlier suggestion and stated that he can do it himself, but King Edward made sure he’s comfortable in his journey. He’s a trustworthy staff, so to speak, and deserves to be treated as such. He was humbled by the treatment, a little awkward as he’s used to serving others. Even now, he’s tempted to take the box of books from the servant. He kept looking back to make sure the books are safe. He didn’t want to betray their trust and lose the books. That would be mortifying for him.
Hannah did notice his frequent glances.
“There’s no reason for you to be so concerned. There are guards here.” She doesn’t need to read his mind to tell what he’s thinking. Why did she volunteer to take him? Well, they were acquaintances already.
“Is that so? This is the first time they entrusted me with something so valuable. I didn’t want to mess up.” He voiced out his fears, fidgeting with his hands.
“You won’t. You’ve already arrived at the castle.” Somehow, she wants to keep talking to him. She’d learn more about him if she does. In recent days, she realized she did want to experienced being loved back. That is, until her curse wore off or she dies.
Aaron took a deep breath. Yeah, he’s being paranoid. He glanced at Hannah. Wait, Lady Hannah. Wait, she did say to dispose the “Lady” when addressing her. He’s thankful for her assurance.
“Thank you.” He managed to say sincerely as he looked straight ahead. Not long after, they arrived at the throne room and he was introduced. Queen Natasha welcomed him warmly. King Aries ordered someone to take the books from him.
After the courtesy, the couple asked about news on their daughter. He was bewildered at first. Didn’t Nate say she sent a letter?
“Well, her letter didn’t contain much.” Queen Natasha seemed upset over it.
“Tell her to come next time. I miss her greatly.”
“Yes, your highness.” He could only agree. When the queen prompted him for stories, he stuttered. Would Nate mind? He tried to go about it methodically. He was well-informed of their current activities and their success in bringing King Edward into the fae. Oh, acquiring those maps, too.
Both royals are impressed.
“They are able to achieve that much already in such a short time. It is admirable.” The queen complimented. He’d be sure to tell everyone. Though, from how the others related it, they might have felt that things are going slowly.
“About King Edward, do you know what magic he manifested?” King Aries seemed a little awkward and uncomfortable when he asked. The queen frowned her eyebrows at her husband.
“Yes. It seemed like a foggy mist. Chilly. Cold. Vince said it would be good for cover.”
“I see.” He seemed to want to ask something else, but the queen nudged him. Visibly.
Aaron exchanged a glance with Hannah, whose lip was curved upwards. His heart skipped a beat. He tried recalling if she ever smiled before. She might have, but it wasn’t as stunning as it is now. He stared a few seconds longer before Hannah averted her gaze. She tried not to blush, but she could feel her cheeks heating up. What a way to expose herself, she chided. Deep breathes. Hopefully, no one noticed.
“Rest. When are you planning to return? There are a few things I have prepared for Nate and the others. I hope you don’t mind taking them with you.” The queen asked and who is he to refuse?
“Yes, of course. How long would that take, my lady?”
“Until tomorrow, I fear. Also, I don’t think Alec and Corrine have prepared yet, have they?” She directed the question to Hannah, walking alongside them towards the dining hall.
As the queen asked, Aaron frowned. Who are they?
“The king will speak to them today. Though I informed them before, I don’t think they took it seriously. They will once the king issued the order and then, they will take some time to pack, my lady.” Hannah saw the confusion in Aaron’s face when she glanced at him twice.
Queen Natasha noticed as well when she turned to him again. She gave him a smile.
“Hannah will come with you, along with Alec and Corrine. Consider it our help in his majesty’s endeavor in the land of fae. You will need magical people, won’t you?”
Yes, Aaron knew. But there’s also another matter.
“They are considering it, but… Nate and Vince might have to strengthen themselves. Apparently, the length of time that they are able to stay there is dependent on their energy. The more people they bring, it depletes faster.” He tried to explain what he understood. He was glad to see Hannah nodding.
“That is to be expected, but still… you will need more people. Three from the northeast won’t be too much, if they practice enough.”
“I guess so…” He hadn’t been with them to the fae yet, so he doesn’t have a full grasp of the situation.
“Wait, did you say three? You’re coming to the fae as well?” He suddenly recalled her words. Why did he seem so surprise, though?
“There are certain areas where I can help. After all, I’ve lived longer than most and know more than most.”
Yes, he’d heard about that. Except… she looks so young. It’s playing a trick on his mind. He didn’t want her anywhere near danger. She looked so fragile. Well, looks are certainly deceiving. He shook his head a little. Hannah’s a grown up. He had to remember that and see past the exterior.
Hannah’s lips slightly lifted at reading his thoughts. Yes, you better remember it. But then, there’s the issue of him not seeing her as a girl. He might not like her because of it. She turned solemn again. How should she go about that? Well, it’s a “might”. He might like her; he might not like her. Should she pursue him? He looks like a guy without any experience yet. She noticed his interaction with the princess. He was being careful not to get too close to Nate, physically. As for her… she looked on ahead.
The dining was prepared and they all sat down to eat. The queen played host, still bombarding Aaron with questions about her daughter.
Aaron glanced at the queen’s stomach, which they both noticed.
“It isn’t showing yet. Maybe in a couple of months more.” She’s sure Aaron knows, and because he does…
“Does Nate say anything about it? Do you think she’s concerned about her future sibling?”
- Writer
