Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 15: Complicated Feelings

“Maybe you’re the only elf left in your race.” Mhir spoke as she wiped her tears. After all, they had never seen a single elf on their travels inside the forest despite the forest being for elves. “Or, maybe, they were just deeply hidden.” She said as she looked at Tinum. Her clear green eyes are filled with pity.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions.” Leui spoke. “We’re only halfway of the forest.” He said and looked at the map. “After we pass by here, there will only be trees all around us. We’ll be lucky if we’ll find a swamp or a pond for water, but the next body of water is the large river which separated the Elven Forest and human kingdom.” He said and raised his head. “Tonight… let’s just rest here. We’ll depart by dawn tomorrow.” He said.

Mhir’s eyes brightened as she excitedly ran towards the bridge and crossed it. Then, she ran towards one of the trees and climbed up the stairs to choose a house to stay in. Leui and Tinum were left. They took their time as they traversed the sea of flowers. The flowers’ petals brushed against Leui’s pants and the grasses kissed his shoes. Meanwhile, the plants moved away from Tinum’s cloak, but sometimes some of them chose to touch his clothes.

Leui and Tinum decided to pass by the river. The river’s water is so clear that they can see its bottom. Surprisingly, even if the elves left, the fishes, shrimps and crabs on the river are still there. Maybe because the river, no matter how far, is still connected to the sea, thus the creatures living in the river are still alive.

The two crossed the bridge and saw there were no rabbits around. Maybe the animals, aside from the aquatic ones, became a hybrid. “How much do you remember now?” he quietly asked as they stopped on the bridge. They looked down and watched the river pass under the bridge.

Leui looked at Tinum whose expression is unreadable. Even if Leui likes Tinum, he can’t be blinded by beauty and cloud his judgment. He doesn’t know much about Tinum. The reason why he took Tinum with him is that he doesn’t want him and Mhir to be sneak attacked by this mysterious but beautiful elf. It’s better to have your enemy under your watch than to be stabbed by him in the back.

What? You thought I fell in love with his beauty? Well… that’s also right. He thought as he stared at Tinum. He was never a hypocrite. If he likes someone, then be it. If he liked Mhir, then he could’ve been together with Mhir. But, the thing is, he only sees her as a sister. Even if they aren’t blood-related, nor race-related, but once he set his mind on something, then he would never go against. Mhir is like a little sister for him. That’s it.

But, this elf is different. He thought and smiled as he removed his gaze from Tinum. The surroundings started to darken as the sun set behind the mountain. Then, from the flowers the fireflies came out and floated, illuminating the dark surroundings. The lamps on the walls of the houses also lit up, lighting up the surroundings more. The glowing rocks on the walls also lit brighter. The bottom of the river was also glowing because of the bioluminescent organisms living in it, and the flowers’ petals are actually glowing at night.

Leui didn’t know how many times he had an epiphany. But, right now, he is finally convinced he is in a magical world that is full of beauty. Sometimes, Leui would be in a daze and when he woke up, he thought what he had experienced was just a dream. Only when things like this happens would he be reminded he is already in another world, and where he had stayed for five years now.

“Beautiful.” Tinum muttered as he raised his hand to catch a firefly.

“You’re more beautiful.” Leui said as he caught Tinum’s hand, pulling it away from a firefly which immediately flew away from them. Then, he saw Tinum’s skin and silvery-white hair also glowed, like they were resonating with the surroundings. “I am right.” He muttered and raised his hand to touch Tinum’s hair. Surprisingly, Tinum just stared at him and let him do what he wanted.

Leui became bolder as he tucked Tinum’s hair behind his ear, then his hand slipped to Tinum’s nape. He pulled him so that their heads would be closer to each other. Then, his other hand raised Tinum’s chin. He stared at Tinum’s deep green eyes and he lowered his head to kiss him.

However, just as their lips were about to touch when his finger felt a small bump on Tinum’s nape. Then, Mhir’s voice resounded in the area. “Leui!” she called, panic on her voice. Mhir stared at the two, wide-eyed, when she saw them kissing. She wouldn’t have interrupted them had she not seen Leui’s hand on Tinum’s nape. Leui will know the mark on Tinum’s nape! She thought and ran towards them.

The fireflies were all startled and frantically flew around. Mhir gasped when some fireflies whirled past her, seemingly agitated. Their eyes were blinded by the bright light coming from the fireflies after they grouped themselves. Then, they scattered and all left.

Mhir blinked her eyes to recover her gaze. Then, she saw Leui and Tinum were now standing one feet away from each other. She ran towards them. “Leui.” She called and stopped before Leui.

“Mhir.” Leui called. “What happened?” he asked.

“Oh. I – “ Mhir blinked. Then, her gaze fell on the silent Tinum who was watching some fishes in the river. “Leui, did you – “ she said and looked at Tinum’s nape.

“What?” Leui asked.

Mhir looked at Leui’s face and found he was calm. She sighed in relief. “Nothing. I was starving so I went to find you. When will you cook?” she asked.

“I will catch some crabs and will make a stew.” Leui answered as he walked down the bridge and went to the riverbank. He took off his shoes and went down the water.

Mhir stood beside Tinum who was now watching Leui catching crabs. “Do you like Leui?” she asked. She didn’t wait for him to speak before she continued. “I like him.” She said, a smile on her face. “Romantically.” She added and looked at Tinum. Tinum turned his head and looked at her. “That’s why I am very jealous of you.” She said,

“He didn’t kiss me.” Tinum finally said.